The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-12-04
roPEKA's FACTORY FUND.

/ Il
Excellent success has attended the
beginning OF the effort of the Com
merciaI club to raise a credit fund of
$3.50, 900 that it is planned to use in
the development of Topeka as an in
d strial and business center. And
surely little difficulty should be ex-
perienced in obtaining the balance.
\ For this is one of the most substantial
moves that has ever been made to
place this city on an equal footing
with the many thriving cities in the
central west. Topeka is blessed with
every advantage for progressing in
! dustrially that is possessed by any of
these cities, and also enjoys some that
are superior to any held by these
friendly rivals which are devoting
such forceful energies nowadays for
pre- eminence in the industrial arena.
Here is a plan, tried with success
| in other cities, where the subscribers
to the fund only pay in an exceedingly
small percentage of their subscrip-
tions in cash. They merely pledge
their credit for the remainder of their
subscription. And the credit thus
pledged is to be used in the main for
extensions to existing industries in
the city so that they can develop to
larger proportions, or to outside con-
Germs that are looking for new loca-
lions, and which may need such credit
for working capital to place them
selves securely on their feet. So many
safeguards are thrown around the use
of this credit fund, that it is almost
inconceivable that any of the sub
scribers to it will ever lose a penny.
But the ideal subscription list
would contain the names of many
men for small amounts rather than
the names of a few for large sums. In
fact maximum for subscriptions has
been set by the promoters of the plan.
But many subscribers for small sums
would create the desirable condition
that in the event of their ever having
to make good any of the credit ex-
tended, the burden of loss would be
infinitesimal on each subscriber and
one that it would not pinch him to
sustain.
Then, too, in times past when any
funds have been raised in Topeka for
any sort of an undertaking the biggest
of their burden has always been car
ried by the Topekans in mercantile
pursuits and the bankers, together
with a small sprinkling of professional
men who have always been loyal and
generous IN the DOOSIlnS OIL the SOOo
old town. But this plan to develop
Topeka as an industrial center is one
if successful and there is no reason
why it should not be-that will be of
material advantage to almost every
man or woman in the city. 1t means
a bigger Topeka, bigger in population
and therefore in every other way. This
means more business for every man
in town, whether he be a retail mer-
chant, wholesaler, a 1obber, a real
estate agent, an insurance agent of
either variety, a doctor, lawyer, or
any other variety of a professional
man. There are also many property
owners in Topeka who are not engaged
in any active business or profession. A
growing Topeka means an enchance-
ment of their property values, tnclud-
ing remunerative rentals.
All such people of means in Topeka
should be subscribers to this credit
fund. And if all or most of them
should subscribe it could be raised
three times over by the end of the
week and in proportions that would
not be burdensome under any exigency
to any individual subscriber.