The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-01-01
TOPEkA'S OUTLOOK.

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because these things are put on the
market by home people. 1t also re-
suits In more money for the farm own
er and he sends the boys and girls. or
moves to town, to take advantage OF
the schools. This latter, of course. ap-
plies to all good towns, or cities, but
we know that a good share comes to
Topeka.
One direct benefit may be mem
toned: since the silo campaign by our
agricultural commissioner silos have
sprung up all over the state and a
great per cent Of them are made in
Topeka.
Some of our merchants say they had
the best Christmas business for years.
The Rock Island people congratulate
them and we are glad to have been
able to contribute our share to that
business, be it large or small. because
1t takes both to build up a good city.
The Rock Island appreciates the
business with which it has been ia
vored during the past year. It indi-
Gates a good steady growth. which.
we believe. win result in improved
revenue to both Topeka and the road.
We all boost" Topeka as a good
place in which to live. Why not also
boost" it as a good place in which
to do business? I, for one, believe it
can be done to our lasting good.
j. Win Kelley, Secretary Topeka Conn
mercial Club.
In summarizing the results of the
year 1914 SO far as commercial Topeka
is concerned, the reports received at
our office are more or less conflicting.
From some branches Of industry and Of
trade we are advised that business has
not been as good as in the years pre-
vious, while in the retail and jobbing
trade nothing but praise is to be heard
Of the year 1914 and in these lines Of
commercial activity. substantial in
creascs In business are almost univer-
sally reported. No doubt when the bus
moss situation Of the entire country is
summarized, Topeka will find that the
year 1914 vas most gracious to her.
The year has not been an easy one in
which to do business, and it has been
necessary to force business, much more
energetically than. in other years, and
possibly when the accounts are all cast
for the year the net profits will be no
greater but the volume Of business has
been increased and Topeka has retained
her place and reputation as one of the
substantial cities Of the country. Trav-
cling men who travel all over the
length and breadth of this United
States have repeatedly said that BUSH
ness in Kansas comes more nearly be-
ing normal than in any other section
they have traversed. know of no bet
ter barometer Of the business situation
than the expressions of these men.
The wheat crop which will be the
wonder Of the age until Kansas pro-
duces a greater one, and only Kansas
can, has brought an immense fortune
into the state, that has made her the
coveted object of every man or firm
who has anything to sell. and she has
surely been the Mecca for all these peo-
pie.
The year 1915 will no doubt see great
err efforts along this line and hundreds
OF men will be coming to Kansas to
sell their wares. Agriculturally, Kan
sas could not ask or hope for a better
year than has been the year 1914. In
dustrially. Kansas has much to hope
for and Topeka especially must continue
to strive to bring within her borders
more factories. 80 - 10 70
That the middle west has many ad-
vantages for certain lines of manufac-
ture is becoming more and more a GER
finally resumes something near her nor
NAL condition in other sections Of the
country that Topeka will see q great in
crease in her industrial life.
Undoubtedly a decided Improvement
will come early in 1915 and once it
Aa0S0S
will be one of the big beneficiaries and
believe the industrial life Of Topeka
viii be wonderfully stimulated. I be-
1ieve that Topeka. has many industrial
opportunities. As see 1t, 1t is only
necessary for US to wake up to the op-
portunities and make more vigorous
efforts to get more OF the right kind of
Industries.
When the war does end-and who can
say that 1t may not be in 1S15?-a great
flood Of immigration will come to this
country from devastated and ruined
Europe. BY proper organization and
effort some Of these sturdy and indus
tr1ous foreigners may be put on Kan
eas farms. This can be attained by the
cooperation OF the Kansas land owner
and the proper departments Of the
state. The population of Kansas can
soon be doubled and that carries with
It the doubling or trebling Of every
other line OF business activity. Kansas
1s always optimistic and We in Topeka
are always optimistic. but II ever there
was a time for concerted optimism it is
now. In my judgment. In my few years
Of residence in Topeka have never
seen better spirit Of harmony pre-
vailing than prevails among her citizens
today and II We can augment this by
oven closer teamwork we are going to
see the dreams Of the dreamer come
true.
Conditions are surely suspicious for
1916 80 let's keep on elnilin' and when
we bid goodbye to 1915 we will see
many things accomplished that now
look impossible. Let's not overlook
an opportunity to make Topeka and
Kansas better and bigger than ever.
Charles e. Bascom, City PassengeE
Samuel e. Lux, Secretary Of the Kan.
sas State Fair Association.
The Kansas State Fair association
put on the biggest agricultural and
live stock exposition in the state last
September. There were wonderful
displays Of horses. cattle. swine and
poultry, and the only thing about the
show that did not come up to advance