The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-02-08
Rock Island Move Is Expected
at ANY Time.
Failure to Remove Local Tele-
graph Plant Tells Story.
ANGER AT COMMERCIAL CLUB
Hasty Conference Following
New RumOr of Departure.
Question of a Few Days Until
Announcement.

From an authoritative source that
cannot be made public, comes the an
nouncement that the Rock Island is
making arrangements to move to To-
peka a division of the o. S. and D. de-
partment now located in Chicago The
new office will bring with it more than
a hundred employees.
Considerable strength is given the
statement by virtue of the fact that
several thousand dollars worth of
valuable Geographic equipment neces-
sary in the new department was left
in the local offices when the general
manager and his staff were moved.
In addition to the equipment that
easily could have been transferred to
another office, the road has also re-
tanned in Topeka, e. l.. Whitney, SUI
perintendent of telegraph.
Local Rock Island men and men,
bers of the Commercial club commit
tee that recently visited the Rock
Island offices in Chicago, have under
stood that the road has been contem-
plating the transferrence to Topeka of
some office that will bring with it as
many or more employees than were
taken away with the general man
ayers office.
A persistent rumor has been circu-
lated to the effect that branch of
the auditing department would be
brought here.
While no local Rock Island official
will admit that he knows what depart
ment will be brought here, the costly
telegraph equipment is taken by sew
eral persons who are believed to be in
a position to know. as a confederation
of the statement taht Topeka is to get
a division of the o. S. and d.
Anger at Commercial Club.
Smothered misgivings that the Rock
Island doesn't intend to do anything
for Topeka except move away more
the Commercial club and took the
form of absolute fear and anger at
the railroad. This, because of rumor
that the Rock Island claim depart
ment, under w. c. Cartilage, would
soon follow the general managers Of
flee in the Rock Island exodus from
Topeka.
AS soon as the division freight
agent appeared at the Commercial
club j. Will Kelley took up the mat
ter with him. The freight man was
indignant that any one should even
guess that the Rock Islands policy is
to move departments and heads of
departments from Topeka.
r. Justified by Action.
well, sir" said Mr.. Kelley. 1.-The
roads action in the past certainly
would justify some such conjecture"
Cheer to Topeka.
A long private consultation followed
and upon Its completion Mr.. Kelley
announced that he believed some
word would be received in a few days
that would be the means of bringing
cheer to Topeka. The city passenger
agent also took exception to an init
nation that the Rock Island is pur-
suing a well defined policy of moving
its departments from Topeka.
IF ii doesn't do anything or make
any announcement of its policy it
stands to reason that one must guess
as to its policy" he was told.
Advice to Elliott
Let the people guess if that will do
them any good,' he retorted
1t is understood that Charles Elliott,
former president OF the Commercial
Club. who headed a delegation that
called on Rock Island officials in Chi
cago in an endeavor to get some def
mite word that viii relieve the strained
situation existing between Topeka and
the Rock Island. Late this afternoon
a consultation relative to the matter
was held by w. w. Webb. president
of the club, and J. Will Kelley.
When the delegation called upon
Rock Island officials data was present
ed to the men in Chicago showing
that Topeka had always given the
Rock Island its full share of freight
traffic, and possibly mere. At that time
a very indefinite answer was given to
he delega ton