The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-22

err class of people doing business with
the company, and ascertain the cause
of their discomfort In other words,
we would adopt the suggestion of my
farmer friend-tell our story to the
people, and also ask them to tell theirs
to US.
The plan was put into effect at once
officials working out the details as the
needs of the campaign developed. IN
few months we had a program in
successful operation, and there has
been but little change made in it,
One week in every month half a dozen
or more officials are drafted for
trip over a division-sometimes two
divisions. A short train is made up
for the accommodation of the party
and a town-to-town tour conducted,
stops being made long enough at
every place to enable our people to
meet the business men and farmers
in a convenient room, usually the
Commercial club, court house or city
hall. The meetings are INFORMAL
sort of Handwriting affair, with bit
of Speechmaking occasionally.
Hold Harmony Meetings.
In Santa Fe territory such gather
ing is known as a harmony" meet
ing, a Kansas newspaper reporter
having given it the name that sticks. I
suppose it was so called because our
officials make it plain to the citizens
of gear in the community, so far as
the Santa Fe is concerned, they want
to know it. The value of such a
meeting is in the heart to heart talk
INDUCED in by two elements of the
| public having mutual interests Each
side sees whatever problems arise
from the viewpoint of the other, and
/ often they are able to reach a har-
monious settlement of a controversy
which otherwise would result in litiga-
| ton. Differences with individual ship
perS also are adjusted at these "har-
mony" meetings, and when the rail-
road men depart for their next stop,
| and the town and country people re-
turn to their respective duties, there
| is a general feeling that the atmos-
phere has been cleared, and that the
railway company and the community
are going to get along better in the
/ future than they did in the past
Our harmony" party does not con-
fine its efforts to the adjustment Of
| differences between the company and
its patrons, for often there is no trou-
| Bile of that character. The Santa FEES
several activities for the development
of the resources of the territory ira
versed by its line usually are of inte--
est locally, and the harmony" meet
| ing gives opportunity for discussions
of industrial and other problems in
the solution of which the company
may be in position to help.
Service Is Free.
The services of departments or
ganized by the company to aid in up
building Santa Fe territory are free to
all communities which can use them.
A new policy, which has become pop
ular, is to have our engineering de-
partment pass on plans for public
work, especially bridge construction
and improvements having to do with
| drainage, when asked to do so. Coun-
oil nf- nCl1i off Gi1-in o.
information of this nature, are invited
to communicate with the superinten-
dent who responds promptly. We
have been in position to assist a large
number of localities in getting good
results for the money they spent, and
they tell us that they appreciate this
cooperation.
Our Industrial department has been
instrumental in bringing into Santa
Fe territory many factories which the
people wanted, but which were diff
ficult to secure in many cases because
communities needing the industries
lacked facilities for getting into touch
with them. Our plan is to suggest to
the Commercial club of a city that it
make a survey to ascertain whether
there is need of new industries. When
such need is found, the club enters in
to correspondence with our industrial
commissioner, who is in tune with the
demands of industries seeking loca-
tons With the aid of this informa-
ton the commissioner often is able to
bring towns and industries together
The colonization department of our
railway operates with the view OF
bringing homeseekers and other de-
sirable investors into Santa F'e terri
tory-thirteen states in the southwest
Industrial information is compiled by
states and sent to our agents all over
the country. Investors, therefore, can
find detailed reports about the devel-
opment of our territory in any santa
Fe office in the United States The
average community needs new people
and fresh money in its business, ano
we do what we can to help it accom-
plish it's purpose.
Help for Farmers.
We maintain an agricultural de'
partment whose mission is to carry or
experience the year around, giving the
: farmers the results. Our agriculture
experts, all graduates of agriculture
colleges, and with practical expert
ence, keep an eye Ola the farmers whC
move into our territory from othel
parts of the country, to see that the,
r start right. A new man In commun
F ity soon becomes an asset or llaDlI
ity-the former if he succeed, the lattel
if he fails. We want the newcomer
+ to succeed. The Indiana farmer NOV
, ing into the Panhandle of Texas, To-
instance, might think he could emplo.
the same methods of farming in tn
new country that h e used in tn
Hoosier state. 1t is the work of agri
; cultural experts to help the new farm
err acquire knowledge of climatic AM
: soil conditions, that his mistakes ma,
be few, and his success assured.
The activities mentioned play an i'm
portant part in our harmony meetings
as nearly every town visited has pro
ject in which the Santa Fe can he'll
? to a greater or less degree, and thes
I matters are discussed.