The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-30
Stone Asks for Appropriation
Amounting to S12S,O0O.
SchOch'S Measure Seeks $114,-
900 for All Purposes.
NEW BUILDINGS BADLY NEEDED
Both Bills Provide for a New
Concrete Grandstand.
Agricultural Hall and Sidewalks
Also Are Necessary.

The Topeka state fair will receive
S12S,000 for buildings and main
tenance if the legislature enacts bill
offered in the house by Robert Stone
of Shawnee county. stones measure
provides for an appropriation of $780,
600 for maintenance and $10S,0OO for
new buildings and improvements to
the state fair plant on South Topeka
avenue.
Under the Stone bill new concrete
grandstand, a new agricultural and
horticultural hall and new cement
walks would be provided. The meas
ure calls for appropriation of $40
| 900 for general expenses and main-
| tenance during the next two years or
this amount $4,000 is to be made
available for the 1917 fair and an
equal amount of the fair next year.
The measure also calls for appro-
priation of $4,000 for new agricul-
tural and horticultural hall. $4,000
for a new concrete grandstand and
| $4,000 for cement walks.
| 1t seems probable that Topeka and
Hutchinson are to bury the state fair
Ratchet during the present legislative
session With the introduction today
of the Topeka fair bill, an appropria-
ton bill was introduced by Frank j..
Martin of Reno county calling for
NEARLY S15O,00O in appropriations for
the Hutchinson fair plant. There is
little chance that the Topeka following
will oppose the Hutchinson bill. On
the other hand. there is no indication
CT hostilities toward an adequate ap-
preparation for Topeka.
State Needs Two Fairs.
| Friends of each city seem to have
iagreed that the state can adequately
provide for two big state fairs. For
\ that reason supporters of Hutchinson
and Topeka are expected TO work in
harmony. Each institution has been
officially recognized as state fair
Each receives aid from the state. Now
the two towns are asking for needed
appropriations for betterments ami
improvements The Topeka appro-
priation bill provides for putting the
local state fair plant in excellent phys
icaf condition and will go to the ways
and means committee with strong sup
port for a favorable recommendation
without change.
Following the introduction of the
Hutchinson appropriation bill, Repre-,
sentative Graham introduced bill
providing that inmates of the staIe
Ireformatory may be employed in the
upkeep of the Hutchinson state fair
: grounds.
The Schoch Measure.
One hundred and fourteen thousand
dollars is the amount asked OF the
legislature for the topeka STATE Ialr
. in bill introduced in the senate to-
dav by Senator Schoch of Shawnee
county.
Two rev buildings, cement walks
and drives and $4,000 for general ex-
penses are included in the requests.
If the legislature grants the request
the old wreck that has been used as n
horticultural and agricultural building
since the days of the county fair in
Shawnee will be torn down. 1t will
J rr;xy r11a to n nc 000 GfTIGff1ra
in harmony with the new buildings
at the fair grounds.
The old grandstand, patched up
year after year. burned partially sew
eraI times and now in state of dilap-
idation. will give place to a new mod
ern structure costing $4,000. The
present grandstand is insufficient In
seating capacity and by many has
ever it is filled firemen are stationed
in it, under it and about it to head off
any blaze that might start.
Need New Walks.
The Schoch bill also asks for an
,, appropriation of 5000 to be used in
extending cement walks and paved
dr:veways over the grounds. There
are no cement walks the fair
grounds now. They are built of Gin
ders. the same as the driveways. Last
summer the fair association obtained a
small stretch of paved driveway by
permitting cement companies to dem
onstrate cement road building But
= that 200-foot stretch is all the paving
there is in the Topeka state fair
grounds.
The $4,000 appropriation asked for
in the bill is for general expenses. 1t
is to be used to plug up holes and meet
any deficiencies that may develop. In
) the matter of buildings the state
architect is authorized to draw plans
} and superintend the construction.
t No appropriation bill for the Hutch
inson state fair has been introduced in
= the senate to date. Senator Schoch of
;hawnee county is not member of
the senate ways and means committee.