The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-31
TOpekans Interest Army OFF,
Gals in Maple Hill Site.
Col. Evans Promises to Look
Over Proposed Location.
HELD CONFERENCE IN ST. LOUIS
j. viii Kelley and E. HI. Crosby
Pushed Their Claims.
Got a Reconsideration After
Report Had Been Made.

After vainly endeavoring to per-
suade Col. z. w. Evans to look over
the Maple Hill site for a mobilization
camp for part of the draft army. ].
viii Kelley, secretary of the Chamber
of Commerce, and E. H Crosby, an
indefatigable worker in behalf of the
betterment of Topeka, jumped on a
train Tuesday evening and spent Me-
mortal day in st. Louis attempting to
induce Colonel Evans to give Topeka
an opportunity to get the camp Upon
looking over map showing the loca-
ton of the Maple Hill site and show
ing Topeka's accessibility to Fort
Leavenworth and Fort Riley and her
ideal location on three trunk lines,
Colonel Evans promised that he would
come here in the next two days and
inspect the Maple Hill site
Colonel Evans has visited six pro-
posed sites in Kansas and a number
in Missouri. The Topeka Chamber of
get him to come to Topeka but he was
unable to include this city in his
itinerary.
Report Gone In.
However, in telephone communica-
ton with Colonel Evans at Manhat-
tan and other towns in Kansas, Mr.
Kelley was told that a report would
not be sent to Washington until June
3. Upon the arrival of Mr.. Kelley
and Mr.. Crosby at St Louis, they
were told that the report had been
forwarded to Washington Tuesday
When the location and natural ad-
vantages of the Maple Hill site had
been unfoIded TO him and the Access
sibility of the city on three trunk lines
had been emphasized, he finally de-
cided that he would come here and
promised to send supplemental re-
port concerning the site to the war
department at Washington
Fully three hours were spent by the
Topeka men in locating Colonel
Evans. Word was sent to them that
didn't phase them. They visited no
tells and the old and new customs
house and finally located him
Nothing doing" or words to that
effect was the cheerful information
received from him following their in
PRODUCTION. But Colonel Evans thinks
better of it now and is coming here
to look over the ground.
The Rock Island is doing all it can
to help Topeka. The road has prom
ised to Immediately build a double
track to Maple Hill, should the gov
eminent select the site. and, if this is
done, it undoubtedly will build thru
to Mcfarland, or Herington. Here
are some OF the arguments set forth
by Mr.. Crosby and Mr.. Kelley that
come to Topeka:
Arguments Used.
A tract of land consisting of 1900
acres, and the price will be made
right, has been lCcated in a valley with
ample room for building sufficient ter
minal tracks 20 meet every need of
the camp.
An excellent and unlimited water
! supply is assured analyses of the
Maple Hill water made at the univer-
sity were presented to- Colonel Evans.)
| Situated in a most central location
for the states Of Missouri. Kansas and
| Colorado.
! a camp site surrounded by a rich
| agricultural and grazing country
where feed for the live stock and fOoG
for the army IS easily obtained.
| Topeka has Sin large Touring mills
with a daily capacity of $500 barrels
a large meat packing house. two large
| creameries, three large wholesale gro
ceries, and these facilities added tc
the unlimited facilities at Kansas City
Mo, and Kansas City, Kan. few miles
| distant would enable the camp to OBJ
tain a major portion of its food sup
plies quickly and conveniently, and
would not require the use of a lot OF
railroad equipment for a great length
of time because of long, difficult
{