The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-13
Road Has Chance to Make To-
peka Real Grain Center.
Could Do So by Encouraging
Building of Big Elevator.
But ROAD WILL NOT Do So?
Prefers to Have Grain Storage
Building at Kansas City.
VIII Not Grant Switching Priv
iIeges to Other Roads.

The Union Pacific railroad holds
the future of Topeka's grain ihdustIy
in its hands. Possessed or the olly
property in Topeka suitible for the es-
adjustment of a 100000 bushel public
storage elevator the Union Paclilc
can either promote or squelch the
proposed erection OF the big plant
that will mean so much for the ~
ture of the grain business in Topeka-
Action of the Union Pacific IN OF
fering a lease which contains pro
vision for a thirty days notice TOT
termination of the contract makes 10
peka grain men believe the Union "a
cific is endeaVoring to get the Dig
elevator located in Kansas CITY
+. j. Smiley. secretary OF the Kansas
Grain Dealers association, the only
local man interested financially IN the
proposed building of the elevator de-
clared today that the thirty day part
of the contract was one that could
not be accepted.
The Union Pacific" said Mr.
Smiley. doesn't appear to make any
bones of the fact that it would raLner
see the elevator at Kansas CITY Ihat
point is the end of their line and they
can't gain much by locating a hlg
elevator at Topeka, such a snort us
lance from this terminal
Nor is the thirty day section OF the
leise the only proposition causing the
grain men with money ready 10 IN
vest in an elevator trouble In order
to carry out the business pidi u ~
a public storage elevator the ROCK
Island and the Santa Fe systems must
run switches to the elevator ana 10
reach theis elevator the switches must
run over the Union Pacific Ilght-ol-
way.
Withhold Switching Privileges
II is understood that conference
was held Friday among representa-
tives of the three railroads Al the
end of the conference IL was an
nounced an agreement could not be
reached regarding the extension OF
switches 70 the proposed elevator site.
Unless the three railroads agree to
run their switches into the elevator,
the project is at an end. SAID Mr.
Smiley. Il have tramped from one
end of North Topeka to another and
there is not a piece of ground suitable
for the elevator, excepting that owned
by the Union Pacific"
1t is generally understood that def
mite knowledge concerning the Union
aCifc's acquiescence to the entreaues
o. Topeka grain men or its refusal
VIII be known by the end of the week.
Meantime. the Rock Island and Santa
Ie. with everything to gain by the
establishment of a big elevator in the
city, are watching anxiously for the
Union PaCific's action in either Sitting
o. promoting the $4,000 scheme for
a 100000 bushel public storage ele-
Vator in Topeka. The proposed site
OF the elevator is near the kaw Val
ley Milling company's elevator.
We can compete successfully with
Salina. Hutchinson and Wichita if the
elevator is built" said Mr.. Smiley.
With the establishm of a board
of trade in Topeka and the influx of
dozen or more offices of big grain firms
into Topeka. the future of Topeka as
a grain center began to loom bright
ly in the horizon. Grain periodicals
contained stories of the progressive
ness of Topeka grain men and from
every standpoint Topeka promised to
step to the front along with Salina,
Wichita and Hutchinson.
All Up to the L. p.