The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-02
MAY LIGHT Dome
Proposition Before Governor
and State for Flood Light.
Similar to- Washington MOnu-
ment and other Shafts.

The dome of the state house may
yet be electrically lighted. This has
been advocated for years, but moth
ing has resulted, partly it may be,
because of the expense and partly be-
cause there were no funds available
There is an opportunity just now that
sends a ray of hope to those who
have sought to see the dome of the
capitol of Kansas lighted as other
domes in other states are lighted.
There is a new plan: flood lighting
not so expensive, but more beautiful
Governor Capper is taking COM
mendable interest in this subject and
gave a good deal of thought and at
tention to it yesterday. The matter
was called to his immediate attention
by the following letter addressed to
him Friday morning by Frank f. Mac
Lehman of this paper
This will introduce to you w. L.
Jones, representing the Wheeler com
pany, which makes specially OF lIoou
lighting. L wish you would give MIN
a little of your valuable time and
if NAV result, if terms can be agreed
upon. in very attractive feature
which for years has been discussed
here in Topeka; namely, the hsh1ng
of the state house dome
Il have been in correspondence
with this company from time to time
since last spring
you know that time and again the
old Commercial club discussed a
proposition to outline the dome with
electric lights; but nothing resulted
either because of the expense or the
lack of funds for the purpose.
Last May, when L was in Washing
ton City, 1 observed the beautiful eff
feet at night of the flood lighting OF
say the upper one-fourth of the
Washington monument, which stood
out brightly in the darkness. 1t oc-
cured to me then that that was the
proposition for US here in Kansas and
Topeka; TO flood light the dome rather
than undertake to outline it with
electric lights 1 took up the matter
representing the Wheeler company, IS
here today partly as an outcome of the
letters 1 wrote.
Il have asked Mr.. Jones to present
some round figures as to estimate of
the cost of installation and the cur
rent He thinks that it would be en-
tirely practical to install the projec-
tors on the roofs of the four wings OF
the state house. I believe the effect
would be wonderfully beautiful and
the lighted dome could be seen from
any point within radius of a dozen
miles or more from the capitol.
Il have suggested to Mr.. Jones that
you might take the matter up with
the executive council and possibly by
some quick action, if you deemed
proper, take it up with the Iegisla :
ture. even at this late day and secure
an appropriation that would enable
the state to secure this added
attraction for Topeka and
the state house by installing these
projectors soon. 1 apprehend, too
that the matter is simplified in the
way of electric current, because the
state house is now electric lighted
from the states own plant. The
states own electrician and engineer
could probably do the greater part OF
this installation"
Many beautiful structures have re-
Gently been FLOOD lighted" under the
new method, recently adopted: The
tall F. w. WOODWORK tower in New
York, the Ridge building in Kansas
City and the Orpheum theatre there
and the Soldiers and Sailors monu-
ment at Indianapolis.