The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-11-14
BUILD new OFFICE
Bell Telephone Co. To Erect
History Building Here.
Plans Announced Today for an
100000 Structure.
ESTABLISH BIG HEADQUARTERS
Permanent State Offices To Be
Maintained in Topeka.
Plant To Be Erected on jack
son Street Property.
ESTABLISH BIG HEADQUARTERS

Beginning early in 1920, the South
western Bell Telephone company will
begin the construction of new ten or
eleven story plant and office building
on Jackson street between Eighth ave-
nue. and Ninth street, facing the state
house 1t is probable that the original
construction will be eight stories, al
tho foundations will be sufficient for
realization of present plans for ten or
eleven floors. Building and new plant
equipment thruout will probably cost
$750,OO0 to 100000.
By the carrying out of the plans
announced today, Topeka becomes
permanent state headquarters of the
Southwestern Bell company with
greatly increased office and operating
forces. The new offices will be built
directly south of the present plant and
office on jackson street. AS soon as
the new structure of 75x150 feet is
completed and equipment is installed,
the present office and plant building
will be overhauled to conform with
the new offices. giving the company
a 125-foot frontage on Jackson.
War conditions which are holding
up supplies and building materials
make impossible the construction of
the new building next year. 1t is quite
certain, tho, thai. ground will be brok-
en- for the new building in January,
1920. and that the entire building will
1921. The building proper will cost
more than 100000, according to pres
ent estimates, while new plant equip
ment will call for an expenditure of
$250.0O0. Modern steel construction
will be used thruout.
More Than 500 Employees.
More than 500 employees will be
housed in the modern new office build
ing. The executive and administrative
staff, as well as the legal and other
departments now occupying rooms in
the Central National bank building.
will be moved to the new offices. The
general office force is now composed
of 1S1 people. At least thirty addi-
tional employees are to be brought to
Topeka in a few weeks. 1t is appar-
ent that with the continued growth
and development of the business Of
the Southwestern Bell that the office
force Will within the next year he In
creased to $50 people. At present
| there are 225 people employed ir
local office and plant department. In.
cluded in this number are twenty stu.
dent operators.
Final plans for the new building
have not been adopted. Plans under
which the telephone officials ~ill work
| in providing for the new structure in
clude at least three floors for the
plant and operating department.
fourth floor may be added for thi.
work. Three and possibly four floors
will be reserved for general offices
The main floor will provide space fol
local officials and business offices. The
operating department will occupy the
first three or four floors above the
| business offices, while the general of
| fices of the company will be located
| on the upper floors.
Ffve-Year Lease at Seventh.
The Southwestern Bell compan!
| holds a five-year lease on the office!
now occupied in the Central Nationa
building. 1t is the plan of the com
pany to complete its new structure be
fore the lease on the building a
Seventh and Kansas avenue expires.
| There is little probability that W,
can beGin actual work on the new
building before January. 1920" sal.
E. F. Carter, general manager of th
Southwestern Bell company. "Ou
present plans call for building tha
will carry at least ten or twelve floors
1t seems probable that we will be com
PEELED to build at least an eight stor,
structure to meet demands for genera
offices, plant department and loca
/ of