The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-06-17
THRU BOND ISSUE
That Is Way Topeka Soldier
Memorial Will Be Built.
Plan Suggested by c. l..
Mitchell To Be Followed.
COST WILL Be ABOUT 100000
Enthusiastic Meeting Held at
City Auditorium.
mittee of Citizens.
COST WILL Be ABOUT S4OO,OOO

LAC new 4OPChd 4AOAlOl 1dA 11dil
campaign was launched Monday night
at a mass meeting at the city audi
torium. The returned soldiers, sail
ors and marines will not have to build
their own monument, as the matter is
now in the hands of a committee of
citizens headed by David w. Mulvane.
special bond issue. to raise the nee
essary funds. will probably be held
within the next few weeks.
The decision reached Monday night
is the elimination of an idea expressed
for the fist time in the State Journal
on April 8. In this issue, Charles L.
Mitchell, secretary of Crane & Co..
said:
why don't we build a monument
to our soldiers by building a big con-
vention hall for community conven-
lions and community sings and other
Hall?' Have a fireproof hall large
enough to hold all of them, something
that will be useful and practical"
May Cost 100000.
1t is probe BILE that the hall will cost
approximately 100000, including the
site, if the citizens committee formu-
lates a plan on the lines suggested by
w. A. Biby and others. Among the
features to be considered is the huge
auditorium to seat 5000 persons.
twice the capacity of the city audi
forum, and capable of taking care of
conventions of great magnitude. The
hall, in addition to being a tribute to
the Shawnee county boys in the war,
will be community center. and will
serve a long felt need for the city and
county.
Miss Marguerite Gohlke, well
known Topeka soprano, and the SUM-
flower quartet, started the Monday
selection of songs that everyone was
in an amiable humor when Capt. w.
P. MacLean, post commander. called
the meeting to order. Henry Bennett,
Topeka contractor, a Civil war artil-
lery captain, Endorsed the program on
behalf of the Rotary club and the
Loyal Legion. w. A. Biby made a
live wire" speech, in which he said
that the hall is up to the voters of
Shawnee county, and not the boys
who fought the war. He outlined his
own conception of such an edifice,
which proved to represent the con-
sensus of opinion generally among
the men and women present.
Military Sisterhood To Help.
The Military Sisterhood, which has
advocated a memorial, of some kind
for several months, was represented
by Mrs. G. F. Rees. who promised
the hearty cooperation of that body.
David w. Mulvane and James Null
lin both spoke briefly, praising the
soldiers and sailors in strong terms,
and reiterating the statements of for
mer speakers that the matter should
be up to the citizens rather than the
men for whom the hall will be dedi-
Gated. Mulvane moved that Captain
MacLean appoint a citizens commit
tee, and Mullin, who has been a power
in every drive at the Santa Fe shops,
seconded the motion, which was car
ried unanimously.
The committee, which may be en-
larged later. consists of the following
men: D. w. Mulvane, chairman; w.
A. Biby. James Mullin, Frank Beck
and Ralph r. Baer.
Under the plan proposed and adopt
ed last night, bond election will be
held, SO that every property owner in
the county will do his bit proportion
ately. The laboring man, who owns
his little home, will do just as much
as the wealthy man who will be re-
CURED to pay large sum of money
annually. Bonds. maturing in a GER
tain number of years, will cause only
a very slight annual assessment on the
dollar, and the benefits to be reaped
from such building can hardly be
estimated. By such methods. the rails
ing of funds will be conducted along
equitable lines, and it is hoped that
within three or four months actual
construction can be started. The de-
tails, such as drawing up plans, select
ing and purchasing a site, and opening
bids for the contract, will probably
follow Immediately after the election.
The tribute to the boys of Shawnee
county who sacrificed a great deal to
win the war, is now UP to the men
and women of Shawnee county.