The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-05-02
THE COUNTY FARM


county home for the poor-wilI be
held up by certain civic societies OF
Topeka if it is in their power to enjoin
the board of county commissioners
from carrying out their present plans.
In order to prevent the building on the
county farm of this new edifice for
which Topeka and Shawnee county
have been clamoring for years, the
Rotary club and the Shawnee County
Medical society have filed petition in
the district court asking the court to
enioin the commissioners from carry
ing out the project.
1t seems that the excuse of the clubs
in taking this action is their conten-
ton that when the bonds were voted.
it was with the understanding that the
home should be built in Topeka. They
argue that only in the city can the in
mates of the institution be given prop
er fire protection, care and the use of
modern conveniences.
The county commissioners, whose
administration we must admit has
been reasonably safe and sane, and
who are recognized as men of business
ability, gave this matter their most
careful consideration. In deciding to
locate on the present county farm they
were beyond doubt considering the
comfort, safety and convenience of the
unfortunates who must make this
place their home. rather than the
whims of the civic clubs who are at
tempting to annul their efforts The
INf,v &C L. 7 80, -.
ical society will surely admit that the
bonds were voted for a county home
and not a city home. If it were for
the latter, why would it not have been
better to vote city bonds exclusively :?
The bonds voted amounted to $780,
coo. The cost estimate of the archi-
tects on the new building is $4,000.
Where, in the city of Topeka. is there
a place to erect this building? Where
is the money to buy the ground? The
only place suggested so far is the
small tract of ten or fifteen acres near
the fair grounds, where the Shunga-
nunga frequently overflows to the
depth of three or four feet and where
the odor, germs and insects from the
horse barns would no doubt make life
a great pleasure to the unfortunates
dependent upon the, county for their
keep.
1t has so far been the policy of the
county to. allow the inmates of the
home who are so disposed to spend
their time in rocking chairs on the
veranda, but it must be remembered
that many of them are not satisfied
with this inactivity, but are DESTROYS OF
doing what little they can in garden
ing and other light activities. 1t must
be admitted that there would be little
opportunity for such helpful activitie:
on the part of the inmates in the de.
Ginning years of their lives on the site
near the fair grounds.
On the present county farm. in g
healthfuI location, the inmates have
the freedom of forty acres of land
They have all they want in the way O
fresh milk, butter. eggs meat, frui
) and vegetables, and all these cheapei
than if the foodstuffs had to be hauled
) into the city. Hundreds of quarts o
fruit are put up on the farm every fal
for winter consumption.
The majority of the inmates them
selves are opposed to having the hom
| built in town and certainly thei
= wishes should be given some consider
: alton.
The present charges on the count
farm are truly deserving. If tn
= home were built in town. there woul
be many undesirables only too glad t
lrrra Il az =
and go to the home to sleep at nigh
: A hard surfaced road leading t
the county farm is about to be con
e structed. In ten minutes the count
charges can be rushed to the peas
e and quiet of the country. In ten min
utes their friends and relatives ca
r be with them.
= AS to modern conveniences. whic
: is the flag the clubs are waving mos
2 wildly. the new home will have theI
e all. Built of fireproof material, it wi
e have its own electric lights. water sys
d tenn. baths, steam heat and fire appa
e ratus. The city could furnish no NOR,
t Really well meaning persons VIII
S wish to help will not object to maxim
n the short trip to the county farm an
: let it be hoped that the distance wi
It be bar to those who are not we
i meaning. In the country. beside a
n the advantages enumerated, there wi
a BE no danger to the life and limb {
the aged inmates by speeding automC
n biles. street cars and other vehicles.
p In short, Topeka has been devotir
is too much time. to obstruction and d,
e struction. Let us construct If II
It Rotary club wants to help. let it COZ
r tribute to the hard surfaced road tn;
Is will make the county farm of easy a,
II cess to the<city. There are too mar
= lawyers in Topeka, enjoining. destro,
l. ing and discouraging. Let's pull t,
re gether for the right thing at the rigl
n time. Let's put an end to intern
is dissensions caused by petty iealousi