The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-01-13
THE NEW YEAR.

among Kansas cities for the new year.
Instead OF the old attitude of antag-
onism that created dissension in busi-
ness an. legislative affairs there APP
pears on the hazy Kansas horizon
sign of harmony and cooperation.
One day recently the mayors of
Wichita. Hutchinson and Topeka met
here for the purpose OF making. city
planning commission suggestions to be
presented to the legislature this
month. Charles L. Mitchell presided
and in expressing his attitude on the
unusual gathering anG the discovery
OF the many things in common among
the cities said:
cit is indeed a pleasure to see
gathering of the municipal heads of
the larger cities of Kansas all meeting
in the capital city to talk over propo-
sitions such as city planning. and
other constructive measures which will
help all of US as municipalities-help
all Kansans.
This is the first time in the sixteen
years that I have been a resident of
Kansas that know of meeting O.
this kind having taken place. When
I came to Kansas sixteen years ago. l
was surprised to see and learn of the
feeling of municipal bitterness which
existed among the larger cities of the
state, and especially to learn of the
feeling entertained by so many Kan
sans toward Topeka, the capital city.
At that time. citizen of Wichita did
loyalty as a citizen of Wichita unless
he made it his business to knock To-
peka-'knock' Hutchinson. and, iE
fact, Kansas entertained the best little
bunch of municipal knockers of any
state I knew anything about.
81 was born and reared in Wiscon-
sin, and I knew asa boy that Madison
was the capital of the state. and when-
ever the name of Madison was men
toned. I thought of it with consider
able pride. In fact, I liked to hear
the word. Madison. for that to me was
the capital city of the state where
was born. I never was in Madison in
my life, but to this day, have a warm
feeling come up in my heart every
time Madison. Wis, is referred to, not
withstanding the fact that 1 am a full
fledged citizen of the state of Kansas
and fortunate enough to be resident
of the capital city.
when 1 came here some sixteen
years ago. it seemed to be the prevail
ing idea that a newspaper from the
middle or western part of the state
which did not rap Topeka, had not
gotten out a very successful edition
Il Immediately took charge of a corps
of statesmen making every county seat
in the state every thirty days, and it
seemed that all heard of was the
opposition to Topeka, and the>feeling
entertained that Topeka wanted to
hog the whole game-Topeka want
ed verything-Topeka wanted ali the
state institutions, and there was Just
r. general feeling against Topeka, and
heard of it from all angles. But,
thank God, during the past sixteen
years, this sentiment has changed to
very marked degree, and hope that
within another five years that the cit
liens of the state of Kansas-those
who are proud to acknowledge that
they are Kansans, will feel just that
same Kansas pride in the fact that
Topeka is the capital city of their
state.
During the years have been COIL
nected with the Chamber of Conn
merce. and have welcomed and solic-
tied a number of conventions to our
city, I have never failed to bring out
the idea that we were welcoming them
to the capital city. I never have be-
lieved in this bitter fighting for con-
ventions, or for industries to locate
here in preference to any other city in
the state. Each time 1 have told the
Kansas Official council, at its meet
| ing, to decide which city they would
go to, and that we do not intend to
buck any other city. That If they de-
would be very glad to see them and
do everything we could to make theix
visit here a pleasant one. but I have
always emphasized the fact that We
wanted 1t distinctly understood thai
We are not bucking any other city 70,
their meeting place. The idea that
am trying tofconvey to you Is the fact
that believe that everyone who pro-
fesses to be loyal Kansan should Al
the same time be proud of and loyal te
his capital city.
IT hope to live in Kansas Ions
enough to see that result brough'
about, and, as one fortunate enough e
live in Topeka, intend to do my par
toward bringing that result about
Personally, 1 hope the day viii
come when every citizen will feel jus
as proud of the name 'Topeka'-jus
as proud of the city of Topeka as
feel toward Madison. Wis. the capita
city of the state in which I was born
There is much good that can b,