The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-01-01
Rock Island Looks For Big
Business in 1891.
Rolling Stock Prepared for
Rush Times, Soon.
CROPS TO MOVE IN SHORT time
Revival of Business Depends OF
Kansas Farmer.
Merchants To Spend Money In
Buying New Stocks.

There are still optim1sts In the
world, and among railroad men at
that. The Rock Island believes that
better times and big business, are on
their way, and that they are not to be
long delayed.
And the tangible evidence OF that
belief is in the repairing of cars, the
preparation of all the rolling stock
of the road for a rush of business. and
the concentration of all cars at points
where they are apt to be needed.
Orders to Kansas Officials.
The preparation and concentration
are ordered in a recent circular issued
to all the officials of the Kansas d.
vision of the road.
The Rock Island officials believe
that congress is going to do something
which will tend to steady business
whether it be the arrangement of a
credit system which will restore the
European market or the passage Of a
tariff which will protect and help
the American farmer.
To Market Crops Soon.
But whatever congress does. the
Rock Island believes that after 1t is
done, the farmers will begin to realize
that they must begin to market the
crops which they are now storing. and
get them out of the way Of next years
crops.
When that happens, there is going
to be 8 revival of business in all lines.
The farmer who decides to sell his
crops is going to pay off some of his
debts at the bank. and some of his
accounts at the stores. The mer-
chants who get their money from the
public, are going to spend part OF 1t
in buying more complete stocks or
goods. There is going. to be employ
ment for more men than under the
present conditions The wheels of
| business and industry. from the couri-
try store to the big manufacturing
| interests in the east, are going TO
| speed up.
Get Equipment in shape.
| At the present time, with all the
rolling stock they can possibly use,
there is opportunity for the railroads
| to get their equipment in shape for a
very strenuous time.
IF we didn't, we'd surely be
swamped, when the real rush comes.
z. F. Strain, divisional freight agent
| for the Rock Island, says.
| For that reason the cars have been
repaired and spotted in the crop-pro-
| ducing areas, ready for the grain to
come in from the farms. And the
| other cars have been prepared to haul
| back and distribute the goods which
will be purchased as result OF this
movement of grain.
| Stdrt NHrdfu N1OVcluCAl ILLS VAOAtAAs
| If January is an open month
Strains personal opinion is, that 8
great deal of grain will start moving
| to market during that month.
| Wheat cars are being sent away
from the Kansas division of the Rocl
Island, and to other divisions where
there is a large quantity of wheat still
to be moved. The cars are being re-
paired here when possible. But there
are other points in the west and th'
southwest where they will be needed
territory in this state.
the railroads for the movement o
the wheat crop does not commenc,
until the crop it well along mcntl
before harvest usually sees the star
of the same Arrangements which ar,
tbeing made at the present time. TIL
Rock Island is looking ahead, to tn
time when there will be a 1921 crop t,
move, and knows that the 1920 vhea
must be moved first.
Forces Are MarshaIled.
| The movement for which tho force
Of transportation agencies in the stat
are now being marshalled. is partly
partly an advance preparation for tn
} next. 1t is unseasonal, and wholly uT1
! precedented.
But the Rock Island sees bushes
and industry ahead, and is usifg tn
} present slack time in the freight bust
{ ness, to prepare for it.