davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24

had the replies to congressional calls
written in the form of decent, legible
and satisfactory information. 1t suited
the member of congress better; it gave
him more information; and when, as
many memb ers do. he would send the
pension office letter TO the soldier, in
stead of rewriting fe-and making one
of his own, based on the information he
had obtained, the soldier was more
pleased because he rot only could read
the letter, but could understand it far
better.
Still later, and in the present year,
this line that he organized what is
in his bureau. This handles exclusive
ly the congressional calls. When
member of congress sends in a ''call
Slip or writes a letter on a claim, re-
questing certain information, it goes
to the correspondence division. There
trained examiners look into the case;
intelligent replies covering the desired
point are dictated to competent ste
nogra piers; and members of congress
and old soldiers get a better grade of
information and are better satisfied.
In the last year of the admins tration of
the predecessor of Mr.. Ware sc, 600 new
pension certificates were issued. In less
than six months-in less than five months
since July l, this year, Mr.. Wares Of
fee has issued 90,00) new certificates. This
one statement shows something of the
energetic manner in which Mr.. Ware is
working.
tually brought up to date the work OF the
bureau of pensions. This is something
that has not existed in the organization
of the bureau. 1t is surprising here in Of
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24

fetal life, where there is so little in a de-
partmental or bureau way that is abSo-
lutely up to date.
Speaking of this: There is a bureau in
tary secretary's office. 1t has charge of
about all in a strictly clerical way there
Is in that departmental, such as recordS,
inquiries Investigations, rolls of soldiers,
etc. The most frequent calls made by
members of congress on this office is for
military and medical history of soldier
When a letter is written to the military
secretary, General Ainsworth, an answer
is received in less than "a hours time, no
matter how much research is necessary
is the pride of General Ainsworth and the
marvel OF all new members of congress.
Mr.. Ware told this writer the other day
that before January l, when he went out
obtain Just such prompt reply from his
office as from that of General AinSworth.
And if he does this he will not have
served his three years in ''purgatory, as
he facetiously refers to it, in vain.
Here are a few figures obtained from
the pOStOffice department in respect OF
rural free delivery: There are in opera
ton today a. 700 rural routes in the United
States. New routes are being installed at
the rate of 600 per month. The appropria-
ton for rural service for the present fiscal
year was in excess of 20 millions. For the
next fiscal year it is hoped that the sum
of &c millions will be obtained. When it
was only a handful of rural routes, and
that five years ago there was but a few
hundred of them, the progress made in
this great system of advantage to the ru-
digious.
Miss Cora J. Gretchen of Kingman has
been appointed a teacher in the Philip
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24

his ability. He weeded out the force
There were many superannuated
clerks, men and women; good deserving
persons, and the men having had good
army records, but Mr.. Ware believed
they should not be doubly pensioners
Most of them drew pensions already
from the government; in addition he
did not believe they should have pen
sions over again in the way of good
salaries, unless they earned the latter
There was much wailing when he re-
duced many of these older persons, or
replaced them entirely with young
timber. Mr.. Ware, whenever he could
do so, called on the civil service COM
mission for young men-stenographe
and typewriters. He scattered them
the building. Thus he in
fused young and vigorous life into his
bureau.
When Mr.. Ware came into the office,
he found that there were coming in
each month about 10000 congressional
calls" This meant that members of
congress were sending in to his office
each month that many slips, or form
calls, requesting the status of pension
claims. To these members, covering
each case inquired into, Mr.. Ware as
certained that form letters were be
ing sent. These were the most perfume
tory kind of letters, half printed and
the balance filed in by the aged and
decrepit clerks with illegible and unsat-
isfactory information CONCERNING the
condition of the various pension claims
Reformation along this line was one of
Mr. Wares first efforts. He began
utilizing, as fast as he got them, his
younger and active typewriters, and
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24
ACCEPTS HER CHALLENGE.
A Retired Minister of Wichita, Kan,
Willing to Debate With Mrs. Nation.

Wichita, Kan, Nov. 24.-The Rev.
S. c. Roach, a retired minister of the
Christian church, has accepted Mrs.
Nations challenge to debate; on con-
dition that she "be governed by proper
and becoming language" and that she
use mo personalities, either direct or
indirect Two weeks ago, when Mrs
Nation was here, she said in the
course of a lecture that men who voted
the Republican and the Democratic
tickets were murderers and thieves
and challenged any responsible mem
Der of either party to argue with her
the question, Resolved, That the Re-
publican party is the greatest enemy
to Kansas She said she would pay
the expenses of the man who would
debate with her and give him $50 be-
sides.
The Rev. Mr.. Roach says he wrote
to Mrs Nation a week ago accepting
her proposition, but has received no
reply. He gave a copy of his letter to
the press today. He said that he be
lieved her challenge was "a bluff"
The Rev. Mr.. Roach said he was OPP
posed to the liquor traffic, but not
more than he was Disguised with
Carrie Nations way of suppressing it.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24
E FIGHTING FOR ADVANTAGE.
Santa Fe and Southern Pacific Want
Good Mountain Passes.

There is much activity in railroad
circles in New Mexico and Arizona, !"
says Frank S. Lusk, the Denver rail-
road contractor. THE Santa Fe is
planning to relocate it's transconti-
mental line, which means practically
the construction of a new railroad in
New Mexico. 1t is desired to get
away from what might be termed the
'cloudburst section of the territory.
The Southern Pacific is also planning
some changes, but its principal bust
ness at present seems to be efforts to
block the Santa Fe.
Both roads are fighting for vari-
Gus passes and canyons and rights of
way that are of great value. There
are numerous box canyons desired that
have perpendicular sides, and where
there is room for only one road.
understand that the Santa Fe, how
ever, has been successful thus far in
securing such passes and canyons as
it desires, and that it will be equally
successful in securing others.
THE Santa Fe, in its new line,
which is termed a cutoff, will not
only avoid the cloudburst section,
where it has lost thousands upon
thousands of dollars, and where it has
caused innumerable and long suspen-
sions of business, but it will avoid
Ration hill and other steep grades
This means a big reduction in curves,
and it all means that it will be rea-
sonably safe to do business the year
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24
MORE SPACE NEEDED.
Exhibit Buildings at the Lewis and
Clark Fair Too Small.

Portland, Ore. Nov. 24.-So great
is the demand for space at the Lewis
and Clark fair that the present for
eign exhibits building and the liberal
arts building are found to be entirely
inadequate and ways and means will
at once be devised to provide neces-
sary additional space. The contin-
gency appeared when the report OF
Director of Exhibits Henry E. Bosch
was received. Notwithstanding appli-
cations for space in these buildings
exceeded the ground area by thous-
ands of feet, Mr.. bosch, who is in st.
Louis allotting space, granted all the
applications and communicated with
the Lewis and Clark corporation in
Portland which Immediately approved
his action. 1t has not been definitely
decided what course will be pursued
but according to the exposition Off
Gals the most feasible plan and the
one which will probably be chosen is
to surrender the present liberal arts
building over to the uses of foreign
exhibitors which will afford ample
room for this branch of displays, and
construct a larger liberal arts building
of such proportions as will insure
ample room for all domestic exhibits.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24

such could make a successful head of
department, or important bureau like
that of pensions. But when the preSi
dent appointed Mr.. Ware, nearly three
years ago, he did it because he wanted
a thorough lawyer. The office of COM
missioner of pensions is a judicial one.
There are countless legal propositions
involved, and intricate legal points
arising daily. The matter of decisions
is not unlike in a court. For these rea-
sons, 1T was the idea of the president
to have a man with a thorough knowl
edge of law at the head of this office.
There was also the personal side to
the appointment. The president not
he desired for commissioner but he
liked Mr.. Ware. He had met him in the
1900 campaign, and had admired him
very much since that time. The presi-
dent does things on impulse often, pro-
vided he is sure that his impulse is not
misplaced.
Mr.. Ware had a predecessor who was
a business MANI. G. Evans. Mr..
Evans was conscientious, also, and
Woodworking. He left his office in fair
condition but his management of it was
not as thorough as has been that of
Mr. Ware.
The Kansas commissioner inaugural
ed several reforms, directly he got into
the office. He began to make the
clerks and division chiefs work. That
surprised many of them. He complete
ly reorganized his force, instead of let
ting the force organize itself. That oc-
casioned some surprise. Mr.. Ware in
sisted on every one of his /, 700 employees
serving the government to the best of
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24
ROB THE JAIL OF WHISKY.
Burglars Brake Into Nebraska Lock-
up and Steal Spirits.

Albion, Neb., Nov. 24.-Excitement
ran high in this city owing to a rob-
berry that was committed last night
The city authorities had several gall
Ions of whisky, wines, and bottled beer
in the city Jail that had been found in
the place of business of John Summer,
local Anti-Saloon league. A hearing
was set in the county court, and the
liquor was being held for evidence.
The robbers succeeded in making off
with this liquor.
The burglars sprinkled red pepper
all around where they had been at
work, in the event the authorities de-
cided to put the hounds on their trail.
No clue so far has been discovered to
give any idea as to who got the liquor.
but the local police force is hard at
work on the case.
The liquor business in Albion the
last two years has caused a great deal
of trouble. The people voted down
the license proposition.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24
NOT FOR BEST FARM
In the State.

L saw So much in the papers about
the wonderful cures effected by Pyra-
ma File Cure, determined to give it a
trial bought from my druggist one
fifty cent box and used it as directed.
and by the time had used the last
pyramid l was entirely cured in four
days after 1 began to use the "pyra-
mids" all Inflammation was gone was
perfectly easy all the time, the excess
sive discharge stopped at once and
stools became easy and gentle
Il was unable to get my own fire.
wood for four months and half the
time when / could walk at all l had
to walk half bent 1 used many pile
remedies, salves and ointments. ali TO
no effect until used one fifty cent box
of Pyramid Pile Cure and was cured
Il would not be afflicted as l was
four months ago for the best farm in
the state of Arkansas. I can give proof
and reference of the wonderful cure to
all who are afflicted as I was PLEASE
publish my letter that I may advise the
afflicted" w. E. Wallis, Piggot, Ark.
Box 26.
The experience of Mr. Wallis is that
of thousands of others who suffer for
years with the most painful forms of
hemorrhoids, or piles, and after trying
everything they hear of, give up all
hope of a cure and look for temporary
relief only. To all such a little book
published by Pyramid Drug Co., Mar
shall, Mich, brings glad tidings, as =
tells all about the cause and cure q
piles. and it sent free for the asking.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24
TEACHERS AT SALIVA.
North Central Association Draws a
Large Crowd.

SaIina, Kan, Nov. PA large
number of teachers from over north
ern and central Kansas are gathering
here today to attend the Thanksgiving
meeting of the North Central Kansas
Teachers association. This is the
twenty-second annual session of the
association. The meeting will last
through Friday. Superintendent Geo.
r. Crissman, who is superintendent OF
the Salina school, and his associates
have been making preparations local.
ly for the meeting for some time.
Among the leading numbers on the
programme is a lecture by President
Guy P. Benton of Miami university,
Oxford, Ohio, which will be given To-
night. His subject is 1.-THE Life That
Now Is" On Friday morning Frank
r. Dyer, assistant state superintend-
ent, will give an address on THE Good
Citizen and His Civic Duties" Prof.
Hamilton P. Cady, of the State unlver-
sity, will give some liquid air expert
Superintendent Greenwood of the
Kansas City, Mo-, schools, will speak
on "Some Vital Questions in Educa-
tion.''
Governor-elect Hoch is on the pro-
gramme to make a short address on
Friday evening, which will be follow
ed by a lecture by f. Louis Soldon,
superintendent of the ST. Louis schools
During two hours on Friday after
noon there will be round tables, one
section deal with rural school prob
lens, another with the grades in city
schools, and third with city high
schools. ~
The people of Salina have made
elaborate preparations for the enter
tainment of the visitors. One of the
mobile ride of an hour, covering the
city.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24
LISTENED TO A PROPOSAL.
Odd Experience of a ''Cornered" New
York Burglar

New York, Nov. 4.-An amateur burg
lar giving the name of Howard Watson,
captured in Thirty-fifth street, has told an
amusing story of his first experience in
acquiring the property of others When
arrested he had several pieces of silver
ware bearing the initials of a. wealthy
soap manufacturer residing in Madison
avenue. One piece had been pawned to
buy Watson's breakfast, but was quickly
recovered.
Watson told the police he had recently
lost his position a hospital attendant
and was extremely hungry when he found
the basement door of the mansion open
and walked in. He sneaked upstairs and
was about to help himself to some silver
articles when young man and a hand
some girl entered the parlOr. Watson was
frightened, but concealed himself behind
some heavy draperies and was compelled
to stand there several hours while the
young couple discussed their affairs and
the youth finally proposed and was, &C
copied. When he was able to- escape from
the hiding place the fellow found all exits
fastened and was compelled to remain in
the house throughout the night. Early in
the morning he eluded the servants and
fed down the avenue. Soon after he was
arrested. When detectives visited the
house the burglary had not yet been dis
covered.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24
RAILROAD NEWS.
Dominion and Gulf Railroad
Will Be Built.
Hutchinson Business Interests
Are Sanguine.
j. A. KOONTZ in EAST.
Will Be of Vast Benefit to West
ern Kansas.
Gossip and Matters of Interest
in Railroad Circles.

Hutchinson, Kan, Nov. 24.-There are
those in Hutchinson who declare that
J. A Koontz, who has had charge of
the promotion of the Dominion & Cuff
railroad, the proposed line from Win
nepeg to Galveston and New Orleans,
will build the road. 1t is said by them
that the financing of the company de-
pended to some extent upon the cleo
ton of Roosevelt and, while it was al
most certain among the capitalists and
investors that Roosevelt would be elect
ed, still it is good policy to go slow.
1t is a policy that is always followed
with railroad investments, at least. The
result of the election has made things
certain from a financial standpoint that
the road will be constructed and it is
said that Mr.. Koontz has money to the
amount of $4,000 in sight to do the
work with Several local people say
that it is absolutely certain that Mr..
Koontz will not fail in the work he has
attempted and that it will nce be long
until something more deS2ite is heard
from him.
1t is said that Hutchinson will be the
headquarters of the road and that the
general offices will be located here with
the shops and everything else that goes
with the headquarters of a big system
this one is. This would be the big
gest railroad scheme in the whole coun-
than any other thing that has been
done in years or ever will be done
again 1t would place this part of the
country on a line that would compete
with the traffic of the whole country
and would give rates that could be got
ten in no other way. 1t would place
this state in direct connection with the
gulf ports. and this means something
when the Panama canal is constructed
1t is also said in railroad circles that
some one is bound to build a road up
toward Hutchinson from down in Okla
homa and if Mr.. Koontz, with his Do
minion & Gulf line, gets in ahead he
will build the road that several COM
panies are trying to get started.
Hutchinson people feel good toward
the plans to connect this city with the
south, more than it is already connect
ed and would probably give this road
all the help that could be given, in the
way of bonds and bonuses. 1t would |
mean more to the future of this city |
and country than anything else and the /
people here would not be slow in seeing |
this fact.
1t is expected that Mr.. Koontz will !
be here in a few weeks, at least, with |
plans matured which will eliminate in
the building of the road.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24
MERGE WITH FRISCO.
Fort Worth and Rio Grande to Be
Merged With Frisco in Texas.

Austin. Tex, Nov. 24.-The Fort
Worth & Rio Grande railroad COM
pany, which was charged with having
issued in 1893 stock to the amount of
1891, 900 and in 1903 with having is
sued bonds to the amount of $994,000
and stock to the amount of $994,6OO,
all in violation of the laws of this
state, appeared before the commits
sion and announced that it had can
celed all of the outstanding stock and
bonds alleged to have been illegally
issued and in lieu thereof it was
granted an application to issue bonds
to the amount of $994.0O0 and stock to
the amount of $4,000 on the road in
question.
The railroad commission was also
advised by Judge L. F. Parker, gen.
eral attorney of the Frisco system,
that the Fort Worth & Rio Grande
is to be merged in the Texas corpora
ton of the Frisco as soon as certain
details can be arranged, and this con-
solidation was authorized by an act
of the last legislature. B. F. Yoakum
chairman of the Frisco executive
board, was present at the hearing of
the case.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24
CHIEF CLERKS CLUB.
Rock Island Employees at Chicago
Form a Club.

Chicago, Nov. 24.-The chief clerks
of the Rock Island road have organ
lied themselves into an association
which is called the Rock Island Chief
Clerks club. There are thirty-five
members who meet at dinner once
each month and listen to addresses by
experts upon various railway subjects
The purpose of the organization is to
become more efficient in their own de-
partments and to gain technical
knowledge of all departments of rail-
way management 1t is stated that in
this way it is believed that the chief
clerks will be able to better fit them
selves for promotion and for change
in the service of any department
where an opening may present itself.
The organization has the hearty sup
port of the officials of the company.
At the first dinner the CLUB was adj
dressed by Prof. Dewsnup, who is in
charge of the railway department of
the Chicago university, who talked
upon railroading in general. AT the
next meeting the club will be adj
dressed by F. o. Bunneu, engineer of
test of the Rock Island
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24
Disastrous Wrecks

Carelessness is responsible for many a
railway wreck and the same causes ire
making human wrecks of sufferers from
throat and lung troubles. But since the
advent of DR.. Kings New Discovery for
Consumption, Coughs and Colds even the
worst cases can be cured, and hopeless
resignation is no longer necessary Mrs
Lois Cragg of Dorchester, Mass, is one
of many whose life was saved by DR.
Kings New Discovery. This grand rem
edy is guaranteed for all throat and lung
diseases by the Arnold Drug Co, S2f N
Kansas ave. Price SOC and $1.00. Trial
Bottles Free.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24
TowNE ENDORSES HIM.
Says That Mr.. Parlette Is High Glass
HumOriSt.

reporter learned that Prof. Towne of
Washburn college had intimate acquain-
lance with Ralph Parlette, and, on beng
unteered the following Endorsement:
Il am personally acquainted with Mr..
Parlette and feel that 1 justly owe 1t to
him to indorse his work public lee
turer He is a Christian man with a
him lecture number of times and am
pleased to say that he is a high class
humorist. His lectures are full OF clean
humor and abound in good solid sense
No one who hears his lectures can help
but feel that he has learned something of
real value that will apply every day and
that to my mind is the highest tribute
can pay him.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24
FRED WILKINS PROMOTED.
st. Joseph Man Is Made Chief Rate
Clerk of II. /. at Kansas CITY.


Fred A. Wilkins, contracting freight
agent of the Rock Island in ST. Jo-
seph, has been promoted to be chief
rate clerk at Kansas City. Mr. Wiki
ms began his railroad career twelve
years ago as assistant station agent at
Fairfield, Iowa. Three years later he
became station agent at Eldon, Iowa.
and went to St. Joseph six years ago
He was a clerk in the freight office in
that city about three years before he
was promoted to be contracting freight
agent.
He is succeeded as contracting
freight agent by Reno E. Eshelman,
chief clerk in the office of Commercial
Agent Atwood. J. J kennedy. clerk
in the freight office. becomes chef
clerk in the commercial department.
Besides being chief rate clerk, Mr.
wilkins will have charge of all export
business at Kansas City routed over
the Rock Island lines. As a freight
solicitor he was popular among the
local jobbers. He has a host of
friends who will be glad to learn of
his advancement.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24
A Turkey Flew Into Court.

Kansas City. Kan, Nov. PA
large white tarkey flew into the court
room of the common pleas court dur
ing the session yesterday afternoon.
The fowl forced open ~transom and
lit among the spectators, causing con-
siderable comm notion. Several men
tried to catch it as it f1uttered from
place to place. The turkey pecked
viciously at its pursuers, evading all,
until a witness from rural district
grabbed it by the leg. A clerk from a
nearby grocery store arrived at al
most the same instant and claimed
the bird.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24
To the Worlds Fair via the Missouri
Pacific

If you do not live on the line of the
Missouri Pacific, ask for your ticket
via that line from Kansas City. There
are seven daily trains between Kansas
City and St. Louis, making connection
with all trains on all lines running
into Kansas City. Any ticket agent
will sell you a ticket at the reduced
rate reading over the Missouri Pacific
from Kansas City.