davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-18
WILL START AGAIN.
Southwestern Construction Co., Held
Up by Bad Weather.

The Topeka Southwestern Construc-
ton company through A. G. Good
win, general manager, this afternoon
stated that the construction work of
the company would be started again
within a few days. The reason for
the discontinuance of the work was
said to be the wet condition of the
ground which is composed of gumlA0
like soil. The teams have been mere
ly waiting for the soil to dry, and in
the meantime are working on the
North Topeka levees. where it is
sandy, according to Mr.. Goodwin.
For the past few days, the directors
of the company have been busying
themselves selling bonds and arrang-
ing other details for the work. There
are many little odds and ends to be
looked after before the active con-
struction work could well be started
again." said Mr.. Goodwin, but we
will have everything ready in a couple
of days and the men will push the
work through until completion
F. J. Curnick, financial head Of the
road, who has been in Topeka for sew
eral weeks. left this afternoon for Chi
cago. Mr.. Curnick says his trip is
merely to enable him to spend the
holidays with relatives. Mrs. Curnick
will join him there and together they
will spend the holidays with Mrs.
Curnick'S parents
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-18
KNOX TO THE CABINET.
Accepts President Taft's Request to
Act as Secretary of State.

Chicago, Dec 18.-The Tribune to-
day prints the following special news
article under a Washington date:
'Philander G. Knox, now serving 8
United States senator from Pennsyl-
vania, will be secretary of state in Mr..
Taft's cabinet. The direct request has
been made by Mr.. Taft. Senator Knox
has consented to serve.
His consent was given with some
reluctance, as he practically had cho-
sen the national legislature as the field
where his abilities could be utilized to
much better advantage than in the ex-
ecutive department of the government.
"It is realized by those who are ac-
quainted with the circumstances in the
matter that Mr.. Knox in agreeing to
take the foreign affairs portfolio, is
making a great sacrifice of his person
al inclination. He feels, however, that
if Mr.. Taft believes him to be the right
man for this high and important Office,
it is his duty to comply with Mr.. Tafts S
desires -
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-18
SHELDON IN KANSAS CITY
Noted Topeka Preacher Is Cheerful
Over Worlds Outlook

Kansas City, Dec. 1S.-The Rev. DR..
Charles NJ. Sheldon, author of "In His
Steps," was the chief speaker last night
at Grand Avenue Methodist church at
the eighth annual meeting of the So
ciety for the Friendless. Music was
furnished by a quartette from the Cen
trail Baptist church under the leader
F. Carver of Topeka spoke of the prac-
tfcal work accomplished in that city
by Dr.. Sheldon.
"It sometimes looks as if the world
was getting worse" said DR.. Sheldon.
I'm a store this afternoon saw a man
buy a six-shooter as Christmas pres
emf for his boy. A woman bought a
dren Half the presents we buy have
no Christmas meaning in them. Such
things may make one feel despOndent
for a moment But the truth is the
world is a far better place than when
Jesus was here. There were no church.
es. Sunday schools, Y. NJ. c. AS, luna
tic asyIums or Societies for the Friend
less then
1.-THE world is mending, though slow
ly. One of the happiest signs of prog
ress is our treatment of crime and our
regard for criminals. But we have still
a great way to travel before We get a
true viewpoint of the problem. 1t al
ways makes me feel restless when I
read in the papers and magazines that
the church is not doing her duty in
looking after children and keeping them
the prime responsibility rests on the
parents.
''For the ultimate prevention of
crime" DR.. Sheldon concluded, Eve
must look to home influences. That is
what 1 want to explain tonight
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-18
Kansas Congressman Expresses
Views on House Rules,
Gives Reason for His Stand
With Insurgents.
ASK NOTHING RADICAL
Is Opposing the Rules and Not
Cannon.
What the Kansas Delegation Is
Asking For.

Washington, Dec. 1S.-In an express
sion today regarding the movement to
erect changes in the rules of the house
In the interests of the public business,
Representative Charles F. Scott of
Kansas discussed the subject from the
standpoint of a conservative who is
hoping that such results may be ac-
complished as will be satisfactory to
the country.
Mr.. Scott is one whose attendance
upon the meetings of the so-caIled 'In-
surgents" was looked upon with some
surprise. in view of his standing as
chairman of one of the leading commit
3 tees and active member of the house
organization. Mr.. Scott discusses the
subject as a representative of the con-
servative element, in the Kansas dele
cation, and in the house. He was Sc
lected as secretary of the, 'insurgent"
organization, of which Colonel Hep
burn is chairman.
Other members of the delegation who
have taken active part in the deliber-
ations over the rules are Messrs.
Campbell, Madison, Anthony and Muir
dock.
1t is plain from the comments made
by Mr.. Scott that he is hopeful that
out of the movement will come nothing
of a radical order, but such changes in
the rules as shall be dictated by the
best public interests. He said:
THE Kansas delegation is not stand
ing for anything sensational or spec
tacular What we want is results. We
believe it ought to be made easy in
stead of difficult or impossible for the
house to consider and act upon i'm
portant measures of legislation, and we
want the rules amended so as to make
it SO. My own idea has been and is,
that the most far-reaching and effect
i've reform would be a rule providing
for the frequent and compulsory call of
committees. The house has a pro-
vision now for the call of the commit
tees, but it is hedged about with So
many restrictions and conditions thai
it is barely reached.
According to my recollection there
has not been a call of committees for
three sessions of congress until this
year. But suppose We set apart one
day in, each week when it will be COM
pulsory for committees to be called.
This means that on this day any com
mittee or any member of any commit
tee will have an absolute right to call
up any bill which that committee has
reported favorably and compel the
house to take action upon 1t.
with weekly calls all the committees
would be reached again and again in
the course of a session SO that every
measure which has had support enough
to receive the favorable action of the
majority of the committee to which it
was referred, can be laid before the
house for its action. This would be a
long step in the direction of giving the
house control over its own business
and I believe it is one of the things
upon which all those who favor any
change in the rules whatever can
unite"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-18
THEY WELCOME TAFT.
All Augusta Turns Out to Honor Pres.
ident-Elect.

Augusta, Ca, Dec. 1S.-A vocifer-
Gus Georgia welcome was extended to
William H. Taft, president-ele of
the United States on his arrival here
today. The big train shed was crowd
ed with people who cheered Justify as
the form of Mr.. Taft appeared on the
car platform. An official welcome was
extended him by a large committee
headed by President L. c. Haine, of
the chamber of commerce.
Mrs. Taft was also cheered by the
crowd which surged around the party
automobile of Mr.. and Mrs. Landon
A. Thomas, whose house guests the
Tafts will be until Monday, when they
will occupy the Terrett cottage.
The Thomas home is near the Bon
Air hotel, three miles from the city
and the Terrett cottage is adjacent to
the hotel.
As the automobile moved away, a
company of Georgia's mounted militia
fell in behind as an escort of honor.
Mr.. Taft acknowledged the demon
strations both at the station and IS he
ing his hat and making a plentiful
distribution of the Taft smile.''
The trip from New York which was
begun yesterday morning early and
interrupted at Washington for lunch
con and conference at the White
House ended with no further incident.
Mrs. Taft Joined the train last night
Taft, the two sons of Mr.. and Mrs.
Taft are with them and Miss Helen,
the daughter, will arrive the first Of
next week. Judge w. r. Eve, who has
returned here from Washington, made
the announcement that President
visit Augusta during the stay of Mr..
Taft
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-18

value. 1t would, I hope, include
specimens of big game together with
the rare smaller animals and birds. I
have not the means that would enable
me to pay for the field naturalists or
taxidermists and their kit and the
transport of the specimens and cur
ing of same for the national museum.
OF course the actual hunting of the
big game would want to do myself
or have my son to, but the specimens
will all go to the national museum,
save a very few personal trophies of
little scientific value that might wish
to keep. Now, can you, in view of
getting these specimens for the
museum, arrange for the services of
the field taxidermists, and for the
care and transport of the specimens
AS ex-president I should feel that the
national museum is the museum to
which my collection should CO.,
After hearing the letter, the regents
adopted the following resolution:
Resolved, That the board of
regents of the Smithsonian institute
express to Theodore Roosevelt presi-
dent of the United States, its
appreciation of his generous offer con-
tanned in his letter of the goth of June
1908, to the secretary of the institu-
tion with respect to his expedition to
Africa, and that it accept the same"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-18
To Make Duty Equitable Most
Perplexing Problem
For the House Committee in Re-
vision of Tariff.
EVIDENCE is MEAGER.
Testimony of Carnegie and
Schwab Is Insufficient.
Fails to Show What Would Pro-
tect Small Concerns.

Washington, Dec. 1S.-The most diff
ficult problem presenting itself to the
house. ways and means committee in
connection with its work of revising
the tariff, is that of determining an
equitable rate of duty for the steel
schedule. The published views of An
drew Carnegie with regard to the steel
Industry and the tariff and the testi-
mony given by Charles NJ. 'Schwab and
other steel magnates. has not given the
committee sufficient information as to
the actual conditions which would re-
SUIT from reduction of the tariff, nor
mas 1t offered any data which would in
dicate what rate of duty would protect
American labor and the small inde-
pendent steel companies. as we'll as the
larger plants.
E. H. Gary, chairman of the board of
directors of the United States Steel
corporation, was the first witness be-
Iore the committee today. He was
subpoenaed and several members hope
to get from him information whicn
they believe necessary to determine the
proper tariff on steel.
When Mr.. Schwab took the stand be-
fore the committee on Tuesday he said
he had nothing to ask and nothing to
state.
This was taken by some to mean that
no matter what the committee might
do in regard to the steel tariff the
larger steel companies would be able to
meet the conditions and compete with
foreign steel mills.
Mr. Schwab also declared that the
steel industry in this country could ex-
ist with no duty on steel only If the
cost of labor and raw material would
be reduced Mr.. Schwab testified that
slight reduction in the duty would
not be harmful to the American indus
try but the problem that the committee
is endeavoring to solve is to determine
Just how much of the duty should be
1t is claimed that IL too much is
taken off labor will suffer It is also
said that there may be certain small
independent plants which would be
driven out of business If they were not
given sufficient protection. The COM
mittee is anxious to get hold of the
tional agreement between the large in
terests of this country and the syndi-
Gates which are said to control the out
put of steel in Germany and England.
A. r. Urion, the first representative
of the larger meat packers to appear
before the committee, also will be a
witness today. His subject will be the
tariff on hides. Other subjects sched-
uled for today were feathers, shoes and
corks.
Former Judge Gary. who said he
has been chairman of the board of di-
rectors of the United States Steel COR
porat1on for five years, took the stand
and was the first witness when the
steel schedule was taken up.
He said that Mr.. Schawb in his testi-
mony before the committee Thursday
had not in his estimate figured enough
for depreciation of the cost of pig iron.
Judge Gary placed the cost to produce
as compared to $14, the cost given by
Mr.. Schwab
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-18
OREGON ROBBERS.
Hold Up Train But Secured Little
PIunder for Trouble.

Portland, Ore. Dec. 1s.-Oregon Rail-
road and Navigation train No. 1,
known as the "Chicago-Portland spe-
cial," was held up and the express ca"
dynamited by four unmasked robbers
shortly after 9 o'clock last night, nine
miles east of Portland. Express Mes
senger o. H. Huff said the robbers Sc
cured little of value. The robbers did
not molest the passengers, but un-
coupled the express car and ordered
the engineer to take it down the track
toward Portland. About mile beyond
the point where the train was held up
the doors of the express car were shat
tered by nitroglycerine. The train did
not carry a through safe, a small local
safe and a strong box being the only
receptacles for valuables. The robbers
compelled Express Messenger Huff to
open the small safe. It contained but
three or four small packages believed
to have been of small value. The strong
box was not touched. The robbers
eSCaDed.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-18
DEFRAUDED The STATE.
Pennsylvania Officials Receive SEN
tence for Furniture Contracts.

Harrisburg, Pa, Dec. 1s-Two
years Imprisonment and a fine OF
$500, the maximum penalty, was the
sentence meted out today by Judge
Kunkel in the Dauphin county court to
each of the four men who were con-
victed of defrauding the state in con-
nection with the furnishing of the
capitol building in this city. Imme-
diately after sentence was pronounced
the defendants were remanded to the
custody of the sheriff and taken to a
side room pending application for a
supersedeas which was made In the
superior court at Philadelphia after
notice of the sentence here was given.
As soon as it is granted the defendants
will offer bail, pending appeal to the
Superior court.
The four defendants are John II.
Sanderson, Philadelphia, contractor
for the furniture; James NJ. Shumack-
er, Johnstown, superintendent of the
board of public grounds and buildings
at the time the contract for furniture
was let; William p. Snyder, Spring
City and William L. Hathues, Media,
respectively auditor-general and state
tract and by virtue of these positions
members of the board of grounds and
buildings. The men were convicted of
defrauding the state out Of $19,30S In
a contract for wooden furniture. other
charges involved large sums in the
aggregate. The men were tried last
spring and last week they were re-
fused a new trial.
The men convicted today were tried
a second time and acquitted of a
charge of defrauding the state in a
metal furniture contract
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-18
THEY MADE CONTRACT.
Roosevelt to Kill Game and Smith
sonian's Will Stuff Beasts and Birds.

washington, Dec. 1s.-The agree
ment between President Roosevelt
and the Smithsonian institute as to
the presidents hunting trip in Africa
has been made public today by
Charles D. Wolcott, secretary of the
institution. The board of regents of
the institution considered the presi-
dents letter and adopted resolution
entering into contract with the
president for certain work. The
president wrote to DR.. Wolcott as fol-
about the first of April next in
tend to start for Africa. My plans are
OF course indefinite, but at present l
following order: BY May l, 1 shall
land at Mombasa and spend the next
few months hunting and travelling in
British and German east Africa; prob
ably going through or toward
Uganda. with the expectation of
striking the Nile about the beginning
of the New Year and then working
down it with side trips after animals
and birds, so as to come out at tide
water, say about March l. This
would give me ten months in Africa.
AS you know, 1 am not in the least a
game butcher. / like to do a certain
amount of hunting, but my real and
main interest is in the interest of
faunal naturalist. Now, it seems to
me that opens the best chance for the
national museum to get a fine collec-
ton not only of the big game nests.
but of the smaller mammals and birds
of Africa; and looking at it dis
passionateIy, believe that the chance
ought not to be neglected. I will
make arrangem ents to pay for the ex-
penses of myself and my son. But
what 1 would like to do would be to
get one or two professional field
taxidermists, field naturaiists to go
with me. who should prepare and send
back the specimens we collect. The
collection which would thus go to the
national museum would be Of unusual
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-18
ACCUSES BROTHER.
A Shawnee Farmer Reports Seventh
Case Horse Stealing to Sheriff.

Lon Berry, a farmer living seven
miles north of Topeka, appeared in
the office of Sheriff Wilkerson this
morning, and reported the seventh
case of horse stealing. He accuses
his brother, Bert Berry of taking the
horse. The suspect returned to his
brothers. farm after an absence of
three years. He had been in the navy,
and the brother is confident that he
deserted. Yesterday he borrowed a
horse to ride to Topeka. Late in the
evening he was seen in town by one
of Berry's neighbors, and he told this
neighbor that he was not going back,
but had left the horse at a farm along
the road, and it would be returned
in due time. The brother does not
believe this story.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-18
BOLD DAYLIGHT ROBBERY
Six Men Hold Up Two Nebraska
Banks Securing $500.

Gibbon, Neb., Dec 1S.-Six rob-
bers after dynamiting the safes of the
Farmers State bank of Keene, at
Keene, % miles south of Gibbon, and
the Commercial bank of Gibbon, en-
gagged in a pitched battle with a
number of citizens here early today
and escaped in an automobile with
$500. One of the robbers is be-
have been carried off by his COM
rades. Posses are in pursuit.
The Keene bank was first entered.
Here the vault doors were forced by
$4,000, climbed into an automobile
and started south. A farmer aroused
by the force of the explosion, saw the
robbers as they left town but made
no attempt to interrupt them. An
hour later the robbers reached Glib
bon and while four of their number
began work inside the Commercial
bank two others kept guard outside.
Here the explosion attracted a num-
ber of citizens to the scene, among
them G. T. Holloway, president of the
bank. Holloway approaching the two
men stationed outside the bank,
accosted them believing them to be
acquaintances of his. For reply two
the bankers overcoat and doing no
harm. While posse was gathering
the robbers inside the bank kept
steadily at work, the guards mean
Wnlle keeping up a STEADY nre on the
citizens. Finally the citizens partially
surrounded the building and for
fifteen minutes lively fusillade of
shots was exchanged. Finally at a
given signal. all six robbers made
their escape through a rear door and
soon made off, again escaping in their
machine. An investigation disclosed
bloodstains on the bank floor indicat-
ing that one of the robbers had been
shot. They had taken $4,000 from
the banks vault. The posse started
in pursuit but the robbers soon
gained the lead and were lost to
sight.
Officers in Pursuit.
Portland, Ore, Dec. 1S.-No advices
have yet been received from the posses
in pursuit of the robbers who held up
an oregon Railroad & Navigation train
nine miles east of this city last night.
The robbers forced the engineer to
bring them into the suburbs of Port
land, where they got off and were lost
in the darkness.
There is no truth in the report that
Express Messenger Huff defied the
robbers. Tt is understood that he
saved about $4,000 from falling into
the hands of the robbers by secreting
it under a lot of mercantile express
packages.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-18
DISCHARGED FROM ARMY.
President Roosevelt Dismisses Captain
solomon Avery, Jr.

San Francisco, Dec. 1S.-According
to a message received at the Preside
here yesterday Captain Solomon Avery,
jr., who was twice court martialed on
charges of having misappropriRted
funds in his keeping, has been ordered
dismissed from the service by the
president. The trials of Captain Avery
caused considerable interest in army
circles. The first charge was the mis-
appropriation of funds ~ the officers
club at the Presfdio Of which Avery
was treasurer; the second charge mis-
appropriation of company funds. 1t is
stated that the court in each instance
recommended his dismissal from the
sarvica-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-18
SPEND 7 BILLIONS.
For Railroads to Keep Pace With
Country'S Growth.

Boston, Dec. 1S.-The past and fu-
ture Of railroad growth in the United
States was presented in an address be-
fore the Commercial club tonight by
w. C. Brown of New York, senior vice
president of the New York central
lines.
Mr. Brown prophesied that in fif-
teen years there would be a popula-
ton of 125, 100000 in the country and
that $1,000, 100000 would have to be
expended for increasing and improv-
ing railroad facilities.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-18
THIS WAS BIG DEAL.
Holland Syndicate Pays $2S5. 900 for
Oklahoma Oil Lease.

Tulsa, Ok. Dec. 1s.-The largest
deal ever made in oil properties in the
Tulsa district was consummated today
when the Oklahoma State Oil COM
pany, controlled by a Holland syndi-
cate, purchased from the Best Oil
company the Berry Hill lease of 160
acres in the heart of the Glenn pool.
The consideration was $235,000. The
lease is reported as having thirty pro-
ducing wells, making on an avera ge
of 1900 barrels a day, and is one of
the most regular producing proper
ties in that feld
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-18
NIoro Ventilation for Theaters.

Chicago, December 18.-Analysis air
in five cent theateTs is to be made by
the city laboratory. Investigation has
shown that few of them have ade-
quate ventilation, and the crowds COM
bined with the operation of the NOV
ing picture machine vitiate the air to
the point of danger. Samples of air
in other theaters will be collected. The
specimen obtained from the coliseum
during the first ward ball was declar-
ed to be "unspeakabIy bad"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-18
pennies Cause a Riot.

New York, Dec. 18.-Pennies almost
caused riot at Third avenue and One
Hundred and Fiftieth street last night
when children gathered to draw out
their meager savings at the Westside
Neighborhood House which is endowed
hv John D. Rockefeller. Big boys tried
to snatch pennies from the little ones
and the police had hard time to
maintain order.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-18
EMORY RETIREs.
Rear Admiral Reached Age Limit To-
day-Kimball Promoted.

washington, Dec 1s.-Rear Admiral
Emory, recently detached from COM
mand of the second division of the At
lantic fleet at Hong Kong, was placed
on the retired list of the navy yester-
day on account of age. His retirement
has resulted in the promotion of Cap
tain William w. Kimball to the grade
of rear admiral
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-18
EXPRESS Rates

The rates of Wells Fargo & Com
pany Express are generally as low as
by mail, and in many cases less than
mail rates Wells Fargo & Co. will
give you a receipt and pay you for
your package if they lose it, Send
a % ErnTsss 0ffiee e9I Ksnss ans argo A,eS