The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-04
FOR THE ROAD.
Prospects That the Fort Leaven-
worth and Fort Riley
Military ThorOughfare Will Be
Reality.
PRISONERS TOBE USED
But municipalities and Farmers
VIII Help.
Mr.. Anthony Confident That
Law Will Soon Be Passed.
PRISONERS TOBE USED

Washington, Jan. 4-"The fedora
government had decided to branch out
again in the construction of military
roads,, said George S. Wagner of Kan
sas City. Mr.. Wagner is a contractor
and is watching the proposition with
the eyes of a practical highway build
err
The first one to be built continued
Mr.. Wagner. will run from Fort Leav-
enworth to Fort Riley. distance of 14C
miles. Another one is projected in
Iowa. The bill authorizing the con-
struction of the Kansas highway will
be soon reported by the house commit
tee on military affairs and its author,
Congressman Dan r. Anthony, feels
certain that it will become law at
the present session. The war depart
ment is backing the proposition.
The road will cost about $250,000, but
the government will not have to spend
that much money. Farmers along the
proposed route have formed an associ-
alton and entered into an agreement
tc supply all the rock necessary for the
road free of cost to the government.
The various townships and municipal
ties have also agreed to aid financially
in the building of the road. Congress
man Anthony believes that it viii not
cost over 100000 in actual cash.
Not only is the road a military ne
cessity, but the department of justice
says it is necessity from a prison
standpoint. More than 1000 federal
prisoners are now confined in the Uni
ted States penitentiary at Leavenworth.
For the past five years they have found
employment in the erection of the new
completed. and when it is finished there
will be nothing for the prisoners to do.
1t is proposed to put them to work
on the military road This Will also be
the first time in many years that the
government has worked its prisoners
outside of a prison. Prison authorities,
however, claim that it is entirely feast
bic, and that outside work will improve
the health of the prisoners. StockadeS
Will be built along the road to house
the prisoners at night
Senator Chester I. Long has present
ed a bill in the senate authorizing and
directing the secretary of the treasury
to pay to the Watson Mill company of
Wichita the sum of $40 so to reim-
burse it for losses suffering through the
furnigation by officers or agents of the
United States marine hospital service
of $500 sacks of flour. The flour had
been shipped from the city of New Or
leans, La, to San Juan, Porto Rico, on
the steamships san Juan and Arkad1a
in August and September 1905, which
fumigation was done with sulphur
fumes, which destroyed the gluten in
the flour and so diminished its value,
when it should have been done with
formaldehyde, which is not Injurious
Senator Curtis introduced a bill di
recting the postmaster general to credit
the accounts of Frank Wyman, post
master at St. Lotus, in the sum of
$4.039.13. due to the government on ac-
count of money order funds embezzled
by Elmer Smith, clerk at Stoddard sta
ton. of that city, in the years 1904 and
1905.
Mrs. Chester L Long. wife of the
Kansas senator. entertained at a dance
New Years evening in her Massa-
niece Miss Copley of Kansas City who
has been spending the holidays with
her and her nephew, Frank Copley,
who is just on his way home to Kansas
City from long stay abroad.
The guests were from among the
Younger set in official society. and the
affair was quite informal. Miss Copley
is a student in the University of Kan
orchestra played during the evening
and there were about forty couples
present.
Mrs. Long wore a charming directoire
costume of pale blue satin, and the
guest of honor wore an empire gown of
yellow chiffon cloth, and Miss Vera
CIemes. another niece of Mrs Long,
who makes her home with her, was in
pink mousseline de Sole
Mrs. Long will be at home to visitors
ION Thursday. as usual hereafter. and
hrin have the ladies of the Kansas dele
CATION with her on the first Thursday
afternoon, after Kansas Day.
George w. Pratt has been appointed
postmaster at Shook, Harper county.
kan. to succeed w. Barber. resigned.
Ida G. Simmons was named for the Of
6ce at Colfyer Trego county in the
Mace of J. W. Hickman. resigned
Mr.. and Mrs G. w Martin of Topeka
are guests at the New Willard hotel.