davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15
THE FTRE,s LEssoN.

An important lesson ought surely tc
be brought home to the city authori-
ties by the fire which destroyed the
| Copeland hotel and which placed in
| jeopardy the lives of four score OF
people. 1t is grave lesson, too, be-
cause it implies a dereliction of duties
in the past But enough of that dis
agreeable feature of the subject 1t
is the future that must be provided
| against And not moment should
be lost by the officials of Topeka, who
are charged with looking after the
matter in insisting that all buildings
in the city, hotels, school houses,
and other places where numerous
people are congregated for the work
of the day or for the leisure of the
night, are properly equipped with fire
escapes.
If there had been absolutely
adequate fire escapes on the Copeland
hotel little or no trouble would have
been experienced by the guests of
that Inflated hosiery in getting out
of the structure most eXpeditiously
and safely. There would have been
no necessity for daring and dangerous
leaps for life. There would have been
no broken bones and bruised bodies to
be added to the casualties of the fire.
That these were not of larger and
more terrible proportions is a mystery,
one of the mysteries that is un-
explainabIe unless it be attributed to
the power of a gracious God.
No fault could be found with the
activities of the fire department af-
ter its members arrived at the scene
of the confagration. They did their
work Well But the duties of a fire de-
partment do not begin and end with the
actual fighting of fires. It's business-is
to see that the right steps are taken
to prevent fires and make buildings
reasonably safe of exit for the people
in them in case of fire. 1t is to be
presumed that the laws of the state
and the ordinances of the city giving
the fire department the authority to
see that hotels and other buildings
are properly equipped with fire es-
capes are entirely adequate. If they
are not they should be made so at
once.
There is bound to be differences of
opinion between owners of hotel and
other buildings and city authorities
as to just what gre adequate fire es-
capes, but the final decision in the
matter rests with the city authorf-
ties in accordance with the
provisions of the laws on the subject. !
Regardless of the expense it involves
to property owners, the city officials, |
particularly those of the fire depart !
meht, should see to it that all of the |
buildings in question in Topeka are |
equipped with fire escapes. |
Some of them undoubtedly are, but |
there are many others which are not. /,
None of the shilly-shallying in provid- |
ing these measures of safety to the |
occupants of buildings which has evil |
IDENTIFY been permitted in the past |
should be tolerated for one instant in |!
the future. The duties of the city |
officials are clear in the premises. |
They should fulfill them. This may
smack something of locking the stable |
door after the horse has been stolen |
but in this Instance there are some /
other invaluable horses in this par
ticular stable which need to be pro-
tected.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15

SO quietly and eff1caciously has the
senate gone about its work of organ
ization and getting down to business
that it has caused little more than a
ripple on the surface of the legislative
things which have been attracting at
tention for the past few days. Prob
ably the reason for this is found in
the fact that the hands guiding the
reins of this BODY belong to w. j.
Fitzgerald, who is starting out on his
second term as lieutenant governor of
the state. Mr.. Fitzgerald has served
in this capacity with distinction. He
is one of the few men in power in
Kansas today who was allied with
what was known as the old Republic
can machine" If there had been a
few more men in this "machlne' as
fair and square as Mr.. Fitzgerald has
proved himself to be, the chances are
great that it would not now be a thing
of the past
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15
JOURNAL ENTRIES

Among the firm believers in signs
are those who paint them.
X X
A really safe airship is one that will
not even attempt to fly.
X x x
Women who wear decollete gowns
put on considerable airs, at least.
x K
Few girls will even lower themselves
to the extent of discarding French
heels.
A woman becomes terribly vexed if
the substitute she sends to a card
party wins a prize
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15

A Cleveland Judge has refused the
application of a father for the arrest
oflhis daughter because she disobeyed
him in permitting young man to hold
her on his knee. The Judge decided
that there is no law in the land to
interfere with a girl for acting in this
manner. This is another Indication
that as the years roll on the judiciary
of the land is becoming more and
more Solomonistic
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15

Experts who have dissected the pro-
posed operation in Oregon lands by
Ben Tillman. the United States senator
from South Carolina, figure it out that
on an actual expenditure of only STAT,
he stood a chance of making $4,000.
This is evidence that the old and here
tofore revered "Pitchfork'' of the sem
ate is something of a f1nancier as well
as a statesman.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15

Some folks achieve fame of more or
less note in peculiar ways. For in
stance, there's a Pennsylvania man
who thinks he is entitled to a medal
OF some sort because he has succeed
ed in producing a sausage which is
sixty-seven feet six inches long.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15
Recruit Had Too Many Toes.

Because he had seven toes on one
foot and six on the other, and had
been refused admission in the navy at
the recruiting station at Sioux City,
Iowa, and at Denver Colo, did not
debar Harold Sweeney, aged % years,
from applying at the Seattle recruit
ing station for admission into Uncle
Sans marine service, where he was
told to strip for physical examination.
Cant use you,'' said the recruiting
officer. ''Those feet of yours look too
much like a patent weeder." Sweeney
left disheartened, but cheered up when
a friend remarked that If he could en-
dure little pain any doctor might re-
move the extra toes. and after the
wounds had healed some near-sighted
recruiting officer would accept him.
Sweeney has just emerged from To-
cal hospital, where he submitted to the
operation of having the three extra toes
removed. He says that as soon as the
wounds have healed and he can stand
upon his feet properly and without
pain he will go to Portland, Ore, or
San Francisco, Cal, to apply again for
admission into the navy.-Seattle Post
InteIligencer.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15

1t certainly ought to make most
men feel good to read of lawsuit that
woman has brought to recover $1O,-
600 for the loss of a husband Few
men have reason to believe that their
better halves value them so highly.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15

Another master mind on the per-
Picking questions as to the causes of
insanity has come to the front A
Cleveland specialist claims that insan-
fly is often caused by defective teeth.
Surely a person with a severe tooth
ache may be pardoned for acting
crazy, even if that is not his normal
con ditina
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15

years, as the infections of the death
penalty in that country have been sus-
pended of late by the practice of COM
muting the sentence to life imprison-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15

A Brooklyn man was recently ar
rested because he looked like the pic
ture of some one else. This is on
plane with a good deal of police ac-
tivity and perspicacity throughout the
ro4Jpfrx-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15
HIGH STANDARD OF PATRIOTISM.

About the highest standard that a
man in public life can set up for his
guidance is that declared by Senator
Knox with reference to his call to take
the post of secretary of state in the
Taft cabinet. There is scarcely posi-
tion in the higher service of the United
States that does not involve material
sacrifice for the man who accepts it,
provided the man is entirely fit to I'LL
that position. For capacity equal to
the duties of a United States senator
or a cabinet member could command a
much higher money reward in private
life. Mr.. Knox could have made him
self a very rich man by combining his
activities to the profession of the law.
But he has once before taken a cabinet
position and has accepted election TO
the senate. In each of these instances.
as in his selection for secretary of
state, he has answered what he has re-
garded a call of duty. And it is espe
cially pleasing to find a man of his
splendid equipment who is not even
lured by the honor of place, much less
by the thought of material compensa-
tion.-Kansas City Star.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15
OLIVE BRANCH IN SOUTH AMERICA

The new year brings encouragement
for the hope that Brazil and Argentina,
which have been making faces at each
other for some months, will amicably
settle whatever differences have crea-
ted unfriendliness between them. The
issues are confusing and seem to be
chiefly due to what may be classed as
a traditional enmity. Both countries
have been prosperous without stumbling
on each others preserves. But Brazil
has disclosed an ambition, which has
set Argentina by the ears. to become
the dominant naval power in the South
Atlantic, and there has been an occa-
sional diplomatic incident to stir the
fire-eaters of both countries. A curious
excuse for casus belli was found in a
cipher message which is said to have
been intercepted in passing from the
Brazilian foreign Office to the Chilean
government. The rumor received Gre
deBce that the cipher contained uncom-
rlimentary references to Argentina. So
varlike was the sentiment in Buenos
Ayres that the Brazilians deemed it ex-
pedient to disclose the true translation.
The absurd position in which the Ar
eentina government found itself there
upon probably facilitated an exchange
Of olive branches.-Providence Journal.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15

His Sarcasn.--'"T audience is throw
ing vegetables" complained the star of
the siberia" company. Nothing but
Vegetables?" retorted the caustic manager.
Go out in front and tell them that the
dogs have also got to eat."-Louisville
Courier Journal.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15

Hubby was evidently. worried and wiley
was trying to cheer him UP. Cheer up,
John, and don't worry" she said. 1T
doesn't do any. good to borrow trouble"
BORROW trouble echoed her husband.
Great Caesars ghosti amt borrowing
trouble; I've got it to lend."-Chicago
Daily News.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15

New Years Day Con way through deep
snow to the station First COmmuter-
Made your New Years resolution, Brown?
Second Commuter-Naw; what's the use?
Made 1t three years in succession and I'm
Twin here yet.-Judge.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15
India Poverty Stricken.

In a recent book entitled ''Pros-
porous India are some figures which
may be of interest ito the American
wage Garner and head of a family.
The author, the late William Digby,
resided for a lifetime in India, and
his statistics were gathered painstak-
ingly from Official blue books. Some
of his figures are astonishing.
In 1850 the average daily income
per capita in India was cents.
Imagine the poverty of the poor.
when you consider the resources of
rich native dignitaries. Imagine that
in 1882 the 4 cents had fallen to 8
cents per person, and in 1900 had lost
another cent, until the whole immense
population was living on an average
of less than cents each.
Then consider for a moment that in
1905, out of the average annual in
come of about Sc, the poor man had
to pay tax of 81, and you will begin
to see that the country to which
Great Britain points with such pride
rs an evidence of Anglo-Saxon civiliZa-
ing power is hardly likely to be as
proud as the Englishman.
The total taxation of India, amounts
roughly to 5000, 900, 900 a year. One
half of this enormous sum is RENTED
to England by Englishmen in the In
dian civil or military service. Part
of the other half is expended by Eng
lishmen for their living expenses in
India. What is left goes to public
works, military expenses and the
usual government costs.-Chicago
Journal.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15

Wealtll's Aftermath.-"After a man has
daughters would let him rest "And don't
they?' Nav. Then he usually has to
buckle down to correct his grammar and
table manners kansas City Journal
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15

Bilkins-Yoa don't mean to say that the
farmer showed the chauffeur how to make
the automobile go? WILLIAMSBURG thing!
He hooked a mule to it and hauled It to
town.-Kansas City Journal.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15

You mustn't play with Mr. Borum's
hat, Bobby said young lady, who was
entertaining a caller. to her small brother
why mustn't pa asked the youngster.
Because you might break IT, replied his
sister. land, besides he will want 1t short
ly.'-Democratic Telegram.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15

"Ah," complained the visiting nobleman.
but you have no privileged classes in
this country" I'VE haven't eh?'' replied
the prominent citizen You ought to be
out some night when gang of college
boys are on a tear."-Chicago Record
Herald.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15
HUNop OF THE DAY

Pearl-Dora Sugarleigh looks so sad of
late. Ruby-Yes. the poor girl has lost
arm! WHAT Lost an arm?' Yes. Tom
has stopped calling.''-hicago News.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15
F'TLL LEASED WIRE REPORT
OF THE ASSOCIATED PRFCc

The State Journal IS a member OF the
Associated Press and receives the full day
teiegraph report of that great news or
&aniza ton for the exclusive afternoon
publication in Topeka
The news Is received IN The State Jour
nal building over wires for this sole pur-
YsoeA
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15

DO you believe that the world owes us
all 1iving?' Yes, but the smarter fel.
lows are collecting the debt for us on ar
so per cent commission. Boston Tran
script.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15

Wont you take my seat?" said the
man in the street car as he lifted his hat
| to the pretty girl mo, thank you" she
replied. I've been skating all the after
Puck.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15

.'Plunkville has sixty-eight houses now
I hear Yes, sir. The PlunkviIle Plai1
Dealer justifiably alludes to Plunkville al
the Chicago of Piffle county, sir."-Puck.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15

The MAXWELL, it's just this way. II ]
buy you a new winter coat TIL have to
wear my old one another season. The
Wife-You sweet, generous thing, you
Cleveland Leader.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15

81 wonder why that girl always grin,
when she sees me-" That's your girl'l
chum.' Hum! 1 see. Reads my love
letters, 1 sspose."
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15

You seem very anxious to have Mr..
Roosevelt go to Africa 81 am" answer
ed the statesman. 'It will be interesting
to have him over FOUNDER where he will
he may Volunteer. detroit Free Press.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15

"De po' child died FUN eatIn' too much
watahmiilion." -'Hohi Oar amt no SIGH
uh thing as too much watahmillion."
well, den. dar wasn't enough, boy
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15

Benevolent Old Citizen Ito little fellow
shoveIing snow)-Well. little man, you're
working hardi Little Fellow Indignantly
No, I amt; nobody told me to do It'll
The Circle
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15

Are you also a stranger in town.
asked the recent arrival mo; merely
feel like one,' said the well-known citizen
MY wife is giving a little dinner at the
house to a party OF Suffragettes. "-Bir-
mingham Age-HeraId.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15
LimeIght on Bogus Peerage. .


A bogus peerage,p which is being
published in Paris, ought to be anus
ing reading for those who are not in it.
1t is being edited by one of the most
caustic and wittiest writer's in the
Partisan press, and he touches sar-
castically upon many topics in the
volume. 1t will profess to contain a
complete list of bogus titles in France,
with all particulars of the persons who
use them. This should make interest,"
ing reading for the American colony. at
any rate, especially as it goes minute
details. and even includes every one
who unjustiffably puts a de- before
his or her name. The appearance of
the volume may be awaited with
qualms by those concerned; or it may
not, for, as a matter Of fact, everybody
who is anybody knows already the
sham handles to names from the real
ones, and nobody is taken in, least of
all the self-styled mobiles best friends,
and nobody seems to mind. In all legal
documents the assumed titles have to
be dropped and the MARQUIS du Pont"
is forced to figure as IN. Dupont
New York Times.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15

| WiggIes-I hear BJenks has been very
| ILL., Is he out of danger YETI Waggles-
Well, he's convalescent. but he won't be
out of danger until that pretty nurse who
has been taking care of him has gone
away.-Life.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15

Stella-When will she come out in So
ciety2 Bel1a-As soon as her parents
break in.--New York Sun.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15

Mrs. X (away from home)-John, did
you leave out anything for the cat before
you started? Mr.. X. (who dislikes the
beast)-Yes, left a can of condensed
milk on the table. with the can opener be-
side it.-Boston Transcript.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15

What are you going to give up for the
New Year2" mot much 1 gave up about
all had for Christmas. Louisville Cour-
rier-Journal
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15

81 would be willing to work for you, "
he declared, until my fingers dropped
Off" 1T haven't any doubt of that" she
replied. but what want is a husband
who will be able to do a little brain work
for me- washington Post.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-15

1.-THE average family in America COM
prises 4.6 persons" II guess I'm the s of
this family" murmured Paw Hoptoad. a
trifle acridly.-Louisville Courier-Journal.
do you know the burglars who broke
into your houSe?' Know them! Certain
ly not replied the society light ct
would refuse to know them under any
circumstances" -Phfladelphia Ledger.
Only Possible Occasions--''What would
you do If band of brigands should sud
denly confront you?' Light the gas IL IL
was a dream. and talk to my neighbor II
it was a comic opera. Her.
aid
The Ely miner., 1909-12-24
COPENHAGEN BRANDS
DIR. COOK A FAKER
Committee of Scientists Declares He Fails
to Prove He Reached the Pole.

Copenhagen, Dec. 21.-The Univer-
sity of Copenhagen, the first institu-
tion of learning to recognize DR.. Fred
erick A. Cook as the discoverer of the
North Pole, today soIemnIy declared
that the explorer had failed to esatb-
lsh the claim upon which his high
honors had been based.
The committee appointed by the
university to examine DR.. Cooks rec
ords recently presented its report to
the consistory of the university which
reviewed the deductions of the ex-
perts with the greatest care, and dis
cussed the findings from every stand
point. That both the committee and
the consistory were disappointed was
soon known.
The consistory met and adopted a
written report to the effect that the
alleged records submitted for examin-
alton by DR.. Cook failed to prove his
claim that he had reached the North
Pole.
The report of the committee, of
which Prof. Stromgren was chairman,
CCCldTCS lTol SOON P0PCiSJ 90 ~
sented to the consistory, are without
any value; that his report to the uni
versity is practically the same as that
published in the New York Herald up
on his return from his Arctic expe-
dition. The copies of his notebooks
submitted, the committee says, con-
tain no original calculations of OBJ
servations but only results thereof.
Accordingly the committee concludes
that he affords no proof of having
reached the pole.
Verdict Not a Surprise.
New York, Dec. 21.-News that the
University of Copenhagen has de-
clined to accept DR.. Cooks claim that
he had reached the North pole came
The Ely miner., 1909-12-24
Ancients Wore Sheath Gowns.

1t need not be supposed that even
feminine fashions can evolve some
thing new under the sun. A learned
Psychologist discloses that the sheath
gown was popular among the ladies OF
the Nile Is centuries before the Chris
tian Era. One gown was made of fine
linen, adorned with elaborate designs.
The professor thinks that the slit in
the side was intended to display the
wearer's precious anklets. These an
cient ladies also dressed their hair
elaborately with puffs and padding.
They painted their faces and lips, as
shown by rouge and pomade jars. All
of this is reassuring to man who may
have thought that some of the modern
developments of the dressmaker were
without precedent in their eccen-
tricity. Once more is demonstrated
the fit coupling on the words "eter-
nal" and feminine"
The Ely miner., 1909-12-24

as no surprise to scientific circles
here and to many of his friends who
had been prepared for the result by
the early indications that DR.. Cook s
claims would not be favorably passed
upon.
DR.. Cook now is in Christiansand,
Norway, according to his brother, Will
liam l.. Cook, who said that the doctor
had greatly recovered from the nerv-
Gus breakdown from which DR.. Cook
was suffering when leaving here.
Mr.. Cook declared that the explorer
was ready to go to Copenhagen to
give the university further informa-
tion concerning his claims.
DR.. Cook mysteriously left the Ho-
tel Grammatan in the Bronx Nov. "a
where he had gone to prepare his rec
ords supporting his claim that he had
reached the North pole. 1t now ap-
pears that he sailed Nov. 27 on the
steamship Caronia for Naples, where
he remained for several days. This
information was contained in a letter
the explorer sent to his brother, who
said:
Dr. Cook has authorized me to
anounce that he is in Europe try
ing to gain much needed rest,
and that is all that | can say At
the proper time my brother will
make a statement for publication,
and until he sees fit to do so there
will be nothing for his friends to
do but to respect his wishes and
allow him to remain in seclusion.
"FooIed Us ALL" Bradley Says.
"He has fooled us all from the king
of Denmark down" was the eXclama-
ton of John R. Bradley, DR.. Cooks
backer in his Arctic trip, when ap-
prised of the news from Copenhagen.
And he fooled me with the rest, "
Mr.. Bradley added.
LAS a matter of fact" continued
the sportsman, 81 long ago lost all
interest in DR.. Cook, the North Pole
and everything connected with it,
Polar bears and the wild life of the
Arctic in general is the only thing