davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-18
CONFISCATE COAL
Orient Railroad, Out of Fuel,
Seizes Shipments.
Texas Town Appeals to Santa
Fe to Run Coal Trains.

San Angelo, Tex, Dec. 1S.-The coal
shortage on the Kansas City, Mexico
& Orient railway has become acute,
according to local Officials of the road
San Angelo and the trade territory
dependent on it, face a serious situa-
ton, the available coal supply having
been exhausted. The board of city
development has wired the Santa Fe
general office at Galveston urging
that road to run fuel trains.
Kansas City, Dec. 1S.-Admission
was made at the general offices of the
Kansas City, Mexico & Orient Railway
company that the reported coal short
age had become rather acute"
1--WE have been forced to cut down
on some of our service" it was said
at the office of E. Dickinson, president
of the road
THE trouble is that we have no
mines upon our own lines and have
been forced to depend upon other
roads for our supply. They are hard
pressed, too, but we have taken over
some fuel designed for private COM
panieS and Individuals
No statement was made concerning
the steps being taken to solve the coal
problem
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-18
BLAME MURCUIA
Charges May Be Brought
Against Mexican General.
Failed to Save chihuahua Un-
der Attack of Villa.

Ell Paso, Texas. Dec. S.-Intimating
that First Chief Carranza will institute
an investigation into the conduct of
General Murguia for his failure to
come to the relief of Chihuahua City
during the bandit attack three weeks
ago, until Villa was in possession of
the city. General Trevino left here last
night en- route to Mexico City for a
conference with President Carranza.
General Trevino denied that his ac-
ton in evacuatfng the city has been
criticized by the Mexican administra-
ton and stated that lack of ammuni-
ton and fear for the safety of nom
combatants caused his abandonment
of the northern capital
According to Trevino's statements,
Murguia stayed six days at Santa Ro-
salia and altho within twenty-five
miles of Chihuahua City when the at
tack began. he failed to come to the
aid of the garrison.
Because of the need of rolling stock
for troop movements. General Muir
guia, Carranzista commander at Chi
huhua City, has ordered all passenger
traffic discontinued between the bor-
der and the northern capital.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-18

tai account, what then has become of
it?" asks Cation. "It must have either
been restored to it's owners or con-
verted into permanent property. If
returned TO the owners. it certainly
should not reappear as a part of per-
manent investment If, on the other
hand, it has been exchanged for per-
manent property, the property for
which it was exchanged is already in
cluded in the investment values fixed
by the company's engineers"
Going value also is entirely cut out
of Cations estimate. The definition of
going value upon which the Edison
company bases its figuring is that it
Is summation of losses that may be
reasonably expected were it necessary
to reproduce the present business of
the existing company"
Reason for His Action.
Cations strongest argument for cut
ting out the going value clause is that
the prosperous condition of the COM
panys business during the period ex-
amlned would seemingly justify the
elimination of going value from the
company's investment upon the the
ory that Its earnings have been suf-
ficient to more than offset any actual
expenditures for early losses during
the business development period"
Cation cuts the depreciation down
materially, claiming that maintenance
normal and preferred, which is a de-
probation item listed by the company.
is provided for from operating ex-
penses. covering ordinary repairs, re-
newals and requirements that are
necessary to keep the property per-
manently in good working order.
THE only remaining depreciation is
functional and physical normal wear"
said Cation. "A straight 8 per cent
depreciation as computed by us will
produce a gross revenue of $13O,2S5.9
within the period examined"
On the other hand the depreciation
computed by the company since 1910
amounts to S234,14690.
In closing Cation suggests that both
the city and company will be better
served thru a mutual agreement to so
mend their existing contractual reIa-
tions with reference to the city's share
in the company's earnings as to pro-
vide for a percentage of the company's
annual gross instead of its annual net
earnings.
The surplus revenues of the COM
pany in the last ten years, according
to Cations report, have been Sab
426.24.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-18
WILL BE BRIGHTER
Warmer and Continued Fair Weather
Is Forecast.

Temperatures today averaged 10 de-
grees below normal. The wind is
blowing at the rate of twelve miles
an hour from the south.
Following the snow storm Sunday
the temperature here this morning
dropped 16 degrees below the mini
mum of Sunday. The sky cleared
early in the day. and a southwest
wind brought the mercury up rapidly.
From a minimum of 3 degrees, s be
low. the temperature reached II at Q
o'clock and it was expected to go to
80 this afternoon. Tonight, accord
ing to S. d. Flora, local weather OBJ
server. the mercury will not go below
20, and Tuesday will reach a point be-
tween 80 and 35 degrees.
Generally fair weather tonight and
Tuesday with rising temperature to-
night is forecast. Warmer weather
will occur Tuesday in the southern
CONTINUED on Page Five
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-18
AGED COUPLE SLAIN
Posses Search for Murderers of j. p.
Becker So, and Wife, SO.

Peoria, H., Dec. 1S.-Slayers of
John Becker. S5 years old, and his
wife, aged SO, were trailed to a point
three miles from the scene of the
crime today. A posse found an empty
whisky bottle which had contained
kerosene. The bottle was splotched
with blood 1t probably contained
kerosene which was poured over the
bodies of the victims after the killing.
Relatives said Becker received So
600 year ago and knowledge of his
mistrust in banks is thought to have
caused the slayers to kill the couple
in their search for gold.
Peoria, Ill, Dee. 1S.-Posses are
searching miles around for the slayers
of John P. Becker. IS, and his wife,
S3, who were found shot to death in
their farm home, near Mason CITY.
south of here. They were killed, it is
believed, while asleep.
Mrs. Becker's body was partly burn
ed, due, it is believed, either to her
having knocked over a lamp during
her struggle. or to the murderers hay-
ing deliberately attempted to set fire
to the house in an endeavor to hide
the traces of their deed.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-18
Germans in Fierce Assault Re-
occupy One Position.
French Also Get lis Cannon,
700 Machine Guns.
RUMANIA LOSES 100, 900 men
Commander of Bulgars Con-
gratulate Men on Victory.
Get Revenge for What Bulgaria
Suffered 3 Years Ago.

Paris. Dec. 1S.-French forces have
taken a total of 1887 German prls-
oners on the Verdun front since the
fifteenth of December, according to
the announcement made by the
French war office this morning.
violent German counter attack on the
Meuse has resulted in German FORCES
securing a footing at the Chambrettes
farm.
The text follows:
South of the River Somme de-
tachment of the enemy, which was
endeavoring to occupy our lines
southeast of Berny, has been repulsed
with hand grenades. On the right
bank of the River Meuse, after the
bombardment reported in the COM
munication of yesterday, German
forces delivered a violent counter at
tack yesterday evening upon our new
positions They succeeded, however,
ONLY in securing a footing at point
on the Chambrettes farm. We con-
tinue to hold the immediate surround
ing of the location. Elsewhere the
night passed in quiet.
Include 2S4 Officers.
THE number of prisoners taken by
us since the 18th of December on the
Verdun front is at the present, ac-
cording to the latest counting, 1887.
including 2S4 officers. The war ma
terial captured or destroyed includes
115 cannon, A bomb throwers and
700 machine guns"
Bulgaria Rejoices Over Victory.
Berlin, by wireless to Sayville, Dec
1S.-In a special order the COM
mander in chief of the Bulgarian army
expresses thanks to the officers and
soldiers of that army for their recent
victories, in which more than 10000
Rumanians, the order states, have
been taken prisoner, and 5000 cannon
captured. The order is as follows:
THE. almost complete wiping out of
the Rumanian army and the virtual
extinction of Rumania, which now
seems probable, and thru which Bull
garia now is getting satisfaction for
her sufferings of three years ago,
have caused this victory to occasion
rejoicing.
Everywhere in our country divine
services were held and demonstrations
of joy by the populace occurred in the
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-18
FIGHT MILITARY BILL
Many Organizations ON Hand to OPP
pose Compulsory Training.

Washington, Dec. 1S.-Hearings on
the Chamberlain compulsory military
training bill were begun today by
subcommittee of the senate military
committed Walter L. Fisher of Chi
cago, former secretary of the interior,
who stood first on the committees list
of witnesses. was opposed to the
measure on the ground that the sys-
tenn would impose an unnecessary
burden and would not furnish civic
training. He recommended instead
that the army be reorganized to give
greater individual benefits to soldiers
1t is expected representatives of the
Woman'S Peace party. American
Union Against Militarism, Farmers
union, National grange and American
Federation of Labor also will be heard
in opposition to the measure. Mem
bers of the subcommittee are Sena-
tors Chamberlain. Thomas and Brady
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-18
u. s. Acreage of Winter Crop
Increased $4,000.
Condition of Crop S5.7 Per Cent
on December 1.

Washington, Dec. 1S,-Winter wheat
was sown this fall on an estimate area
of 40,09O.000 acres, an increase of
$4,000 acres over the revised estimate
of the acreage sown in the fall of 1915,
the department of agriculture today
announced Condition on December l
was S5.7 per cent of a normal, COM
pared, with 87.7 last year; SS.3 in 1914
and -90.2 the ten years average.
Rye sown this fall is estibated at
4,214, 900 acres-an increase of 740,-
600 acres over the revised estimated
of the area sown in the fall of f-1915.
Condition of rye on December 1 was
SS-S per cent of a normal, compared
with 91.5 last year; 93.6 in 1914 and
92.9 the ten year average.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-18
Official German Paper Declares
Conference Will Take Place.
Fighting to Continue During
Farley at The Hague.
GERMANY WILLING TO DISARM
Would Lead i'm International
League for Peace.
Britain Must RenOunce DOmi-
nation of the Oceans.

Amsterdam, Dec. 1S.-The positive
statement that a peace conference will
be held at The Hague about January
= is made in a significant article in
the Frankfurter Zeiturg, leading Ger
man financial orgas-, according to dis
patches from Berlin.
The paper states that it is not Ger
many's wish to bring about an armis-
tice. but that military operations are
to continue while the conference is in
session.
While predicting a wide cleavage of
views at the outset of the peace nego-
ti&tions the paper is optimistic as to
the outcome of the conference. 1t
urges that the entente must be pre-
vented by all mean5 from evading a
positive answer to Germany's peace
offer. The article points out that al
ready there exists certain identical
general fundamental aims of the war
and adds that Germany's note must
be interpreted as aiming at a re-estab-
Ii: lment of international conventions
These conventions, it says, are to pre-
vent future international conflicts and
are to safeguard world peace.
Lead in International League.
The paper expresses confidence
that an agreement regarding arma-
ment can be reached. 1t emphasizes,
pared to take the lead in reducing her
armament nor willing in any circum-
stances to abolish universal military
service. That could be possible only
if a common organization of nations
could be created, the paper says, add
ing that Germany certainly would
take a leading place in such a league.
As for naval armament, the Frank
furter Zeitung asserts that there can be
no question of Germany alone being
compelled to restrict her shipbuilding.
Other naval powers. including the
United States. must do the same. the
paper says. if such a move is agreed
upon. The freedom of the seas is
strongly urged in the article, which
says that Great Britain must unquali-
fiedly renounce her domination of the
oceans. 1t suggests an international
organization to control and regulate
all sea traffic.
A hint at a peace of quite a diff
fe-ent kind" is contained in the arti-
c1e's concluding paragraph. which
says that sucl a peace will be fought
for by Germany if the peace offer is
rejected and the central powers are
compelled to continue the war"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-18
Tomorrow Voters Settle Big
Question at the Polls.
Billy Sunday Leading Forces in
Spectacular Appeal.
MAKE GOOD REVENUE LOSS
One Man Promises to Pay III
Prohibition "HurtS."
SWEETS" Spend Thousands OF
Dollars in Advertising.

Boston. Mass, Dec. 1S.-The most
dramatic campaign this city has ever
seen on the question of whether Bos-
ton shall license liquor dealers comes
to an end today. Tomorrow the voters
will settle the question at the polls
Billy Sunday, field general for the
dry forces, will hurl the final blast
into the liquor interests camp. To-
night at the Tabernacle. the militant
evangelist, who has led the greatest
fight the dry forces have ever made,
will sound the charge in a windup
sermon.
Lined up on the side of prohibition
seconding Sunday. are many of the
city's leading citizens. President
Emeritus Elliot, of Harvard, univer-
sity, Major Henry Lee Higginson,
Courtney Guild, Paul Restore Fronth-
ingham and Former Governor Eugene
Foss, are among the leaders.
The latter has made an extra ordi-
nary offer to the city of Boston He
has agreed to make good to the city
for five years, any loss of revenue
that may result from the eity's going
dry, if they will give him, for five
years, one-half of any savings the city
may make directly or indirectly as a
result of this. He has agreed to post
a bond of one million dollars to pro-
tect the city.
'WetS'' Spend Thousands.
The wet adherents have enlisted
in their cause hundreds of prominent
business men thruout the city, and
have spent thousands of dollars in ad-
vertising
Public demonstrations were held
thruout the city yesterday by both
sides. More than fifty rallies are
scheduled by the mo licence" forces
TODAY while ssxretS-, will canva ss,
every quarter of the city
THE Trail of the Serpent" perhaps
the greatest of the sermons Billy Sun
day has delivered against the liquor
forces here, was fired red hot to two
overflow audiences of men at the Tab
ernacle yesterday by the revivalist.
Over three thousand, led by Ex-Gov-
ernor Foss, hit the trail, while TWEEN
ty thousand cheered and stamped and
pledged themselves to vote dry
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-18
MOVE TOPEKA TEAM?
Frank IsbeII Says Local Baseball
Franchise May Go to Colorado.

Des Moines. la, Dec. 1S.-A new
lineup for the Western baseball
league was hinted at today by Frank
Isbell, owner of the Des Moines West
ern league club. in denying that he
had exercised his option and pur-
chased the Wichita franchise.
Isbell said he had information to
the effect that a plan was under way
to purchase the Wichita and Topeka
Western league franchises and trans
fer them to Colorado Springs and
Pueblo.
He said if he purchased the Wichita
club he would r. main at Wichita
Isbell said he was still awaiting a
reply to his offer to purchase a down.
town ball park in Wichita. His op-
ton on the Wichita club expires jan
uary 1.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-18
Motor Car Carrying Five Struck by
Frisco Freight Train.

Hobart, Okla, Dec. 1S.-Three per-
sons are dead and one slightly injured
today as the result of a collision be-
tween an automobile and a north
bound St Louis & San Francisco
freight train at Mountain Park, near
here, last Sunday. The dead are:
E E KIRK. 6.
MRS. HUGH THRASHER. So.
MRS. H. F. BRASHEARS. 65.
H. F. Brashears escaped with
broken arm and Arthur Brey, Il years
old, was uninjured. The automobile
was demolished.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-18
STRIKE FOOD PROTEST
Spanish Unions on 24-Hour WaIkout-
All Factories Closed.

Madrid, Dec. 1S.-A twenty-four
hour general strike called by the labor
organizations as a protest against the
increased price of food will take place
tomorrow thruout Spain.
Factories, stores and many offices
will be closed and no newspapers pub
lished The authorities have posted
notices appealing to the good sense of
the public TO maintain order and an
nouncing that any disturbance will be
seriously dealt with
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-18
SHOOTS 2 POLICEME EN-
Cops Stop Suspected Gunman to Ask
What He Was Doing.

Kansas City, Mo. Dec. 1s.-Jerome
NJ. Felis and John Houlehan. patrol
men, were shot when they stopped a
suspected gunman late last night to
ask him what he was doing" Houle-
han was shot in the abdomen and
probably will die. it was said this
morning. F'elis is not seriously in
jured. A dozen other patrolmen To-
Gated the bandit in an old barn.
At the police station today he gave
his name as Charles Matthews, said
he-was % years old, and a machinist-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-18
DEP0RT A BARON
French Banker Held and Tried
at Ellis Island.
Oppenheim Appeals Decision;
Case Involves Mystery.

New York, Dec. 1S.-Baron Robert
English financier, was ordered de-
ported from the United States after a
hearing before the board of inquiry of
the bureau of immigration here today
He appealed Immediately to the de-
partment of labor at Washington.
New York, Dec. 1S.-After spending
the time since his arrival in port on
the liner Noordam under guard locked
Oppenheim of Paris, was today taken
to Ellis Island for examination.
Mystery has surrounded the deten-
tion Of Baron Oppenheim and the
cause of his detention is not yet
known A tWo-monthS tour of the
United States in connection with some
banking business is the purpose for
which Baron Oppenheim says he came
to America.
Brought S5OO,OOO With Him.
The Ellis Island officials said that
the orders to hold Oppenheim, who
arrived on the Noordam yesterday,
came from the bureau of immigration
at Washington, to which all inquiries
were referred. Word came from
Washington that the immigration de-
partment knew nothing there of the
detention. Oppenheim's only expla-
nation for his being held is that "it
might be case of mistaken identity
A circumstantia1 report was current
that Oppenheim had arrived here with
100000 in cash and securities which
he had with him. it was said, when re-
moved to the Island.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-18
WHICH ONE SLEW STONE?
After Woman Confessed Staying, Man
Declares He Killed Him.

st. Louis, Dec. 1S.-Charles Noe,
teamster today told the police that he
and not Miss Bertha Smith killed
Charles Stone at the home of Miss
Smith yesterday. After being arrested
Miss Smith said that she had struck
Stone with a hammer when he at
tempted to force his attentions on her,
but today she withdrew the statement
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-18

That is the substance of a report
presented TO the city commissioners
at their regular meeting this morning
10y the J. +. Cation Audit company
Several months ago the city employed
the audit company to examine the
books of the Topeka Railway company
and the Topeka Edison company and
determine:
The amount of capital invested by
the companies in its Topeka plant
The total receipts from each and
every department of the company 5
business.
The total amount of expenditures
for all purposes
The improvements made during eacn
year within the period examined
The amount they shall pay into the
treasury under the ordinances eX-
isting.
Not Il Cent to City.
While the report of the street rail-
way company was not submitted this
morning it is practically complete 1t
Is known that the report will show
the railway company does not owe
the city a cent under its method of
computing valuation.
Mr.. Cation in his report on the street
railway company will endeavor to
show that there is too much water in
the capital of the company, which
makes it impossible for the earnings
TO ever become sufficient to net the
city any income under its contract
with the city"
Mr.. Cation presented the report in
rson. According to his figures.
based upon his valuation of the plant,
the Topeka Edison company should
have paid .nOney into the city treas
ury every year since 1910 Instead.
according to Cations report, it has
made only three payments, those in
hp las 81
379.95. And according to his figures
the payments in the last three years
fall slort by S10.377.21 of the
amounts he believes the Edison COM
pany should have turned over to the
city treasury.
Companies Have Co-opcratcd.
Mr. Cation lauded both the Street
Railway company and the Edison
company for cooperating in obtain
ing data necessary. He found the
books of both companies almost total
~ free of errors and it has all mar
rowed down as to whether the esti
mate on valuation. or capital. of the
two companies is fair and just. or
whether the valuation and capital
placed by Mr.. Cation is fair and just.
This the city commissioners must de-
termine and then. if they agree with
Cations report. steps must be taken
To get the two companies to agree to
comply with the payments due the
city as claimed by Mr.. Cation. This
probably will not he determined for
some time. II may be that the matter
will go to the courts.
CatOn's Figures.
The amounts claimed due the city
each year since 1910 from the Edison
company. together with the amounts
paid the city by the company on a val
uation placed on the plant by Burns
and Mcdonnell expert engineers,
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-18
PREMIER SPEECH TUESDAY
Lloyd-George Improves and VIII Ap-
pear Before Commons Tomorrow.

London, Dec. 1S.-Premier Lloyd
George was much better this morning
and his secretary said that he would
make the promised statement in the
house of commons on Tuesday.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-18
CITY SOUL SAVER
Chicago Establishes Morals Commits
sion to Clean Up Town.

Chicago, ILL.,, Dec. iS.-The city of
Chicago has appointed an official
souls commission VINO will take Of
ficial charge of the souls of all Chi
cagoans. The morals commission
meets today with a new secretary, DR..
John =. Brushingham of the South
Park Methodist church, in charge of
its active work
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-18
FEAR A VILLA RAID

Ell Paso, Tex, Dec. 1s.-Chihuahua
City is in a state of panic. Villa has
sent a threat to reoccupy the city
Christmas day. 1t is recalled that he
fixed September 16 as the date of his
first occupation and kept his promise.