davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21
P. 0. ARMY Tolls
500 900 Now "Harvesting" An
nual Christmas Rush.
Officials Claim It's Biggest IN
History of U. S.
COMMkNDEER WHOLE TRAINS
997 Tons of Parcel Post Thru
Chicago Office in IL Hours.
Add 8 900 Emergency Men to
10000 Railway Mail Clerks.
COMMkGDEER WHOLE TRAINS
BY GEORGE MARTIN.

washington, Dec 20.-Three hun
bred thousand postmen are loi ilas
night and day to deliver AIhel 10 :
holiday mail-the biggest IN hiseoiS
by Christmas eve.
And if they succeed" said Assist
ant Postmaster General Otto Praeger
today. &. 1t will be because America
did its Christmas mailing early
Mail movement records nave peeh
shattered since mid-November. Prae-
ger said Billions of tons OF ounales'
boxes, packages and letters have oeen
whisked to their destinations, despite
war time obstacles
Whole trains of cars, units of the
carefully worked OUT mail transport
tation program, have been command.
eered by the government ten-car
train was grabbed by the war depart.
ment at New York within the last
"a hours.
Exprcss Companies Swamped.
Merchants have over-burdened the
parcel post by breaking up large ex-
press shipments on account of express
congestion
Tons upon tons of government war
mail have been added to the postal
burden.
And yet" said Praeger, reports
from all fifteen postal divisions in
the country show there is no conges-
ton anywhere so far. Unless public
and merchants are holding back on
us, there Will be no congestion
AS showing the enormity of the
task accomplished, Praeger declared
America postofnces nave handled
every oay since November Is, a vol
ume of mail equal to the peak load of
Christmas week last year. which was
the greatest ever handled by the de-
partment
"A telegram from the Chicago post
master To-Day" said Praeger, tells us
| that on the night of December II,
/ between q p. m. and a M, 997
tons of parcel post packages alone
passed thru that office. That is one
hundred full carloads of mail. 1t
! does not include the days run. That
Fiji Ships With Mail.
| To get away with this ulprecedent-
| ed job, the government added three
| thousand men to it's force of 10000
railway mail clerks. 1t has used thru
mail trains from coast to coast. 1t
| has relieved congestion in transfer
eenters by filling last coastwise ships
| with mail and shooting them from
one end of the United States to the
other on both coasts, thus saving
! transfer centers from two to seven
cars Gay each ever since December
| II.
I'VE are in the midst of -the final
| squirt now. We will hit the. heaviest
/ gorge about tomorrow. and unless
i something goes amiss, all America 5
Christmas mail will be at its front
] door by Chri.tmas eve" Praeger said
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21
SOUND Them OUT
Capper viii Ask Legislators for
Special Session Ideas.
Possible That Two Houses viii
Meet This Winter.

Governor Capper will this afternoon
sound the individual members of the
legislature as to a special session, ac-
cording to an authentic report in state
house circles. The governor will out
line various reasons for immediate
state legislation and will ask for opin-
ions of the individual members.
Since the. passage of the national
prohibition amendment, it has been
reported that Governor Capper has
considered seriously the question of a
special session. Previous to the pas
sage of the amendment, the governor
considered but discouraged special
session. 1t is not assumed that he is
at this time disposed to call the legis-
is known he will not act on his own
motion. Should definite sentiment
for a special session exist in the state.
tho. il is probable the legislature will
be called to Topeka this winter.
In his letter to the legislators. Gov
ernor Capper will outline various
measures in contemplation. These
will doubtless include taxation, appro-
priations, state laws to conform with
national war legislation, the need of
state and local defense organizations
and means of financing these projects.
and also the ratification of the
amendment for national prohibition.
NO one of these various measures are
considered by Governor Capper to in
themselves warrant the calling of the
legislature into extra ordinary session.
Yet, considered as a whole, there is a
belief thf t the governor regards the
situation of sufficient Importance to
justify action. 1t is believed. tho. he
will be guided largely by the individ-
ual opinions of the members of the
Two houses.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21
b. W. SMITH, Chairman,
Manhattan Chapter A. r. C.
WASTING THE LAND.

There are those who hold that fine
man whose needs are insufficiently
supplied should, instead of practicing
economy, increase his income. The
rule might and probably would, in
most cases, fail in practice. But che
principle is worthy of consideration by
the government.
The people are being urged to pi'ac-
tice food conservation thru wheatIess
and meatless days. that there may be
enough for ourselves and our allies
over seas. Yet census figures show
that nearly half of the cuItivable ag-
ricultural land in the United States is
lying idle. In New York state 81 per
cent of the agricultural land is un-
farmed. while in New England alone
there are 80. 900, 900 idle acres, accord
ing to United States Senator Warren
G. Harding.
The United States public health SER
vice reported in 1916 that nearly half
of our adult male wage earners have
annual incomes too small to maintain
family in decency and cor-fort- Since
then prices have increased faster than
wages.
In his annual report just made pub
lie, Secretary McAdoo asserts that
greater economy is necessary if we are
to win the war. The poor must spend
less and save money to lend to the
! government, according to Mr.. McAdoo.
/ Is there not some way by which the
government can bring III paid. under
fed workmen into connection with all
this idle land so that not only they
but all the world would be benefited ?
There is no greater waste than this
waste of land.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21
SHAWNEE IN LEAD
This County Sets Pace in Dis
trict Red Cross Drive.
Ahead of Nearest Competitor
by 10000, Report Shows.

Reports up to this noon on the
progress of the Red Cross membership
drive in the nine counties comprising
the fifth campaign district gave Shaw
nee county a lead of nearly 200
over it's nearest competitor. and this
Shawnee county report does not cover
anything outside of the business dis
trict of Topeka itself. All the reports
from the rural districts and the resi-
dence district of Topeka are yet to
come in.
The quota of new members assigned
to the nine counties of the fifth cam
paign district was 1871 new mem
bers. Incomplete reports from the
counties show membership subscrip-
ton to date of $4,000 According to
George Godfrey Moore, chairman Of
the district campaign, the quota is eX-
pected to be oyersubscribed nearly 10G
per cent
Especially good work in the district
drive has been accomplished by E. C.
Quigley, of st. Marys, in charge of
Wabaunsee county. Quigley reported
this morning that ten memberships
had been placed in one family anc
that two other families had subscribed
for nine memberships each. Quigley
is already $50 per cent over his quota
Miss Martha M. Beck, a newspaper
woman in charge of the Jackson ccun-
ty campaign, is also to be compliment
ed for her efficient work in the cam
paign.
$ L.,
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21

There have been those-not many.
but noisy. says The Public-v'ho have
shouted in the market place that this
Is not a peoples war, not a popular
war. But it was these same felix of
little faith who stated long ago that
congress would not put the country
on selective service basis, but it did;
who said that the people of the nation
would not register for military service,
but they did; who saio that draft riots
would be the answer to the attempt to
gather them into camps, but it wasn't:
who said that rebellion would follow
the attempt to place American troops
on foreign shores-behold, they have
gone singing. and those who remain
are fighting to follow,
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21

Tie Russian Red Cross is an enor-
moVF organization. more or less bu-
reaHeratic in its administration. for
merly supported by the royal family,
and now receiving aid from the gov
erninent. says DR.. Frank Billings in
Cartoons Magazines. 1t is not like our
Red Cross. Supported by contributions
OF the whole people. It. vast store
he uses are stocked with supplies far
beyond anything we have in America.
The have utilized tier factories for
thes manufacture of cotton goods. and
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21

Portugal does not bulk large among
the. allied nations at war with Ger
many; but she is none too small to at
tract the attention of the Teutonic
propa ganda. A revolution has brought
abolIt a new government at Lisbon,
and at it's head is the former Portu-
guese minister at Berlin. Thus, from
the. Neva to the Tagus, the insidious
trafs of the German propaganda is
spread over the map of Europe. The
capitals on the Thames and on the
Potb1nac appear to be the only ones
where the German spy system has not
emerged into the open with it's plans.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21

admiral Peary and others continue
to predict German air raids on New
YORK and other Atlantic coast cities.
It IS, possible, of course: but it would
hardly be worth White, except as a
denionstration of futile Teutonic rage.
The bombing of New York or Boston.
or even of Washington, would serve
no Essential military purpose-while
thesreaction would be a flaming anger
against the Hun which would stimu-
late american aggressiveness to a de-
gree which the Potsam council would
hardly wish to contemplate. The war
will not be brought to our shores be-
cause we are going to carry the war
ovetseas.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21

world is at it's best when it gathers
yearly about the manger of the Babe.
The Wise Men brought gifts That
was a sign of their wisdom. The
highest expression of character is to
give. The greater the giving the
greater the living. History's brightest
names aresof the men and women who
gave most lavishly At the head of
this roll shines the Name above every
name, of Him who gave himself for
all the world.
Our King is worthy of our best gifts
that is the Wise Mems Christmas
message.
Christmas is the children's day.
And how it has transformed childhood
wherever it is celebrated. We hear
echoing thru the Christmas songs the
Savfourss Suffer little children.
I s The message OF the manager is a
message of self-sacrifice. Christ
found the lowly stable as fitting a
dwelling place as the throne of heaven.
The disciple will be initiating closely
the royal example of his Master every
time he enters a manager of humility,
seIf-surrender and service.
ITO the Babe in His lowliness Wise
Men brought precious gifts And shall
we not be as wise as they in bringing
to the King in His exaltation the peer
less gifts of love and service and sac
rifices and conservation? One loyal
heart, hurnbly offered, is more highly
esteemed by Christ than gift of all
the gold, franl1incense and myrrh of
the Orient.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21

No measure the government has
taken for the protection and welfare
of It's soldiers and sailors has proven
to Sc more popular than the system of
lifet Insurance setup BY congress. APP
plicauons for government insurance
received by the military and naval di-
vision of the bureau of war-risk insur-
ance have passed the s2,0OO,0O0,000
mask. Up to the close of business
lasf Friday, 1883 applications, rep
resenting $2,O7S.72s. 500 of insurance,
had been received The average
am9hnt applied for per man is $S,679.
This, individual average has been
steadily increasing. The maximum
fixed by law is $4,000 and the mini
muR $1,000. The totals reached TO
date represent less than two months
full operation of the law. First in
surance reports from France indicate
thai the American expeditionary
forces are enthusiastic about the gov
eminent system. An official trans
script of the first 159 applications
made by American soldiers in France
shows a total of 81 $4,000 of insur
ande. The average amount of insur-
ance applied for per man is $9,452.
Thetapplications are from all ranks
from privates to the highest officers.
Auinng them is the application of Gen.
joint j. Pershing for the full $1O,-
OOOts Only sixteen of the first 159 ap-
plicuions received were TOR less than
10 900. and only nineteen for less than
$4,000.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21

II is easy for the investor in Thrift
Certificates to visualize the course of
his Collar. First. it goes to the gov
ernlpent as loan for the war; second,
1t is'expended by the government for
food, clothing and ammunition which
go directly to a soldier or sailor. whose
fighting strength is kept up by the
fooqi whose body is kept warm by the
clothing. and whose enemy is hit by
the. Ammunition. In five years it re-
turpS with compound interest added
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21

Chicago, Dec. III. Ogden Ar
mour today adhered TO yesterdays
policy of silence regarding Testimony
taken at the Washington investigation.
You may say that Mr. Armour feels
that all Information on the subject. in
view of the fact that a formal inolIirv
is in progress. should develop thru,
that inquiry" said his secretary
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21

in one storehouse in PetrograS we
found 100000 meters of gauze.
They had 5000. 900 suits of underwear
for their soldiers. They run their hos
pitfalls quite as we'll as the sanitary de-
par.ment of the army. In the Winter
Palace were 500 beds of a Red Cross
hospital its lofty ceilings and big
rooms splendidly ventilated and SPLEEN
didly administered.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21
SAMMlES' CAMP "DRY"
Pcrshing SPuts Rigid Ban on All
Drinks Except Beer ard Light Wines.

With the American Army in France,
Dec. 21-(By the Associated Press) =
All alcoholic beverages except light
wines and beers are denied to mem
bers of the American expeditionary
forces in France by General Pershing
in general orders issued today.
Extraordinary measures are being
taken to insure sobriety and a high
moral standard in the army and the
officers have been informed they will
be held TO strict accountability for the
fullest compliance with the orders
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21

IN one of the popular operas there
is a scene in which a man condemned
to death is placed in = vault having
stohe door which slowly descends,
Scaling the tomb forever. This scene
illustrates the position of Germany.
The power of the civilized world is
slowly hut surely encompassing her
defeat. When the fateful day arrives
which will put an end to her power
TO hhrm other nations, it will be for
all time
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21

New York, Dec. 21.-AIONEY-M1 r.antsle
paper. j5z@5A- Sterling. 60 d#y bills.
4T1L: commercial. so day bills on banks
All (. commercial. 60 day bills 470I5 de-
mand. 4.75A cables 4.T6 ZIG Francs. de-
maud, 5.Ts9< cables. shy Guilders de-
Inand, 49, cables. Az. Lires demand
Sgs: eabis $. S..1 Kubies. demand l5.z
cables. Il x. Bar silver. S65S: MEXICAN
dollars, Gs1se. Government bombs firm
raj road bonds strong; Tine loane, strong
90 days, 81 days and months 81.
Call money. strong high. 6 low G: ruI-
ing rate. 6 closing bid 59s offered at 6;
last loan. g.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21

Wall St. New York. Dee. 21-STOCES
strength of the atock market today ths
short interest covering extensively on lie
more hopeful foreign and domestic advtees
Sales approximated 60G.OOO shares
Higher quotations were registered in +ha
last hour but further profit linking in rail-
and steels was gain in evidence THE
closing was strong. Liberty AS sold ~
9I.0S to 800 and the 35zs at 1884 to IS 10
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21
Gifts in the Christmas Spirit.

Terse Comments on the Uniform
Prayer Meeting Topic of the Young
Peoples Societies Christian En-
deavor, etc.-for December %:
Christmas Giving" Matt. 2:1-12.
Christ himself came, Not to be
min:sternd INTO hut to minister" and
He puts the same spirit into the hearts
of His loyal followers Not get, but
give, is tie royal law. Today the world
is filled with a shining company of
men and women who are following in
the train of Jesus, and spending them
selves, as best they know how, in la
Dor for the welfare of their fellowmen.
Every Red Cross stamp" that ap-
pears on a Christmas letter is but ex-
preston of this spirit. So are all the
thousands of Christmas dinners that
will be given to the poor. So are
the Wide-rea ching ministrations of for
eign missions, and the gifts to the SOL
dlers. So are the multitude of altru-
istic activities which, tho they are not
labeled with the name of Christ, are
yet born of His Spirit.
An alert minister, discerning the
tendencies of the times, should preach
a valuable sermon upon 1.-The Social
izing Value of Christmas" After
celebrating upon the worldwide
spread of the socialized spirit-the
recognition of the claims of number
two against number one-he could
/ SHOW lldl CHRISTMAS introduced the
gift-gfving spirit; the era of otherism,
the day of brotherhood. From its be-
ginning until now Christmas has stood
for the recognition of other people.
AT this time. if at no other, men get
out of themselves long enough to
think of those to whom they should
make gifts. Thought of others is the
essence of genuine socialism.
To give. is to live according to the
Christmas program.
Every Christmas giver is himself a
! Christmas gift
! Whose eats his Christmas morsel
alone. misses having Christ for his
guest.
. There is no more humanizing and
mellowing experience than to take
4 thought of the children. When a man
begins to think of the little ones his
I heart warns to all life. Love of chill
dren is a gate thru which all the no.
] bier impulses find easy access. The
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21

Just as a preliminary to a full state
ment of his war aims, the kaiser might
let it be known whether when the war
ends he will favor the restoration of
Palestine to the Turks or to the Jews.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21

LONE. Dec. 21-"At Aso one and east
of the Brenta we deprived the enemy
of considerable portion Of his Tue 3
abatement
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21
SAD BUT TRUE.
The State Journal is in receipt OF
the following communication:

Manhattan, Kan. Dec 10
Editor State Journal Topeka. Kan.
Dear Sir: In your issue of Decem-
Der there appeared this statement
''On the Spur of the Moment column:
THE army and navy bazaar in New
York, held to buy comfort kits for
the fighting men took il $7S,475 After
expenses of promoters were paid there
was $154 left for soldiers"
This is being used against our Red
Cross membership campaign here and
We would like 10 know If the story is
true aud why nothing was done with
the grafters. An answer will oblige
Yours RESPECTFULLY
Il. w. SMITH, Chairman,
Manhattan Chapter A. r. c.
The story. unfortunately, is true.
and New York was duly scandalized
when it was made public. But there
appears to have been no evidence of
graft. The promoters turned the
business over to hired helpers. who
spent nearly all the receipts on the
enterprise. Anybody who subscribes
directly to the Red Cross can rest as
sured that every cent will go where it
is intended to go. Not cent will be
used for salaries nor will 'any of it be
wasted.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21
.MfIATEvER YOV WANT no Know"

bureau at Washington furnishes readers,
free .of- charge, accurate and authoritative
auseerS to questions any ana all sub
jects. concerning which information can ne
had from the unparalleled resources OF the
VARIOUS federal ~Hvernment departments
and the great library of congress A D.
cent stamp for return postage must &C.
can1pany each inquiry. State clearly the
lnrormaton wanted, write plainly ana al
dress
THE TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL IN
FORMATION BUREAU.
Washington, d. G
n B.-Inquirers should be careful to Cd
serve two points: Enclose a Scent stamp
and address their letters TO Washington.
as abOve. and not to Topeka. otherwise de-
lay sand needless expense are incurred
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21

Whose eats his Christmas morseI
alone. misses having Christ for his
guest.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21

To give. is to live according to the
Christmas program.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21

Our King is worthy of our best gifts
that is the Wise Mems Christmas
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21

Every Christmas giver is himself a
Christmas gift.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-19

OF Richmond: MIR. and Mrs. Loving. OF
Greenwood: Mrs. C. b. Riddick and Mrs.
l. a. Armitagc. OF Richmond: Mrs.
Gtvings. of Pittsburgh: Misses Ellie
Rtddlck. Margaret Sorg. Alice McFad-
den. Mary Lumsden, Dorothy and Anne
Young. of Richnond: Misses Mary and
Martha McCuc. of Alton: Misses Ethel.
Evelyn and Fredrika Harris. of Rou-
mike. Miss Mamie Brittle. OF Warren
ton; Miss LILY Leo Mitchie. OF Ivy:
Mcssrs. Tignor Billups. of Richmond:
Bob White. OF Norfolk: Alfred and
James Harris. of Crozet: Charlie Way
land. OF CroZct; Edgar Harris. OF Webb
City, Mo-: DIR. Wilson and Tommy
Davis. of Greenwood: Clay Brittle. OF
Warrenton: Ralph Wilder and j. Kelly.
of charlottesville: Claude and Floyd
Hines. OF Roanoke; Sam Durret. of Red
nm; MIR. Loath. of Waynesboro; Bar
bour Thornton. Of fredericksburg; Miss
Lucille RodEer and Misses Sykes. of
Petersburg: Mcssrs. Barbour and Ste
ger. OF Petersburg.
Among the now arrivals at the
Greenwood House are: Mrs. j. T. Sorg,
Miss Dorothy Sorg. MIR. and Mrs. Il. a.
ArmitaSc and daughter. OF Richmond;
AIRS, T. u. rcnrman, Miss E;lnorc Pear
man. Marshall and Warrior pcarman.
tdsar w. Harris, OF Webb City. Mo-:
Robert White. OF Norfolk: Mr.. Barbour
and MIR. StcIcr OF Petersburg: G. b.
Riddick. OF Richmond: L. b. Pcarman,
OF Washington.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-19
CROCKETT SPRINGS
Especial to The Timcs-Dispatch.1

Especial to The Times Dispatch.l
CROCKETT SPRINGS. VA, August
lS.-Thc number OF guests here at
present almost fills the hotel Satur-
day some patrons from Roanoke were
unable TO find accomm odations here
for their &cck-cnd visit
Thursday night a very successful
performance. financially and otherwise
OF Mrs Jarlcy's Wax Works was
given for the benefit OF tho Shawsville
branch OF tho Red Cross Society. Miss
Bertha Leeds, of New Orleans. was
Mrs. farley, who showed the best OF
her collection" composed of: Boy Blue.
II. Cheney. OF Washington: Roadecca.
Miss Thomas. OF Crockett Springs: Lit
tie Nell, Miss Florence Thomas. OF
Blueficld: Blue Beard, Ernest Blair. Of
Richmond; Fanny Ellslcr, Miss Huff. of
Roanoke: Frar Tuck. L. NJ. Tillcr. Of
Richmond: Mary. Queen of Scots. Miss
Fhilipp. of Richmond: Executioncr. NJ
I. Bethel of Charlotte. y. c.: Mother
Goose. Miss Leila Deane, of Norfolk:
Charlie Chaplin. Paul &. Thomas. OF
Bluefield:. Bebe Juneau. Miss Margaret
Phillips of Richmond: Indian. Lee An
derson. of Blucfeld: Picnic Jennie. Mrs
J. V. Boxley; Picnic Jimmie, s r.
Laird. Richmond: Red Cross Nurse
Miss Barnwell, of Roanoke; Diogcncs,