The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-07-21
North Side NeuDs
GIG SPUD GROWERS
Market Drops 100 Per Cent in
Only Few Days.
Kaw Valley Farmers Do Not
Know What To Do.

Local potato growers are between
the devil and the deep sea. week
ago the price of potatoes wholesale in
carload lots was about 81 cdshel-
Today it is about 81 a bushel- The
market has broken in two in seven
days. Most of the Kaw valley pota-
toes are of varieties which ripen early
and do not keep well during the hot
weather. Thus the grower, having
once dug his crop. is compelled 20 sell
within a comparatively short time
But raisers here expect the price TO
20 up a little later. They hate to sell
on low market with the certainty
that a little later it will bound back
to where it was before they had to sell.
Friday one big grower was COM
PEELED to sell two carloads at dollar.
At that rate they would bring him
about $500 each. week ago they
would have commanded $500 each at
the least.
Most OF the potato raisers. as re-
suit of the sudden drop in price. have
suspended digging operations. The
extreme fluctuation is explained in
two ways. A short time ago the gov
eminent issued a report stating that
the crop over the United States ex-
ceeded the normal acreage by 10000
coo bushels. An oVer-supply was pre-
6lcted.
Speculation is also held largely ac-
tatues comparatively. have yet been
placed on the market makes the sud-
cen and startling drop in price some
what of mystery.
There has beer some difference of
opinion among Kaw valley farmers as
to whether or not locally grown po-
tatoes will keep thru the hot wealth
er. Most farmers sell as their crop is
matured, and depend on Colorado and
northern potatoes for their winter sup
-
curing which potatoes will keep de-
lends upon the variety, but in the
Raw valley most of the tubers grown
do not keep well.
Billiard in California.
Word was received here that Phil
Billiard driving his car had reached
Goldfield. New, Thursday evening.
From there he expected to reach Los
Angeles Friday night. If he arrived
Friday night the distance was covered
in eight days. for more than 2,100
miles. This is excellent driving time
even for an eleven-hour day. But
those who know Phil Billiard as a pi-
lot of a car assert that his driving day
was very much less. His estimated
average speed was thirty miles an
hour. a very high average.
Social and Personal.
Ralph Zarker for several years
clerk at the Santa Fe Junction depot
and recently ticket agent for the Los
Angeles. Salt Lake & San Pedro Val
ley railroad, has joined a California
cavalry regiment and is now at Fort
Riley in training. Zarker is North
Topeka boy and his parents, Mr.. and
Mrs. w. H. Zarker, live here.
John GerteiSen, jr., of Alamosa, Col,
will spend Sunday in North Topeka
With his uncle, Charles Gerteisen, 922
North Madison. Gerteisen, who was
formerly paymaster for the Panama
Canal commission, is in training at the
Fort Riley camp.
John HOLSTER of the Union Pacific
hotel will leave in a few days for Col
orado Springs to join Mrs. HOLSTER
They will spend the winter in Col
orado.
DIR. A. NJ. Dawson left this morn
ing for New York, where he will re-
main for a stay of over a month, with
his wife and two children. Later, Dr.
Dawson expects to join Field Hospital
corps No. A, in which he is a first
lieutenant
E. S. Gressor, who is in Volland
Kan, for a short visit, will return
home Monday
NJ. S. southwick motored up from
Kansas City Friday. Next Wednesday
Mr. and Mrs. Southwick leave for
California.
Park Goodnow and Earl Priddy
of Elmont were in Topeka this morn
ing on business.
The j. ID. Pratt and Fred MOrnS
families who recently motored to
Colorado. will start Monday on their
return trip from Pueblo, their last
stop.
Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Sheetz are in
Topeka for a weeks visit.
Frederick Fisher, who died a few
days ago and whose burial took place
at Lawrence Friday afternoon, was
one of he oldest trainmen in point
of service on the Union Pacific hav-
ing been on the run" between Ellis
and Topeka for forty years. Many
of the older railroad men attended the
services
The Pleasant Ridge grange will
hold an open meeting this evening,
July 81, which will have as a speaker
A. D. Foliler, the county agricultural
agent. Folker wishes to meet as many
of the Menoken township people as
possible. A musical program will be
given and see cream served.
A. NJ Petro, the Druggist.-Adv.
Charlie Martin will motor to Olathe
Sunday.
July %, A. B. Folker and Miss Mi
Ian, the county agricultural expert
and the assistant state club leader
will give a practical canning demon
stration at the Rochester school. Veg
etables and various fruits will be used
Those interested in the demonstration
and accompanying lecture. are invited
to attend.
Mrs. Freda Nelson of Seattle spent
Friday with Mrs. A. V. Lindell. Mrs.