davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-31
WATCH FOR TRAP
Believe Berlin Disgusting Facts
Behind Peace Meet.
Pan-German Protest Is Ruse To
"PrOve" Treaty's Popularity.

Washington. Dec. B1.-State depart
ment officials consider that the Ger
man government is attempting to dis
guise the facts behind the peace ne
gotiations at -Litovsk by the
widely circulated story that the kaiser
has delegated to Chancellor Won
Hertling the power to make peace
and that the pant ermanic press is
deeply irritated at the peace terms
proposed by the German delegates.
The apparent displeasure of the
pam Germanic element is regarded by
officials here as probably inspired for
the purpose of indicating the conf
dence of the public in Germany s
power to dictate peace terms.
The story that the kaiser yielding
more power to his chancellor has not
been borne out by any facts received
at the state department. The only in
format ton that might serve as the
basis for such a report was a dispatch
from Copenhagen dated December %,
but referring to a published dispatch
there under the date of December q,
in which it was reported that the
approval Of the participation in the
peace conference of the delegates
chosen by the chancellor.
United States Is NoncommfttaI.
The state department today was
still without any intimation official or
otherwise, that this government par
tic1pation in a peace conference is de-
sired. Reports from Brest-Litovsk
and from Petrograd have left no
doubt that both Berlin and Petrogra d
were determined if possible to align
America and the co-belligerents in
some peace agreement and the receipt
of an offer either direct or indirect
would be no surprise.
No official of this government has
committed himself upon what reply
would be made, but there has been
nothing to indicate that it would be
, favorable 1t has been indicat ted that
unless it came thru some official
channel it probably would bring forth
nothing more than formal acknowI-
edgment.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-31
MUST HAVE CARDS
Great Britain Takes Step to Cut Sugar
Shortage.

London, Dec. 31--England's first
experience with compulsory rationing
was had today with sugar No per
son could obtain supplies except by
card.
Baron Rhondda, the food controller,
is expected soon to issue an order for
a meatIess day. 1t is understood that
a comprehensive plan for alienation
of conditions among the poor, who
have been compelled to stand in line
for hours waiting for supplies, will be
in full swing before the new year is
far advanced The food ministry has
been working for months on the plan
With the seizure of marga rine la st
week and the Introduction of sugar
card system today the lines OF waiting
persons IN the London district
dwindled. The allowances of margar-
inc is four ounces per capita weekly
and of sugar half a pound
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-31
Affects Single Men Who Get
$1,000; Benedicts Over $4,000.
SurtaX or Extra Levy on All
Incomes Over $4,000 a Year.
WILL YIELD BIG REVENUE
Billion From Incomes; Billion
From Excess Profits.
Small Army of Trained Asses
sOrs viii Be on the Job.

Washington, Dec. 31.-The great
task of gathering income tax and ex-
cess profits returns will begin with the
lew year tomorrow.
Every unmarried person earning
more than $1,000 during the last year.
and every married person or head OF
a family who made more than $4,000.
must file with the internal revenue
collector of his district a report any
time between tomorrow and March /.
He will be notified before June 1 of
the tax due, and payment will be due
June Is.
The government expects to receive
$1,201, 900, 900 from income taxes be-
for July /, including $666,00O,0 900
from individuals and $535, 900 from
corporations. This is more than one
third of the S3,40O, 100000 estimated
receipts under the war revenue act
passed by congress at the st session
From excess profits taxes, the gov
eminent expects to realize about
S1,220, 10000 before July 1.
Two Ter Cent Lowest Levy.
The rate of tax for a married man
or the head of a family is per cent
on the amount of his net income eX-
ceeding $4,000, but less than $4,000,
and per cent on the amount of his
net income above $4,000, but less than
$4,000. An unmarried person not the
head of a family will pay per ce.At on
the amount ( net income above 81. 900
but less than $4,000, and per cent
on the net income above $4,000 but
less than 5000.
An extra levy, or surtaX in addition
to the normal tax. is imposed on in
comes above $4,000. so that the
amount of income between $1,000 and
$500 is subject to a total income tax
including both normal and extra, of
per cent; and between $500 and
$4,000, per cent. The surtaS
further increases with higher incomes
z CONTINUED on Next Page)
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-31
FIND IDLE CARS
Congessed Yards Fun and No Engines
To Pull Them.

Washington. Dee. Possibilities
that thousands of idle freight cars may
be discovered in congested yards were
seen today in reports reaching the in
terstate commerce commission
Many inspectors reported strings of
idle cars on siding. while yard engines
were unable to pull them out for lack
of proper facilities During the cold
wave many locomotives have been dis
abled altho inspectors reported there
was no reason why they should not
have been KEPT IN working order.
Reports from shippers to commission
officials tell of disabled engines lying
in freight yards for weeks or months
Immediate remedy for the coal
shortage caused by a lack of adequate
distribution was also considered by
Director General McAdoo today, and
he is expected to act soon on a plan to
help the New England coal situation.
1t is being formulated by a special
committee of government agencies.
headed by Howard Elliott, of the New
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-31
CeIebrators called "Neros. .
HOLD UP LECTURES
VICTIMS ON HONESTY
JOKES WITH POLICE

New York. Dec. s1-Jersey City
has footpad with waggish propen-
sites who has got the police so darn
mad today they've sworn to get him
at all costs.
The joker called the police flat
feet in an open letter mailed the
newspapers and several of his victims
in recent weeks report he lectured
them severely on honesty being the
best policy when they tried unsuc-
cessfully to conceal some of their
wealth sought by the holder up
What makes the robbers actions
puzzling is that his operations have
been confined to relatively poor peo-
pie and his hauls have ranged all the
way from one cent to s5O-never
more.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-31
HAD CASH THIS TIME
w. a. Kopseker Held Up and Robbed
at Third and Topeka Avenue.

Several years ago w. A. Kopseker
Topeka's aeroplane man, was held up.
He was penniless at the time After
the holdup man had gone thru his
pockets, he swore a little and then
said:
why the --- amt you got some
thing?"
Then he pulled back and hit Kop-
seeker in the face. Kopseker resolved
he would never disappoint a holdup
man again.
About 9 o'clock Sunday evening he
was walking west on Third street to
his home at 500 Clay street. AT Third
street and Topeka avenue Kopseker
noticed a negro and a white man talk
ing as he passed.
Suddenly he felt someone grab his
arms and twist them behind his back.
The negro sprang in front of him and
leveled a long, vicious looking knife
at his face with one hand. With the
other hand he went thru Kopseker's
pockets, extracting purse containing
$3.50. The negro empded the purse
and gave it back to the aeroplane man.
Kopseker reported to the police Of
GERS Sturm, Frost and Scott have been
assigned to the case
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-31
Wage Increase Whether Union
Member or Not.
Govt VIII Advance Money
Needed To Cover "Raise."
BIG SHIFT IN EQUIPMENT
Some Lines Stripped To Re-
lieve Congestion in East.
McAdOO Diverts Freight South
to UncOngested Yards.
BY ROBERT j. BENDER.

Washington, Dec. 81. - Director
General McAdoO will pay his 10000
railroad employees more money.
This has been definitely agreed upon
between President Wilson and leaders
OF the -FOUR great brotherhoods and
will cover increases for all employees
whether members of the brotherhoods
or not The government Will face the
full 40 per cent increase demanded by
the men but an agreement is assured.
Discuss Wages First.
At a conference today between Nc
Adoo and the United States board of
mediation and Cancellation, basis of
increase was expected to be finally
determined
This question, together with action
to relieve congestion at the ports of
New York and Newport News, now
bearing the b-unt of the heavy export
freight shipments, is occupying Nc
Adoo's attention to the exclusion of
other problems now.
His plan IS to divert Immediately
freight directed to these points and
send it to Boston and Philadelphia.
The long haul of freight from the
central part of the country for which
the eastern roads have been actively
bidding will be eliminated entirely
and all such shipments will go to New
Orleans and other southern points
which have been practically idle.
Govt to Supply Funds
The government will pay higher
Continued on To 90 Two
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-31

J. J. Breheny, trainmaster at Her
ington, will be given headquarters in
Topeka, it is announced further.
George Hetherington is the origina-
tor of the famous Red Ball system on
the Rock Island Lines. Trained for
many years on the Santa Fe from call
boy to car accountant, he left that
road in 905 to install the Red Bah on
the Rock Island. That was after
nineteen years of faithful and eff
cient service for the Santa Fe. In
1905 Hetherington was made chief
clerk TO the general superintendent of
the Rock Island in Topeka and six
years later he was appointed chief
clerk to the general manager. Two
years ago when the general manage 5
office was moved from this city and
one district of the road was abandoned
Hetherington was appointed as train
master of the Kansas division.
Hetherington is a type of the rail
way official of today--with the ex-
perience of the railway man of yester-
day. He is courteous. man who al
ways meets the public on neutral
ground and a man thOroIy acquainted
with railway matters in all branches
of the service His departure is a dis
tinct loss to the Kansas division.
The circular also announced the
appointment of H Fairmon. trainmas-
ter at Little Rock, as trainmaster at
Herington to succeed Breheny. Fair
mon will have charge of lines from
Salina to Caldwell. including the Her
ingtOn wards
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-31
SPELLS PROSPERITY
PeIIctier Stores Business Exceeds
Anticipations.

In their advertisement today the
Pelletier Stores company make sew
eral gratifying announcements of
their trade for 1917, which they term
"a year of progress and development
in which records have been repeatedly
eXcelled," adding this wonderful para
graph;
January 1, 1917, we set our mark
for this years busin ess-for the in
crease we hoped TO make-a New
Years resolve, as it were, to do so
much. The mark was reached Octo-
Der I25-befoTe the holiday business
began! And what a holiday business!
All estimates, all hopes, al guesses
ertopped-eXcelIedl
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-31
LUTHERAN PARISH
SCHOOLS TO STOP
TEACHING GERMAN

at Seward Neb., the pastors and
teachers of the German Lutheran
church. in Nebraska Of the Missouri
synod. adopted resolutions of loyalty
10 he United States government and
recommended the cessation of German
language instruction in all parochial
schools oi the state for the duration
If the war
Acting on the resolution one of the
most prominent parochial schools of
fh. state heated here, will drop Ger
iH'' language instruction tomorrow.
1- first da. of the new var
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-31

CLOSE BIG OFFICE BLDG.
Coal Shortage in New York Causes
Many Discomforts.

New York. Dec 31.-Summoning
state and federal fuel administrators
for conference this afternoon,
Mayor-elect Hylan prepared to take
steps TO relieve the suffering growing
out of the intense cold coupled with
the Goa! shortage, as the first act of
his administration tomorrow
The situation became more acute
this afternoon. The twenty-six story
Metropolitan Trust company office
building was forced to close because
of lack of heat. The cotton exchange
closed because of coal shortage and
numerous downtown offices dismissed
employees for the day
With the temperature still near
zero, it was believed that the deaths
from the cold may total more than
score.
Hylan declared that all red tape
must be cut and coal gotten 70 the
people in some way. at the citys ex-
penSe-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-31
$2,25O,OOO FOR PATENT
Government Agreed to Pay Not I4ess''
Than That for Machine Gun Rights.

Washington. Dec. 31.-At the SEN
ates investigation of war preparation.
the army ordnance chief, General Gro
zier, this afternoon was asked if re-
ports are true that the government has
agreed TO pay s1.250,0OO for patent
rights to the new Browning gun, and
explained that the government has
agreed to pay not less than $2,250. 900
in advance of its manufacturing No
contract has been made. but the gov
eminent has agreed to pay $3.50, 900
to Colonel Browning, the inventor, and
100000 to the Colts Automatic
Arms company, patent license Both
sums. he said. are TO be paid in ad-
vance of royalties. which are $50 for
the heavy and s25 for the light gun.
About 1O0.00 guns have been ordered.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-31
20 Below at Canton, n. v, Cold
est in U. 5. Today.
Was Down to 40 Below During
Night in New England.
BRINGS FRESH FUEL FAMINE
Extends From Ohio to Coast;
South Also Freezing.
Signs of Moderation Set In
Record Cold Wave at Boston.

Waship gton, Dec. 31.-Some moder-
alton, beginning tonight, of the cold
wave was forecast today by the wealth
er bureau for the country from the
Ohio valley eastward. The cold wave
is now passing to sea.
The intense cold has not been
equaled in the territory south of New
York along the coast and inland since
December 80, 1880.
There has already been a modera-
ton of temperatures west of the APP
paIachian mountains and in the east
gulf states. altho over a greater part
of that region it is still colder than the
seasonal average.
Iowa in Cold Area.
Canton, n. Y. reported the lowest
temperature at o'clock this morning
of any point in the country. 1t was
20 degrees below zero there. During
the previous twenty-four hours the
coolest was 40 degrees below zero at
Mortified, Vt, according to weather
bureau reports. Official temperatures
at 8 O'Clock this morning showed the
below zero line to extend nOrthward of
Philadelphia and eastward of Buffalo.
Philadelphia was at zero; New York
and Boston s below; Albany and Port
land 16 below.
Another very cold area was around
Des Moines, Ia, where it was zero.
At Chicago, Detroit, Louisville and
Omaha 1t was 10 above zero, Pitts
burg, Cleveland and Indianapolis 8
above; st. Louis II above. and Kansas
City 4 above.
Coolest on Weather Record.
Boston, Mass, Dec. 31.-NeW Eng
land was still suffering today from the
most severe cold wave ever officially
do -, T., IL
the temperature remainded below zero
all night and, to make matters worse,
the dawn broeight a stiff northwest
CONTINUED ON Page TwoD
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-31
TOPEKAN COT OUT
William WhitcOmb Escaped Ar
rest in PetrOgrad Raid.
Left Bank To Go to Moscow
Few Weeks Ago.

William H. Whitcomb, 19-year-old
son of Judge George H. Whitcomb of
the Shawnee county district court, is
in the midst of the turmoil and revo-
luton in Russia
Whitcomb is an employe of the Ma
tional City bank of New Y ork, which
recently established branch bank at
Moscow and at Petrosrad. The Pet
rograd bank is the one seized by the
revoIutionists only few days ago.
Whitcomb worked in the Petrograd
bank until a few weeks before its seiZ-
ure by the Russian revolutionists. Had
it not been for his forethought in ca
ence to the Moscow bank there would
be considerable worry in the Whit
comb home in Topeka.
Went Over in August.
The young man left New York for
Russia, via Sweden, in August. A doz-
en- New Y orkers accom- panied him and
a picture of them and a Swedish news
paper article concerning their mission
have been clipped by Whitcomb and
sent to his parents in Topeka
The New York bank established the
branch banks in Russia for the pur-
pose of financing the reconstruction of
Russian railroads. The work is new.
during the chaotic conditions in exist
ence in Russia at this time.
Is Washburn Graduate.
Young Whitcomb understands a lit
tie Russian. Each day the bank en-
ployes have a study period when they
take instructions in the Russian Ian
guage.
Washburn college in June, where he
was very popular student and foot
bali player Thru friends he obtained
the position in the New York bank
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-31
FOR CLOSED THEATERS
Federal Fuel Agent in n. Y. Would
Make Order Nation Wide.

New York, Dec. 31.-The closing
of all theaters, moving picture shows.
dance alls, skating Kinks and many
other places of amusement today
doomed up as one of the conservation
measures which may be taken by state
and county fuel authorities to insure
a more adequate coal supply for do
nestle use.
Albert II Wiggin. federal fuel ad-
ministrator for New York state was
today quoted as advocating similar &C
ton thruout the United States during
the period of coal shortage
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-31

NEW YEARS IN N. Y.
Hotels and Restaurants VIII BE Open
as Usual Tonight.

New York, Dec. 31-The New Year
will be welcomed in New York after
TIE fashion of former years that has
made the celebratio an event of in
ternational interest except that tonight
the war promises to place its stamp of
Liberation on the conviviality of the
celebrants. Hotels and restaurants
will entertain lust as many guests as
in times of peace but the menu cards.
in most instances offer nothing that
does not bear the stamp of the food
Administrators approval. and the
high prices prevailing for wines and
the 1 O'Clock closing order indicate
that the New Years toastss will be
drunk in less generous proportions.
Watch parties and entertainments
for soldiers and sailors have been ar
ranged in greater number than before
America entered the war.
CeIebrators Called "Neros."
Chicago, Dec 31-Calling New
Year celebrators traitors and "Neros,''
the Rev L. p. Boynton. pastor Of the
Woodlawn Baptist church praised
Chief of Police Schuettler for clamp
ingon the lid for New Years eve.
The cabaret and midnight restaur-
ant. he said. were aids of the enemy.
and he characterized as disloyal men
and women vino Elm an hour like this
can gorge themselves with food and
drunken themselves with liquor"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-31
Launch Victorious Offensive in
Monte TOmba District.
Capture 1,4OO Men, so Machine
Guns and z Cannon.
BRITISH WIN At CAMBRIA
Follow Successful German Drive
by Pushing Huns Back.
Tommies in Palestine Capture
) More Towns From Turks.

Rome Dec. 31--In the Monte
Tomba region on the northern front
the French have captured enemy posi-
tions between Osteria di Monferena
and Maranzine, the war office an
nounced.
They also captured about 1,4OO men
and sixty machine guns and seven
cannon.
British and Italian airmen cooper
ated in tie victory.
This is the first official news that
French troops have actually been in
action on the Italian front, altho their
presence in this theater of the war has
been known for weeks.
Recent dispatches placed them on
front line positions and il had been as
sumed the poilus took part in repeh-
ing recent Austro- German attacks.
This is the first time. however, mat
they have assumed the offensive
Berlin Announces French Victory.
Berlin, Dec. 31.-French forces on
the northern Italian front yesterday
took the offensive In the afternoon
the French infantry penetrated por-
tions of the Austro- German positions
on Monte Tomha, the German general
staff announced today.
Berlin, Dec. 31.-The British have
recovered part of their lost territory
on the Cambria front near La Vac
querie, the war offices announces. The
losses of the British are said to have
been heavy.
Recover welsh Ridge.
London, Dec. 31.-The British in
successful counter attacks on the
Cambria front have regained the more
important territory on Welsh ridge
taken by the Germans in yesterday
attack. the war office reports.
The announcements follows:
! "On the Cambria front. as a re-
suit of successful counter attack in
which we captured prisoners and ma
| chine guns we regained the more fm-
portant part of the positions on Welsh
ridge into which the enemy pene-
trated yesterday The enemy still re-
tains a portion of our front trench in
the vicinity of La Vacquerie and south
! of Marcoing
ION the Ypres front by a minor
operation last night our line was adj
I vanced a short distance on both sides
of the Ypres-Staden railway"
/ (By the Associated Press.)
! Germany has truck her first strong
blow on the western front since the
heralding of a great offensive and the
! British have held it in check. The at
tack, which resulted in heavy fighting
was made on short front on the
southern end of In salient before
Cambria The fighting continues.
The attackers gained a foothold in
British trenches but later were elected
in part by coWnter attacks. The Ger
man thrust was on a front of more
than two miles between Marcoins and
> CONTINUED on Page TwoD
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-31
MORE MYSTERY FIRES
Government Officers Won't Explain
Navy Yard Blaze.

New York, Dec. 31.-Fire occurred
today at the New York navy yard
shortly after the alarm. was sounded
sailors from the barracks were sta
toned every ten feet around the yard
ana workmen were forbidden to enter
or leave during the ensuing ninety
minutes At the end of that time the
sailors we're Withdrawn. Information
regarding the blaze was refused by
the navy yard officials. inquirers be-
ing referred to the government an
thcrities at Washington
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-31
HAD POOR DEFENSE
Conscientious Director Who Didn't Go
When Called Gets 10 Year Sentence.

st. Louis, Dec. 31-Robert w.
FRANKIE. jr.. of St Louis. who failed to
go to Camp Funston when he was
called IN the selective draft. has been
dishonorably discharged from military
service and sentenced to ten years i'm
prisonment at hard labor in the mill
tary prison at Fort Leavenworth.
FRANKIE was convicted by courtmartial
Frank said he did not respond to the
draft call because of conscientious OBJ
Ia. q
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-31
OFFICIAL WAR
STATEMENTS
BRITISH.

London, Dec. SHERMAN troops still
cling to a part of British front trenches
in the neighborhOod of La Vacquerie
south of Marcoing which they gained
in a powerful attack Sunday morning.
Field Marshal Haig reported today. As
Il result of successful counter attacks,
however, the British regained the more
important part Of this seetion-known
IS Welsh ridge.
Many prisoners and machine guns
were taken by the Tommies
At Ypres the British comma nder-in-
chief reported the British lire was adj
vanced short distance on both sides
of the Ypres- Staden RAILWAY
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-31
in GAS BOYCOTT LOSS TO KANSAS
Rock Islands Popular Train
master Leaves Topeka.
Geo. B. HetheringtOn Is Trans
ferred to Fort Worth, Tex.

Topeka loses one of her most popu-
lar railway officials today in the de-
parture of George B. Hetherington,
trainmaster of the Kansas division of
the Rock Island Lines, who has been
transferred to Fort Worth, Tex, in
the same capacity. Circulars an
nouncing the change have been out
several days. Mr.. Hetherington is out
of the city ana information was given
out by other officers of the road here.