davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-07
Congress Steams Up for New
Rail Legislation.
May Ask McAdoO To Conduct
Congressional Hearings.
INCREASE DEMURRAGE RATES
Gives 4S Hours To Unload Cars,
but Adds to Penalties.
Both Senate and House Take
Up Measure Today.

WASHINGTON, Jan. Legislation
asked by President Wilson to perfect
government control of railroads start
ed on its way in congress today uE0er
consideration by the interstate COM
merce committee of both houses. The
senate committee meets to hear state
ments from prominent railroad exec
utiyes while the house committee
maps out a plan of action and decides
whether hearings will be held. Chair
man Sims and house committee mem-
bers are inclined to favor hearings.
and may ask Director General McAdoo
to conduct the testimony for the gov
ernment.
Operation of the roads with the sin
gle purpose of relieving the freight
congestion, particularly in the east,
was continued by the government
agencies. Indications are that passen-
ger traffic, reduced one-fifth on east
ern roads by orders issued yesterday,
will be further curtailed within a
week or two.
Director General McAdoo also au-
thorized the establishment of new de-
murrage rates for domestic traffic ef-
fective January 21. The new rules re-
tain the two days free time as allowed
at present but provide for increased
charges ranging from SO to 100 per
cent thereafter.
Control Railroads Only Thru War.
The committee intends the bill to
the exclusion of other business. OPP
position among senators and repre-
sentativeS began to assume definite
form in a demand for specific limita-
ton of government operation to a
definite term after the war. Unless
such an amendment is adopted many
influential Republicans are prepared
to oppose the legislation. Amendments
to that effect -weres introduced today
by Senators Watson of Indiana and
Gallinger of New Hampshire. The
f,rmer proposed that government
operation shall continue only for six
months after the proclamation OF
peace.
Begin Hearing Tomorrow.
The house committee arranged to
begin hearings at 10 o'clock tomorrow
morning. Director General McAdoo
or some one designated by him will
make the initial explanation of the
measure to the committee. A. P.
Thorn. general counsel of the south l.
ern railway, will handle the case for
the railroa1 executives. 1t was stated
today on behalf of the railroads that
they do not want to appear in the po-
sition of being antagonistic to the
principles of the measure but want to
furnish statistical and other informa-
! ton for the use of congress.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-07
Man in Helen Erskine Case
May Be Bogus Trooper.
Cloak of Mystery Continues To
Surround Disappearance.

A cloak of mystery which no one
seems to have penetrated continues to
surround the disappearance of Helen
Erskine pretty 19-year-old daughter
of the Rev. William Erskine. 116 Polk
street Parents of the girl maintain a
frigid silence. Surface information at
the command of Sheriff Hugh Lari-
mer and given to the public is about
as enlightening as the kalSer's ideas or
peace, hope and charity.
The refusal of all persons concerned
to divulge any information leaves the
public to content itself with rumors
the mysterious affair.
These rumors. which officials admit
they have heard and will not deny, are
to the effect that the Erskine girl
knew Sergeant William Hoppe only
short time until she disappeared from
her comfortable home.
He Is Not Soldier?
Many believe that Sergt. William
Hoppe with whom Miss Erskine is
supposed to have disappeared, is not
a soldier and was merely travelling
around the country in uniform abb
sorbing all the glory and entertain
ment a uniform commands, added to
the admiration the olive drab draws
from the feminine world. Nor will Of
ficials deny that such a rumor has
reached them or that they are not
prone to believe it. Larimer did ad-
nit this morning that he had tele-
graphed to Fort Sill for Hopes rec
ord and, as yet, had received no re-
ply.
The last seen of Miss Erskine by
friends or relatives in Topeka. she was
on Kansas avenue Wednesday evening
after leaving the home of friend at
101 Buchanan street. Miss Mary
Ward, who works in the Santa Fe Of
fices. lives at that number. Lar1mer
stated this morning that Miss Ward
admitted seeing Miss Erskine on Kan
sas avenue that evening. She is sup
posed to have met Hoppe then
Registered at Chesterfield.
The next day Miss Erskine's older
sister. Miss Marion Erskine, swore to
a serious complaint against Hoppe.
Larimer has admitted that a man
named Hoppe registered as man and
wife at the Chesterfield hotel that
night leaving early the next day for
Kansas City after getting a check
cashed- In the complaint Hoppe is
charged with taking the girl to the
hotel for an immoral purpose.
The Erskine family came to Topeka
two years ago from Lecompton. There,
they lived on a farm. the two boys do
ing the work on the farm while the
father did evangelistic work -thruout
ho tai q
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-07
Institutions Have To Have
Funds To Keep Running.
Official Believes Bonds Better
Than Tax Levy.
PUT MATTER UP TO GOVERNOR
Special Legislature Could Pro-
vide for Issue.
Banks Would Be Glad To Han
die the Bonds.

Emergency bonds to meet war time
financial problems of state institutions
and departments were urged today by
prominent state official. 1t is
probable the matter will be presented
to Governor Capper for consideration.
The legislature will probably be called
upon to adopt the plan in event of
special session
One of the troubles before some of
the state institutions at this time con-
Germs the war time prices for all COM
modities. When the 1917 legislature
appropriated maintenance funds for
state institutions, the appropriations
were based largely on 1915 prices.
And the 1915 appropriations were
based on 1913 prices. AS a result,
state institutions were unable to make
many needed purchases They were
compelled to curtail expenses to keep
within their appropriations. Now
there is double barreled problem be-
fore the state. Some of the institu-
tions are facing or have already en-
countered deficits. Funds available
are not sufficient for present needs.
Because a new tax levy cannot pro-
vide money until next December, real
serious trouble seemed to face the
state. Now a state official, who has
benefited by years of service in state
work, proposes relief thru the issuance
of eI-ergency bonds to be redeemed by
the 1919 or some subsequ ant legisla-
ture.
Offer Tax Relief.
State officials who\ have considered
the bond proposition. believe it will
offer immediate relief from the pres
ent situation, and will also enable the
state to hold down the 1919 tax levy
and care for it's actual needs without
spending money upwisely In 1915
the state legislature provided for an
emergency bond issue of 100000 with
which to fight the ravages of the foot
and mouth disease among Kansas live
stock herds. None of the bonds were
issued. But the legislature provided
the relief and it was available if
needed.
Under the bond plan as proposed,
the legislature might make a reason
able allowance for present deficits and
all future financial problems of the
year. The bonds could be retired by
the 1919 legislature and the needed
money would become Immediately
availa BILE. All bonds would be issued
at the discretion of the governor and
the issue would be limited to actual
needs. An emergency issue might
then be distributed to various institu-
tions as their needs demanded, with
out the red tape of a legislative appro-
priation for each institution. In this
manner the governor would pass on
the wisdom of more funds for each in
stitution or department and funds
(Continued on Page Two)
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-07
MRS. MANNING DEAD
She Gave Deathbed Deposition in
Stewart -Grubbs Case.

Mrs Genevieve Manning, 33 years
old, died at her home, 610 Fillmore
street, this morning, and with her
passed out the chance of Loehr
Grubb's attorneys of refuting her
deathbed deposition in the Bessie
Stewart heart balm case.
Mrs. Manning testified thru a depo-
sition, that she heard Grubbs Inti-
mate that he expected to marry Bes-
sic. The deposition was taken or what
proved to be Mrs. Manning's death
bed. This deposition is the principal
evidence of Bessie Stewart to gain her
heart balm. The case has become
celebrated thru the sensational testi-
mony introduced and thru its appella-
tion of the "soiled dove case"
The funeral of Mrs. Manning will
be held tomorrow afternoon at 230
O'Clock from Bomgardner's chapel
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-07
Want HOW MUCH?
Govt Asks Each Railroad To
State Financial Needs.
Fund To Cover Maturing Secur-
tiles as Well as improvements.

washi- gton, Jan. As the frs.
step in government assistance of rail-
road financing, president of railroads
were requested by Interstate fsom-
merce Commissioner Daniels today 70
telegraph him Immediately the amount
of capital required for this year, also
for the first six months of the year.
This action was taken at the direc-
ton of Director General McAdoo.
Railroad presidents were asked to de-
tail the precise purposes for which
funds will be needed to meet matur-
ing securities no. already provided for.
to pay for improvements, betterments
and construction work already con-
tracted for and partially finished.
Roe Is were requested also to show
what portion of improvements al
ready started can be stopped now
Thou: detriment.
Additional information may be
sought by the interstate commerce
commission or the director general
later. Tie railroad administrators
ii lancial plans have included the pur-
chasing of a government fund of Sc
curIties to be issued by railroads uE-
der government operation. This plan
is only tentative, however, and de-
pends on the action OF cong -ess on
the pending railroad bill.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-07
NOT A SOLDIER? BY BILLY SUNDAY
State Journals Will Be Sold To-
morrow for the Poor.
No, He's Not the. Evangelist;
He's an Elephant.

BILLY Sunday who in the course
of his career has amused hundreds of
audiences all over the country, and
who, incidentally. was christened by
the famous evangelist, will sell State
Journal noon editions in front of the
State Journal building, Eighth and
Kansas avenue, at IL o'clock to-
morrow.
Billy" like his godfather and
namesake, is a star performer. He Is
the baby elephant in Tina Mays head
part of this week, and the "newsboy'
stunt is not new one to him. In
Seattle, Denver and other cities he
has sold papers for the Red Cross and
the cases wherein he did not block
traffic are few and far between In
money collected by Billy will go to
the Topeka Provident association.
Weather Must Be Good.
Only one thing will cause the can
collation. of "Billy's" appearance on
Kansas avenue. Tina May, his petite
could not expose himself to the ele-
ments in case of snow or extreme cold
weather as elephants, like humans,
are liable to the pneumonia, grippe
and other sundry ailments that may
be caused by radical exposure.
The weather man, however, says
the chances are good that the weather
here will be bright and moderate. So
the chances for Billy appearing are
good.
BILLY" really sells the papers. A
boy stands at his side and holds a box
Billy with a bundle of papers in his
trunk solicits patronage. If a Gus
toner is found. Billy" takes the coin
for payment, hands the buyer a paper
and drops the coin in the box
Billy Born in Denver
On the various stages thruout the
country Billy has been a familiar
figure ever since his birth He was
born under a circus tent in Denver
and it was there that Billy Sunday.
the famous evangelist, agreed that he
receive his name and christened him
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-07
That Is Assertion Made by Miss
Bresette i'm Report.
Secretary Welfare Com. Says
Salaries Must Go Up.
HOME" GIRLS IMPOSED UPON
They Do Not Get as Much as
Others Receive.
Big Per Cent of Girls Have q
Scant Education.

Only Al per cent of the women and
girls employed in miscellaneous in
dustries in this state are self support
ing, according to a sensational report
on working conditions of Kansas
women by the state welfare commis-
sion. Miss Lima E. Bresette. secre-
tary of the commission. today charged
discrimination against home" girls by
state employers. Her report-the first
biennial report of the state commis-
sion-shows IL per cent of the work
ing girls have received eighth grade
education and that S2.4 per cent of
the girls work nine hours a day or
longer
The report of the state commission
covers "a printed pages and reveals
many unfavorable conditions for girls
and women employed in industrial
activities in Kansas. In spite of the
hour regulations in this state. the re-
port shows but 17.6 per cent of the
women in miscellaneous industrial
activities work less than nine hours a
day. Nearly sixty per cent of The
girls-5S.9 per cent the report shows
common school education
Salaries Are Low.
Salary conditions in the state are
far from commendab BILE, according To
the report. Everything has advanced
for the girl except her salary" sar-
her report. She charges that girls
who live at home are paid less moiey
by their employers than girls who
must earn their own way Miss Bre-
sette declares that the certain per
cent" which employers pay sales girls
must be raised to meet living conii-
tions.
Records produced by Miss Bresette
show that Ill per cent of the girls
+ in miscellaneous industries quit. work
before he end of three months. Only
353 per cent remain five years.-wfiis
17.6 per cent leave between three
months and a year. In other words
| 28.7 per cent leave their positions in
/ less than a wear
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-07
TO OPPOSE GOVT STEP
Forces Rise in Washington To Block
Railway Ownership.

Washington Jan. forces rising
to block government ownership of the
railroads revealed themselves in con-
gress and railroad circles today.
While Director General McAdoo
was compiling statistics for congress
on his financing plans under federal
operation, Senators Watson. Indiana
and Gallinger. New Hampshire, intro
duced bills preventing indefinite gov
ernment control after the war. Be
fore the senate interstate commerce
commission, A. P. Thorn. general
counsel for the railroads, declared
the railroads will not favor any plan
of government operation or control
which takes away from them control
of their finances. He said the gov
ernment might operate the railroads,
letting the various concerns handle
their own moneys, Great Britain fsr-
ing found this plan successful. Thorn
stated that the railroad will insist on
getting all their profits instead of sim
ply a guaranteed income.
Leading railroad executives have
said that McAdoo contemplates a
financial program for operating the
roads that will prevent their ever re-
turning to private control.
House and senate interstate com
merce commission committees met
today to discuss the railroad bill. The
mouse committee temporarily post
poned Director General McAdoo's an
pearance until detailed plans can be
madt The senate committee bega n
is consideration by hearing Thorn and
Samuel Rea, president of the Penn
sylvania.
A number of Republican represen-
tatlves In a caucus late Sunday voted
to back Watson's amendment. They
are all sworn foes of government own
ershlp. These senators today claimed
tney VIII nave the support of corser-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-07
IA CASES HERE
Seven Smallpox Victims in one
House in City.
Dr. Clark Advises All To Be
Vaccinated at Once.
TELEPHONE GIRLS EXPOSED
Three Operators Had Dread
Disease While Working.
Most of Cases Brought Here
From Other Towns.

Asserting that there are enough
cases in the city to warrant such
steps. DR.. H. L. Clark, city physician
TODAY advised all Topekans who have
NOT already done so to undergo vac
cinatfon.
This morning seven cases OF srnall-
pox. all found in one mousse at 414
Harrison street, brought the total
number of cases in the city up 10
fourteen. All the cases were brought
here from other cities
The ailment at Ala Harrison street
was started. according to physicians,
bv a sister-in-law of the Misses Berte'
Goldie and Dollie Meek coming from
her home in Formosa and visiting the
three girls. Some time after she lett
the Meek girls, who work at the tele-
phone office, began to feel baoly ana
quit work.
Hello Girls Exposed.
Ii : few days they began feeling
better and went back to work, eX-
posing physicians declare, the most
of the telephone operators. 1t is
hoped, however, to head off further
spread of the ailment among the tele-
phone girls by vaccination.
Others a. the house who have the
ailment, physicians say, are Orlin
Granteer, IA years old; Miss May Gra-
ham, Mrs Hattie Hustled and Gwyn-
dolyn Hustled, 2 years old.
OF the fourteen cases here, the
seven today are regarded as having
been brought from Formosa, four
were brought from Kansas City,
where there are 156 cases, one was
brought from Chanute, one from
Camp Funston and the others brought
in from other places
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-07
SINKS IS ON A CRUISE
U-Boat Captain Rewarded-Sank c. S.
Destroyer, He Claims.

Amsterdam, Jan. 7.-Emperor Will
liam has conferred the order Pour LIE
Merite on a submarine commander,
Kophamel, on his return from a cruise
to the Cape Verde Islands.
During this cruise Kophamel asserts
he sank an American destroyer and
fourteen merchantmen, most of them
bound from the United States for Italy
or France. He is said to have brought
back twenty-five tons of copper as
booty.
It is about 5000 miles from the Bel
gian coast to the Cape Verde Islands
and return.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-07

The wind had changed from the
north to the west at o'clock and
had a velocity of eight miles an hour
The temperatures for the day aver
aged 10 degrees below normal for the
date.
The advance guard of the cold strap
reached Topeka late Sunday after
noon. but the main body of the prickly
tailed imps of the frost did not get to
this point till o'clock this morning
They attacked the ears and noses of
the pedestrians and the patient wait
ers for the uncertain street cars. and
they swarmed over the government
thermometer It'll at o'clock this
Continual on Page Twn !
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-07
ABANDON THE CHASE
Bandits Who Killed Overbrook School
Teacher Still at Large.

Posses have abandoned the search
in Douglas and Franklin counties for
the bandits who shot and killed H. w.
Mccartney, principal of the Overlook
high school, early Saturday morning
after robbing two stores in the Usage
county town. Officers believe the rob
bers have reached some city.
Prior to teaching school Mccartney
was a United Presbyterian minister.
He preached at Lyndon and was mod
orator of the Garnett presbytery-
BIoodhounds put on the trail of the
bandits eighteen hours after the muir
der became confused.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-07
FREIGHT CLEARANCE WEEK
McAdoO Designates Next Week for
Clearing Tn Congestion

Washington, Jan. Next week
has been designated by Director Gem
eral McAdoo as freight clearance
week" special campaign will be
conducted over the entire country 20
induce shippers and consignees to un-
load freight cars quickly to relieve
railroad congestion. Mr.. McAdoo will
issue an appeal to governors, state
railroad commissions, city officials
and others to assist.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-07
OVER GERMAN LINES
American Aviators Avenge Death of
Two Murdered Soldiers.

With the American Army in France
Jan. American aviators already
have avenged the death of the two
American privates who were killed by
German air bombs last week
American flyers again have crossed
the lines into Germany, making the
flight in British and French ma
chimes. Thru the courtesy of the pi-
lots, the Americans were enabled to
bomb with their own hands enemy
barracks. towns and ca ntonments
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-07
AFTER LA Toilette
Vigilantes Put on Campaign in Senate
to Expel Senator.

Washington, Jan. THE "vigi-
lantes" have flooded the senate with
demands for expulsion of Senator La
Toilette.
Petitions were sent Vice President
Marshall from forty nationally known
authors, playwrights and poets. MEM
bers of the ''vigilantes." All de-
clared La Toilette guilty Of sedition.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-07
BIG DEFICIENCY BILL
Secretary of State Urges S1.4OO, ,OO0, 900
Before House Committee.

Washington. Jan. Hearings DE
gan today before the house approprfa-
tions committee on an urgent de-
ficie .cy appropriation bill whose total.
approximately s1,4O0,000,0 900, breaks
all records for deficiency measures.
Secretary Lansing appeared before
the conmittee to explain the necessity
of large funds for the state depart
ment to meet its current year needs
in connection with the war.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-07
new AMBASSADOR
Lord Chief Justice Reading
VIII Come to Washington.
War Cabinet Secretary, Not
NOrthcliffe, His Attache.

London, Jan. Earl Reading, lord
chief justice, will go to the United
States as direct representative of the
British war cabinet, according to the
Daily Express. While Earl Reading
will have the title of ambassado or,
purely diplomatic matters will be in
the hands of a charge d. affaires, the
earl controlling war activities.
Earl Readings work WILL accord
ing to the understanding in official
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-07
PUT OFF TRUST CASES
Supreme Court Grants Government
Petition to Postpone Hearings.

Washington, Jan THE govern
ment'S motion to postpone because of
the war further consideration of sew
eral important antitrust suits was
granted today by the supreme court
with the exception of the case against
the United Shoe Machinery company
which will go forward
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-07
PUT GOETHALS BACK
Again In Heavy Harness; Will Direct
Transportation and Storage.

Washington, Jan. 7.-Secretary Ba-
ker announced today that in addition
to his duties as acting quartermaster
general, Major General GoethaIs has
been designated to be director of
transportation and storage of the war
department
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-07
SUCCEEDS NEWLANDS
cmith of s. c. Selected to Engineer
Railroad Legislation i'm Senate.

Washington jan 7.-Senator Smith
of South Carolina was chosen today
by the cenate Democratic steering
committee to be chairman of the in
terstate commerce committee, sue
ceeding the late Senator Newlands. He
will have charge of the administration
railroad legislation in the senate.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-07
WEEKS LOSSES 1898
OF This Casualty List Nearly 1000
British Were Killed or Died.

London. Jan. British casualties
reported during the week ending tclav
totaled 1925. The losses were di-
vided as follows:
Officers killed or died of wounds
113, men 3S32.
Officers wounded or missing 44s;
men 14,6O5.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-07
ISSUES BANK CALL
Federal Comptroller Wants State
ment of Business on Dec. 81.

Washington, Jan. THE comptrol-
Ter OF the currency today issued a call
for the condition of all national banks
of the United States at the close of
business Monday, December 81.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-07
Fiorshein. shocman. Dead.

Chicago, Jan. Augustus Flors-
helm, IS, pioneer shoe manufacturer,
was d, d here today, following a long
Illness.