davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-05
BATTLE POLICE
Four Riot Scenes Today Result
of Street Car Strike.
Cars Stoned, Trolley Wires
Short Circuited and Cut.

ST. Louis, Mo-, Feb. 5.-Four riots,
several smaller disturbances and two
battles between police and striking
streetcar men in which several were
injured marked the course of the
strike of 5000 car men in ST. Louis
today. Several cars were stoned, the
power wires cut and air tanks On the
cars emptied.
Trolley wires were burned in strike
disturbances today. Men armed with
long pieces of gas pipe placed one end
of the pipe against the rails and the
other end against the trolley wires.
This caused a short circuit and the
burning of the wires
No Sign of settlement.
Efforts to give a semblance of street
car service were made again by the
United Railways Co. this morning
when six cars were started down town
from the west end barns As on yes
terday most persons walked to work.
Service cars again were out in force.
No settlement of the strike seemed in
prospect.
An incidental result of the strike
has been a great increase in automo-
bile accidents. Twenty-eight were re-
ported to the police Monday
All speed regulations apparently
are suspended; and because of the
large details of police on strike duty,
important corners are inadequately
manned by traffic officers. Most of
the traffic flows along a few boule-
wards and several times last night the
autom obiles were in a congestion that
locked traffic for blocks
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-05
CONTROL FUEL OIL
Govt Order Doesn't Include
Gasoline and Kerosene.
Distribution of Petroleum Put
Under License System.

Washington, Feb. 5.-Government
control of the oil industry became eff
fective today under a proclamation of
President Wilson authorizing Mark L.
Requa. chief of the oil division of the
fuel administration. to establish a
licensing system for all manufactur-
ers or distributors whose gross sales
are in excess of 100.0 900 barrels an
nually. The proclamation does not
extend to gasoline or kerosene, but
licenses for these commodities proba-
bly, will be required soon.
The order was prompted by the
necessity of establishing a supervised
distributing system to aid in relieving
the shortage caused by inadequate
transportation facilities. Impaired
railroad service has served to lessen
the supply usually available. and the
situation has been intensified by a
marked curtailment of oil shipments
from the Tampico fields in Mexico.
The Mexican oil fleet has been cut
nearly in half by the diversion of
many of the vessels into other trades.
The fuel administration has estab-
lished in the east list of preferential
consumers. whose demands for oil will
be granted precedence in distributing
the supply. Railroads and ships using
oil for fuel head the priority list
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-05
Total Bill for Ten Months Is
About S7,10O,OOO,OOO.
More Than Half Has Been in
Loans to Allies.
COSTS $4,000, 900 A DAY
Two Liberty Loans Melted Four
Fifth of War Outlay.
But Totals Still Are Under
Original War Budgets.

Washington, Feb. 5.-Ten months of
the war have cost the United States
about $7,1OO, ,00O,0 ,000-at the rate of
$71O,000,0O0 month, nearly $24, 900,
600 day.
More than half of this huge sum, or
s4,121, 900, 900 has been paid loans
to the allies, and the balance, about
$4,000, 100000 represents America S
outlay for its own war purposes, ex-
elusive of more than $500, 100000 for
ordinary governmental expenses.
The wars toll in money is increas-
ing at the rate of more than $lOO,-
100000 a month, and indications now
are that the two remaining months
of the nations first year as a beillger-
eut will run its war bill to nearly $1O--
600 600 900 of which $4,000, 900, 900
will be for allied loans and about the
same amount for the army. navy
shipping board and other war
agencies.
Estimated rs Billion for Year.
These figures, compiled today from
the latest available treasury figures
show that altho the country's eXpen-
ditures are running into totals peVer
before dreamed of, they are below Of
ficiaI estimates made early in the war.
Since war was declared April and
the fiscal year for which estimates
were made did not begin until July l.,
it is difficult to compare precisely the
actual war cost with the fiscal year
estimates Most of the war expenses
have been incurred since July 1, how
ever and the total outlay since then
has been $6,50O,OO0,O0O in a little
more than seven months. as compared
with estimates of $1S,431. 100000 for
the entire year.
Two factors are held mainly respon-
20 diffarpnGR Officials of
the war. navy and other departments
IContinued on. Page TMo.l - =
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-05
Hun Forces Shattered Before
They Got Started.
Were Modified for Charge on
e. S. Trenches.
INTENDED SURPRISE ASSAULT
But Sammies' Watchful Artil-
Iery Beat Them to 1t.
Trenches Americans Wrecked
Saturday Still Unrepaired.
(By the Associated Press.)


With the American Army in France,
Monday, Feb. 4.-German plans to
raid the American trenches were frus-
trated early this morning. The Amer
ican artillery men put down a heavy
barrage in front of and on the Ger
man lines. which are believed to have
been filled with men and officers
awaiting the signal to attack.
1t was discovered at a certain hour
that the Germans intended to carry
out a silent raid. Fifteen minutes
before the time set all the American
guns concentrated their fire where, ac-
cording to the information, the enemy
was massed. 1t is believed heavy cas-
ualties were inflicted on the Germans.
There has been a general increase
in the artillery activity for the last
day or so all along the American front.
The Germans are still unable to oc-
cuPy the first line trenches which were
caved in by the American artillery
fire. They have now constructed an
other line of trenches at that point
American patrols have worked their
way over No Mans Land and inspect
ed the damaged trenches as well as
they could
Germans Use Gas Shells
The Germans are using gas shells
freely and endeavored to envelop one
of our battery positions with gas, but
without success. They have dropped
a number of shells in the roads be-
hind the American lines.
Two men were reported wounded
today by shells. The visibility remains
bad.
Fuller reports from the first line
show that great courage was exhibited
Continued on Page Two.l
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-05
There Will Be No More "Ger'
man" Measles in Topeka.
Board of Health Says Call
Them "Liberty" Measles.

In the last several weeks hundreds
of Topekans have been Stricken
with what is commonly known as
German" measles. In reporting the
cases for quarantine, persons affected
have adopted an air not unlike that
of a small boy caught fighting and
getting the worst of the encounter.
In truth, because of present interna-
tional affairs, the disease itself seemed
almost reasonable.
From now on, however, according
to an attitude taken today by the
city board of health, there will be no
dishonor attached to the contagious
ailment. w. L. Porter, health COM
missioner, and DR.. H. L. Clark, city
physician, have decreed that it will
be more patriotic for the disease to
be known as Liberty measles there
by making the epidemic here which is
far more a nuisance than a menace
almost an honor to the city.
Physicians, in the future, in report
ing such cases for quarantine should
specify measles other than the good
old U S. A. kind which keeps the
patients in bed a week as Liberty
measles, instead of using the odious
word German which is getting to
be a beastly bore to patients and
health authorities alike.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-05
Critics Continue To Train Guns
on War Dept.
SCOnglOmeratiOn of Ambitious
and Scattered Agencies"
HAS NO CENTRALIZED HEAD
Unfurls Chart To Prove Lack of
Coordination.
Result of Fuel and Rail Control
"a Hopeless JAM"

Washington, Feb 5.-America's
war-making machinery was pictured
as "conglomeration of ambitious and
scattered agencies" incapable of team
work, in an address in the senate to-
day by Senator Wadsworth, a Repub-
Hcan member of the military affairs
committee.
The speech renewed the debate over
war efficiency which occupied the sem
ate all day yesterday after Senator
Hitchcock, Democrats committee
man, had delivered a similar arraign-
ment of the lack of coordination in
the governments activities Several
senators were waiting with replies up
to the committees war cabinet and
munition director bills.
Without detailing army conditions
revealed by the military committees
war inquiry with which he said the
country is now fairly familiar. Sena-
tor Wadsworth confined himself large
ly to an argument for the proposed
legislation for centralization of war
making agencies. President Wilson
cannot coordinate these agencies, he
said, and with long war in prospect,
radical steps to unity the nations ef-
forts are necessary.
Great Things Have Been Done, But
THAT great things have been done
cannot be Denied" he declared. THAT
other great things have been left un-
for the things accomplished can be
assigned to several individuals. The
blame for shortcomings ought not to
be laid upon any individual. Criti-
cism should be directed against our
system or rather the lack of cohesive
system"
Recounting difficulties arising thru
indiscriminate priority orders and
competition in the purchase of sup
plies; delays on account of depart
mental red tape and the absence of
power in the council of national de-
fense, the senator continued:
Mind yous I do not attempt to lay
the blame upon any one man or any
one department. 1 insist that this
painful situation has resulted from an
utter lack of planning-from lack of
vision. The plain fact is that we have
no agency in our government today
charged with the duty of projecting it's
vision far into the future, anticipat-
ing the emergencies which may arise
and laying the plans by which we can
meet and overcome them.
mo one in his senses would propose
that any other office be created to
take away from the president the
powers the constitution confides to
him. 1t can not be done. 1t is un-
thinkable. But there is no place in
Washington where the needs of the
CONTINUED on Page Twol
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-05
U. S. WILL RETALIATE
Will Get Back at Germany Quickly if
Prisoners Are Mistreated

washington, Feb. 5.-Sharp re-
taliatory measures will follow any
mistreatment or American prisoners
in Germany. it was officially hinted
today.
Following reports that a number of
captured Sammies were being placed
under stress to reveal military secrets
the state department has Instituted
an inquiry to learn exactly what treat
ment is being accorded these men by
the Teutons. Eight soldiers have been
captured in the first and subsequent
raids against the trench sector held
by Americans. the Red Cross reports
1t is pointed out significantly the
Germans should treat these men we'll
this government holds far more
German prisoners than Germany holds
Americans.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-05
But Iron Fist Has Successfully
Suppressed WOrkmen.
Fear Threats of Starvation and
Firing Squad.
SENTENCE REICHSTAG MEMBER
Socialist Dittman Given ) Years
by Military Court.
Repetition of Upheaval Bound
To Break Out Again Soon.

Geneva, Feb. Sherman strikers
threw a bomb against the imperial
palace in Berlin. according to dis
patches received from that city today
by the Journal de Geneve. No de-
tails were given
Washington. Feb. 1.-The German
mailed fist has won against her strik-
ing workers.
Lack of funds with which to finance
their movement fear of starvation
threatened by the Teuton war chiefs.
and the presence of guns and ammuni-
ton, both of which the military
promised to use freely on organized
crowds, have sent most of the workers
back to their industriesEas forecast
by the United Press.
The strong arm-always Gerfnany's
favorite diplomacy-now promises to
be used more relentlessly than ever.
She finds herself today not only
threatening with guns her enemies
without. but forcing her own people
to work at the point of the same
wea pom.
In this fact officials here today saw
possibility of promising events in the
future.
Peace Sentiment Won't Down.
The reported arrest and sentencing
of Wilhelm Dittman. radical Socialist
deputy. for participation in the strike
movement, indicates the lengths to
which the war lords are determined
to go.
The situation as developing in the
central empires today permits of only
two courses, as international experts
here see it. The peace sentiment
thruout the Teuton countries has
reached the stage where halfway
| measures, deceitful diplomatic move-
ments and other deceitful devices of
the German chiefs practiced to humor
the people can no longer ~get by"
The experts believe either Germany
must make an honest, unmasked,
open movement for peace, or Germany
must more than ever throw control
of the situation into the hands of the
military. cut off peace talk as she
stopped the strikes, and depend on a
military victory on the west front TO
re-establish confidence of her people.
If the kaiser has learned anything
from the recent uproar in his country.
he will choose the first course. but If
Teuton precedent is followed. the sec
ond course will be pursued, it is be-
lieved here.
Thru Greatest Internal Disorder.
The kaiser has passed thru his
greatest internal disorder to date with
the military lcolors still triumphant
What will develop the next time the
CONTINUED on Page Two.)
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-05
SEIZE HIS OFFICE
Packers Attorney Refused to
Give Up Private Files.
Prober Heney Gets Court Order
and e. S. Marshal Acts.

Chicago, Feb. 5.-Francis J. Heney,
general counsel for the federal trade
commission, appeared before Federal
Judge Carpenter today and obtained
papers in the offices of Henry Veeder,
attorney for Swift & Co., wanted in
connection with the government in
vestigation of the packing industry.
The order directed the search of Of
fices occupied by Veeder, charging
that Therein were letters, documents
and papers of Swift & Co.." tending
to prove the commission of a felony.
Intimate Serious Charges.
The offense is charged in the petit
ton for the search warrant including
the allegation that the packers had
sought to control supplies and had at
tempted to fix prices for meat butter
modities. Another allegation was the
complaint that false entries had been
made in books and records of Swift &
Co, which were subject to inspection
by the federal trade commission. Con-
spring with Armour, Cudahy, Wilson
and Morris packing interests to ar
range among themselves for bidding
on contracts for furnishing the United
States government with military sup
plies which included leather as well
as meats was also charged.
United States Marshal Bradley i'm
mediately took possession of the Wee
der Offices
Mr.. Heney accompanied a deputy
United States marshal to Mr.. .Veeder's
office, where Veeder insisted that the
court order did not include a small
safe in the value.
This order permits me to go every
where with dynamite if necessary -
asserted the government attorney. He
sent for a locksmith and stated that
he would use force if necessary to
get what he wanted.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-05
BIG ARMY IN BALKANS
Allies Have 100000 Troops t.
Launch ON Spring Drive There.

Washington, Feb. 5-More than
100000 allied troops will be avail
able by March 81 for the impending
drive to break Germanys backbone
in the Balkans, 1t was learned Of
ficially today.
Greece, the incalculabIe factor in
the allies plans. thus far will be able
to muster 100000 fighting men at
Safonika within the next two months
the embassy declared.
Athens cables received here today
state that the mobilization of eleven
classes. ordered by imperial edict. is
proceeding rapidly. More than 1oO.-
eco men will answer the call Greek
military officials said, adding that
10000 trained and equipped Greek
troops are now at the SaIonika front.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-05
WHALE MEAT GOOD AS BEEF!
HAVE A BITE, MR.. HOOVER

New York, Feb. 5.-Mr. Hoover.
won't you have some whale meat2
Thirty members of the Ameri-
can Museum of Natural History
will dine on whale meat Friday to
prove its edibility. They have in
vited the food administrator to par
take. explaining that 1t is as good
as beef and could be sold here for
121k cents a pound. Fifteen mill
lion pounds of whale meat cap
tured in the Pacific each year is
used for fertilizer.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-05
RUSSIA ''LOCKED"
Expected StOrehouse Fails To
RepIenish German CupbOards.
GermanyPrOhibits Sending Food
Parcels to War Prisoners.

London. Feb. 5.-Secret knowledge
in the possession of the British gov
ernment regarding conditions in Ger
many may have influenced the uncom-
promising attitude adopted by the in
terallied council at Versailles.
Food conditions in the central en-
pii es are known to be increasingly
serious.
The Russian "storehouse.' upon
which the central empires were count
ing to relieve their own hunger. IL
still, locked-because Leon Trotzky,
Russian foreign minister. out-maneu-
vered both the central empires and the
Ukrainians.
Discomfort in All Glasses.
Germany's plight is indicated by the
recent order forbidding relatives to
send parcels of food to officers held
prisoners in England and France and
directing that money be sent instead.
This has resulted On cutting off the
export of thousands of parcels from
Germany weekly.
The Exchange Telegraph declares
that mail from relatives to prisoners
here totals 5000 letters fortnight.
Incoming letters, ii said reveal q
state of affairs in Germany infinitely
worse than heretofore reported.
Diseases, due to under nourishment.
are increasing, it is reported, and dis
content is evidenced among all classes.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-05

highest since January "a. and except
for that day the highest since New
Years day. The average for the day
was 2 degrees above the normal for
the date. The wind was blowing
twelve miles an hour from the south
at o'clock
Topekans have hidden God-speed
to the cold with a right good will, and
the farewell was not tempered with
any hearty invitations for an early re-
turn Under the influence of a warm
twenty mile wind from the south and
(Contiued from Page Two --
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-05
PAWN OVERCOATS IN K. C.
TO BUY MORE NEEDED COAL

Kansas City, Mo. Feb. 5.-Busi-
ness at the welfare loan agency
here has been constantly aue-
mented as a result of the coal
shortage and the necessity for
having the actual cash in hand to
obtain the needed fuel Numbers
of persons who ordinarily are not
customers at the municipal loan
office are exchanging watches.
iewelry and even overcoats for
money to. buy coal.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-05
WOMEN DIE IN FIRE
Two Missing After S175.OOO Hotel
Blaze in Winnipeg.

Winnipeg. Man. Feb. 5--Two wo-
men are missing as a result of a s175,-
O0U fire in E,lmwood a suburb today
The flames started in the River View
hotel, where an aged nurse and a
che m bermaid are missing Several
guests were injured. The flames
leaped across Nairn avenue to a row
of stores and the Bank of Commerce
The latter was badly scorched.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-05
in PARIS BY April
Hindenburg Makes Jaunty
Boast ''fOr Publication"
When Told There'lI Be No Food
in Germany by Next May.

The Hague, Feb. 5.-Travelers from
Germany bring an account of a recent
conference at Berlin at which Field
Marshal Won Hindenburg received the
editors of thirty German newspapers
and discussed the food situation with
them. The editors told Won linden
burg that by next May there would
be no food in Germany.
My reply is said the field mar
shal, that by next April, 1 shall be
in Paris"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-05
STRIKE MADDENED HIM
st. Louis Police Officer Takes Lives of
3-Year-OId SON and Self

st. Louis. Mo-, Feb 5.-Overwork
resulting from trying to maintain
order in his precinct against the riot
ing of street car men was said by
relatives to have been responsible for
the shooting by Police Lieutenant
Florida of his son, three years old.
and himself today. Florida shot the
child as it slept
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-05
800 FROST BITTEN
Soldiers at Camp Grant Had Rifle
Practice ut 23 Below

Camp Grant, Rockford. ILL.,, Feb. 8.
More than three hundred men in
training mere, including Col. c. E.
Stodter, today reported minor frost
bites. as a result of rifle range work
with the thermometer registering %
below zero.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-05
Poet Quits Irish Convention.

London, Feb. 5.-George Russell
has resigned as a delegate to the Irish
convention. He is a poet and an inti-
mate friend of Sir Horace PIdnket.
chairman of the convention. No rea-
son for the resignation is given.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-05
REAL SPRING SAMPLE
Last OF Snow Disappears Today-Mer-
curry Goes to so Mark Today.

temperature readings for the day
Iurnlshed by the local office of the
United States weather blIreau
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-05

Geneva. Feb. 5.-German strikers
threw a bomb against the imperial
palace in Berlin. according to dis
patches received from that city today
by the Journal de Geneve. No de-
tails were given.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-05

HITCHCOCK would only spend
his time building instead of rock
ing boats:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-05

WEATHER FORECAST for Kansas:
Fair tonight and Wednesday
Warmer tonight, colder west portion
Wednesday.