davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-17
Topeka Bright and Happy
As Planets Meet tn Crash
Spring Weather Creets Professor Potas sOBelowZero
Hurricane Date-And the Sun Appears Without
Freckles-LittIe Apprehension Felt Here.

century. all Europe sank into a pro-
found gloom with the approaching end
of the first thousand years after
Christ, when it was believed beyond
all doubt that the destruction of the
world would come. Thus the ,prophe-
cies of the Bible were interpreted.
Human effort sank into the mire of
Ignorance The march of mans pro-
gress was stopped for a century. HUI
manity stagnated.
But when the sun persisted in ris-
ing. every morning after the eleventh
century had dawned and the blast of
Gabriel's trumpet had been awaited in
vain for so long, there followed q
great awakening, renewed hope, a
reaction that. gave birth to the Feudal
Age.
Stars Fell in 1888.
Another famous ending of the world
was the night of November 13. 1888.
when the ''stars fell The earth was
bombarded with meteors from cloud
less sky from 2 o'clock until daylight.
The heavens were ablaze. Consterna-
ton was rife. An astronomer esti-
mated that at least 100000 meteors
were visible at one time above the
horizon of Boston. The event occurred
without warning but the old globe
rode thru 1t none the worse for wear:
Then there was the dark day" OF
May 19, 1880, when, beginning at ~
O'Clock in the morning, the sun was
entirely blotted out, the atmosphere
was thick and suffocating, a thick rain
fell and thunder and tightening added
to the terrorS of the time. But within
ttwenty-four hours the sun was shin
| ing again, and the earth was clothed
in gladness. <
In 1S43, William Miller founder OF
the sect of Second Adventists, pre-
dfcted the day of doom for october
| FL. In the New England states camp
meetings were held, tabernacles build
ed and all made ready for the great
event. But it was merely time lost.
a Call for 1881.
All old timers will remember:
THE world to an end shall come
| In eighteen hundred and eighty-one.' >
This prophecy was supposed to have
| been made by a certain Mother Ship
ton. whose other prophecies had beer
fulfilled to the letter. When the year
ended and, the asbestos had not yet
| fallen on the human existence scene
1t was discovered Mother Shipton's
prophecies had been made by an Eng
iishman half a century after hel
| death.
| So Professor Porta will sink into
oblivion along with the rest of his
kind. So long as these persons con-
! fine themselves to commonplace pre-
dictions they may often acquire a great
reputation. But when their success
encourages them to go step further
| ana predict a junbIing UP of the solar
system. they stage the, little Waterloo
! stunt for themselves. L
The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-17
Underwood Takes Lead In Ell
fort to Get Ratification.
Leaders. Are Ignored in Effort
to Reach Agreement.
UNOFFICIAL COMMITTEE BUSY
Even Hitchcock Considers New
Plan as Entirely Possible.
Administration Senators Take
Chance on Wilson's Acceptance.

Washington, Dec. 17.-An unofficial
committee on conciliation is at work
today in the senate in an effort to
compromise the treaty controversy.
This committee is composed of one
Republican and one Democrat, and in
seeking to negotiate a basis upon
which ratification can be arranged, is
ignoring Senator Lodge. Republican
leader, and Senator Hitchcock, DEM
ocratic leader.
The first step of the committee
now being taken is to sound out sem
timent among senator's on both sides
in an effort to crystalline their views
into compromise proposals to be used
in framing set of reservations. Prog
ress along this line has been slow, but,
according to one member of the unof-
ficial committee, has been encourag-
ing.
The compromise spirit is stronger
today among Democratic senators
than it has been since the treaty failed
on November 19, senators declared.
Hitchcock, administration leader, said
range a compromise If they can and
take a chance" that President Wilson
will accept it.
Hitchcock Is Willing.
Hitchcock said before progress can
be made toward this compromise.
some systematic, orderly InelAOQ illuSl
be devised for going about 1t.
I'VE cannot settle this question hap
hazard" said Hitchcock. I'VE must
set up the machinery of compromise.
A conciliation committee must there
fore be appointed at once. OF course
we will have to take a chance on Pres
ident Wilson accepting or rejecting
whatever settlement we succeed in
making"
Hitchcock declined to outline in de-
tail his own views concerning the sort
of compromise that would be accepta-
BILE to- the president or to Democrats
generally.
TT would be unwise to lay down any
definite compromise program at this
time" said Hitchcock, for the treaty
opponents would seize upon it and at
tempt to compromise it,
| Article X still is the big stumb-
ling block in the way of the negotia
tors, Hitchcock said.
Senator Underwood. who has taken
the lead in advocating-compr
made it plain in his first statement on
the subject since the White House
statement, that he is for treaty ratifi-
cation even if it involves leaving the
t1eague of nations covenant out of the
pact.
Underwood said that. altho an Off
cia1 conciliation committee was not ap-
pointed, the sentiment of senators
would be carefully sounded on various
proposals.
Senator Knox, who on Saturday Of
fered the proposal referred to by I'm
derwood, said today he will make one
more effort soon to get unanimous
consent for its consideration and if
that is refused will ask that his resolu-
tion be referred to the foreign relations
con. .mittee.
The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-17
MINERS ASK COAL
New WalkOut i'm Kansas Fields
Speedily Adjusted.
Pittsburg Field Today Shipped
More Than 800 Cars.

Pittsburg, Kan, Dec. 1,I.-More
than 900 cars of coal will be loaded
in the Kansas field today, o. S. HUI
bert, general manager for the state
receivers of of coal mines. announced
today.
The first strike under the receiver
ship occurred today and tied up mine
No IL of the Wear Coal company,
where $50 men are employed. The
men. who returned to work yesterday,
demanded coal for their homes. The
bookkeeper rejected the demand.
A committee of the men took the
matter to the district union officials
last night and those officers in turn
laid the matter before Mr.. Hubert.
Hubert took the matter Immediately
to the Wear company and gave in
structions that the men should be al
lowed the coal in accordance with the
terms of the contract.
The bookkeeper. however. misun-
derstood the instructions and again
this morning refused to allow the men
to have coal. SO the men walked out.
Mr.. Hubert Immediately ordered an
adjustment. however. and the men
will return to work tomorrow morn
ing
The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-17
STATE MAY CONTROL 'EM
Business College Heads Meet Today
With Miss Lizzie Wooster.

Kansas business college heads are
in conference today with Miss LOr-
raine f. Wooster. state superintendent
of public instruction. Plans for state
supervision. control and inspection OF
business colleges are being discussed.
The conference was called when
Miss Wooster learned that the state
educational department has no infor-
nation regarding the work OF the
business colleges in Kansas Only
thru much difficulty was Miss Woos-
ter able to gather a record Of fifty
nine colleges. She believes tine total
in this state is nearly 100. No re-
ports are sent to the state department.
relative TO enrollments. courses OF
studies. graduates. requirements or
tuitions collected by the schools
AS a result of todays conference II
is probable that action may be taken
looking to state regulation and SUPER
vision. This action. IL has been
urged, will result in higher standard
for the business colleges and VIII re-
quire schools under careless or inef-
ficient management to meet state re-
quirements or quit business Repre-
sentatiyes from more than dozen
business colleges in the state are at
Z tending the meeting in Miss Wooster's
office
The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-17
LANE WILL RESIGN
Secretary of Interior Says He'll
Quit Cabinet.
Makes Announcement without
Consulting President.

Washington, Dec. 17.-Secretary of
the Interior Lane contemplates re-
signing from the cabinet but has not
son or discussed it with him, Lane
said in a formal statement today.
Lanes statement was issued follow
ing reports that he had laid his resig-
nation before the president and that
he wished to leave the cabinet be-
cause of differences with the president
and other cabinet members.
The statement follows:
with reference to my talked of
resignation, l have not sent it 10 the
do contemplate going out of, the cab
met and have withheld talking to the
president about it because l did not
want to add to his burden or worries
at this time, nor do 1 know when the
time will come when l can. This is a
full statement of all the facts. l have
thought 1t unkind to say anything to
that any mention of this now by any
| one would be needless annoyance to
him"
| Lane has been secretary of the in
terror since President Wilson's first
Inauguration. At various times there
have been rumors that Lane had split
with the president. but administration
officials declared his statement today
was a complete answer to those ru-
mors.
| The reason Lane wishes to resign
| it was learned today. is that he finds
the salary of cabinet officer INSULT
cient for his needs. This was the rea-
son given by Former Secretary of the
Treasury McAdoo and other cabinet
members who resigned recently. Lane
! 1t is understood has very attractive
offer to enter private business.
The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-17
"PARKED BABY" is FOUND
Birthmark Only Visible When He
Cried Is Identified by Mother
Father Is Not So Sure.

New York, Dec. 17.-Arthur Philip
Wentz, 7-month- old son of Mr.. and
Mrs. August Wcntz, who was kid
naped from a baby parking place"
in a department store last July, is be-
lieved to have been found in Bellevue
hospital foundlings' ward.
The mother, who identified the
child, is sure it is her own, and while
August Wentz is not SO sure, he an
nounced today he would adopt the
baby anyway. A birthmark visible be-
hind the infants ear only when it cries
was said to have been found by Mrs.
Wentz.
According to detectives who have
worked on the case since July, the
baby was abandoned by its kidnapers
in the Grand Central station on De-
cember 8.
The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-17

Another lesson was added to the
annals of human experience this
morning when many Topekans arose
and looked out the window with some
surprise TO find the world still in
existence.
This is how near the predictions of
Prof. Albert F. Porta of San Fran
cisco, came to being fulfilled today.
He predicted temperature of 80
degrees below zero; the lowest tenn
perature in Topeka this morning was
II degrees at Z O'Clock.
He predicted hurricanes: the wind
at 10 o'clock this morning was blow
ing four miles an hour.
He predicted gigantic sunspots, visi-
BILE to the naked eye: but the sun has
perience of local astronomers as now.
He predicted billiards; the sun this
morning arose In a cloudless sky.
With these exceptions. Portals pre-
dictions are approximately correct.
AS a matter of fact. Porta declares
of the world. He did. however, pre-
dict the present position of the planets.
''Altho this peculiar fact may be con-
sidered,' he says. "as a very impor-
tant planetary event. it does not. in
itself. imply any direct disastrous con-
sequences"
Extends 1t to February.
But he declares any sunspot always
produces some atmospheric disturb
ance and that there will be terrestrial
disturbances between now and Feb
ruary.
When he first came forward with
his theory a few months ago he pre-
dicted many things that have been
fulfilled, tho whether this was a mere
coincidence or not remains for the lay
man to conjecture. In certain sec
tions of the world there have been
storms. hurricanes, billiards and vol
canic disturbances. The planets are
really holding the reunion" which he
predicted but astronomers thruout the
country deny that any disastrous re-
suits will follow. Porta now gives
himself a little leeway by asserting
that the worst disturbances may still
appear.
Ever since civilization began there
have appeared every few years per-
sons who have predicted the end of the
world as bound to occur on certain
dates. But someway the old globe
keeps right on rolling along thru space
along the same old path which re-
sponsible scientists say it has Travelled
for some millions of years. Some OF
these predictions have been founded
on the Bible; some have been founded
on a pretended science and some seem
to have had no particular basis or the
ory. But always the calamity howlel
obtains a liberal following in the ranks
of the ignorant and superstitious.
Europe Once in Gloom.
During the closing years of the tentl
The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-17

Washington, Dec. 17.-Experts who
keep the weather under official sur
veillance for the government scanned
the heavens and weather reports in
vain today for any sign that an al
legged solar conspiracy between the
planets, Neptune, Jupiter. ct al. was
about to produce storms which would
bring the world to sudden end.
The best the weather men could
make out of the signs as they read
them was that low pressure areas off
the north Atlantic coast and in the
far northwest had combined to bring
low temperatures generally thruout
the country, except along the south
western border. The outlook for to-
day and tomorrow. the official fore
caster said, was for local snowstorms
in the great lakes region and fair
weather elsewhere east of the Missis-
Sippi river.
New York. Dec. 17-Astonishment
was expreshed by the superstitious
when the earth did not come to an
end today
The ominous position of the planets
had been well press agented and
some astrologers and persons versed
in witchcraft had maintained that at
the precise moment when the major
themselves in a straight line with
Neptune, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus
and Mercury on one side of the sun
and Uranus on the other, the earth.
which had moved four or five solar
PAGES to the front of the line, would
behave like a one-horse shay.
Astroiogers have predicted the end
of the world on similar occasions for
centuries. AS early as 1856, the world
escaped one of their threatened cata-
clysms. Disa ppointment at the escape
did not prevent Stoffler from predict
ing universal deluge for the year
1524-a year. as it turned out, which
was distinguished for drouth.
Mother Shipton. WITCH" of Tudor
times. was credited with being equally
sure that four hundred years after her
time-in 1881 to be exact-the world
would come to an end. The predic-
ton caused much agitation in Eng
land when the date she set arrived.
Thousands of persons deserted their
home and went out into the fields to
await annihilation.
Various religious cults have made a
specially in more recent years of
specifying an hour as the earth's last
The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-17
FIVE SHIPS WERE WRECkrJ
Storm on Atlantic Also Causes Death
of Three.

St Johns, n. F.. Dec. 1T.-Tncom-
plete reports today of the DANA ge
caused by the storm which has been
sweeping the Newfoundland coast for
the past week indicated the loss of It
least three lives and five schooners
and the destruction by tidal wave
of a railway pier at Placentia and
the breakwaters at Grand Bank near
Fortune.
The schooners Barbara Macdonald,
Verna B. Adams, Rose M, Grace
Darling and Betty Mac, were reported
total wrecks.
Captain Thomas Whittle of the Bar
bara Macdonald was washed over
board and drowned. Two members
of the crew of the Verna NJ. Adam
were frozen to death when that vessel
was wrecked near Burin.-
The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-17
CIDER FOR NEW YEARS
New Workers VIII Use Prohibition
Drinks to Celebrate 1920.

New York. Dec. 17.-New Workers.
who in years past have heralded each
New Year with the popping of corks
from champagne bottles and atten-
dant festivities in the white light
district hotels and restaurants, will
drink to the health of 1920 with sweet
cider. Many of the citys leading ho-
tells, despairing of disposing of their
we'll stocked wine cellars because of
the supreme courts edict. today COM
menced laying in plentiful supplies of
this prohibition tipple."
However, indications that the New
Years eve celebration will not be en-
tirely dry, here were seen in the an
nouncement that many hotels have
already reserved entire suites for pri-
vate parties which will have their own
liquors
The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-17
DEMOCRAT WON OUT
North Carolina Congressional Elcc-
ton Was Baccd on League Pact.

Charlotte, n. C., Dec. 17--Addition-
al and almost complete returns early
today from yesterdays special election
in the Ninth North Carolina congress
sional district did not materially change
the result which showed Clyde R.
Hoey. Democrat, winner over his Re
publican opponent, John NJ. Morehead,
for the seat in congress made vacant
by the appointment of e. Yates Webb
to a federal judgeship. Hoey still
claimed a majority of about 1000
while Morehead conceded his defeat
by about 1900 majority.
Two years ago, Webb. Democrat,
received a majority of 4.152, over the
Republican candidate. The league of
nations was issue in the election
yesterday, Hoey advocating and More
head opposing the pact as proposed
in the pea oe trea tN
The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-17
C. OF C. PRIMARY RESULTS
Nominations for Seven Classifications
Announced Today.

Counting of the preliminary ballot
for directors of the Chamber of Com
merce was completed at noon today.
A fairly representative vote of the
membership was received.
Final election ballots will be sent
out today. They are to be sent back
to the c. of c. by December so.
Counting will take place December 81
and announcement of results made the
next day. On January the directors
will assemble in a verification meet
ing.
Candidates chosen in the preliminary
ballot in seven business classifications
are as follows:
Printers.
c. 1. Mitchell.
Earl Ives.
Professional.
Geo F. McDermott.
Edmund J. Kulp.
Retailers.
Z. II. Crosby.
Fred Noiland.
Bankers.
s. f. Cobb.
]. r. Burrow
Manufacturers.
Geo. p. McEntire.
+. y. Derby.
Mortgage.
c. 3. Merriam.
J. p. Slaughter.
Physicians.
Dr. C B. Van Horn.
DR.. w, NJ. Mills.
The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-17
END WORLD WEATHER

Washington, Dec. 17.-This is
the day the world was scheduled
to come to an end because five
planets were ranged on one side
of the sun.
End of the world weather, as
reported to the government fore
casters here. was featured by be-
low normal temperatures in nearly
all sections. But this morning the
forecasters had no advices indi-
eating terrible storms were scourg-
ing the earth, as unofficially pre-
dicted. The juxtaposition of the
planets had nothing to do with the
cold wave. it was said.
The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-17
HE HAD RESERVED SEAT

Cleveland, Dec. 17.-Charles
Johnson. 65, farmer of West Sa-
lem, was in Cleveland today with
a reserved seat ticket, so as to be
in the front row when the world
came to an end.
After going to a house where the
beginning of the end" was to be
staged. and finding that no one
there had even heard the end was
at hand, Johnson complained to
the police.
Two men came to me last Sat
urday and sold me a reserved seat
for SIS he said. They told me
all the members of my religious
belief were to wait for the end in
Cleveland"
The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-17
EIGHT WORD PLATFORM
Governor Lowden Enters South Da-
kota Presidential Lists.

Pierre. S. D.. Dec. 17.-Three indie
pendent candidates today were in the
field contesting for the vote of the
convention delegates from this state.
They were Miles Poindexter and
Frank o. Lowden, contesting for the
Republican support, and James G..
Gerard. the Democratic. The time for
filing independent declarations expires
January l.
Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood and Pres
ident Wilson received the endorsement
of the proposal conventions, althO
neither filed a declaration of princi-
pies"
Governor Lowden's eight word plat
form was economy. efficiency. pro-
lection. peace, agriculture, promote
one flag"
The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-17
ToDAY's TEMPER.

Despite the proguost ca tions of an
eminent weather prophet the
finest variety of winter weather will
continue for forty-eight hours at
least. S. d. Flora, state meteorologist,
declared today.
Kansas is not alone in the enjoy
r1ent of fair weather. plenty Of sun
shine and rising temp rature, the con-
ditions prevail thruout practically the
entire United States. A few SNOW
flurries were reported this morniI. z
between Chicago and New York and
rain on the north Pacific coast
The temperature in Topeka Monda 3
afternoon rose TO ~ degrees. This
Is the highest reading attained since
Honfinued on Page Twob
The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-17
MILLIONAIRES HOMELESS

New York. Dec. 11.-Six New
York millionaires refuse to be
homeless.
Like thousands of others here
they sought in vain a place to live.
They're going to build a six mil
lion dollar apartment house. prin-
cipally for themselves.
F. Coleman Dupont. Dallas =.
Pratt. Col. Benjamin McAlphin.
Arthur Coppell, L. L Dunham and
L NJ. Boomer are the homeless"
The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-17
To Release American Goods.

Washington. Dec. 17.-Great Britain
is prepared now to release American
owned goods seized during the war
upon the establishment of their Amer
lean ownership st the time the goods
were shipped. the state department
was advised today by the British for
efgn office.
The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-17
MUST PAY BACK TAXES
Senator Bailey and Son on List in
Arizona Decision

Phoenix. Dec 17.-Joseph W. Bal
ley, former senator from Texas his
son. Weldon Bailey, and several other
Texans must pay back taxes to the
state of Arizona to the amount of
$4,000. This was decided by the
state supreme court here today in the
Baca Float No. case. involving a
land grant of 10000 acres The de-
PENDANTS contend they were exempt
from taxes for 1913-14. because the
survey of the grant was not then on
file.
The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-17
THEATERS HIKE PRICES
New Years Eve Performances VIII
Bring $11 Per Seat in Chicago.

Chicago. Dec. 1.-Two leading
Chicago theaters today announced an
increase in the price of tickets for the
New Years eve performances from
$3.50 to $11 including war tax Two
others raised admissions from s2.75
and $3.50 to $3.50. Prospective abb
sence of wine suppers at the cafes and
restaurants on the last day of the year
with the consequence of amusement
seekers turning to the theaters was
the reason ascribed for the changed
prices.
The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-17
RESUME MEXICAN ROBPE
San Antonio Scene of Border Investi
CATION After january 1.

Washington, Dec. 17.-Investigation
of the Mexican situation by the senate
sub-committee appointed some months
ago for that task will be resumed at
San Antonio. Tex, about January 1,
Senator Fall, chairman. said today.
Public hearings will be held.
The extent of the hearings will de-
pened on reports Fall is to receive at
FL Paso after Christmas from investi-
gators at work along the border and in
Mexico, he said.
The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-17
PRODUCTION AT PEAK
Coal Mines of L. $. Are Rushing Fuel
TO Consumers.

Chicago. Dec. 17.-Coai production
is nearing the peak, operators here
said today
Miners are swinging their picks with
will. they said, indicating = desire
to live up to their agreement KAN
sas Indiana and Illinois mines were
almost back to normal in the number
Of men and in production Transpor=
tation being in good shape. operators
believe in giving business the high
ball" coal will keep up with the de-
mand for it, they said.
The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-17
TO BE FAIR. WARM Err
Whole Country Basks in Sunshine To.
day, Flora Asserts

WEATHER FORECAST FOR KANSAS {:
Fair tonight and Thursday; rising temper
atHrcS-
hour shipments north, west and east
against temperature Of 20 degrees; south.
80 degrees.
The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-17
Kicv Reportcd Capturt,d.

London, Dec. 17.-The capture of
Kfev and the occupation of Kupiansk.
southeast of Kharkov. are claimed in
la Bolshey1ki statement received from
Moscow by wireless today.