davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-27
WOULD CUT BILLS
President-EIec Is Considering
Economic Problems Now.
Congressman and Senators on
Calling List Today.

Marion, o., Dec. 27.-President-
elect Harding dropped foreign affairs
today for vital domestic matters.
These included discussion of plans
for lowering taxes and the more inti-
mate matters of selecting cabinet
members and a private secretary.
Members of the finance committees
of congress were to be among those
comforting with Harding this week. 1t
was expected he will take up with
them consideration of a plan for cut
ting government expenditures.
Will H. Hays, chairman of the Re-
publican national committee, also is
on the calling list. 1t is expected that
he will urge upon Harding the ap-
pointment of Richard E. Washburn
Child as his secretary. Also it is pos
sible he will talk over his expected ap-
pointment to the cabinet, possibly as
a postmaster general.
Among the congressman to arrive
are Senator McCumber, North Da-
kota; Representative J. w. Good of
Iowa; Frank Mondell. floor leader of
the house; Representative Patrick
Kelly of Michigan, and Representa-
tive Daniel Anthony of Kansas.
McCumber in the absence of PEN
rose, who is i'll, is ranking member of
the finance committee. Good is mem
| Der of the appropriations committee;
Kelly a member of the naval affairs
committee.
Mr.. and Mrs. Harding spent :. quiet
Sunday at White Oaks farm, home of
their intimate friends, DR.. and Mrs.
G. Z. Sawyer They mOtored the three
miles in the brisk air and returned in
the early evening.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-27
DECLARE WAR ON OPEN SHOP
Santa Fe Shop Men Prepare for Big
Labor War-Pass Resolutions.

Employees Of the Santa Fe shops,
members of Local Shop Federation No.
II. of the American Federation of La
Dor, and including practically all of
the 5000 men in the six crafts repre-
sented, have declared themselves in
unmistakable terms against the open
shop.
The displeasure of the union men is
directed expressly at the Employers
Yassociation." which the resolutions
passed by the federation say is banded
together with the United States Cham
ber of Commerce for the expressed
purpose of fighting the organized la
borer."
Resolutions passed by the fedora
ton declare that the American Plan, -
which it asserts is a cloak for the
open shop movement, is un-American,
unjust to>> employees, and makes it
known that the federation will "use
any legitimate measure at our disposal
to discourage and oppose the estab-
lishment of the plan, and any mer-
chant or employer who promotes or
attempts to promte the open shop will
incur the displeasure of the men, and
will receive the kind of consideration
as to the merits of his attitude in the
case"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-27
Sim Feir1 Xmas Dance
Becomes Battle With Police
Four Dancers Are Killed and 120 Made Prisoners in Big
Raid-Alarm Shot Fired by Sentry Killed One
of Invading British.

and noisy. The gaiety stopped with a
jolt when shot was heard
A sentry had spied the first dark
form that told of the approach of
a large body of troops and police. The
shot which gave the alarm killed a
policeman.
From all sides of the building shots
rang out. Three Sim Fein sentries
dropped dead. The soldiers poured on
to the dance floor, meeting no opposi-
ton there. Covering the dancers
with rifles and revolvers, the officers
made a cursory search for arms.
No announcement was made as to
what had been found on the dancers
but officers gave the impression that
some long wanted Sim Fein leaders
were in the party and that a num-
ber of important documents might be
seized.
The military raid was the first in
ireland since the holiday lessening
of fighting. The Sim Fein party was
giving a Christmas dance, its pro-
Tnoters taking advantage of the good
feeling which seemed to have settled
on both sides
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-27
SLASH The PRICES PROBE WAGE CUTS
Organized Labor to Start New
Congressional Fight.
Textile Workers Want GOmpers
to Take Up Battle.

Washington. Dec. 27.-A congress
sional investigation of wage cuts, eff
forts of employers to establish the
open shop and the cost of living may
be asked by organized labor.
The textile workers, it was learned
today, are negotiating with Samuel
Gompers, president of the American
Federation of Labor. These investiga-
Itions may lead to Gompers seeking
Investigation of conditions in the tex
tile trade. The textile manufacturers
have probably led all others in cut
ting wages. A number of textile fac
tories have closed for both long and
short periods, and workers charge
these suspensions have Been in the
interest of the open shop.
THE railroad workers have also
made charges agains tthe railroads,
and at the same time. have formed a
working alliance with liberals in
both house and senate. The charges
of the railroad workers may be voiced
soon by Senator LaFollette who ex-
Pqindexter anti-strike bill recently
|p4ssed by the senate.
THE railroad men declared that the
roads are taking advantage of the Sec
ltion of the Esch-Cummins laws which
guarantees earnings of 6 per cent.
William H. Johnston. head of the ma
chinists, said the roads were letting
Fout repair work to private companies
On the cost-plus system, thereby run
ming up expenses to thesroads by Civ
ing great profits to private repair
companies. Many of@the railroad Off
cials. Johnston said, are financiallys in
terested in these repair companies. .
Gompers recently in an interview
with. the United Press. said labor
would demand an investigation of the
cost of living.
If the textile investigation is Sc
cured. however, the cost of living will
enter in as labor is expected to argue
that wages in the textile trade have
gone below the figure where the work
ers can maintain a decent standard of
living
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-27
OCUARD SCHOOLS
Pittsburgh, Pa, Police Fear
Operations of "ArsOn Ring"
Over Million Dollars Fire Loss
Caused by "Firebugs."

Pittsburgh, Pa, Dec. 27.-Every
school building in Pittsburg was under
heavy guard today as the result of the
bu; ming of public school in wilkins
burg, a suburb.
School and police officials feared
further operations by the larson ring
which caused nearly a million dollars
loss thru incendiary fires in Fayette
and Westmoreland counties.
Albert Smith, held in the Green's
burg barracks of the state constab-
uIary, is alleged to have confessed re-
sponsibility for at least "A score of fires
in Fayette county. The authorities
believed his arrest would prove a de-
.terrent to the remainder of the arson
ring but the Williamsburg fire dis
PEELED this idea.
Floors of the two-story building in
Williamsburg were saturated with oil
before the fire was set. A policeman
discovered the blaze and saw a man
running from the building. He fired
several shots at him. but abandoned
pursuit to turn in an alarm. The
damage was estimated at $15O,oOO.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-27
JAPS BACK DOWN
Even Question of New Treaty
With Japan Is Dropped.
Nippon Government Withdraws
Objection to California Laws.

Washington, Dec. 27.-Japan has
withdrawn her objections to the Cali
fornia law prohibiting all landholding
by Japanese subjects. according to re-
ports in official circles here today.
The report followed a conference to-
day at the state department between
Representative Kahn. California, and
Roland S. Morris. American ambassa-
dor to Toxic. who has been conduct
ing the negotiations with Japan.
Kahn, who has been one of the lead
ing members of congress fighting for
absolute exclusion of Japapese immi-
grafton, went thoroly into the entire
question of the California anti-Japan-
ese land law and Japanese immigra-
ton to this country.
According to the reports after the
conference, Japan has entirely with
drawn her opposition to the California
laws The question of a treaty with
Japan, which was being negotiated to
guarantee rights of Japanese already
in this country apparently has been
dropped. This treaty never reached
conclusion. altho several drafts were
drawn up between Morris and Am
bassador Shidehara.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-27
MAKE SELF DEFENSE PLEA
Clara Hamon VIII Face Trial on MUIR
der Charge After January IL.

Ardmore, Okla, Dec. 27.-Clara
Smith, alleged slayer of Jake l..
Hamon, multi-millionaire oil magnate
and politician, will enter a plea of self
defense. This was the announcement
by one of her attorneys today.
The lawyer did not define the
precise procedure by which it is ex-
pected to establish self defense, but it
is certain that the accidental theory
once limited at will not be introduced
at her trial which probably will start
about January IS.
Miss Smith will not be tried until
after January IT, it was stated today
The accused woman was at liberty
on $4,000 bail. S.le waived prelimi-
nary hearing when arraigned before
Justice of the Peace Hal Cannon Sat
urday.
Her nerves somewhat shattered,
Clara intends to rest at the home of
her sister in Wilson. Okla, near here,
until her trial starts
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-27

Dublin. Dec. 27.-Four men were
killed and one hundred and twenty
Sim Feiners captured early today
when police and soldiers surrounded a
dance hall in thet Bruss district of
Limerick.
Sim Fein sentries fired first, killing
a policeman. Three sentries were
killed by the return fire.
The prisoners were marched away to
military headquarters where they will
be held for examination. The party
included men and women. captured as
they poured thru the doors of the
dance hall after an exchange of shots
announced the approach of troops.
A large crowd had gathered for the
dance. 1t was one of the few enter
tainments of the nature attempted in
recent months 1t was openly Sim
Fein party. and sentries were scattere1
thickly about the building.
Despite the nervousness of some
Of the dancers, swaying to the whine
of concertina and violin. it was gay
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-27
Gas Case May Be Taken to
Higher Court.
Appeal to U. S. Supreme Court
Is Probable.
WILL RESIST THE BOOTH ORDER
Industrial Court Judges Quiet
as to Plans.
Conferences in State House In.
dicatea Action.

The state may take its gas troubles
back to the supreme court of the
United States. Indications in the state
the decision of Judge Wilbur N. Booth
in the gas controversy would be
fought out in the higher courts.
None of the Industrial court judges
would definitely state the plan which
would be followed in resisting the or
der of the federal court. Judge
Booths opinion last week gave to the
gas companies practical authority to
fix their own rates, subject only to
later court review as to fairness. The
distributing companies have indicated
that they will probably take immedf-
ate action looking toward esta blish-
ment of a service charges for Topeka,
Kansas City, Lawrence, Leavenworth
and other towns. This charge may
range from rs cents to 81.
Held Rate on-Compensatory.
The federal courts order was issued
following a decision of the United
States supreme court sending the gas
case back for further consideration.
During the tendency of this decision
the distributing companies filed
supplemental petition resisting an or
der of the Kansas court OF Industrial
relations denying to the companies an
increase in rates. The federal judge
held that the S0-cent rate now in eX-
istence in this state is unjust and non
compensatory.
Judge Booths decree came as a big
surprise to Kansas state officials.
They have since held several confer
ences relative to the future course of
the state.
While no definite statement would
be made today. it was apparent that
the state planned an appeal from the
Booth order. Such an appeal would
take the case Immediately to the
I-niAn.I Ctn tnr O., rn,-nrr,o court
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-27
Inaugural Ceremonies To Be
Held January 10.
Many Changes in Established
Custom for Reception.
GENERAL MARTIN IN CHARGE
Reception for New State Officers
at Z O'Clock.
Colonel Mitchell Will Appear in
New Uniform.

Plans for inaugural ceremonies and
the inaugural reception in Topeka.
Monday, January 10, have been COM
pleted by a committee working with
Charles /. Martin. adjutant general.
Numerous changes in established
methods of handling the reception
crowd have been worked out by the
committee.
Receptions for New Officials.
Reception for the new state Off
Gals and members of the legislature
will be the social event connected with
induction of the new public servants
into office The reception will be held
in the rotunda of the state house at
o'clock in the evening. Inaugural
ceremonies will be In representative
hall at noon. Special committees have
been named to work out details and
70 direct handling of the crowds.
comes one day ahead of the opening
of the state legislature. While the
mouse and senate members will be
prominent in Mondays ceremonies,
they Will not take their oaths until
Tuesday, January IL.
When the new state officials take
their oaths, Lieut.. Col. Mitchell will
be in charge of the seating of guests
IN representative hall. The fact that
Colonel Mitchell promises to appear
in his new uniform is an event of in
terest to many Topekans.
Johnston Is Chairman.
w. A Johnston. chief justice of the
supreme court, will be chairman OF
the inaugural ceremonies. Oaths will
be administered by Justice Rousseau
A. Burch. Music will be furnished by
Ted Morse's orchestra. Chaplain An
drew M. Brodie will deliver the in.
vocation. L. J. Pettijohn, secretary
of state, will read the list of officers
A unit of national guard field artil.
lery will fire the official salute as
Governor Allen takes his oath. The
governors inaugural address is the
only set speech of the day.
Evening Program Open to Public.
Evening ceremonies will be open. Il
the public. Special invitations will bs
sent to officers of the G. A. r., Amer.
ican Legion, former state official Is
and to many men and women pronni
nent in public affairs in the state. The
receiving line will be on the SECOND
floor of the state house near the
rotunda.
Senators will meet in the senate
chamber and house members will as.
semble in representative hall. Spe
cial committees will present the law
iiaIACAo ~ tiiS hC" elhIe OtAASinAo ahe
will act as escorts during the evening
Senators will wear white carnations
House members will be given ret
carnations.
Committee Members Chosen.
Following are the committee mem
! bers selected to escort the various
guests:
| Senate committee-C. B. Merriam
chairman; Charles H. Sessions and ]
r. Burrow, jr.; house of representa-
, tives mmittee--Col. ]. s. Dean
chairman: A. j. CaTruth, jr., and c
D. Skinner; G. A. r. committee-Wal
/ ter Payne, chairman; Glenn Swogger
| United Spanish War Veterans com
mittee-Charles H. Ash, chairman, A
A. Guettel; specially invited guests
eommittee-Harvey II. Motter, chair
man: Mrs. S. S. Beggs. Elmer +
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-27
Railroads Report Greatest Gross
Tonnage in History.
Increase in Movement Of
Freight Cars Per Day.
COAL PRODUCTION is BIG
Highest Efficiency Yet Achieved
Is Reported.
No Further Increase in Rates,
Says 7. ID. Cuyler.

In reviewing the record which they
nave made in the nine months which
nave passed since the railroads were
returned to private management, the
claim that the roads have 'manufac-
tured increased transportation ca
pacity, not out of new cars and loco
motives, but out of increased eff
ciency," is made by Thomas Dewitt
Cuyler, chairman of the Association
of Railway Executives.
Cuyler declares that "if the enlarged
capacity provided by the companies
during the past nine months had had
| to be produced by new cars and loco
motives it would have required the
| expenditure of approximately $1,000
100000, sum of money which would
have been permanently added to the
| property value of the railroads, and
on which the public would ultimately
have to pay a return thru rates"
Record Year for Roads.
| This has been the record year of
American railroad operation, Cuyler
gross tonnage been moved than ever
| before, but new records have been
esta blished in the transportation per-
formance of each car.
| Mr.. Cuyler claims that in the nine
months which have passed since the
| end of government operation, the rail-
roads have:
Increased the average movement
| per freight car per day 6.S miles.
! Increased the average load per car
II tons. from 2s.3 tons to so tons.
| Moved the third highest coal pro-
duction in the history OF the country.
| Moved. with a deteriorated plant,
under disturbed labor and business
| conditions, the largest volume of traf-
fic ever known in a single year, with
| the highest efficiency yet achieved,
and with minimum addition to the
value of the property on which the
| public has to pay a return thru rates.
"In increasing the efficient use of
our present facilities and in restoring
the orderly flow of commodities. the
| railroads hive made a great contribu- :
| ton toward the bringing about of
| more normal economic conditions. and
have fully met their responsibilities in
I this period of national readjustment," "
Cuyler says.
No Increase in Rates.
| Cuyler denies that there is ground
for the general belief that the rail-
roads mean to seek further increase
in rates at the present time and under
! present conditions.
| THE statement is being made in
| various quarters that the railroads will
shortly seek a further increase in
rates." he says. 81 know of no move
ment on the part of the railroads for
a general increase in rates, nor do
expect any. 1t is true that the rail-
! road companies are not yet receiving
from the increased rates anything like
the per cent return needed. But the
| railway executives realize that they
are trustees of a great public interest
in the reduction of railroad operating
expenses to the lowest possible figure,
and every effort will Re made during
! the coming year to accomplish this by
| further efficiency and economies"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-27
SICELER FOR SECRETARY
c. of G. Executive Committee Recon-
mends His Appointment to Directors.


mends His Appointment to Directors.
Guy C. Sickler. assistant secretary
of the Topeka Chamber of Commerce.
was unanimously recommended to the
directors for the position of secretary
of the Chamber. by the executive
committee, at the meeting today noon
at the Chamber rooms. Arthur Oliger.
present secretary, recently rendered
his resignation. to take effect March
]. Sickler's name will be submitted
to the directors at their annual meet
ing. January II. Eight applicants
were turned down, and Sickler's name
received the vote of every member of
the executive committee.
Sickler came to Topeka. June 1 5,
1919, from Emporia, to take the posi-
ton of assistant secretary of the To-
peka Chamber. He was employed by
the Haynes Hardware company of
Emporia, in the capacity of credit
manager. before coming to Topeka.
Since taking his present position,
Sickler has made a great reputation
for executive ability. The general
feeling among the members of the
Chamber is that no opposition to Sick
ler's appointment will be forthcoming
from the members of the board of di
rectors- The meeting of the commit
tee was private.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-27
LITTLE DANGER FROM FLU
People immunized by Epidcmics OF
1913 and 1919, Says Surgeon General.


Washington, Dec. 27.-Influenza at
tacks carry with them "a definite i'm
munity to subsequent attacks, lasting
several years" according to conelu-
sions reached by the public health
service after intensive study in the
homes where the disease was epidemic
in 1918-19.
'Inasmuch as the epidemic of 1918
and 1919 affected so very large pro-
portion of the population" the state
ment by Surgeon General Cumming
said, there would seem to be reason
able grounds for believing that even
should the flu become prevalent here
and there (this winter) it would not
a assume the epidemic proportions of the
past two years, nor would it rage in
such severe form"
Doctor Cumming pointed out that
there was no way of definitely fore
telling whether this winter will wit
ness any recurrence of influenza in
epidemic form"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-27
KANSAS NJ. E IN FARLEY.
Twenty Eight District Superintendent
to Confer Over Centenary Fund.

wichita, Dec 27.-The twenty-eight
district superintendents of the Wichita
area of the Methodist Episcopal
church have been called together for
2 conference. here by Bishop E. L.
Waldorf to consider the best method
to secure a collection of 100 per cent
of the s5.000,000 subscribed in the
area for centenary purposes.
They will also arrange for several
conference sessions now pending in
the five states of the area, Kansas.
Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri and Louis
lana.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-27
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING

Annual stockholders meeting of The
Palmer Tire Co. viii be held AT its
offices. Topeka, Kan. January 25. 8 p.
m. 1921. for the purpose OF electing
directors and transacting such other
business as may regularly come before
such meeting. DON A. HENRY,
ADV. Secretary.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-27
WILL DISREGARD NICARAGUA.
Central American Union Nations VIII
Sign Pact Without Her.

San Salvador, Dec. 26.-Delegates
representing Honduras, Costa Rica,
Guatemala and Salvador. who are at
tending the Central American Union
congress at San Jose, Costa Rica, will
sign the agreement for union no
matter what stand Nicaragua may
take.
The senior Nicaraguan delegate has
gone to consult his government re-
garding its acceptance of the terms
of agreement.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-27
FRANCE CAN PAY DEBTS.
General Nivelle Declares His Country's
Finances in Excellent shape.

st. Louis, Dec 27.-Gen. Robert
Georges Nivelle, defender of verdun,
and former commander in chief of the
French armies of the North and East,
arrived here today from Kansas City
for a two-day visit.
The general, who is scheduled to
deliver number of addresses, said
the financial condition of France did
not appear to be understood generally
in this country, emphasizing that his
country was well able to take care of
all her debts.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-27
He was LincoIn's Bodyguard.

Chicago, Dec. 27.-Perry L. Austin.
77-year-old Civil war veteran of Wau-
kegan. Ill. who served on President
Lincoln's body guard for seventeen
months, died here today.
Perry was chosen by President Lin
coin to serve on his body guard be-
cause he was the taIlest man in Gen
Winfield Scott'S cavalry.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-27
ARSON RING IS CHARGE.
Fire Loss of $3.50 600 Caused by 'Fire-
bugs" Say Police.

Uniontown. Pa. Dec. 27.-Another
fire in this district was charged TO the
larson ring today when loss Of $50
600 was caused by the destruction Of a
three-story brick dwelling in the
central part Of town.
Business structures were threatened
One man was taken into custody be-
cause of remarks he is alleged TO have
made during the fire He was released
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-27
KANSAS INVADED BY n. P. L.
TOwnlcy and Twenty-Five Organizers
Establish Headquarters at Salina.

Salina, Kan, Dec. 27.-A. c. Town
ley and twenty-five organizers of the
Nonpartisan league struck this city
today and made Salina headquarters
for extensive organization work.
Townley said he would be week
OF ten days. He plans to cover the