davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-02-05
Cost of fFoodstums Almost
Back to Pre- War Prices
Tremendous Decline Shown from Peak of High Prices
Reached Last Year-Some Items in Eatable Line
Lower Than Before War.

pekans were paying 65 and IS cents
a peck for the same product. A good
brand of flour could be purchased to-
day for s2.33 per 4S-pound sack. The
pound. Fancy navy beans were SELL
ing at s X cents a pound
Sugar Shows Big Decline.
Sugar has perhaps suffered the
greatest decline of any article of food
on the market. A1tho it is still above
the pre-war level, it has dropped from
peak price of 80 cents to cents a
pound.
There has also been a great reduc-
ton in meat prices. Several stores to-
day were- having a sale on mutton
Mutton chops could be bought for 8
cents a pound; shoulder for 8 cents
and stew for 5 cents. Round steak
was selling for from % to 25 cents a
pound Sausage and hamburger were
selling at Is cents a pound. chuck
steak at IS cents. lard at Is to 21
cents and compound for l 5 cents. The
last two are below pre-war prices.
Canned Goods Are Cheaper
Canned goods. which have been
slow to decline, are now feeling the
general fall in the market. Several
brands of peas. corn and tomatoes are
is predicted. Canned fruit remains
somewhat high yet. tho not much
above the pre-war level.
The thrifty housewife. with cash
in hand, can scan the grocery adver-
tisements in The State Journal and
after making her careful purchases.
can compare her bill with that for the
same purchases year ago and see a
very large saving. While the high
cost of living still remains poised on a
number of articles, such as rent and
some items of home furnishings, it can
no longer be said that the grocery
market is not back very near to nor
NAL.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-02-05
First Time Since 1917 Oil at
Pre-War Price.
Mid-COntinent Now Down to
So Per Barrel.
!OkLA. SENATORS IN PROBE
Legislature Wants to Know of
Conspiracy Charge.
OH Workers Wage Hit Slump
at Same Time.

Oklahoma City, Feb. 5.-For the
first time since the United States en-
tered the world war, crude oil today
was selling at pre-war prices. Mid
Continent crude oil was quoted at So
a barrel. which is SO cents less than
it sold for Thursday.
During the war. owing to the great
! demand for it from the armies and
navies of the world. crude oil sold for
as high as $3.50 and s3.75 a barrel. At
this time predictions were freely made
among oil men that the price of oil
would never reach pre-war levels
again because of the heavy drain on
the worlds reservoirs oil stock and the
resultant possibility of an oil shortage.
Drops Came Fast.
But these predictions have been up
set within the last three weeks. First
came a drop of IS cents a barrel, and
this was followed in quick succession
by two SO cent cuts. bringing the price
to its present quotation
Oil men here now believe crude oil
may sell for a. low as s1.S5 during its
present decline.
Refineries and pipe line companies
say a decreased demand issresponsl-
BILE for the price drop and it is report
ed have practically stopped buying
oil. Oil producers and oil experts in
the Mid Continent field charge the re-
fineries and pipe line companies have
entered into a collusion to force prices
down, so that they may refill their
tanks with oil bought at the lowest
possible figure
Oklahoma Senate Probes.
The condition of the oil market is
now the subject of an inquiry by a
senate committee of the Oklahoma
legislature. The committee will hold
it's first hearing here probably Mon
day of next week.
Wages of workers in the oil fields
have slumped with the decline of the
oil market and are now near those
paid before the world war. Oil pro-
ducers fear a completes shutdown If
the market continues its downward
plunge.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-02-05
DEMOCRATS TO MEET HERE
Leaders From All Parts of Kansas
Will Gather February ~.

Leaders of the Democrat party from
all parts of the state will gather here
February % for the annual meeting
and banquet of the Kansas Democratic
club. Correspondence is now under
way with several national leaders of
the party, it being the custom to have
"a Democrat of national reputation
make the principal address. The pres
ent prospects are, club officers say,
that either Franklin d. Roosevelt, the
party vice presidential nominee in the
last campaign, or Senator Gilbert M.
Hitchcock, CT Omaha, Neb., minority
leader in the United States senate, will
be the honored guest and principal
speaker.
Secretary George S. Allen of the
club reports that until recently it was
hoped that w. G. McAdoo, former sec
retary of the United States treasury,
would be the speaker, but he has
rendered his regrets-for the third
time in the last three years. The Kan
sas speakers have not yet been select
ed Mr.. Allen said, other than Miss
Nellie Cline. of Larned. who will be
the only woman speaker on the pro-
gram. Miss Cline. who is a member
of the present lower house. is the first
Democratic woman to be elected to the
state legislature.
The annual banquet with the Demo
Gratis Is similar to the Kansas Day
clubs annual fete with the Republi-
cans. The two organizations are SINH
lar in that they have no specified
mem bership lists and there are no
dues-other than the price of the
ticket to the banquet.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-02-05
vETOES ARMY BILL
Wilson Refuses Signature to
Cut in Personnel.
Declares 2SO,OOO Men Should
Be in Ranks.

Washington, Feb. 5-President
Wilson today vetoed the joint resolu-
ton directing the war department to
stop army recruiting until the force is
reduced to 175,000 men.
Returning the measure to the house
the president said he was unable to
see in the condition of the world at
large or in the needs of the United
States any change" that would justify
a restriction upon the minimum en-
listed strength of 100000 men pro-
vided for in the recently enacted army
reorga nization bill.
Presidents Message.
Quoting the resolution as restrict
ing the enlisted strength of the army
to 1890 men, the president says:
NO provision is made in the resolution
for the preservation OF any proportionate
strength in the combatant corps of the
army and a mere discontinuance of en-
the staff corps disproportionately enlisted
and the combatant corps insufficiently
manned to maintain the instruction and
training which ought to be assured IL an
army of 175,CD0 men is to be efficient in
proportion to its aggregate numbers.
steeed non the h,i fourth naa.o day Of June. 1920,
gress providing for the reorganization of
the army. Because of the profoundly dis
duTbed 1To &c, CONDITIONS din Of the world, and in
people of the United States from the les
sons of the world war. as to what under
modern conditions is required to be the
nucleus of an efficient army, the war de-
partment had recommended an army of
approximately 100000 men. The congress-
after prolonged consideration determined
to authorize and did authorize the reor-
ganization of the army on the basis of an
enlisted strength of approximately oOOO
including In the organization new arms
like the air service and the chemical war
fare service, the use of which were de-
velopments of the war and provision for
which is necessary addition to the pre-
war strength of the army.
The act authorized for the first time
In our history, a tactical organization of
the army. resting upon divisions as tactical
units and required the training of the ma
uonai guard and the organized reserve in
territorial areas of the United States in
association with the divisions of the regu-
lar army. At that time, the congress plain
~ regarded the provision then made as
the minimum which would provide for the
added arms and new duties imposed on
the army and for that efficiency which
the peace time army of the United States
should have a nucleus of mobilization
In the event of a national emergency
Il regret that 1 am not able to see in
the condition of the world at large. or in
the needs of the United States any such
change as would Justify the restriction
upon that minimum which is proposed by
the house joint resolution
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-02-05
MORE SKATES FOR THE BOYS
Industrial School Youths Given
Sport Equipment by Fullerton
Bros. and Silent Donor.

Thru the Fullerton Brothers COM
pany a big hearted Topekan has do
mated to the Boys Industrial school,
north of the city, forty-eight pairs of
ice skates. These new shiny skates
have been delivered to the boys and
when the next freeze covers the ponds
and artificial rinks with ice added
pleasure will be afforded the youths
who have been given so many advan-
tagcs recently under the administra-
ton of Capt. W. P. MacLean.
There are ESQ youngsters in the
school. Until the recent donation there
were only 10 pairs of skates in The
institution. On winter sport days ffe
boys were forced to skate in re.avs.
With the forty-eight-eigh additional
pairs the youths will be given many
more hours of outdoor recreation.
The name of the donor has not been
made public. Fullerton Brothers as
sisted the donation by selling the
skates a cost
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-02-05
JURY FINDS HIM GUILTY
William Patterson Convicted
Statutory Offense.

A verdict of guilty was returned by
the jury in Judge George Whitcomb's s
division of the district court Friday
afternoon in the case of William Pat
terson, rs, charged with a statutory
offense against Helen McVey, Is.
The jury came in about o'clock.
twenty-seven hours after they had re-
tired for deliberation. Judge Whit
comb deferred sentence temporarily
The. jury first retired at o'clock
Thursday afternoon. after listening to
the evidence for six days. By 5
o'clock that night they had failed to
reach a verdict and were allowed to
go home. They retired again at 9
o'clock Friday morning and at noon
sent a note to the court asking if the
penalty could be made more lenient
in the event Patterson was found
guilty. Judge Whitcomb instructed
them that the question of punishment
was entirely up to the court, and sent
them back to the jury room. The
verdict was brought in three hours
later.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-02-05
MAY CUT PARLEY
German Cabinet Discusses
Future Relations With Entente.
Bavarians Absolutely Reject
the ReparatiOns Demand.

Berlin, Feb 5.-The German cabinet
today began consideration of the ques-
ton of continuing to participate in
conferences with the allies.
The French ambassador formally
invited Germany to send delegates to
a conference with the allies in Lon
don, March 1.
Foreign Minister Simons reserved
his reply pending the ca binet's de-
cision.
German Delegate Bergman has re-
turned from Paris TO discuss with the
cabinet the situation growing out of
the allies demands for an indemnity
of fifty-five billion dollars.
German experts are now preparing
statistics bearing on the plea that Ger
many cannot afford to pay such a
heavy indemnity.
Munich, Feb. 5.-The Bavarian pre-
mier has left for Berlin to notify the
German government that Bavaria has
the allied reparations de-
mandS.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-02-05
Advances to Allies Discontinued
Until After March 4.
Houston Would Give New Ad-
ministratiOn Free Hand.
LOAN PAYMENTS DEFERRED
State Department Declares e.
5. Shouldn't Push Allies.
Great Britain Reused Over "No
Cancellation" Issue.

| w dSnlnSlon, FEB. o.-The United
States, thru the treasury department
+ has decided to discontinue further ad-
Vances to the allies on existing credits
| until a new decision on American loan
policy is reached by the Harding ad-
ministration, Senator Nelson, Mime
sofa, chairman of the judiciary COM
mittee, said today.
| Suspend All Negotiations.
/ Secretary Houston in a letter to
Senator Lodge, read in the senate to-
day. announced that the treasury de-
partment has suspended negotiations
with foreign governments on the sub
ject of American loans to the allies.
Houston said he wished to leave his
successor free to resume the negotia-
tions without being bound by any COM
mitments.
United States Is Not Bound.
DO official proposals binding the
United States or foreign governments
on the loan question had been made,
Houston said.
The United States should not press
the allied nations for payment for
principal and interest on their debts
to this country beyond the economic
ca pacity of those countries to pay, state
department officials said today
Great Britain Reused.
LOnQOn. r eD. D. H6 SpSeCh VI a.
Austen Chamberlain, chancellor of
exchequer. in Birmingham, in which
he revealed that the United States had
refused to consider a proposal for a
total or partial cancefiatfon of inter-
allied and associated debts, provoked
heated discussions thruout the coun-
try today
American business men here en-
phasized that Great Britain would
make great gains thru such move.
even tho it cancelled larger total dehls
than its own They pointed out that
the British got valuable commercial
and economic concessions thru many
of thse loans of American money 10
the other allies, which the British
would retain. At the same time. they
said that the United States would be
canceiIing good debt while Great
Britain would be cancelling some "she
couldn't collect anyway
British Pay Part.
The letter disclosed that an arrange
ment had been made with Great Bri-
tainsin August, 1920, whereby Britain
paid the United States S17,633.57 in
principal and accrued interest on a
part of her obligations amounting to
s122,O17,6 ,633.57.
Under the agreement, Houston said,
accrued interest on the rest of the
100000 becomes due in April and
May this year. Thereafter. the interest
is to be paid semi-annua1ly, and the
principal becomes due in equal an
nual installments in April and May of
the next four years.
Big Balances Due.
Both the state department and Brit
ish embassy, while practically admit
ting such a proposal had been made,
said they did not know the details.
The state department also an
nounced that ait had no reason to be-
lieve that the allies cannot pay their
debts to the United States" but coun-
selled moderation in pressing' for pay
mentS.
Senator Reed, Missouri said that
balances of more than s129.000,000
existed today on credits to the allies.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-02-05

Eggs declined five cents a dozen on
the local wholesale market today. A
decline of one and one-half cents a
pound in the price Of butter was re
corded Thursday. A glance over the
grocery prices in Topeka today con-
vinces one that for the most part items
lin the eatable line are almost back to
pre-war prices.
Big Decline From Last Year.
The table at the head of this
column, consisting of five standard
foodstuffs, shows a tremendous de-
cline from peak prices reached last
year, or Immediately after the close of
the war. A survey of the grocery ad-
vert.sements in The State Journal Fri
day night shows nearly all prices to be
back to the pre-war level and some
even lower. Ivan D:bble, of the Dibble
Grocery company, today estimated
that grocery prices had dropped fully
35 per cent from the prices a yea
ago.
Eggs and butter have been the
slowest of any foodstuffs to come
down The crash in the market on
these products is accompanied by a
decline in the price of milk and
potato market. This makes the de-
general
Potatoes at $1.10 Per BusheI
Some grocery stores today were
selling fine northern Red River pota-
toes for S1.10 a bushel and northern
white potatoes as low as so cents a
bushel. 1t was not long ago that To-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-02-05
RAIL LINES KICK
Protest Registered at Delay in
Wage Hearing.
Board Disposed to Give Union
Chiefs Time.

Chicago, Feb 5.-W. w. Atterbury
representing railroad managers, today
protested to the United States railroad
board against continuance of the case,
in which the railroads ask for abro-
cation of shop agreements and re-
quested a quick decision as an econ
onlic necessity.
The protest of Atterbury came fol-
lowing the proposal of B. NJ. Jewell,
head of the railroad department of
the American Federation of Labdr,
that the case be continued until Thurs
day.
Jewell claimed labor's representa-
tives needed more time to prepare
their answer to Atterbury.
Atterbury's protest was in the form
of a letter to E. T Whittier, which the
latter presented to the board.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-02-05
MEAT DROPS 40 PER CENT
Chicago Packers Predict Still Further
Decreases i'm Prices.

Chicago. Feb. 5--O1d General Drop
is still forcing his advantage in the
fight with General Hi Cost, in the
meat trade at least, officials OF
Armour & Co said to-day.
Continued declines this week were
due mainly to excessive cattle re-
ceipts and tightening of fhe retail
demand" it was announced.
considerably less strength and with
the approach of the lenteE season. re-
tailers arc cutting down the stocks.
According the American institute
of meat packers, meat which would
have cost 81 last October, can now
be purchased for so cents.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-02-05
Mine Gar Officially Calls Strike
at Pittsburg, Kan.
First Since Industrial Court
Law Went Into Effect.
DISPUTE OVER MANS WAGE
Company Refused to Take Bible
as Proof of Age.
Arrest of Kansas Union Chief
Is Now Expected.

Pittsburg, Kan. Feb. 5.-The first
strike of Kansas coal miners. called
officially by the district board of the
union since the passage of the indus
trial court law. is in effect today. Two
hundred coal miners were called out
yesterday by the district board, headed
by Alexander Howat, president OF the
Kansas miners union.
The miners idle today are employees
of the George X. N1ackie Fuel com
pany at Mine J. near Cherokee ana
Mine H. near Scammon. The strike
was called because of a dispute over
the wages of Karl Mismash.
Bible Enters Dispute.
The chief point in the controversy
is the wage of Mismash. Two years
ago a dispute as to the wages of Mis-
mash occurred. The joint board of
the operators and miners handled the
case and came to an agreement that
Mismash was to be given certain
wages when he became nineteen years
old.
The union now claims that Mismash
is 19. The contention is challenged
The Mismash family Bible is offered
as proof of the youths age. The
operators say that Mismash's birth is
recorded in the Bible in two places and
that the two records are in conflict.
Challenge to State.
Calling OF the strike is considered
in mining circles here as a challenge
by Howat to the state. Since the ia
nous injunc,ions suits of last summer,
which resulted in the sending of Howat
and several other union officials to
Jail for contempt of court there has
been no clash between Howat and the
state authorities.
Howat and fellow officers were sent
t1rN
Crawford county district when they
refused to obey his orders to appear
before the industrial court rs wit
nesses Howat appealed to the Kansas
supreme court and gave bond and was
released The Kansas supreme court
upheld Judge Curran and Howat now
has an appeal pending in the United
States supreme court.
Howat's Arrest Expected.
Immediate arrest of Alexander
Iowat and other union officials con-
nected with calling of a coal miners
strike in the Pittsburg region prob
ably will result Gov. H. J. Allen and
w. l.. Higgins, presiding judge of the
court of industrial relations, said to-
day when informed of the strike by
the Associated Press.
The only question to be directly de-
termined by the industrial court at
this time is whether or not the closed
mines shall be operated under a state
receiVership, as authorized by the in
dustrial court law. Prosecution un-
der the criminal provisions of the law
is in the hands of the attorney gem
eral and the criminal courts.
Up TO Judge Curran.
II Howat and the other officials
have violated the injunction of the
Crawford county district court against
calling of any strike. the first action
probably will be taken by Judge
Curran, it was said.
Judge Huggins declared that if the
strike has been deliberately called to
test the criminal provisions of the in
dustrial court law, it is an opportun-
ity which is welcomed by all friends
of the court.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-02-05
TODAY IN CONGRESS
In the Senate.

Naval affairs committee meets on
Borah naval holiday resolution.
judiciary committee continues con-
sideration of Reed bill to end foreign
loans.
Senate continues debate on emerg-
ency tariff bill
In the House.
Ways and means committee begins
hearings on revised tariff on paper and
books.
Judge Parker of reparations COM
mission continues testimony on army
liquidation work in France before wal
department expenditures sub-commit-
tee.
Rules committee considers what
legislation shall be given right of way
in house next week.
Consideration of army appropr!a-
ton bill continued.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-02-05
Bandit Too Bold
Is Kicked IL, Eye
Wanted Woman's Diamond Ring and
Extended Search to Her Stocking.

Chicago. Feb. 5.-Holdup men to-
day, after robbing Mrs. Arthur Zim-
mer and Mrs. Carol Anderson of
$500 in cash and jewelry. extended
their search to Mrs. Zimmer's stock
ings for a missing diamond ring val
ued at $4,000. During the search Mrs.
Zimmer kicked the bandit in the eye
and the robbers left.
"They have nothing in their kicks. y
one of them said.
The ring the robbers sought had
been dropped and kicked aside by Mrs.
thinner.
A man. escorting the two women,
was forced to stand with hands in the
air while gunmen searched Mrs.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-02-05
CONDEMNS WHITES MOVIE
Red Hot Debate in House Today Over
Moving Picture.

Members of the house public well
fare committee heard a red hot debate
Friday night on the Grinstead bill to
remove. the movie censorship board
to Topeka. In the course of the row
Mrs J. Stark of Bonner Springs, told
the committee that the movie of Will
liam Allen Whites Heart of FooP'
was '-the worst picture ever saw
Exhibitors, members of the state
movie board and many persons inter
ested in the censorship law appeared
before the committee. Removal of
the board to Topeka was strongly
urged 1t was declared that the
change would withdraw the board
from influences of the exhibitors and
that the presence of state officials in
Topeka would tend to cause more
care in selection of the films for this
state.
In the couse of a criticism of the
work of the state board. Mrs. Stark
bitterly condemned the picture of the
Emporia authors story. THE worst
picture 1 ever saw was in Kansas
City" she said. TT was written by
Kansas author and was called In
the Heart of Fool -
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-02-05
DOWN GOES BUTTER, TOO
Drop of Five Cents Per Pound Re
corded I'm Kansas City.

Kansas City. Feb. 5.-Butter and
eggs took a sharp descent here today
toward the level Of pre-war prices.
Most of the large dealers quoted a drop
lof cents a pound on creamery butter,
making the new price As cents a pound
in cartons. This was 16 cents below
the price prevailing a year ago. Deal
ers said supplies were large and de-
mand slow.
Egg prices fell cents a. dozen at
wholesale. Firsts were quoted at 80
cents, or Is cents lower than at this
time last year.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-02-05
FORD REFUSES BIG LOAN
Author of Tin Lizzie Declares He's
in No Need of Help.

Detroit, Feb. 5.-The Detroit Daily
Times today carried the following
story. under a New York date line:
The Ford Motor company is not in
need of financial assistance.
THAT was the answer of Henry
Ford to the proposal of a local bank
ing syndicate, headed by Blair & Co..
that it float a bond issue for $780,
100000 for the Ford company, it was
learned here today.
Five representatives of the New
York syndicate offered Ford eight
tentative schemes calling for bond
issue of 100000, 900. The issue was
to cost Ford per cent, plus l per cent
for the underwriting syndicate.
The negotiations were terminated
suddenly when Ford informed them
he could do without outside aid''