davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-17

oo.ra aaa or Try Cobb or E. w.
Howe. But we do not pretend thae w
equal or approach any or the ti.Iee-
We know very we'll were a second OF
third rater and do not claim 70 pc
anvthine else Nevertheless, the letter
to Lardner brought us three letters
from widely separated sections OF inc
country ridiculing US in scathlng terms
for the attempt to initiate him, Noun
ing could have been more ridiculous
than those letters. But the writers are
good sports at heart. They wanted 10
"show off" They exercised the IN
alienable license of the American cru
zen to pick at somebody
The trouble with a great majority
of the people is that they don't know
and can't find out. Their authorizes
seldom agree, and much or the !neSt
ligence in the news is cloudeo oy
cross-currents. AS writing man
we'd rather be able to tell the people
the truth than to be as funny as
Lardner or as clever as CobD CT HOW,
1t is a greater service to them- Anu
that's really all we try to do. we
are often wrong, but the purpose is
always the same. But we are in h,-
tie better position to know the truth
than most newspaper readers
have time to null over things anu 1i-
gest them. And we know all the
tricks of the newspaper game. Long
training in newspaper WORK mas tausnI
US what as propaganda, what IS punk
and bombast and what is probably Ine
truth. We can dissemble between the
| ''cover up" and the low down." And
that's all the advantage We have over
George. Another thing we nave
learned about the psychology OF the
crowd is that while people tnkS
the conversational and phraseologicaI
masseur and purr at his touch, they
are more likely to admire the man
who wallops them. We served our
| last previous pastorate more than sew
| enteen years, and We cuffed the con-
| rregation numerically. Some of it
was crudely done; doubtless much OF
| it was unwarranted. And while the
community, as a whole, seemed TO Hke
US and honored us in many ways We
| always had lot of people Tuning and
fussing and in high state of indigna-
| ton. 1t was freely charged that we
were a bad citizen and moral leper-
| Just before the end of that pastorate
we fell critically ill. The doctors IA
| bored over us and gave it up. The
| newspapers wrote obituary notices and
J glowing editorials and put them in
| type. The community literally filled
| the house with flowers. 1t sent nun
| dreds of letters and kilograms OF sym
pathy. The house telephone was in
adequate to the demands upon it and
the telephone company put in switch
| and cleared all inquiries thru central.
! The first floral tribute that came TO
the house was sent by man with
! whom we had been in violent dis
agreement for years and whom we
had lampooned numerically. The
kindest letter was written by man
who had been one of the most vehe-
| nent of our detractors.
The people are all right at heart.
They love to ''pick." but they don't
mean anything by it We don't care
particularly what they say of us so
long as we can square oursef WIN
ourself We don't mind being clawed
lit is the penalty one pays for saying
| what he likes. And saying what one
likes is worth whatever it costs.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-17
Ouestions-Answets

O. How many stars can be seen by the
naked eye "A. M Z.
A 1t has been estimated that the num-
Der of stars which can be seen by person
Of average eyesight~ is 1900. The number
visible thru the telescope has been estimat-
ed by ]. e. Cove at 70.000,o00 and by Pro
fessors Newcomb and Young at 100,0O0,000.
Q. Who was Cudraka Pr. o. X.
A. Cudraka--mOre commonly Sudraka-
was the reputed author of Mricchakatika,
(Clay Cart one of the Sanskrit dramas.
tho there is little doubt he was altogether
a myth and that the drama is the com
position of the poet Dandin.
shoes or is the leather going by that name
from COW s.:in?-F. c. X.
A. The Department of Agriculture says
there Is undoubtedly some genuine elk skin
time, but it is quite true that there is
skin commercially known as elk skin which
is made from the hide of a COW.
q. Is there an arrow in the sky &C. NJ.
A The Arrow is a small northern CON
stellation between Aquila and the bill of
the Swan.
O. What was the average number of
claves owened by southern families before
under one management was about $500. At
this time about 1000 families in the south
owned as many as 100 slaves each.
question by writing The Topeka State
Journal Information Bureau. Frederic ].
Hnskin, director, Washington, d. c. This
offer applies strictly to Information The
and financial matters. 1t does not attempr
to settle domestic troubles, nor to under
take exhaustive research on any subject.
" rite your question plainly and briefly
Give full name and address and enclose two
cents in stamps for return postage All
replies are sent direct to the induirer.l
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-17
LITTLE BENHY'S NOTE BOOK
BIZ LEE PAPE.

Me and pop was taking q wawk and
tawking, especially me, and we started
to go past a man with wooden leg
and a accordeen, and he was playing
the accordeen as if hadent had meny
lessins haw to play, me saying to pop,
Hay pop, if 1 gave that man a cent
would that be a act of charity?
Most certepy. sed pop.
Well gosh, G. pop, I ony got one
cent. cents all got, I sed.
That would make the act Of charity
all the greater, sed pop.
Well then 1 think will, 1 sed.
WITCH 1 did, and the man stopped
playing the accordeen and put the
cent in his pockit. saying. Thank you
kindly. and started to play the ae
cordeen agen, and me and pop kepp
on wawking, pop saying. Well, you've
done q CRATE act of charity, you have
given your intire fortune to the poor,
do you feel better or verse?
Verse, 1 sed. WITCH I did, on ac-
count of me not even having a cent,
and pop sed, Well jest to show you
that bred thrown upon the waiter
shall retern to you I will retern your
money 2 fold, in other words heers
cents iRsted of one.
Wich he gave them to me. me
thinking, G, herray. And we kepp on
wawking till we started to go back.
and wen we started to go past the
one legged man with the accordeen
agen 1 had a good ideer now TO get
cents insted of 2, saying. Hay pop.
think III give him my intire fortune
agen.
WITCH I did, giving him the cents.
and he took it. saying Thank you
kindly. as IL that was the ony anser
he knew, and me and pop kepp on
wawking without pop saying enything
about giving me cents insted of the
to prove about the bred coming
! back. and after a vile I sed, I gave
my intire fortune agen, pop. and feel
verse agen-
The lord loveth a cheerful giver,
Expect. your reward in fevvin, sed pop.
Me fhinkink, Aw heck.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-17
WHO GETS THE MONEY!

The farmers complain that the bulk
of the money they receive for what
they have to sell goes to pay transpor-
tation costs. The railroads complain
that about all the money they take in
goes out to pay operating expenses.
chiefly in the form of wages. The
railroad employees >allege that their
wages are eaten up by high living
costs. Who. then, finally gets all this
money that is being drained from the
pockets of the producers?
Is it possible that dealers in food
and clothing and the landlords are
storing up all the money? If they are
not what are they doing with their
share?
Here is presented a chain of high
prices which nobody seems willing to
break. The producer can't do it;
neither the railroads nor their en-
ployes are willing to take the initia-
tive.
Responsibility for existing condi-
lions rests on the United States con-
gress. 1t laid the foundation for the
difficulties confronting business today.
when it passed the Adamson law.
Having got the country into the pres
ent mess. congress should get 1t out.
It should reduce both transportation
charges and wages and give the pro-
Queer a show.
1t Is reported that the administra-
ton has started a movement looking
to a cut in the charges for carrying
coal and wheat. Once this initial at
tack is successful. the campaign will
be carried to other commodities, it is
said.
But this is too slow a process. If
the railroad can afford to carry one or
two commodities more cheaply they
can afford to carry all more cheaply
and IL they can reduce operating ex-
penses their problem will have been
| solved.
The business is in the country wait
| ing to be done. An immense amount
of grain and other farm products is
awaiting transportation to market
The railroads have miles of idle cars
awaiting the call to service. The time
for varying interests to get together is
here.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-17
OUR WANING EXPORTS.

Another decline in United States ex-
ports is recorded for April as COM
pared with March, tho it is a COM
paratively small decrease in actual
amount The decrease as compared
with April of last year, however, is
serious one, being more than $780,
100000.
The Buffalo News sees in these
steadily declining export figures the
real reason for our shutdown or
slowed down factories. our 100000
unemployed and our business depres-
sion. They represent the dammed-up
flow of commerce, it says, which is
causing slack water in all branches Of
our economic life.
Most Americans who live inland and
see nothing of the country's ocean
going shipping have little comprehen-
sion of what our foreign trade means
TO the nation. 1t is generally regarded
as some sort of a fringe on our bust
ness garment, desirable and attractive
but unimportant-at least, that is the
way it seemingly has been regarded.
up to recent months.
But gradually the country is waking
up to the real facts regarding exports.
People are learning that they form the
outlet which keeps our Industrial cur
rent from stagnation. Even the farm
ers of the Middle West begin to real
ize that their market is not bounded
by Chicago and Minneapolis on the
north and by New York. Baltimore
and New Orleans on the east and
south.
The United States is no longer self
sufficient. 1t cannot live alone. We
have built up our industries and have
spread out our titled acres until we
produce much more than we can con-
sume-and yet the well-being of very
many in our population depends on
our keeping busy with our producing
THE outlet for our surplus prod
ucts. agricultural and manufactured
continues the News, 'is overseas. Eu-
rope, Asia. Africa and Oceania mus
continue to draw off our excess pro
duction or we will be smothered in
our own output. 1t is time Ameri'
cans of all classes awoke from theiI
Indifference regarding world relations
and sloughed off ter ideas of eco
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-17

Iiminary words she threw herself into
his arms.
Presently she withdrew from his en-
brace and stammered an explanation.
''I was just wishing you were here"
she said in concluding.
"Good!" he calculated. "At last you
feel the need OF a man. There is no
time like the present. Will you marry
me?"
She hesitated. CHANGING aloft she
saw the pale moon looking down, not
quite so coldly now. In the distance
high peaks doomed, not so foreboding-
ly now. The restless motor was keep
ing the silence broken. Solitude was
shattered by the four motorists. But
still there was that strange grip of the
outdoors, of wide distances. and in her
breast her heart was pounding, but not
now with fear.
Yes" she whispered; whenever
you say"
Very well.'' said Walter. Tets
make it right now
You foolish boy" she laughed.
Don't you know we need a minister
and license-and I've always wanted
a church wedding"
That's easy" he returned There's
a minister in my party, and I've
brought a license with me from the
East; and what's that ruined building
over there? 1t looks as if it might
have been church once"
You win, Walter" she admitted
TITS a church all right. No one can
say youeare not thoro now"
Copyright. 1921, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-17
INFORMATION FOR ALL READERS OF
THE TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL.

Each reader Of The State Journal is Of
fered the unlimited use OF the largest III
formation bureau IN the world -
This Service Bureau Is located IN tne
national capital, where it is In immedlate
touch with all the great resources OF the
United States government z....
It can answer practically any question
you want to ask, Dut-lt can give
or make exhaustive research. -.
The war forced so many changes IN the
daily life of the American people thaG tne
service of this information bureau VIII DC
Invaluable to all who use 1t. -.
Keep in touch with your government az !
ali times 1t can help you in thousand
WAYS If your wants are only made known:
The State journal pays for this splendld
service in order that every one OF us reau-
ers may take advantage OF 1t. You are
welcome 10 use it as often as you ike.
Write your request briefly, sign your
name and address plainly, enclose 2-cent
stamp for return postage and ADDRESS, tne
TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL INFORMA-
Frederic j. Haskin, Director, Washing
ton, ID. &.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-17

Appearing as a witness before the
senate committee which is investigat-
ing railroad affairs, Mr.. julius krutt-
schnitt, head of the Southern Pacific
system, declares that in his opinion
the present freight rates are not an
over-charge and that, under present
conditions, the roads cannot afford to
indulge in the experiment of lower
rates to see if they will produce more
business and larger revenues. The
slump in business he regards as due
to other causes. but he holds that as
this has cut the earnings of the roads
the latter should be given relief by be-
ing permitted to readjust wages on n
basis paid for similar work in outside
industries. He wants the operating
expenses of the roads reduced, in
other words, by cutting the pay or
employees, but would continue the
present high rates for transportation
service, at least until business i'm
proves. But there is abundant evil
dence that business will not improve
until the rates come down. The chair
man of the Southern Pacific board
appears to be butting his head against
a stone wall. What he is actually
trying to do is force down wages and
lie is using the demoralized business
conditions as a hammer
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-17
JUST FOLKS
TIRED.
BY EDGAR A. GUEST.

TIRED.
Tiredest feelin' that know
Is tired Of bein' on the go.
Work can play me out. but then
Morning finds me glad again
To go back to toll and face
All the cares which fill my place,
But the wanderin' about
Somehow seems to wear me out.
WEAKNESS is what he knows
Who has tired of picture shows,
Tired of all the pleasures which
Ought to make lifetime rich;
Tired of eatin' food at night,
Tired of dazZlin' lights an bright,
Tired of bein' asked to roam,
Wishin' he could stay at home.
Pleasure seekin' wearies more
Than the goals we struggle for;
None becomes so tired as he
Who forever wants to be
Out where all is bright an gay,
Spendin' all his hours in play;
JOY is only good for men
When they find 1t now and then.
Works a better friend than play,
Tires US in a different way;
Sleep remains q soothing balm
For the weary back and arm.
But it's difficult to find
Comfort for the tired mind
An its true beyond all doubt, T.
Pleasure seekin' wears you out
Copyright, 1921, by Edgar A. Guest)
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-17

nomic and political isolation. We must
get out, make friends with other lands
and sell them goods"
In view of all this does the News
or anybody else believe that our for
eign trade will be helped by the pass
age of the pending emergency tariff
hfIl7
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-17
EARLY ACTION NEEDED.

It is reported that the Railroad La
Dor board will not announce its de-
cision in the wage controversy before
June Is. This means a delay OF a
month and a continuation of existing
transportation rates. with consequent
stagnation of business for that length
of time. The roads are firm in their
stand that they will not reduce rates
until wages come down and there is
no direct promise that they will do so
then.
In his first message to congress
President Harding said that railroad
rates and cost of operation must be
reduced in order that business might
move more freely, for he recognizes
that the industrial depression is ow-
ing in large part to excessive freight
charges.
When the interstate commerce
commission gave permission for gen.
eral increase in rates. it was thought
that the railroad situation would be
relieved by the increased revenue that
would flow into their treasures. But
the effect has been just the opposite
of what was expected. The roads find
themselves in worse condition than
when government control was re-
moved and the lines were returned to
the responsibility of their owners
Traffic has fallen off, and deficits
have steadily mounted.
So it is found that of IT roads re-
porting for the month of March five
failed to make the cost of operation
and the months share of taxes. De-
spite favorable conditions for railroad
ing, these five roads ran about a mil
lion and a half dollars behind on the
months business. The remaining
companies reported incomes which
were inadequate. Practically they
worked for nothing.
while the roads continue to de-
YOUR the country with huge freight
rates, they themselves starve," says
the Baltimore News. THE deterrent
of high transportation has caused a
and hundreds of thousands of rail-
road workers lately employed do not
know where or when to look for their
next pay envelope"
Producers simply cannot pay the
railroad charges. Farmers have sut-
fered with factory owners. The de-
mand for materials is urgent, but the
movement of them is checked by the
present rates. Farm prices have
shrunk. but consumers have had lit
tie benefit of the break, because the
cost of getting food to the table is ex-
tortionately high. The news columns
told the other day of great quantities
of fresh vegetables dumped into a
river in California, because It did not
pay to ship them. It is even reported
that cotton has been plowed under in
southern fields for the same reason.
1.-THE movement of hay and corn from
Nebraska and other western districts
is blocked in many cases by the high
cost of getting them to market" says
the Omaha Bee.
The problem is in the hands of the
interstate commerce commission and
If ever there was a time when expedi-
ton in review was demanded it is
now. Unless a decision be reached
soon and that decision prove sound in
practice, the railroads will be in fair
way toward bankruptcy and the gen.
eral business situation will be more
than ever depressed.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-17

Edison's list of test questions re-
Gently made public is beginning to
react and somebody has asked the
inventor: who struck Billy Patter-
SOM" To this might be added: How
old is Ann?"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-17

seers were spending s175.0Oo,ooO in
Europe every year The loss OF this
has made a large hole in the pockets
of tradespeople and guides, who de-
pended on the tourists, for their living.
Now, they expect a return of the old
reckless spending. And they will pro-
badly not hope in vain. The tourists
are coming.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-17

During the first four months of the
present year, more than 5000 persons
returned to Russia from the United
States. Some person always are on
a hunt of trouble.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-17
ME,TRER OF THE ASSOCIATE PRESS.

The Associated Press is exclusively en-
titled to the use for publication OF all news
dispatches credited to it If not otherwise
credited in this paper and also the local
news published herein.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-17

The people are all right at heart.
They love to "pick." but they don't
mean anything by it. We don't care
particularly what they say of us so
long as we can square ourself with
ourself. We don't mind being clawed
it is the penalty one pays for saying
what he likes. And saying what one
likes is worth whatever it costs.
The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1921-11-25
SMALL GIRL GOT HER WISH
Little Ono Took Good Deal for
Granted, but as II Turned Out,
She Was Justified.

My new young man took me to call
on his sister, who was married.
wanted to make good impression, SO
dressed In my best dress and was on
my best behavior.
Two brothers dropped in. and over.
heard them say they wanted to give
Fred's girl the once over"
A four-year-old niece administered
the finishing touch when she asked. In
voice that could be heard In the
kitchen, when you and Uncle Fred
get married. may be your flower
girl?"
The brother grinned, brother-in-law
in the kitchen howled. while turned
a most unbecoming red.
The youngster thought she'd waited
long enough for an answer. SO she
said. MAY II"
I managed to say yes, and two Year,
later we were. and she was.-Chicago
Tribune.
The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1921-11-25
DADDY W0EFUL BACK NUMBER
How 10 II Possible for Young America
to Look Up to Father
Like ThIs7

Dad was forty-five. well dressed,
evidently all business. Son was IF
teen or sixteen. Both were standing
up on an East Tenth street car.
"Son, this fellow Ruths-Babe
Ruths you call him-is he the mascot
for the team?"
mo, dad" replied the lad with an
embarrassed grim. hes heavy hitter
for the Yankees. What made you
think he was a mascot?
"Why. Babe. you know. Babe,
thought he was little fellow. And
what is 1t you say, 'Yank'7"
mo. dad, Yanks. Yanks." Then, af-
ter a moment. disgusted: "Say, dad,
didn't you ever hear of John Nc
McGrawT
"McGraws, McGraws. No. 1 can't
remember that name"
The lad was visibly perturbed, and
getting closer to dad, he whispered: !:
Say, dad, when we get home I'll
slip It to you who some Of these birds
are so you will know next time."-In-
dianapolis News.
The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1921-11-25
Choice Of Evils.

For a long time a beggar occupied
a position In the street with blind"
placard on his breast. One day the
benevolent Mrs. Holmstierna finds him
with the word dumb on his money
box. She looks at him In surprise
and says:
"How Is this7 Have you recovered
from your blindness2"
mot exactly, but / got too many
trouser buttons."-Kansas City Star.
The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1921-11-25
Fed At Last.

He was the most down-and-out look.
ing specimen of tramp who had ap-
piled at the back door Of this par
ticular farmhouse for many a year.
The housewife viewed him with dis.
gust.
my goodnessl she exclaimed. II
don't believe you've washed yourself
for a year."
'Just about that" agreed the hobo.
you see. only washes before 1 eats"
The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1921-11-25
cIoomhounds.

Tell me not in mournful numbers
Anything you have to say.
If you deal in blues and umbers,
Getl Avaunti Be on your way !
Life is drear. All, well knew It,
And don't wish to know 1t more,
Told by some dod-gasted poet.
Dull and turgid pest and bore.
-Tennyson ]. Daft. In Kansas City
Star.