davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1921-04-24

At least one change for the bet
ter has been made in the course of
the Bannockburn Golf Club. a bunker
has been built at the back of the first
green The bunker is catching many
balls that would only have found a
fringe of rough grass before.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-21
FOUR ARE KILLED
Two More Bodies Found in
Armour Elevator Ruins.
Illinois Officials Start Probe of
Explosion.

Chicago, March 21.-The death list
in the explosion of the Armour & Com
pany grain elevator in South Chicago
reached four today when two uniden-
titled bodies were removed from the
debris.
Two bodies were found yesterday.
Two other men are believed to be .un-
der tons of concrete and twisted steel.
The state today began a thoro in
vestigation into the explosion of the
Armour &. Company grain elevator in
South Chicago, which cost the lives
of four persons and possibly two
others.
Four bodies had been found and Of
ficials of the company believed two
were buried under the debris. Search
for additional casualties will be halt
ed until the wreckage is cleared away.
The blast, caused by spontaneous
combustion, shattered windows within
a radius of fifty miles.
The front part of the huge struc-
ture was a mass of twisted steel. Loss
to grain, building and freight cars.
laden with grain, was estimated at
nearly S2.00o.000.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-21
ALL ARE FREED
Sixteen Accused of Labor War
Killings Acquitted.
Discharged Then Remanded to
Jail on New Charges

Williamson. March 21.-The sixteen
defendants tried in connection with the
death of Albert C. F'elts, who was
killed during the Matewan gunfight
last May 49,. were today found not
guilty by jury in the Mingo county
circuit court. The defendants were
formally discharged by Judge r. D.
Bailey. presiding, but were remanded
! to Jail pending bond arrangements on
six other indictments charging the
men with having been implicated in
the death of six other private detec-
tives killed with Felts.
The trial consumed 46 days. News
of the acquittal was shouted to a large
group of miners standing at window
outside the court room and the an
nouncement was received with enthu-
siasm.
Wives and relatives of the Matewan-
ians stood on the porch of the county
jail and received their kin with open
arms. Williamson received the ver-
dict quietly and there were no demon
strations aside from an outburst of
cheers from the miners who had stood
vigil since early morning.
The trial grew out of the shooting
of seven detectives of the Baldwin,
Felts agency who had been assigned
to the district during the mine strike
troubles.
The hearing lasted over a month
with detailed testimony regarding the
labor situation at the time and de-
scriptions of the revolver battle in
which the detectives were slain.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-21
FRUIT CROP NOT INJURED
Freezing Temperatures Tonight Might
Damage Kansas Crop.

Nodding, shiverihg fruit blossoms
smiled again this norning-"never
touched u.s." they said, altho the tenn
perature went to freezing Sunday
night. But the fruit trees are still in
grave danger.
The possibility of freeze tonight is
also the possibility of a loss of the
fruit crop. The peaches and the pears,
which are the most susceptible to
frost in their present condition, will
stand only 1 or degrees below freez-
ing The apples will stand several
degrees.
ut may have been just twenty
four hour respite" said o. F. Whitney,
secretary of the state horticultural
society this morning. I'm hoping for
a rain or something which will stave
off the frost tonight. We are saved
for today, but are seriously menaced
if the temperature starts down again.
There is a temperature OF 70 de-
grees scheduled for tonight, SAID
Meteorologist Flora. That will Kill
all fruit which is in full bloom. So
you might as well say goodbye to all
these peaches. plums and apricots.
The apples, which are not yet in full
bloom, are safe for the present
The freeze was not general over the
entire state. Flora said this morning.
In the southern and southwestern por-
tion of the state there was no freeze at
1iI
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-21
NOTHING TO TRADE
Hoover Declares BOlshevism
Real Issue With Russia.
Until Soviet Begins to Produce
Treaties Valueless.
EVEN RED GOLD TAINTED
Hoard in Moscow Is ClOuded
as to TitIe.s
But After 1t Is Spent There'Il
Be No More.
EVEN RED GOLD TAINTED

Washington, March 21-Resump-
ton of trade with Russia is impossi-
Bile until Bolshevism is abandoned or
overthrown. Secretary of Commerce
Hoover stated today. The return. of
economic stability in Europe depends
on the reputation of Bolshevism by
Russia, he added.
Hoover made his statement in con-
ference with newspaper men. 1t was
considered as significant since he will
probably play a large part in determ-
lining the administrations Russian
trade policy. Since the British re-
sumed trade. demands that the United
States do likewise have increased.
More Politics Than Economics.
This question of trade with Russia
is far more a political question than an
economic one. 50 long as Russia is in
control of the Bolsheviks," Hoover
said. Under their economic system.
no matter how much they moderate in
name, there can be no real return to
production in Russia, and therefore
Russia will have no considerable COM
modities to export and consequently no
great ability to obtain Imports
Hoover estimated that the BoIshevik
government possesses gold. platinum
and jewelry worth anywhere from
6.000.0 900 to S200,00O,O00.
After this has been expended, there
can be little expectations of continued
trade" said Hoover, because the Rus
slams have nothing else to trade with. -
Have Nothing to Trade.
There has been but little trade for
this gold,'' added Hoover, because its
title has been called into question. 1t
is apparently the intention under the
British trade agreement to allow this
matter to be threshed out, so far as
England is concerned, in the British
court"
Hoover expressed the opinion that
if any one European nation accepts the
gold, no doubt all of them will"
Europe cannot recover its economic
stability until Russia returns to pro-
duction. Trading for this parcel of
gold would not affect this remedy, nor
would the goods obtained by the Boil
sheFists in return for it, restore their
production" Hoover said That re-
quires the abandonment of their pres
ent economic system"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-21
Chairman Cummins Offers Solu-
tion of r.. II. Problem.
Would Have Service Agency
Furnish Equipment.

Washington, March PA plan de-
signed to effect a saving of millions
annually to the railroads by coordina-
ton of their facilities and service thru
operation of a railway service agency
to be created by act of congress was
presented to Chairman Cummins of
the senate interstate commerce COM
mittee today by the national ASSOC
citation of owners of railroad securities
of which S. Davi. Warfield is presi-
dent.
Declaring that only intensive eco-
nomical methods in railroad adminis-
tration could prevent ultimate govern
ment operation and even ownership.
Mr.. Warfield said the proposed plan
not only would ensure enormous saw
ings with increased facilities and serv-
ice. but would lower railroad fares and
rates. fs5-. -.--- $3.50
The service agency would purchase
cars and other eauipmentto be leased
to the roads without profit. Thus, the
public Mr. Warfie1d said. would de-
rive "a more immediate and substan-
tial benefit than could be obtained
thru the physical consolidation of the
railroad properties under provisions OF
the transportation act, which the plan
is-intended to supplement.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-21

Warsaw. Ind. March 21.-A special
grand jury today started investigating
the murder of Leroy Lovett, s19. Vir-
gil Decker, Lovett's 1S-year-old pal
who has confessed to the crime. said
the devil told me to do it,
After an hour of questioning by
Sheriff Moons wife to whom he made
his first confession. Virgil added a new
angle to the mystery by saying:
There was reason for my killing
Leroy; and there is a reason for my
not telling that reason 1t will all
come out at the trial. You remember
what 1 am telling you. When the trial
comes, the whole story wall be told
right away and the guilty party will be
shown"
This strengthened belief of officials
that some one of stronger mind had
directed the killing in an effort to col
lect $4,000 life insurance which Vir-
gil carried.
Hunt for Master Mind"
Virgil Decker. the 1s-year-old
farmer boy, the leading figure in the
murder March IL of lie Roy Lovett al
Atwood. Ind. in jail, officials of Mar
shall and Kosciusko counties are
searching for an other man, declared
to be the master mind in fraud
plot unequalIed in the annals of the
state. y
Decker, arrested in Marion, Ind.
has been brought here. He has named
a third man in the affair-a mysteri-
Gus Guy" whose last name, he says
does not know. Guy accompanied
the party to the shack, Decker de-
clares. and Lovett and Guy" were
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-21
Sine Die Adjournment Came
This Afternoon.
Both Houses Delayed Nearly
Two Hours.
GOVERNOR CONSIDERS VETO
Kansas City Bridge Bill Is
Y Finally Signed.
No Action Is Taken Regarding
Crawford Appointment.

The 1921 session of the legislature
is ended. Sine die adjournment came
in the two houses at 1925 o'clock
this afternoon when the governor sent
his last message to the law makers
Adjournment was delayed nearly two
hours while the governor considered
duct bill. The act was signed and
messaged to the legislature Just be-
fore adjournment.
Delay In Adjournment
Delays in signing bills held up sine
for Saturday afternoon. This morning
the few remaining senators met at 10
O'Clock and house members in Topeka
gathered at IL o'clock for final ses-
sion: News that the governor was not
ready to make his final report held
up the business of formally ending the
session.
At noon Senator Hugh T. Fisher OF
Shawnee county headed a delegation
(which visited the governors office and
gave notice that the legislature was
| ready Tor the concluding chapter of
the winters activity. few minutes
later Judge c. w. Smith. executive
clerk to the governor, visited the house
and senate with a message regarding
bills signed. AS soon as this message
changed notices that they concluded
their business and formal motions for
| final adjournment were presented.
In Balance Several Hours.
The last bill signed by the governor
hung in the balance several hours
1t enables Kansas City, Kan, COM
missioners to vote $1,000,000 worth of
bonds without referendum. The
money may be used in a bridge or
viaduct project. Construction of the
Seventh street viaduct and Twelfth
street bridge are contemplated under
| the new law.
Because of the tax burden which
| might be imposed because of the act.
protests were sent to Governor Allen
from Wyandotte. county citizens. A
veto was saved, no doubt. because of
| a signed statement which David Buck
| lin. chairman of the county board, and
several prominent citizens signed and
| presented to the governor. The state-
ment is to the effect that bonds will
1 be issued for but one project in the
next year. The bill was then signed.
Following adjournment Governor
| Allen said he would take no steps
regarding the John II. Crawford ap-
pointment until Tuesday. An opinion
regarding Crawford's qualifications be-
cause of refusal of the senate to con-
firm him for the Industrial court POSI-
/, ton, has not come from the attorney
generals office. The governor will
await this opinion before announcing
his policy. If Crawford's eligibility is
established. it is regarded as PRACTICAL
ly certain that the retiring state labor
commissioner will receive the ap-
| int INF
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-21
Train Used To Coper Up Crime
In Indiana 5 Murder Mystery
Indiana Authorize. Now Hold Confessed Slayer and Are
Hunting for the @Master Mind"

alone there. Decker asserts that on
the day of the staying he drove from
the Decker farm in a buggy, and spent
tho greater part of the afternoon here.
Witnesses. however. saw him at the
river bank shack as late as O'Clock
in the afternoon.
Youths Brother Seized.
Decker's brother Arthur, Is years
old, was being held by the Kosciusko
county authorities this afternoon. No
charge was placed against him. The
two brothers are the only members of
the Decker family who have been IN
der arrest in connection with the
killing.
Actual details of the crime and its
motive are still shrouded in mystery.
5Circumstantial evidence points to Vir-
gil Decker as the slayer. The same
evidence points to an attempt to de-
fraud four insurance companies as the
motive The body of Lovett was
identified as that of Decker by four
of Decker's relatives immediately after
its discovery. If that identification
had been allowed to stand and the
body had been buried, Fred Decker,
brother of Virgil, would have benefited
by nearly s3p.9O0 from accident insur-
ance carried by Virgil, it is main
tained.
Virgil Decker is being grilled con-
tinuously. Officials present at the in
QUESTION declare that he had been
caught in misstatements several times.
The remaining members of the
Decker family are at the farm of Fred
Decker near Atwood.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-21
UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETS
Arrangements Made for Immediate
Assignment of Cases.

Assignments, of work were made to-
day by members of the new public
utilities commission. 1t was the first
formal meeting of the new commits
sion and arrangements were made for
immediate assignment of cases. The
industrial court will not organize un-
til hate this week.
Primary and secondary assignm ents
were made for each of the commits
sioners. Primary assignments of
cases include: Reed: Railroads
street car and electric light cases.
jackson: Water, electric, gas and
stockyards. Greenleaf: Telephones.
Secondary assignments: Reed: gas,
electricity, telephone; Jackson: rail-
roads, street car and electric lines
Greenleaf: stockyards and water.
Carl Moore, secretary of the indus
trial court and former public utili-
ties commission. arranged to vacate
today. CA. Delhinger. who has been
assistant clerk under Moore, has been
appointed by the new commission as
his successor. Whether Moore is to
receive a position with the new indus
trial court has not been determined.
Judge Higgins is out of the city and
the court will not organize until late
this week. Moore, who was ousted
under administration direction and
approval. was one of the earliest and
strongest Allen supporters in the state
house. He landed on the wrong side
tho. when he showed a leaning toward
Judges Higgins and Wark rather than
toward Judge Reed.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-21
TO SAVE MILLIONS HITS DRY LAWS
Second Attempt to Inyalidate
Amendment Started.
To Argue New Phase in the
Supreme Court.

Washington. March 21.-A provision
of the prohibition amendment orig
inaliy proposed by President Harding
while a senator, makes it invalid, 1t
was claimed in second big attack
on the constitutionality of the dry law,
in briefs filed with the supreme court
today.
The new attack on the validity of
the hesamendment will be argued in the
court either late tomorrow or Wednes-
day.
The Seven Year Clause.
The section of the constitutional
anesdment which 1t is claimed in
validates the ratifications by the
states. provided that the amendment
would not be operative unless ratified
by three-fourths of the states within
seven years after being submitted to
them.
The claim is that congress had no
power to place such a time limitation
on the ratiffcations by the states. The
brief for the wet Interests asserts tina t
the supreme court in upholding the
amendment and the Volstead act last
June. did not pass on this phase of
its validity.
Harding Proposed 1t.
President Harding while in the SEN
ate, proposed the time limitation on
the ratification, saying his approval OF
the resolution submitting the amend
ment to the states depended on such
provision being added. He originally
proposed three years, but later it was
increa sed to seven
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-21
u. S.. MORE DENSE
Are Now e5.5 Persons to the
Square Mile.
Kansas Figures Show 21.6 to
Same Area.

Washington, March 21.-The dens-
ity of population in the United States
was 35.5 persons for each square mile,
the census bureau today announced.
This is an increase from 800 in 1910,
25 in 1900 and 212 in 1890
Rhode Island has the greatest nuns
ber of people per square mile, while
Nevada the fewest The density of
Rhode Island is 1854, while in Ne
vada it is only z. In five states,
Rhode Island, Massa chusetts, New
Jersey, New York and Connecticut,
the number of people per square mile
exceeded 200.
The density of population of the
various states include: Arkansas,
334: Illinois, 1851: Kansas, 21.6;
Iowa. 432; Missouri, 49.5: New
Mexico, 2.9: Oklahoma, 29.2, and
Texas. IL
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-21
BOXING BILL IS PASSED
Governor Ailen Attaches His sigma
ture to Hasty Measure.

Governor Allen has signed the Hasty
boxing bill. In spite of state house
rumors that the bill would be vetoed,
the governor attached his signature to
the new law late Saturday.
The governor, however, vetoed a
$4,000 item in the Hutchinson state
fair bill which provided for a new
clay products building. In addition
to the $50, 900 slash, the governor also
removed a $6e,000 item which seemed
to have slipped into the bill in con-
ference.
Final adjournment of the legislature
did not come until today. When the
house and senate met Saturday, after
noon to receive messages from the
governor it was stated that num-
Der of bills were unsigned The two
houses then adopted a new resolution
extending time for sine die adjourn
ment until 10 o'clock this morning.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-21
WAGE CASE is SETTLED
Basic Eight Hour Day Is Fixed by
Court Order

The retiring court of industrial rela-
tions today handed down a temporary
order in the wage case of the Charles
Wolff Packing company in Topeka.
The order fixes a basic eight-hour day
with time and quarter for the ninth
hour and time and a half for addf-
tional services.
The decree which came from the
court today will be in force and ef-
feet pending a final decision. This
order may be ready in thirty days,
the court indicated. The temporary
judgment went into the character of
work performed by persons affected
by the order. In view of the nature
of the work and dispute as to division
of individual and persona time, the
court made a compromise decision to
care for the present situation
Under the order time and quarter
is allowed for the ninth hour with
time and a half for the ten and sue
ceeding hours of employment in the
Topeka plant. The order affects all
employees engaged in service from the
time animals reach the shackling pens
until meat is in storage.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-21

Governor Allen will introduce Miss
Booth. In the party to accompany
Miss Booth to Topeka will be leading g
Salvation Army officers from New
York. Chicago and Kansas City.
Among them will be Commissioner
william Piert of Chicago. who is in
command of the Salvation Army for
the central states.
Miss Booth will come to Topeka
from St Louis. and from this city will
go to Wichita to make an address.
Miss Booth is the daughter of the late
Gen. william Booth. She is well
known in all parts of the country, not
only as the capable leader of the great
Organization. but as a public speaker
of much ability
A number of pastors Of the city,
public officials, won1en's club leaders.
business men. welfare workers, and
other prominent citizens have been
invited to occupy places on the stage
at the meeting to be addressed by Miss
R0ofh
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-21
DROP IN PRICE OF EGGS
Now Retail at From II 10 rs Cents
Hens Are Busy.

The price of eggs to the farmer Who
hauls them to town and to the house.
wife who buys them at the corner
grocery, broke" today from the prices
which have been paid during the past
week.
The price to the farmer was sixteen
cents today two cents less than on
Saturday. Eggs are retailing at from
Fl to 25 cents. TT seems that there
is no regularity in the price which the
retailers are charging for them today"
one retailer said.
The wholesale price paid by the re-
tailers for eggs Saturday was twenty
cents. Today it is eighteen cents
Most of the retailers. it is claimed, are
loaded up with eggs for which they
paid from % to 80 cents last week.
The egg storage capacity of the
country generally is crowded to the
limit. which is one explanation of the
drop in the prices. The chief factor
in the drop. however. is the activity
of the little red hen down on the
farm. The open season has resulted
in a vastly increased production of
eggs.
The drop has been general Esgs
went off" from three to four cents
today in New York and two cents in
Chicago.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-21
TO BEAUTIFY STATE GROUNDS
New Sprinkler System VIII Be In
stalled Next Fall

The new sprinkler system provid-
ed for the state house grounds by viz
tue of an appropriation by the state
legislature. will be installed next fall.
No effort will be made to lay the pipes
and mains this season, because of ne
cessity of tearing up the lawns As
soon as the sprinkler system is pro-
vided a real lawn may be expected
Outlets to pipes will be fifty feet apart
and will insure thoro watering of the
grounds.
Ceilings over north and south drives
are to be repaired this summer under
plans prepared by the state architect
The heavy stones are to be set in con-
crete and the ceilin~s resurfaced-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-21
SWEET SPRING SHIVERS
Last Day of Winter Was Sultry, Bat
the VernaI Equinox Is Wintry,
Says Telegraph Wires.

Washington, March 21.-Spring
came to bat in nidseason form here
today. The weather man promised
temperature around 80. The Kiosk
registered IS yesterday.
St. Louis, March 2l.-Spring made
her debut today with a clustering wind
and driving rain. Winter exited yes
terday under a clear sky with sum
mer warmth in tn air.
Chicago, March 21.-Lady Spring
had evidently got her dates mixed to-
day when she howled into chica go
bringing the chilliest weather in sew
eral weeks. Yesterday. the last day of
winter, was sultry.
Denver, March 21.-Mild tempera-
ture and sunny skies today marked
the first day of spring. Springlike
weather has prevailed here for three
weeks.
Des Moines March 21.-Citizens of
Des Moines admit that today is the
first day of spring. according to the
calendar, but otherwise not Today
the mercury slid thirty degrees in
eight hours and a bitter wind whooped
out of the north.
Atlanta, March 21.-As the delin-
quent calendar announced today that
spring was here, Georgians scoffed.
The thermometer lowering around rs
degrees, the peach bloom and the
robin announced the very same thing
more than a month ago.
Indianapolis, March 21.-Charles
B. Reignons of Chicago waved to a
crowd at Ravenswood beach and told
them Come on in; the waters fine
Reignons's dip started a rush in ting
bathing houses altho the rain wAs
falling.
|, Milwaukee, March 21.-Summez Ell
weather prevailed here Sunday, the
thermometer reaching IS at 4
o'clock. But last night, the thermom-
eter started to drop, accompanied by
a cool lake wind. At O'Clock this
morning, it stood at SO.
st. Paul. Mimi. March 21.-Buds
and grass shriveled today when a cold
north wind sent the thermometer be-
low freezing