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EVERYBODY 10 PAGES J NEEDS IT LAS1 EDITION. TUESDAY EVENING. TOPEKA, KANSAS- APRIL 1. 1913- TUESDAY EVENING. On sale by newsboys at TWO CENT On trains and newsstands FIVE CENT! EVERYBODY 10 PAGES READ IT i LOOK FOR RECORD! City Election Vote at Noon Today Largest Known. Ideal Weather May Bring Out 16,000 Ballots. WOMEN TO POLLS IN FORCE Telephone Campaign Aroused Their Interest. "Stay-at-Home" Vote Will De cide Close Contests. For Mayor. J. B. Billard. R. L. Cofran. For Commissioner of Finance and Revenue. H. P. Miller. F. M. Newland. For Commissioner of Streets and Pub 11c Improvements. George W. Adamson. W. G. Tandy. For Commissioner of Parks and Pub lic Property. W. L. Porter. E.-B. Stotts. For Members of the Board of Edu cation. Margaret Bostic. P. W. Griggs. L. M. Jones. Annie Douglas Scott. C. B. Van Horn. Veteran judges at the polls late this afternoon say that the vote at the city election today will exceed all for mer ballot records in the history of Toneka. It is predicted freely both around the polls and the city hall, that at least 16,000 votes will be cast De fore the doors are locked at 7 o'clock this evening. This will exceed the high water mark of 15,345 polled at the election two years ago when uii lard and McNeal. with the city in an uproar, fought out the mayoralty bat tle. Bright, ideal spring weather, coupled with a spurt of enthusiasm displayed by the women of the city last night, has sent thousands to tne polls today. In practically every pre cinct in the city the vote at 9 o'clock this morning was higher than the vote at noon during the primary election eight days ago. The new vote today the vote that riii not pome out to the primaries will decide the fate of the doubtful candidacies. This is admitted by ev ery man in the race. In all probabil ity nearly 3,000 persons who did not go to the- polls at the primaries will ; vote today. Three tnousana Dauoxs ; will decide at least three of the places on the city commission. The stay-at-homes" will decide this city elec tion. Heavy Women's Vote. There is a "view with alarm" inci dent in the ranks of the Billard sup porters today the female vote is be ing recorded more heavily than in any other city election, umara is not De inr benefited bv the women ballots and his supporters know it. This fea- j iginating it. One of the first refer ture alone will mean more in the out- i ences is found in Plutarch, who ques come of the mayoralty fight than any ; jes, "Why do they call Quirinalia the other campaign prediction. If Cof- ! Feast of Fools?" The wily Romans ran is eieetea toaay, u win oe me solid female support that does it j and the women are rushing to the polls in carriages, automobiles, on j foot and behind baby buggies. The windup of the Cofran cam- j paign was climaxed last night by a ; city wide appeal to the women over j the telephones. Women were assigned j to nearly every block in the city- they talked with their friends and in- aisted that they enter the booths and place a cross behind the name of Cofran. It had its effect. It is estimated by conservative politicians that 7,000 women are voting today and a big majority of this vote will go to Cofran. Billard StUl Is Confident. Billard is confident of re-election by 1,500 votes. He , says he needs nnlv f)TIA m i f nf thrpp f f Ihn eliminat ed and new vote to win. The day i of the primaries was disagreeable ! and the women did not turn out. This gives the new vote today to the worn- j en for a majority. Split this gain be- ! tween Cofran and Billard and it will be seen that the mayor is needing j every vote today to win. j It is possible that the vote between j the two candidates for mayor will be ! as close as the vote in the election two years ago, when Billard won by less than 200 majority. Uphill Fight for IiUer. The returns of the vote for commis sioner of waterworks and electric lights will be watched with interest by the visitors to the State Journal bul letins this evening. Miller was more than 600 votes behind Newland, his winning opponent, at the primaries. In the last eight days Miller has been waging a wonderful campaign for the restoration of his lost support. To j Win from JVewland he will have to procure a big percentage of the elim inated vote together with an even break on the new ballots today. It Is much easier to find votes in the primaries than the election, all can didates agree. If Miller forges ahead of Newland tonight he will have made the fight of his life. Stotts is another candidate who has been the victim of mudslinging poli tics and who has been fighting on the defensive the last few days. He has a comfortable lead on which to de pend for a victory tonight but the vote will be won by a narrow margin. Returns May Come Slowly. It was not until the first car came down town the morning after the pri mary last week that the results were known. It will be as late when the vote is counted after this election at least the election commissioner can not promise an earlier result. The ballot will be shorter for the election, 'tis true but the names counted will be the same and more votes will be in the ballot boxes. The earlier and more important pre cincts will be reported on the State Journal bulletin board as fast as the election bulletins The State Journal will post bulletins tonight on the Topeka city election. Returns will probably begin to come in soon after 8 o'clock. votes are gathered by a corps of rep resentatives from this newspaper. The boards are better acquainted with the work since the primary and the work of the 26 women clerks and judges has been found efficient and prompt. It will all be over after tonight. The official returns will be announced by Lilt? ' 1 y LautasBiug ujai u ' i lyci-j then for a new administration and peace until 1915. Flections In St. Louis. St. Louis, April 1. At 6 o'clock this morning the voters of St. Louis started to cast their ballots for the candidates for municipal offices from mayor to members of the house of delegates and council. The Democrats, Progressives, Republicans and Socialists have full tickets in the field. Thirteen members of the board of free holders also will be chosen to re vise the city charter. The leaders 'of each party predict a light vote. Dr. John H. Simon, former health commissioner is the Democratic candi date for mayor and Henry W. Kiel is the Republican mayoralty candidate. Frank H. Gerhardt heads the progres sive ticket. Voting in 'Wisconsin. Milwaukee, April 1. Voters of "Wis consin today voted for state superin tendent of schools and a justice of the supreme court. For the first named position, Charles P. Cary, the Incum bent, competed with William Kittle. R. M. Siebecker was- unopposed to succeed himself as justice of the supreme court. In Milwaukee six school directors were voted for and justices of the circuit, probate, civil, municipal and district courts. Heavy Vote in luluth. Duluth. April 1. Duluth today exer cised their first voting privileges under the commission form of government. It was predicted the vote would be the heaviest in the history of the city. The main issue has been municipal owner ship of the electric light plant. ALL FOOLS' DAY It Is Ancient Holiday of All Nations. But None Claims Its Origin A Mystery Unsolved. This is All Fools Day. Beware, Everybody. The first of April is one of -the few holidays, the origin of which is unknown. No country wants to - i (' I M 1 1 M tuts I1I &L 1L () (J 1 1 1 V UlCCk tj,at the Fools should have a day of their own since, as one Charles dick ens has it, "They're so numerous ana fill so many positions of dignity and importance." April Fools' Day may Lave originated with the Romans, it may be an old Druid custom, it may date from a festival of the Hindoos, who celebrated a similar day on the 31st of March. Asiatics, Europeans, English and Scotch have dedicated a day to All Fools, but none claim tl-d honor of or- once gave a least on tne st oi Apru m honor of Neptune. They invited the Sabines, who came with their women. The Romans seized the women for wives and considered it a good joke. Whether this crass incident is the or iginal April Fools' is somewhat of a question. Poor Robin's Almanack, published in England in 1760, contains a quatrain dedicated to the 1st of April: The first of April, some do say j is set afciue lur au xt uuib j.jj , I But why the people call it so, i Nor I, nor they themselves, do know." I The day is still in observance. An English urchin waylays a gentleman in frock coat, top hat and gaiters. "Say, mifiter, your coat's full of holes." "Holes," cries the gentleman, anxi ously examining it. "Yep," chortles the youngster, "but tonholes." In Scotland an old joke is employed successfully every 1st of April. Andy is sent to a distant farm for a hoe; he carries a folded note saying. "This is the first of April. Hunt the gowk another mile." Andy is hustled from farm to farm, and his wits are meas ured by the miles he trods. The holiday is almost universal through Europe and is called "Un Poisson d'Avril" in France. The Paris ian gammins consider it their special property. Napoleon I, with his custo mary dogmatic aversion to supersti tion, married Maria Louisa upon April 1, and was criticized by the entire em pire because of it. In the United States All Fools' Day is second only to Christmas as a romp for the children. Jokes of all kind, but inevitably poor, are propounded upon long-suffering elders. The fun lasts until April 2, and is only quelled by the antiquated chant: 'April Fools is gone and past, And you're the biggest (mother won't let me say it, but you know what I mean) at last!" EGINS SENTENCE, Wealthy Edna Adams Is Surrounded by Many Luxuries. Los Angeles, April 1. Edna Louise Adams, former society girl of Chicago, who was arrested in this city several months ago on a charge of passing worth less checks and who entered a plea of guilty, will expiate her fault in a lux uriously appointed bungalow near Los Angeles, with a governess, an automobile and ample funds at her command. Miss Adams began her probation today. In granting probation to the young woman, Superior Judge McCormick stipulated that she must abide by the judgment of her governess in her recreative indulgences, refrain from cigarettes and intoxicating liquors and that she must act in financial and business transmission in accordance with tl-e opinion of her governess. FLOODS M RISING Anxiety Felt by Residents of Ohio River Valley. Slides Interfere With Levee Protection Work. BIG FORCE OF MEN AT WORK Cairo, at Intersection of Ohio and Mississippi, in Danger. Stations Crowded With People Who Are Leaving City. ' Cairo, 111., April 1. Conditions here today along the Ohio river levee appear incredible to the oldest citizens. They have battled with flood waters for years but the present situation they admit looks the most desperate in their time. The water is rising at the rate of about one foot a day, and now stands two feet and eight inches from the top of the concrete wall built at the levee. While this situation is not encouraging, the reports to the weather bureau here of up-river and tributary conditions were enough to cause alarm. No reports came of recedins- waters as far away as Cincinnati, while some tributaries were reported rising. It is generally believed that the high stage will not be reached today and probably before Wednesday night or Thursday. The rise of the river is much faster than last year. The city is sending its women and cnuaren out on every train. Two bag gage cars were filled with trunks and enough remained to fill another. The weather continued beautiful today, a condition counted a blessing by the hundreds working to save the town. Louisville, April 1. The Ohio river gauge today registered 44.7, a rise of four-tenths of a foot. Memphis, April 1. The Misissippi river registered 36.8 feet today, a rise of eight-tenths in 24 hours. ' Cincinnati, April 1. The Ohio river has risen two-tenths of a foot during the night. Early today the stage was 69.8 feet. Weather Forecaster Dever eaux said he expected the river to rise another tenth, after which it probably would recede. The fall he said would be slow at first because of the large amount of water above. Up-river points reported the river either stationary or falUng slowly. Cairo, 111., April 1. Flood waters on the Ohio river continued to rise stead ily throughout last night and at 7 a, m. today stood between 53.2 and 53.3 the population was early astir, and the fact that the water had substantially passed the 52 foot mark caused con siderable anxiety. All expected that the day would prove the crucial one in the fate of the city. The crest of the flood was ex pected to reach here today and if the levees hold, it was the belief that the worst would be over. Much trouble was experienced during the night in the drainage district along the Big Four levee. Three times slides occurred, and only valiant work on the part of those watching saved the day. Dozens of carloads of sandbags were placed about the weak spots, and serious trou ble was averted. Water seeped through under the concrete wall, and stood in the main street of Cairo today but the levee showed no. signs of weakening. A big force of men worked all night placing sand bags and other hold backs along the city front. Colonel Dan Moriarity, in charge of the troops, planned to attend a meeting of citi zens today to devise means of pro ceeding. It was expected the mayor and sheriff would give him complete control of the situation and in this way all idle men might be put to work if necessary by force. Word was re ceived from Major General Wood at Cincinnati, by the general relief com mittee that the situation would be handled the same as last year. The sheriff has requested Governor Dunne to appeal to the war department to move three large boats from the Mis sissippi around in front of Cairo to be used in emergency. Refugees continued to leave the city all night, and crowds are still wait ing at depots to get out. Waters Rise Rapidly. The water today rose much more rapidly than yesterday and the de mand for more workingmen became urgent. At 9 a. m. the gauge read 53.5 and was constantly creeping up. The suriace in the Ohio then stood one foot higher than the highest street level which is the main thoroughfare of the town and immediate on the levee. In case of a break, the flood waters would not rise to more than one or two feet in the buildings on the street, but all of the town back of this street becomes gradually lower and most of the houses would be com pletely submerged. Already the situa tion is desperate. A large subway which was the only passa'geway from Cairo into the drain age district has been blocked to save this city. The place was boarded up and dozens of carloads of sand bags placed to hold it secure. One of the purposes of closing all places of business that do not handle goods needed for necessities was to i give opportunity to get out the strong- i est working force possible, employees j of closed concerns have responded i nobly for duty and have reinforced to a great extent work along the river front. Rev. M. H. Love of the Methodist church, who has had charge of relief work in former years, is again at the head of the relief committee. A tem porary hospital has been aranged on a large "wharf boat In the river. The danger here may be more clear ly understood by a description of the location of the city. Cairo is situated on lowlands at the fork of the Ohio and Mississippi river. Safety depends absolutely on levees from all sides. There is no way by which people walking or on trains could escape ex cept by going back into the drainage district. All trains running into Cairo must back out again Into the Y, at the big Illinois Central bridge which Is on I the edge of the district. Consequently tne greatest hope is placed in boats in case of great trouble. One half of the population has left the city already. They were chiefly women and child ren, and it is believed should an ava lanche of water sweep over the city small loss or life would result. Levee Is Holding. Mount Vernon, 111., April 1. The levee at Shawneetown was intact at 5 o clock this morning and conditions there were not threatening, according to news received here today. Fire In Huntington. Huntington, W. Va., April 1. Fire broke out in the flooded residence dis trict today and threatened an entire city block, but the flames were check ed by the use of dynamite. Eleven persons were rescued from the burn ing buildings. Fire engines placed on barges pumped water on the flames. Many Are Homeless. Charleston, W. Va., April 1. Addi tional state troops were called to duty this afternoon by Governor Hatfield. They willb e sent to Parkersburg and Point Pleasant to assist in relief work. It is estimated 25.000 persons along the Ohio river are in need of food and water. Town Under Water. New Richmond, April 1. The entire town of New Richmond was under water today. The people have taken up quarters on the hills surrounding the town. Provisions have been re ceived from Batavia and there is no suffering. No one has been reported dead or missing. Fifty houses have been washed from their foundations at Moscow, near New Richmond. Large Flood Expected. Springfield. I1L, April 1. Adjutant General Dickson today received a telephone message from Mayor George A. Parsons of Cairo, that the water was flowing over the top of the Big Four embankment, known as the drainage district levee, and that the company had abandoned hope of pre venting the flooding of the district. The flooding of the drainage district, which is above Cairo, will probably relieve the pressure of water on the levee which protects the city, but will flood a territory ten miles each way with from five to fifty feet of water. The overflowing of the embank ment cut off railroad communication with Cairo. Hickman Under Six Feet of Water. Hickman, Ky., April 1. Telephone reports today from Columbus, Ky., a town of 1,000 Inhabitants, said wa ter from breaks in the Mississippi levee had covered the greater part of the village four to six feet. The ma jority of the' population is encamped on hills and although there Is food enough for several days, considerable help will be required. MESSAGES TO U. S. Foreign Rulers Sympathize With Flood Sufferers. Kings and Emperors Send Mes sages ta President Wilson. Washington, April 1. Messages continued to come to President Wil son today from foreign rulers express ing sympathy for sufferers in the western floods. King George of Eng land cabled: "I am greatly distressed at the news of the disastrous floods and the griev ous loss of life caused by them. I desire to express to your excellency my deepest sympathy with yourself and the people and the United States in your misfortune." The president replied: "Allow me in the name of the peo ple and the government of the United States to express deep appreciation of your majesty's kind message of con dolence." King Emmanuel of Italy cabled: "On hearing the news of the floods that have devastated prosperous re gions and made so many victims, I beg you to believe in the sentiment of sincere and deep sympathy with which I join in your country's mourn ing." President Wilson responded: "Your majesty's touching words of sympathy in the terrible loss of life and property which has befallen many American homes are a real solace to the government and people of the United States." From Sultan Ahmed Kadjar of Per sia came the following: "Deeply shocked by the terrible catastrophe that has befallen the United States by reason of the flood. I hasten to offer your excellency and the American nation the expression of my most earnest and sincere con dolence." President Wilson replied: "On behalf of the American neo- ple and in my own name I thank your majesty for your kind words of sym pathy in the direful calamity which has befallen so many American families." SITUATION IS SERIOUS The main levees on the Ohio at Cairo and Shawneetown, 111., were holding today with the exception of a few small breaks, but with the water rising the situation appeared to be serious. At Cairo the river has passed the 53 foot mark and every inch of water puts a heavy strain on the overburdened S'i1 fJirllJ minute from the additional pressure. I All persons have been warned to leave lne owianas ana mere is little prob- ability or loss of lire should a break occur, but the property damage would oe neavy. Hundreds of men worked ail night placing sacks of sand on the levees to prevent the water from rushing over the top. Great confusion prevailed among the refugees but the troops on hand prevented any disorder. A break occurred in the levee last night at Col umbus, Ky., a town of 1,200 population on the Mississippi river a few miles below Cairo. A number of persons were marooned in the upper story of dwellings, but the majority fled to the hills back of the town. - On the upper Ohio river, the situa tion was expected to improve today when the crest of the flood passes. Y oath or Forecast for Kansas. Fair and warmer tonight, Wednes day unsettled. , AGREE ON TERMS Government of Turkey Accepts Proposals of Powers. Action Will Result in Peace in the Balkans. THANKS ARE EXPRESSED Ottoman Empire Tenders Note to European Powers. Declares That Terms Are Ac cepted Without Reserve. Constantinople, April 1. The Turkish government today declared that it un reservedly accepted the terms of peace proposed by the European powers. The foreign office handed the Ottoman ac ceptance to the dean of the diplomatic corps this morning, accompanied by an expression of thanks to the powers for their mediation. REMAINS TO U. S. Body of Late J. P. Morgan Pre pared for Removal to Home. Secretary Bryan Suggests Fu neral Service in Rome. Rome, April 1. The body of the late J. Pierpont Morgan, after being embalmed and dressed, was today en closed in a walnut coffin lined with white brocade. This was placed in. a leaden casket, and finally in a third case of heavy walnut with gold and silver fittings. The United States ambassador has offered to hold a funeral service at the embassy in pursuance of instruc tions received from Secretary of State Bryan. No definite arrangement has yet been made for conveying the body to America, but it is understood ac commodation has been offered on board the Koenig Albert, leaving Naples April 4. Taft Pays Tribute. New York, April 1. Former Presi dent Taft paid a tribute to the mem ory of J. P. Morgan at the home of his brother, Henry W. Taft, shortly after his arrival from Augusta, Ga. "I knew Mr. Morgan personally," said Mr. Taft, "but our relations were never intimate. However, he always .impressed me, as a man of remarkable administrative force and executive ability. He was without doubt the greatest financier that America has ever produced and certainly was one of the impressive world figures of his time. I regret his death exceedingly." Appreciations In Paris. Paris, April 1. Appreciations of Mr. Morgan are published in most of the Paris morning papers, which call attention to his higher position in in ternational finance, his benevolence and culture. The Figaro says: "Mr. Morgan's death will cause sincere sor row to France. The French museums possess many proofs of his generosity and the government intended to con fer upon him the high distinction of Grand Officer of the Legion of Honor on his next visit to France." Wielded Great Power. Berlin, April 1. The Berlin morn ing papers devote columns to Mr. Mor gan's death and unite in declaring him to have been the world's greatest financier. "No living man has held such financial power as Mr. Morgen," says the Tageblatt, which ascribes the development in the United States chif ly to him. "His enterprise overshad owed the deeds and successes of all the other financial giants of the Unit ed States," says the Naction Zeitung. The Morgen Post says that he abol ished competition as a principle of big American business. All the papers praisd him as a great art patron and refer to the emperor's friendship for him. They add that his death will not affect the bourses. FLANNELLY OR POLLOCK United States Court to Decide Juris diction of Gas Case. The gas case will be given another inning Friday before Judge Walter H. Sanborn, presiding judge of the United States circuit court of appeals in Kan sas City. This action is to determine whether Judge Flannelly of Inde pendence or Judge John C. Pollock of the Kansas district of the federal court has jurisdiction in the case. Both sides have intimated that they will ap peal in event they are defeated in the hearing before Judge Sanborn. Judge Flannelly and Judge Pollock each named receivers for the Kansas Natural Gas company. The Montgom ery county judge claimed that he had jurisdiction by virtue of a prior suit in his court. Should Judge Sanborn hold that Judge Pollock has jurisdic tion in the case, the state of Kansas will probably take the case direct to the United States supreme court on an application for a writ of prohibition to prevent the federal court from pro ceeding further on the grounds that it has not independent or prior juris- diction; and tor the further reason that the federal court does not and could not have jurisdiction in the case, even though it showed priority in the action. TEXT BOOK COMMISSION Held First Meeting Today to Outline Work. The new commission to have charge of the publication of school text books by the state, held their first meeting today in the office of the state super intendent of public instruction. Not until the next meeting, which . will probably be held some time this month will a secretary to the commission be elected. There are six candidates for the office, which pay a salary of $2,040 a year. Aside from a careful study of the new text book printing law, members of the commission transacted very lit tle business at today's session. Opin ions were secured from the attorney general concerning the operation of the law and the powers of the commis sion. . - Some time this month, perhaps, the commission will elect a secretary. At present there are six applicants for the place. They are S. P. Rowland, Hutchinson; W. G. Gamble, Tonga noxie; Mrs. Ella Burton, Topeka; Benjamin Harrison, county superin tendent of Sumner county; E. C Hickey, E. B. Cowgill and Z. E. wyant, Topeka. WILL FIGHT REBELS Mexican Government Prepar ing for Campaign in South. Rebel Successes in Northern Regions Cause of Activities. Mexico City, April 1. The breaking off of all negotiations for peace with Zapata has forced the government to mobilize a strong force for a campaign against the southern rebels. This has been done in spite of the fact that rebel successes in the north have made imperative the dispatch of a large part of the regular army to that re gion. The war department says that gov ernment troops will begin moving to day in those districts occupied by Zapata followers. This concentration will continue until an army of 10,000 men has been gathered. General Pascual Orozco, Jr., and many of his old chiefs will participate in the southern campaign. Dispatches today from Huautia said 'Pascual Orozco, Sr., was not killed as was pre viously stated but is kept closely guarded at Huautia. The followers of Zapata have cir culated numerous manifestos repudi ating Huerta and Felix Diaz and call ing on the people to support the Za pata movement. Prepare for Attack. Monterey, April 1. The federal troops, commanded by Genera Truey Aubert, have been divided into two columns, one of which has left here In the direction of Nuevo Laredo to make an effort to recover the towns of Lampasas. The other column has departed for Saltillo to serve as a guard for the workmen engaged in the reconstruction of the national railroad. TALKS WITH WILSON. Formation Laid for Currency Legisla tion in Congress. Washington, April 1. Senator Ow en, chairman of the new senate cur rency committee had a talk with Pres ident Wilson t""day about currency legislation. Senator Owen said after ward they discussed no details, but laid the foundation for future confer ences. He expressed the opinion that although probably several individual bills would be introduced one measure would be clothed with administration support. Attention of the administra tion now is centered upon the tariff and tonight Representative Under wood will have a second conference with the president on the new bill. Mr. Wilson has had the measure before him for a week, has studied it care fully and heard some protest, princi pally against putting sugar on the free list. So far as can be learned the president's mind is still open both on the sugar question and whether the tariff should be revised schedule by schedule or in a single bill. The president likewise has reported no de cision as to whether the income tax feature of the bill should provide for a flat tax or a graduated system. FIGHT IS CONTINUED. Women Active In Case of American Suffragist in London Prison. London, April 1. The campaign was continued today with more energy than ever on behalf of Miss Zeelie Emerson of Detroit, the militant suf fragette, who is Undergoing two months imprisonment in Holloway jail for window breaking. A cablegram, sent to Theodore Roosevelt today by Beatrice Harraden, the author, says: "I cannot believe that American men, a number of whom expressed to me during my recent visit to Ameri ca their horror at the system of for cible feeding, will remain indifferent when they learn that their fellow countrywoman. Miss Zeelie Emerson, is undergoing this ordeal in Holloway jail and is in a precarious condition." Ideal April Weather. Real April weather was the order of things today. Fair weather is expected tonight by the local observer, but con ditions will be unsettled Wednesday. There Is just the possibility of an April shower Wednesday. The mercury climbed up close to the record mark for heat this afternoon. The highest point reached o n this date in twenty-six years was 81 degrees in 1903. The thermometer reading at 2 o'clock today was 76 degrees. The temperatures averaged twelve degrees above normal for this date. The wind is blowing at the rate of twelve miles an hour from the southeast. The first corn and wheat region bul letin for the season was issued today by T. B. Jennings, section director. It read: "Pleasant weather with sea sonable temperatures and no precipi tation has prevailed in Kansas and Western Missouri during the twenty four hours. Clear skies were general this morning." The hourly readings: 7 o'clock 47 11 o'clock 69 8 o'clock 53 9 o'clock..- 58 10 o'clock. ..64 12 o'clock 71 1 o'clock 73 2 o'clock 76 Cut Kates. Write H. B. Bryning, District Passen ger Agent, C. G. W. R. R-, 800 Walnut St., Kansas City, Mo., for particulars about very low fares to Pacific Coast, Montana. North Dakota and Canada via Chicago Great Western Railroad. Adv GAS, 25 CENTS Utilities Commission's Decision in Famous Case Finds That No Cause Exists to Raise Rates. KANSAS NATURAL'S BIG PROFIT Commission Doubts Financial Stress and Gas Shortage. Paid $6,500,000 on Bond Ac count and Charged to Expense. Gas rates In Kansas will remain at 25 cents per one thousand cubic feet under the decision today of the publlo utilities commission, which concluded the 60 day hearing regarding the ap plication of the Kansas Natural Gas company for a mandatory Increase in rates to individual consumers. In ad dition to denying the Increase In rates, the commission questions seriously either the financial stress or the in adequate supply of gas as pleaded by the Kansas Natural and from the vol umes of figures finds that the big cor poration should be in a fairly healthy condition. Forty Kansas towns and cities are affected by the decision. More than 5,000 words are contain ed in the opinion in the case. And from the hearing which dragged through eight weeks, more than 10, 000 typewritten pages of evidence was taken. From this massive document, the utilities commission holds that it has jurisdiction in the case and that in view of the evidence the Kansas Natural and its subsidiary companies are not entitled to an increase in rates. Throughout the decision is a clean cut verdict against the gas company. It was after the Montgomery coun ty district court found that the Kansas Natural, the Kansas City Pipe Line company and the Marnet Mining com pany were acting in violation of the anti-trust laws that receivers for the Kansas Natural were named by Judge John C. Pollock of the federal court. Following this action, the receiver sought an order from the utilities commission granting them the right to Increase the rates to consumers to a price between 50 and 65 cents a thousand feet for the same gas which had previously been sold for 25 cents. No Cause for Complaint. But the commission finds that prior to December 31, 1912, the gas com pany had no real cause for complaint, although it was in the hands of re ceivers and sending out distress sig nals. The commission admits that, the stock of the company does not repre sent any real value at this time. Yet the company issued $14,745,000 in bonds for which it received $13,404, 250 and that these bonds fall due in installments covering a period of ten years. And then, there is tnat aiarminn finding of the commission. It reveals the fact that $6,551,000 has been paid on the bond account and charged by the gas company to operating expenses. "Such bookkeeping is unusual," says the commission in its decision, ana is accounted for by the gas company UDon the grounds that the natural gas business is hazardous and of a tem porary character and that the capital invested must be paid back during the life of the business. Admitting the contention, it follows as a matter of bookkeeping that the assets of the company, when the capital has been returned, belongs to the income ac count. In other words, when the $14, 745,000 of bonds are paid, there being" no other investment on account of capital, the assets will be clear profit and under the system of bookkeeping adopted by the gas company, must go to that account." In Good Financial Condition. The commission then points to the fact that at the end of ten years the gas plant of the Kansas Natural will be worth four million dollars salvage value and that already 61,45 per cent of the total bond Issue of the company has been cleaned up. So, the commission figures thus: $2,068, 000, as 51.45 per cent of four million, should be carried in the profit account at the end of the present year. Added to this is a sinking fund which now amounts to $466,916.68, which gives a balance of $3,493,458.16 of receipts over expenditures at the close of the 1912 business. The commission adds that this is not an unsatisfactory showing, and intimates that it is hard ly one on which to base an application for increased rates. Again. The Kansas Natural state ment shows four million in first mort gage and three million in second mortgage bonds. But the commission points to the fact that the statement doesn't say one word about the money realized from the sale of bonds of the Kansas City Pipe Line company nor does it mention money realized from Marnet Mining company bonds. Then the commission calls attention to the fact that in nine years the com pany has sold gas in the amount of $24,823,199.73. The total revenue omitting sale of bonds totalled $25, 341,024.89. For the sale of gas alone the revenue was as follows: For years 1904 and 1905 $ 449.28S.08 For year 1906 1,933.800.50 For year 1907 2.916,528.45 For year 19"8 3,549 570.30 For year 1909 3,763.62.f For year 1910 4,216.958.55 For year 1911 4.119,114.64 For year 1912 8,9o4,277.1 Total $24,923,19. Have Earned Ten Million. During ..he years from 1907 until the present time, the commission finds that the' gas company has met losses ag gregating $351,721.56. In 1907-09-11, prof Its aggregated $908,702.89, while In 1908-10-12, losses totalled $1,260,424.45. Yet in view of this fact the commission reminds the gas company that it has regularly made charges for Interest, sinking fund and rentals just as they matured and that when these charges are all paid, that the company will then have its plant free and clear of ln cumberance and without having one penny Invested. ' The commissioner's, engineer, Mr. Witt, finds that the pres ent salvage value of the plant Is $5, 260,251.00, with a present physical valua. tion Of $10.275,047.33. (Continued on Pag Two.)