The Topeka State Journal (Topeka, Kansas)
May 21, 1920

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YJTEATHER FORECAST for Kamui Partly cloudy and somewhat n settled tonight and Saturday; warmer tonight. The Evening Newspaper of Kansas HOME EDITION TOPEKA, KANSAS, FRIDAY EVENING, MAY 21, 1920 FOURTEEN PAGES FOUR CENTS FOOD IS NEXT'ON THELIST Wholesale Grocers Announce Big Cut in Prices Due. Lumber and Wool Markets Fol low Downward Trends DROP WILL NOT BE SUDDEN ONE Demand Maintains High Prices In Many Localities. Continuation of Buyers' Strike Advised ly Official. PATRIOTISM NOT THE CAUSE People, Not Courts, Forced Break Palmer's Assistant. England, Hearing of U. S. Vic tory, Sees No Joy in It. (By the United Press.) Gradual decrease in food prices thruout the country was in prospect today, according to opinions expressed by wholesale grocers, economists and other experts in touch with the situa tion. Reports showed that in some sec tions of the country the trend toward lower prices on food has already been noticeable. Altho no sudden drop in the food products market, such as marked the clothing and other merchandise mar kets during the last week, were looked for, the opinion was that the market must slump eventually. Clearing up of the freight conges tion, already under way under orders of the interstate commerce commis sion, will go a long ways toward clearing the road for a decrease In food prices, experts believed, "Generally lower prices" for foods was reported today in Connecticut by the agricultural market service. Prices of meat, butter and even sugar were reported lower in Boston. No change was reported In the market prices of foods in New Tork, Chicago or the west. However, gro cers generally said they were plan ning for a drop. Sears, Roebuck Company, large dealers in foodstuffs, were compiling their autumn prices and announced they would be lower. Flour prices were down in Minne apolis, the milling center of the coun try. The demoralization of the wool mar ket was shown in the auction of wool by the British government at Boston. Purchasers were found for only 3,000 bales of the best grades, at a quota tion 15 per cent below the former pre vailing price. Big; Cuts In Food Next. Chicago, May 21. Decreases In food prices w'ere predicted here today by wholesale grocers, as reports from the middle west and west showed fur ther declines in the cost of living. There have been no decreases In grocery prices as yet, wholesalers de clared, but they say it is bound to come. Packers say meat prices are de creasing steadily. According to Swift Company, there has been a 5 per cent decrease in the price of the principal meats. These include sirloin and round steaks, rib roasts, pork chops and ham. Henry Sprague. head of Sprague. Warner Company, said wholesale grocers' prices would fall soon. He predicted the tumbling of grocery values when banks begin to call the loans of food speculators. Several million tons of sugar are being held in Chicago for speculation, according to federal Investigators. Sears, Roebuck Company, largest mail order house in the world, say there has been no change in present prices. "We prepare our prices six months in advance," said one of their officials today. "Right now we are preparing prices for this fall. They will be lower. "Prices have been too high." he said In commenting on the situation. Goods which he declared would be lower this fall will include clothing and furniture. Sprague said the present price cut ting Is a "real thing." Other wholesalers here said it would be a week before they would be in a position to make any statement on prices. No Patriotism In It. Washington. May 21. The wave of price reductions in wearing apparel which has spread to every important city is due largely to public with drawal from the market and to the Investigation conducted by the de partment of justice in the oplnioh of Assistant Attorney General Garvan. hlle he said he did not believe the department "deserve too much credit." Mr. Garvan refused to endorse the claims of merchants that they were actuated solely by patriotic motives. 'That stuff is purest buncombe," Mr. Garvan said. "There are three things responsible for this clamor of TAe. FORECAST FOB KASSAS.' Partly clondy and somewhat unsettled tonight and Saturday; warmer tonight. CLOUDY AND UNSETTLED-. Temperatures Will Probably Mount Higher Saturday, Says Flora. TODAY'S TEMPERATURES. 7 o'clock 56111 o'clock 71 8 o'clock 62jl2 o'clock 74 9 o'clock 641 1 o'clock 76 10 o'clock 69 2 o'clock 77 Little change will occur in weather conditions during the next 24 hours from that general in Kansas in the last few days, according to S. D. Flora, state meteorologist. There is a possi bility of widely scattered showers. Temperatures are apt to mount higher tomorrow. Corn needs some real hot weather now. Flora says.' A few scattered showers occurred in Kansas during the last 24 hours. Those reported today included: Sedan, 14; St. Joseph, .02: Iola. .01: Fort Scott, .02 and a trace at Wichita, Kan sas City, and Topeka. At 5 o clock this morning the tem perature in Topeka was 62 degrees. Tonight is going to be rather warm. The temperature is scheduled not to go below 60 degrees. Saturday after noon it will be around 80 degrees. A temperature of 80 degrees also was (CoDtiiwed on Page Two.) merchants to get on the band wagon of falling prices: the market has broken and a lot of people saw indict ments for profiteering coming." The action of the federal reserve board toward liquidating long term loans used to carry surplus merchan dise stocks, Mr. Garvan said he be lieved also had been very beneficial. England Is Pessimistic. London, May 21. Cabled reports of a slump in prices in the United States are featured in newspapers here and are being read with enormous interest, as they excite the hope that conditions across the Atlantic 'may be reflected in Great Britain. Some wrters on economcs. however, hold out little hope that this will be the result maintaining the new con ditions in America are more likely to have a contrary effect here. High Prices Due to Speculation. New Tork. May 21. Decrease in the price of clothes and other such commodities is bound to eventually affect the price of food, according to the opinions expressed by leading wholesale grocerymen here today. Altho no immediate drop in prices of food is in prospect, they said the moral influence" of the reduction in other commodities will be felt in food. probably when the freight car con gestion is relieved.1 Proper distribution or toon proaucts is now impossible because of the freight tieup, Peter J. Smith, head of the purchasing department of one of the largest foodstuff jobbers in the world, stated. Actions of the National Preservers and Fruit Products association in de ciding to close down their factories rather than to purchase sugar at the present prices, was expected to have some effect on the sugar market. Action of the preservers followed an investigation of the sugar market, conducted by Marcus Blakemore, pres ident of the association, in conjunction with the department of justice. Blakemore said that the present su gar prices were due entirely to spec ulation. Texas Lumber In Drop. Dallas. Tex., May 21. First break in retail clothing prices came today when Hurst Brothers' company, one of the most exclusive men's furnish ing stores in Dallas, also dealing in women's apparel in a limited way, an nounced a 20 per cent general reduc tion. Prices In other Texas cities were also on the decline. It was reported. In San Antonio, the first southwestern city tc follow the lead of Wanamak- er's, merchants had sliced their prices on men s and women's goods as much as one-third. Three department stores at Temple cut 20 per cent. Leading Austin sir-res announced this morning a 0 to 25 per cent reduction in men's and women's clothing, shoes and silks. A brighter building prospect for this summer was seen here In announce ments from several Texas cities that lumber had been reduced In price. Waco reported reductions of from $13 to 130 a thousand feet. The initial cut was made by "wholesalers," dealers said. Must Continue H. C. L. Strike. Oklahoma City, May 21. Unless the public continues to wear old clothes and refuse to buy expensive suits, tha present drop in price.! will be only fo a short time, D. L. Rogers, of the state fair price commission, stated today. Present reductions are being made by retailers to get rid of garments of extreme styles for which there is little demand, he declared. The basic clothing market has not been ma terially affected, Rogers said. No Break In Bread Prices. Minneapolis, Minn., May 21. Bread prices are not likely to decrease soon, accorlingi to big flour millers here to day, who say that drops in flour prices can be of little immediate benefit to the consumer or baker, because of lack of transportation to move the flour from the mills. Wheat and flour continued the de cline here today. Wheat was off from 10 to 15 cents on the local market. Flour prices were down to from $15.60 to $15.90 a barrel for family patents. Mills have contracted orders to keep them going for sixty days. Bread was selling at from 12 to 14 cents a loaf bere and in St. Paul today. Wool Takes Big Drop. Boston, May 21. The price of wool slumped yesterday, a break of from 10 to 20 per cent occurring at the auction sales conducted here under the auspices of the British govern ment. Only seven mills took part in the bidding and only 30 per cent of the wool offered for sale was dis posed of. Buyers were agreed that the peak of high prices for wools has passed. According to the Commercial Bulletin, an authoritative organ of the wool industry in this country, the drop in prices reflected cancellations of orders for goods, delays In transportation and declines in the Liverpool and London markets for raw wool. VALUATION IS UP Incomplete Abstract Shows $42,450 Increase for 1920. Cattle and Automobiles in County Placed at $5,955,325. IN SHAWNEE 2,107 CARS Exelusi?e of City Many Articles Sot Listed Yet. Returns of Topeka in Topeka Slow Coming In. An incomplete abstract of the valu ation of cattle and automobiles in the twelve townships in Shawnee county, not including Topeka, turned over to the county commissioners today by Frank C. Bowen, county assessor, shows an increase of $42,450 for 1920 over the valuation for 1919. The val uation for 1920 is $5,955,325 against a valuation of $5,913,075 on cattle and automobiles in 1919. Table Is Incomplete. "That table is incomplete and there will be many changes in it," said Bowen today. "It was merely turned in in a hurry so the county commis sioners could sit as a board of equali zation. It is not accurate and 'the final abstract probably will vary thou sands and thousands of dollars from it." The final abstract of all articles of personal property in Shawnee county probably will not be completed for several weeks. The articles which make up the estimate turned in today include horses, mules, asses, cattle, automobiles and pleasure vehicles. Gold watches, silver watches, plate and jewelry, pianofortes, phono graphs, bonds, shares of stock, mon eys, dogs, engines, tools, 'household furniture, books, mechanical tools, pouUry, bees, improvements on leased ground, scales, electric and water me ters and dozens of other articles listed in the final abstract are not included. There is a total of 2.107 automobiles in Shawnee county outside of the city of Topeka, according to the abstract. These are valued at $855,990 by the township assessors. The average val uation for each machine under these figures is $406. Valuation by Townships. The 1919 and 1920 valuation on cat tle, horses, hogs and automobiles by townships follows, subject to material changes in the final abstract now be ing prepared by Bowen: 1919. 1920. Bossville township 666,105 696,605 Sliver Lake township... 316,410 342,725 rove township 229.515 195.535 Menoken township 4S5.9W) 406,415 Soldier township S52.0S5 S2S.310 Topeka township 1.043,640 1,181.375 Tecum seh township S05.715 312,850 Monmouth township 443.540 429.910 Wllliamsport township. 351,5 398,960 Auburn township 361.640 371.790 Hover township 4S7.765 404.120 Mission township 371,945 384,640 Returns of assessors in the city of Topeka are reported to be so slow in coining in that even an incomplete abstract at this time, is impossible. LUMBER SLIGHTLY CHEAPER Market Shows Small Decline In Shingles, Ithe and Fine. With the exception that the market on shingles, lathe, fir and common yellow pine is slightly weaker, there have been no changes in the prices of lumber in Topeka, local lumber deal ers said today. They predicted, howrever, that the market will decline, altho probably not until the first of the year. Builders need not expect cheaper lumber at the present time, owing to the high priced material on hand, it was said. Reports of declines in the markets in other sections of the country were attributed to the fact that lumber gen erally has been too high. But a de cline of $10 per thousand feet at the present time, it was pointed out, does not mean so much as a similar decline two years ago, owing to the very high markets today. A catching up of production with the demand, it is thought, will lead to substantial decreases the last of this year, provided an increase in freight rates does not offset the decrease. The shortage of cars Is now an im portant factor in lumber prices, it was said. Drop In Kansas City. Kansas City, Mo., May 21. A blow at the foundation of high rents and high prices for homes was struck by the retail lumber dealers if Kansas City when a general decrease In lum ber prices of approximately 6 per cent was announced this ween. common lumber, including No. 1 and lower, was reduced $3 a thousand feet. "Fin ish" lumber, including No. 1 and up, was reduced $5 a thousand feet. The decreased schedules are in ef fect in every yard today. Some deal ers put the reduced prices into effect Monday. The decrease is a reflection of reduced wholesale prices made ten days ago, cutring down from $2 to $5 a thousand on all grades. Wholesale prices were brought down by better production conditions, the fact that producers have to some extent caught up with surplus orders and that rail tie-ups held lumber in transit until market centers were flooded. Lumber Down 10 to 30 Per Cent. Spokane, May 21. Reductions of from 10 to 30 per cent in lumber prices made effective February 24 last by a sales company which controls the output of a number oi nortnwestern mills, will be continued until Septem ber 1, according to announcement to day by J. N. Ttate, assistant general manager of the company. 77s Man Has Bill of Sale For His Wife Effingham. 111., May 21. The rec ords at the court house here show the registration of a "bill of sale" where by $1,000,000 is transferred from John Alfred Fookes to Mrs. Margaret May Fookes, In consideration for her mar riage. Some say Fookes is a "war baby' millionaire. C. H. McDermott, Chi cago attorney, says he was a clerk, in a store there in CAN CUT SUGAR Attorney General Can Take 50 Per Cent Off. Hoarding and Speculation Hiked the Price. Washington, May 21. Retail sugar prices can be reduced 50 per cent. J. H. McLaurin announced bere to day following a conference which he and a delegation of the Southern Wholesale Grocers association held with Attorney General Palmer. "The attorney general-must stop speculation In sugar," said McLaurin. Immediately after the meeting of the wholesale grocers. Palmer confer red with a delegation of sugar brokers and importers from New York and other Atlantic coast cities. "The trouble with the sugar situa tion," said McLaurin, "is hoarding and Interference by brokers. They have cornered the supply. "We told Attorney General Palmer that prices could be stabilized if sugar passes in a direct line from the grow ers to the refiners to the jobbers to the retailers and then to the con sumers. "We also advised the attorney gen eral that the government -should buy the Cuban raw sugar crop. -This would be the most effective means of preventing sugar from falling Into the hands of speculators." UP TO CONVENTIONS NOW House May Pass Bonus BUI But Senate WIU Defer. Washington, May 21. Whether a soldier bonus will be passed at this session of congress probably will be decided by the national conventions, congressional leaders believed today. Indications were that the house will pass the bonus bill Saturday or Mon day and that the senate will take no action before the conventions. A hot fight looms, as the adminis tration openly and Republican leaders of the house privately have expressed opposition to the bonus while a ma jority of the members favor passage. The house rules committee is ex pected to grant a special rule today making the bonus bill In order tomor row. The rule would virtually assure action before adjournment tomorrow. CHOIR TO SING "HOLY CITY." Fifty Voices Will Be Heard at First Congregational Sunday. A choir of fifty voices will sing the "Holy City" at the First Congrega tional church, corner of Seventh and Harrison streets, Sunday afternoon. The music will begin at 4:30 o'clock and will be under the direction of Prof Harlowe Dean of Washburn. Cardinal Tells Women To Stay Out of Politics Baltimore, Md May 21. "You are the queens of the domestic kingdom Do not stain your garments with the soil of the political arena. No man or woman can rule well over two king doms," Cardinal Gibbons told dele gates at the Catholic Women's Benev olent Legion, in session here, warning women against being active in poli tics. "You rule the home, the husband and the children, and should not at tempt to dabble in politics. "If you try to rule over two king doms you will surely lose both of them. II you leave the home. If you divide your time between domestic af fairs and political affairs, you will become the less perfect In your own sphere." THE STRIKE AGITATOR Topekan Tricks K. C. Traffic Cop By Clever Ruse Roy Crawford of Topeka should have been sent to the peace con ference. Crawford drove to Kansas City recently on business and, as he was about to leave a building where he .iad been making a business visit, he saw a traffic officer honking the horn of his car. Instantly Crawford realized he had parked his car in front of a fire hydrant, in violation of that city's law, and visions of a heavy fine or enforced residence in jail came to him. In a flash so the story goes Crawford was out of the building via another entrance and had the police station on the telephone. He reported his car had been stolen, gave his license number, his hotel address and then went to lunch. A few hours later his friend, the traf fic cop, drove up to the hotel with the car and turned it over to the owner, his chest expanding the while as he related how he had traced the "stolen" car to its lair. Moral: A car at the pump is worth a night in jail unless you think quickly. UBERTYS ARE UP Make Strong Recovery From Slump on New York Market. New York, May 21. After a steady decine In yesterday's erratic market, all liberty bond Issues staged a strong recovery and were up from 30 to ISO points shortly after the opening today. Liberty Vs were up 30 to 91.10; first 4 s up 20 to 83.20; second 4's up 20 to 81.70; first 4's unchanged at 84.60; second 414 's "P to 160 to 83.60; third 414's up 30 to 87; fourth 4H's up 160 to 84.30: victory 3's up 46 to 96.40; victory 4's up 54 to 95.60. Liberty bonds showed a rallying tendency for the first time since re cent liquidation broge the market in the government's war obligations. Second 4's which touched the lowest price of any of the issues, led the rally with a recovery of 260 points while fourth 44's advanced 236. The cry of Wall street houses call ing attention to the attractive yields offered by war loan investments at current levels had apparently checked the fall of bonds. THREE CHEERS FOR ZITA Roman Socialist Paper Says Aus- trlan Empress Tried to Snoot Down Kaiser Wilhelm. London, May 21. That the aged former emperor of Austria-Hungary, Franz Joseph, hanged himself in his bedroom was the statement published by the Socialist newspaper, Giornale Del Popolo, of Rome, according to the correspondent of the Chronicle today. The story originated in Trieste and quoted a Czech-Slovak authority. "Archduchess Zita heartily detested the German kaiser," the Czech-Slovak was quoted, "and upon the occasion of the last visit of Emperor Willianf to Vienna, Zita produced a revolver and fired a shot at him at close ranger She missed, however and a member of the kaiser's party returned the fire, wound ing Zita slightly. "Shortly after the occurrence the aged Austro-Hungarisn emperor be gan to fail rapidly, and on the night of November 21, 1916. he committed sui cide. The imperial court kept his suicide secret." No credence was given tha story in Rome. IMIMH GEMS SAFE Jewels of Dead Kansas Baroness Not Seized by France. Sister Arrives in U. S. Bringing Body to Seneca. New York, May 21. Mrs. Josephine Treadwell, who arrived here today on the steamship Adriatic with the body of her sister, who was the Baroness de Mumm, denied reports cabled from France that the French authorities had seized jewels valued at one mil lion francs, which had belonged to her sister when she attempted to bring them to this country. "I placed all my sister's effects in the hands of lawyers at the time of her death," Mrs. Treadwell declared. "The authority for the story is unknown- to me." She will make arrangements for shipping the body to Seneca, Kan. The gems were reported taken from Mrs. Treadwell, sister of the baroness, when she attempted to bring them to America, accompanying the body of her sister. Confiscation of the gems was ex pected to start an international legal battle for the possession of the eight million dollar estate of the wine mer chant between the French government and heirs of Mrs. de Mumm. The Jewelry was being brought to America for Mary de Mumm, daugh ter of the baron and baroness, who is now living with her grandparents. Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Scoville. in Seneca, Kan. Mrs. de Mumm's claim to two-fifths of the French estate of her husband is based on agreement of separation she made with de Mumm during the war. This agreement was drawn and deposited with the American legation at Berne, Switzerland. STAtTmEET TODAY Fifteen Colleges Entered at Emporia Washburn's Chances Good. Emporia, Kan., May 21. Cinder artists from fifteen Kansas colleges were assembled here today for the annual track championship meet. About 168 athletes have been entered for the day's events. Ottawa, Southwestern and Wash burn were listed as the favorites, with Baker and Friends following close be hind. Cochrane and Wolgast of Ot tawa ore expected to take the dashes, and Washburn the distance runs. There Is considerable speculation as to the qutcome of the mile run. Friends is banking on Weaver to take this event from Rogers, Washburn distance star. Doubtless a new state record will be set in the mile, and other state records are also menaced. The colleges and universities which will participate in the meet are: Baker, Bethel, Cooper, Southwestern, Ottawa, Washburn, Friends, Fair mount, Bethany, State Normal, Col lege of Emporia, Pittsburg Manual, Hays Normal, McPherson and Salina Wesleyan. Coach Elmer Bearg took ten ricked men to Emporia. Some left Thursday night, the rest this morning. The men who will compete for the Blue today are the cream of tha Washburn track team and their past records hold promise of a high place for Washburn in the meet. "We do not boast that we will take the meet," said Coach Bearg, "but I believe we have a good chance." City Employes Quit Strike. Chicago, May 21. Five thousand city employes who struck Monday re turned to work today. The teamsters voted unanimously to return, when the city counci finance commttee declared their demands would not be considered while they were on strike. Other un ons followed the teamsters' lead. VILLA IS HOSTILE Objects to Being Politically ShelTed by Jfew Leaders. Ex-Chiefs Escape From Mexico Is Not Hindered. IT'S HUERTA VS. GONZALES NOW Immediate Problems for Jfew Regime Is Temporary Chief. U. S. Warships at Vera Crni Ordered to Help Carranza. Eagle Pass, Tex., May 21. Mexican troops left Piedras Negras today for Muzquiz, state of Coahulia, following reported threats from Pancho Villa that he would seize wheat and other agricultural fields in that district. Troops also left for Torreon. Rafael Zubaran Campany, a former Carranza minister and who was in volved in the "Zimmerman plot," left for Chihuahua to confer with General Calles about Villa. Villa Is Making Threats. Reports of hostile threats from Villa was the first indication received here that he may become a menace to the Obregon revolution. His opposi tion was not unexpected, however. since plans of the revolutionists to agk him to become a private citizen be came known. Villa, it is declared by authorities here, will very likely object strenuous ly to being "shelved," and probably will insist on a part in the new gov ernment. Four new locomotives arrived at Piedras Negras for train service to Torreon today. Help Carranza Escape. Mexico City, via Galveston, May 21. Venustiano Carranza, deposed presi dent of Mexico plans to make his way to some port in the Tuxpam district and take ship either for the United States or Cuba, according to latest reports here. The revolutionary' government, it was believed, would not object to the president's escape. Stragglers from the presidential party, brought here after the Carranzista defeat, believed the deposed ruler would go first to the United States and later to Eu rope. They described Carranza as accepting his fall stoically. He has large sums invested abroad, they said. The choice of a provisional presi dent to be' completed Monday ap parently has narrowed down to a contest between Gen. Pablo Gonzales and Adolfo de La Huerta, former gov ernor ot eonora. V. S. To Help Carranza. vera Cruz, Me., May 21. Ameri can warships lying in Vera Cruz har bor have orders to take President Car ranza on board should he request the American government to take him to friendly territory, it was reported in revolutionary circles here today. The revolutionary government also was reported to have ordered the com mander of the Mexican gunboat Zaragoza, now in this port, to take Carranza to any foreign port to which ho may wish to flee. He Saved Carranza. Havana, May 20. Warning from a captured revolutionary soldier saved President Carranza of Mexico from possible death or injury during the fighting near Rinconada, state of Puebla, last week, according to J. H. Durrell. a banker, who arrived here today from Vera. Cruz. Mr. Durrell was a passenger on one of the twenty-three trains in which Carranza and his followers fled' from the Mexican capital on May 6. The captive had been taken on board Car- ranza's train and when he found it was to move ahead he .hurriedly .In formed officers in charge that the track was mined. Investigation proved the truth of his story and three mines were unearthed. Carranza was fearless during the heaviest fighting, Mr. Durrell says, leading his men to the attack and dis regarding bullets falling thick about him. PASSIVENESS CAUSES UNREST Lumber Jack Tells Industrial Relations Association Radical Ideas Spreading. Chicago, May 21. The present In dustrial unrest is caused, not so much by the activeness of the agitator, as by the passiveness of the employer and other citizens who call themselves Americans, Sherman Rogers, New York, former Oregon lumber jack told the Industrial Relations associa tion of America here today. "Thousands of agitators, many of them sincere, are donning overalls and spreading their radical ideas while working by the side of the laboring classes," Rogers said. "Employers must get in 'personal touch with their men and educate them. A personal contact is needed between the employer and laborer to remedy the present unrest," Rogers declared. WASHBURN' VS. PIERSENS. Good Game Promised Tomorrow Wykoff Blue Pitcher. Washburn college and the Pier sen company's team of the city league will clash at Western League park to morrow afternoon. The Plersens so far are high in the city league and will be formidable foes for the Icha bods. Wykoff will occupy the mound for Washburn and Wyman will catch. "Cap." Wells, manager of the Santa Fe club, will umpire. Washburn fans who wish to witness the game will be admitted on their season tickets. Manager Frank Kis singer announced today. BUILDING MATERIAL IN DROP. Kansas City Lumber Yards Announce Big Decline In Their Wares. Kansas City, Mo., May 21 -Decreased schedules of retail lumber prices were in effect in Kansas City J lumoer yarns toaay. ine decrease is a reflection of reduced wholesale prices made ten days ago when cuts of 82 to 85 per thousand feet were made on all grades. The retail prices on "common" lum ber was reduced 83 a thousand feet and on "finish" lumber IS s thousand feet. MILLIONS FOR UCUf PAD? ADC HLH unno nm- LOANED R. R.'S Interstate Commerce Commis sion Bushes to Help Roads. Oyer 100,000 Freight Cars Ar Needed at Once. COAL AND GRAIN COME FIRST Railroads Are Not Hanling Any thing Bat Necessities Now. Are 20,000 Cars on Way to Grain Belt Today. Washington, May 21. A loan of at least 8125,000,000 out of the 3800, 000,000 revolving fund to enable rail roads to purchase equipment required to meet transportation needs ot the public was approved today by the in terstate commerce commission. Other recommendation for the dis bursement of the revolving fund pro vided In the transportation act were as follows: Temporary reserve for claims and judgments, 840,000,000; Appropriation for short line railroads, 812,000,000; temporary reserve for maturities, 8850,000,000; appropria tion for additions and betterments -which will promote the movement ef cars, 873,000,000. Need 100,000 New Can. New equipment required by rail roads to meet minimum needs is esti mated by the interstate commerce commission at two thousand locomo tives and 100,000 frieght cars, includ ing 20,000 refrigerator cars. The commission estimated that equipment already ordered and to cost 3126,000, 000 represented probably leu than 35 per cent of that needed. "It is evident," the commission's statements said, "that the equipment required properly to meet the trans portation needs of the public cannot be secured unless the carriers them selves assume the burden of flpandng the remaining 15 per cent." Helps Untangle Tieup. The interstate commerce commission today took charge of the routing and the redistribution of the railroads' freight-carrying equipment. In an ef fort to end the car congestion which was endangering food shipments and threatening m. breakdown of the na tion's transportation system. This was done at the request of tha railroad executives. Acting under authority of the Each Cummins law, the commission ordered the roadJ to deliver freight by the quickest and shortest routes. Under Blanket Orders. In carrying out the request of the executives, the commission issued a number of orders for each of the lines, directing the roads to deliver a cer tain number of cars at specific points daily. As these instructions are carried out the congestion gradually will be relieved and car shortages end, com mssion members believed. Long trains of empty cars today are being rushed across the country to localities where they are needed to load coal and grain. Automobiles and luxury commodities are left waiting in the freight yards. Movement of 80,000 empties is planned within thirty days. Rush Cars for Grain and. Coal. Approximately 20,000 are box cars re-routed from eastern states to tha western grain regions. The grain movement begins In tha southwest June 16. Approximately 20,000 box cars must be stored In southwestern terminals before that date. July 16 grain will be ready for movement In Kansas and the central western states. The northwestern grain movement will begin Septem ber 16. Thirty thousand open top cars are being hurried to the coal regions to increase production of bituminous fuel. Production for nearly a month has run short more than one million tons a week, according to reports to the United States geological survey. Texas Needs 8,350 Cars. Austin, Tex!, May 21. A shortage of 3,350 cars to move grain, said to be spoiling at points in the Panhandle due to lack of storage was reported today to the interstate commerce com mission by the Texas railroad com mission. Congestion of 2,800 carloads of grain at Galveston also was re ported. The Texas commission urged that the United States shipping board and the British embassy be requested to rush additional bottoms to Galves ton. i TEXAS REVIVES SUFFRAGE FIGHT Legislature of Lone Star Slate Consid ers Revoking Its Ratification, Austin, Texas, May 21. Suffrage ratification was a live issue in the Texas legislature again today following adoption by the house of a resolution urging the Louisiana legislature to ratify the constitutional amendment. Messages from Lieutenant Governor Johnson and Speaker Thomason urg ing ratification were on their way to Baton Rouge. A revival of the ratification fight In Texas was in prospect when Benator McNealus intimated he will offer a resolution revoking ratification In this state on grounds that "the people of Texas voted by a large majority against equal suffrage. Stores Now Pass the Back New York. May 21. The price cutting movement here today reached some wholesalers when managers and buyers of prominent department stores announced their establishments would refuse to pur chase from jobbers until substan tial reductions were made. The department stores which claim to offer reductions from 16 to 60 per cent now demand that wholesalers make concessions to them.