The Liberal Democrat from Liberal, Kansas • Page 1

ftistorfi CJ SocJ.fy -onip Sixteen. Pages In Two Sections THE LIBERAL DEMOCRAT TWELFTH YEAR. NUMBER THIRTY-FIVE. LIBERAL, SEWARD COUNTY, KANSAS. THURSDAY, 16, 1918.

$1.50 PER YEAR. II LIBERAL WILL PAVE THIS YEAR PETITIONS CIRCULATED THIS WEEK Proposition Eagerly Received Practically All Interested Personi. by LARGEST PROPERTY OWNERS WERE THE FIRST TO SICN Will Pave From Riggles Bros. Store to South Line of City on Kansas From Depot to Grant on Second Street. You can tell it without fear of successful contradiction Liberal will pave.

Liberal baa talked of paving for a number of years and at one time was almost ready to go at it and the war spoiled the good notion, but now that the war is over and everything promises to go forward as usual, the work that has delayed is to be resumed and the unsightly quagmires that have answered the purpose of streets will be paved just as soon as arrangements can be made and the work finished. W. V. Griffith of the real estate firm of Griffith Baughman, and Lee Larrabee of the Star Lumber Company, were chosen as the "goats" to bear the paving petitions to the property owners of Liberal. However they found no opportunity to use the methods usually attributed to the animal which they were supposed to represent.

They handed the petition around and were met with the glad hand in almost every instance. One of the peculiar features in connection with the work was- the fact that the largest property owners on the affected streets were the easiest signers they secured. Work was started in South Liberal where large blocks of lots are held by individuals, but the expense did not seem to worry the folks over that way at all. Bert Allen has something like twenty-four lots to pave, but he unhesitating appended his sig nature to the petition. Paul W.

Light Aad a large block of lots but he didn't waste any breath on the matter, but reached for his pen and "put 'er down." John W. Baughman had about as many lots as Mr. Allen, but he was so pleased because the others felt the same as he about it that he forgot he had anything over there and signed up. Cash Waters got hit, too, but everyone knew Cash wouldn't renig, and sure enough he got on the and added a little more to the help he has already given toward making Liberal a live one. In addi- tion to these there were several who owned two or more lots, but it is to the credit of South Liberal that not a man refused to sign for the paving.

The work on the south side is completed with the exception of the Equity Exchange, which cannot take action until a Board meeting is held. However, the individuals visited seemed to be favorable to the propo sition, On this side of the track work was slower as the lots were not owned so nearly by one individual. However, there were several who had a number of lots in the paving district. C. E.

Woods, J. E. George, Chas. Summers, Smith J. G.

Trindle, and possibly one or two others who have already signed, had from three to a dozen lots, but this did not deter them from expressing their desire for paved streets or keep them off the petition. Up to Wednesday evening, when this is written, only one man who owned property on Kansas avenue had refused to sign the petition. While the work is not finished, enough signers have been secured to practically guarantee that the matter of paving is settled. Messrs. Griffith and Larrabee will continue with the petition until all property owners have been visited and given an opportunity to express themselves.

As we understand the proposition the petitions must con-' tain the names of three-fourths of the resident property owners of the dis-. trict to be paved. The petitions are then presented to the city council, which will publish the same. Should there be no remonstrance the council may then order the paving. It is hardly likely that there will be any organized effort against the prop-v" on.

Sentiment is so overwhelmingly avor PavinK tnat wuW and since the heavy property-own- doraement we are led to believe that the matter Is pracucauy seiueu as soon a. the petition are finished. KANSAS RAISES ENOUGH WHEAT TO FEED EUROPE For the fiscal year ending November SO, the United States exported 86,093,560 bushels of weat. Most of that went to England and France. It is an historical fact that America fed the allies their bread during 1918 besides feeding ourselves and our own troops in France.

It is amazing and highly satisfactory to Kansans to know that this state produced in 1918, an off year too, 98,000,000 bushels of wheat. Thus Kansas fed Europe its bread in 1918. America is asked to increase its exports of food stuff to Europe in 1919. Kansas's answer is an eleven million acre wheat crop this year. That means, figuring a 15 bushel average and prospects are certainly glowing, Kansas will have 165,000,000 bushels of wheat to ship to Europe in 1919.

If the rest of the United States will raise sufficient wheat to feed this country, Kansas will take care of Europe. Liberal is a little late getting into the game, but will do it right when she starts. This is about the largest town in this part of the state that is unpaved, and before this time next year this cannot be said. We have noticed that when a town starts paving an era of development follows and it is our opinion that this will be repeated here. With paved streets and the resultant improvement, watch Liberal go forward in 1919.

And if you- haven't signed the paving petitien get your old John Henry on it for you'll find a live bunch represented there, and it will be a pleasure to be mixed up with them. JEWISH-ARMENIAN RELIEF CAMPAIGN IS ON IN SEWARD The Jewish-Armenian Relief Campaign is on in Seward county. The work will be handled by the regular committees which handled the Liberty Bond drive. rne quota lor beward county is $1,950, and this should be raised easily. There is no more pressing Tlliail of tVta nraaAnf fima tlinn amnmr these peoPle.

Thousands are starving to death while we have all we need and more. True, we have had so many drives, that it is beginning to get mo notonous, but surely when we consider that our dollar will save a human being from the terrible death of starvation we can forget that we have done before. Chas. Summers is chairman for the drive in Seward county, and as usual i contributions may be left with Ray Millman at the office of the Chamber of Commerce. If the committee does not get to see you call and leave your contribution there.

GOOD ROADS POSSIBILITIES AS HAVE BEEN OUTLINED FOR KANSAS This map illustrates Good Roads Association, It was prepared by J. Frank Smith, manager of LIBERAL AUTO SUPPLY CO. TO HANDLE FORDSON TRACTORS Will Soon Have 'Demonstration Latest Ford Product in Liberal. The Liberal Auto Supply Company, of which J. C.

Trindle is general manager, has secured the gelling agency for the Fordson Tractor. One of the machines has been received and a demonstration will be given at an early date. The Fordson looks like a real machine. There is no ginger-bread or gold paint, and everything seems to be constructed for service rather than beauty. At the same time it is a neat machine which Bhould give the maximum of satisfaction.

Mr. Trindle has had a wonderful business the past few years in Ford cars and accessories and it is a pretty safe bet that he would not have taken on the Fordson tractor if he had not been thoroly convinced that it would do the work and make good. The extremely high prices which have been paid for all kinds of feed stuff is going to have a beneficial effect upon the tractor business, and the fellow who has a machine that will really go out and do the work of horses without a lot of expensive repairs is going to get his share of it. The only thing that is liable to hamper the business is the likelihood that there will not be enough to go round We have been told that Joe is getting well acquainted with the new machine and that' is is becoming perfectly docile, even to the point of eating from his hand. A WINDOW DISPLAY THAT IS TIMELY Griffith Baughman's Window hibit Makes People Think About Paving.

Ex. It is a great deal easier to talk pav. ing when the streets are in their pres. ent condition than it would be after they have dried out and become packed, even though they should be as rough as a seive. The display window of the Griffith Baughman real estate office con tains a display that is bound to make one think.

The arrangement Is by Byland Hazel of the contracting firm of Lien, Hazel Company. A frame the width of the window has been constructed in three sections. The first shows a section of muddy street with an auto hopelessly stuck in the mud. The second is a section of nicely paved street with concrete surface, while the third is a block pavement with a large auto truck. The nice, clean pavement is quite a contrast to the muddy, dirty section and the man who can observe the two side by side will have a hard time convincing himself that paving is not the proper thing.

Here's hoping that before another winter rolls around we shall have streets in Liberal that look like the second section in the window display. the tentative system of but has not been adopted by the association as THRESHING WILL SOON BEGIN IN EARNEST An Unusual Season Causes Fall Work To Go Almost Until Spring. The last heavy snow is slowly melting, and with its going the hum of the thresher will be heard on every hand. Just about the time the maize and kafir crops were ready for the machines the weather man gave us such a bunch of weather as is seldom seen in this part of the country, and as a result the crops are still in the fields. However the sunshiny days we have had are helping matters and it Is likely that the next few weeks will see the grain in the Liberal elevators.

While business has been light the past two months for the reason that wheat and maize money was tied up, there is going to be a revival when it is marketed. Farmers have been delaying purchases until they could thresh and they will begin' buying when the money comes in. Ordinarily by this time of year the money received for these crops is pretty well Bpent, so if present indications hold good until another crop and weather is good next fall, we will see the unusual spectacle of two crops being marketed the same year. OPTOMISM TAKING HOLD ON LIBERAL CITIZENS Outlook For 1919 Grows Brighter. Building Operations to Begin With Nice Weather.

The Democrat has been feeling the business pulse of Liberal for the past several weeks, and each week has found the pulsations growing stronger and more distinct until at the present time we believe we can safely say Liberal is alive and will soon be in normal condition. We have interviewed business men, contractors, farmers, lumber dealers and everyone whom we thought would ha aiiy idea of the situation, and arrive at this conclusion after a care ful and thorough investigation of the situation. Lumber dealers are cautious about giving information, but we learn from several whom we have interviewed that there is a great deal more building under consideration than for some time, while the contractors, equally reticent about giving names and facts, tell us that if only a portion of the improvements are reali sed this will be one of the best years in the history of Liberal and that is saying something. One contractor informed us that he was working on plans for nine buildings, while others were being contem plated, and while others did not get quite so close to a definite proposition, we were given to understand that there was something doing, and that before long things would begin to happen in this vicinity. About all that is necessary for this to come to pass is for the weather man to give us a bunch of weather early in the spring.

hard surface roads, as the association. MUCH INTEREST IN THE FUNSTON-FORT BLISS NATIONAL HIGHWAY GOVERNOR ALLEN FOR GOOD ROADS While we are not authorized to suote him at this time in advance of his message to the Legislature, still it is known' by all of his friends, and his numerous published interviews and public statements on the subject all indicate that Governor Allen is going to make the building of a state system of good roads in the shortest possible time one of the principal aims of the administration. Like every one of the Americans who have been in PFance" helping to win the world war, he has come back feeling the greatest need of Kansas today is a comprehensive system of 365-day roads. MEADE COMMERCIAL CLUB FOR THE HIGHWAY W. S.

Gibbons and J. I. Stamper Were Chosen as Representatives to the Hutchinson Meeting. At a meeting of the Commercial Club of this city Monday night, W. S.

Gibbons and J. I. Stamper were chosen to represent Meade at Hutchinson the 20th, where a permanent organization will be formed to boost for the proposed military highway from Camp Funston, Kansas, to Fort Bliss, N. M. The highway as proposed will be a hard surface and will follow the Rock Island Railway thru Kansas as closely as will be practicable.

Nothing definite about the It is stated that the government has close to $75,000,000 which it is content plating investing in building better roads in the United States. The purposes of the permanent organization to be organized in Hutchinson will be to take systematic steps to get the Federal aid necessary to put thru the proposed highway. to plans a $50 assessment will be levied on the 40 counties along the route to meet the necessary expenses of the new organization. The Meade Commercial Club, assisted by those of Fowler and Plains, have undertaken raising the money for Meade county. Meade News Globe.

C. C. STEVENSON INJURED Conductor C. G. Stevenson of the Rock Island met with a serious acci dent while on his run Tuesday.

As his train reached Bucklin he stepped from his train and wrenched his leg, rupturing a leader. He was taken to Liberal where his wife was visiting and if able will be brought back to Pratt today. Mr. Stevenson had just resumed duty after an operation and it is feared that his injury will keep him from his work for several weeks. Pratt Union.

outlined by the Kansas its building program. Meeting at Hutchinson Next Monday Promises to Be a Large and Enthusiastic One. SENTIMENT GROWING ALL ALONG THE PROPOSED LINE Every County Thru Which the Road Would Pass Will Be Represented at the Meeting. Just about the most live proposition before the people of this Bection today is the Funston-Fort Bliss National Highway. From all the towns along the proposed line come reports of unusual interest in the road, and it is likely that the at Hutchinson January 20 will be the best attended and most enthusiastic meeting of the kind ever held in Western Kansas.

Ford, Meade, and Seward counties in Kansas, and Texas county in Oklahoma will send large and enthusiastic delegations. The Liberal Chamber of Commerce will be well represented while the commercial organizations of the. en tire section traversed by the proposed line will be on hand to have a part in laying the plans for one of the best stretches of road in the west. It is almost certain that the Government will have permanent military establishments at both Fort Bliss and Camp Funston, and there will be a real reason for connecting the twq camps with a suitable roadway. It is' for this reason that the Government is expected to bear a large share of the expense of the road.

By making it a government road the expense of maintainance would fall upon the government and relieve the couties thru which it passes from this burden. There is every reason to believe that with the proper effort the proposition can be realized and it is a source of gratification that such a united effort is possible. Newspapers along the entire line are boosting, and the commercial organizations are active. W. S.

Gibbons, representative from Meade county, is one of the good roads boosters from that county. Gibbons is a live wire and he is boosting with all his might for the Camp I'unston-Fort Blss Highway. He will be one of the repre sentatives from Meade county at the meeting in Hutchinson on January 20. Mr. Gibbon.) reports a great deal of enthusiasm in his county for the project and has a lot of enthusiasm bottled up which he turn loose at Hutchinson.

The writer in Bucklin the last of the week and several business men had gathered in the office of President H. P. McCaustland of the Bucklin Commercial Club. Asked as to what was thought of the Funston-Fort Bliss highway we were quickly assured that it was one of the biggest things pos sible for this section of Kansas, and upon asking as to whether it was thought possible to get it we were assured that we "just had to get it." And that seems to be the sentiment No one doubts but what it will be a reality providing enough work is done, and the coats are off along the proposed line. WHEAT PROSPECTARE BETTER THAN 100 PER CENT Oldest Inhabitants" Cannot Remember Better Wheat Conditions Than at Present.

With the ground soaked clear thru to the bottom, and a heavy blanket of snow covering the wheat to protect it from the extreme weather, whea prospects never were so good in Sew ard and adjoining counties. While a lot of the grain was late sowed, the timely rains and the heavy snows have intervened to bring it to the highest state of growth, and if this is not the banner wheat year in this section all signs will fail. The soil of Seward county is like a sponge, holding moisture an unusual length of time, and when it becomes so thoroughly soaked at this season of the year it would take a terrible season to dry it out We're expecting to record a bumper crop of wheat this year and indication are mighty good that we will he able to do it Sam Woods, who spent a week in the city visiting old friends, returned to his home in Greensburg Sunday..