From the Lawrence Daily World for Dec. 16, 1906: “To date, the local region is not suffering any shortage of coal. The North and Northwest of America have been hit by blizzards and cannot get enough coal due to a shortage of rail cars for delivery. : President Roosevelt delivered a speech about his recent visit to Panama and says the work there on the canal is ‘in great shape.’ The famed Culebra Cut is now full width at the top and health conditions have improved for those on the job, where malaria has made such heavy inroads. : John Speer, a pioneer citizen of Lawrence and for many years one of the foremost figures in the state of Kansas, has died at the age of 89 in Denver. One of his sons was killed by the Quantrill raiders and he was a chief lieutenant with James Lane for many years. He had a career in newspapering, with the Lawrence Tribune, and was an excellent editor. He helped make much Lawrence and Kansas history of worth. : Congress needs to note that most newspapers are in favor of the graduate income tax. There are mighty few newspaper men it would affect.”