From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Jan. 1, 1914:

• “The year 1913 has passed into history. History that in many respects it is a pleasure to go back over…. The achievements of the year are along varied lines, and they are such as give Lawrence residents occasion for feeling proud of the city. The year has of course not been without its mishaps, and its failures, occasions of regret and sadness that have left their mark deep in the public memory, but success and happiness seem to swing the balance in their favor…. In the matter of elections there was another trip made to the polls by Lawrence this season which is expected to bring good results in the future. By a large majority the people of Lawrence declared in favor of a change in the form of government and after this year the city will be governed by a commission of three instead of by the mayor and council system. The friends of the new government who worked hard for the adoption here expect Commission Government to prove a great success in 1914…. Some big things are planned for the year which opened today. Among them are the following: The purchase of the Water Company by the city. The inauguration of Commission Government on the first of May. Beginning of the work on a new bridge across the Kaw…. Haskell Institute has hopes of securing an appropriation for the construction of a new gymnasium.”
• “War, rumors of war, suffragette outrages, assassinations, aviation fatalities and the deaths of Captain Scott and four of his antarctic explorers made up the burden of the dismal news from abroad in the year that is at an end. Among the more cheerful tidings were the celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the accession of Emperor William and the wedding of Princess Victoria Louise of Prussia and Prince Ernst August of Cumberland…. For months the fight, or rather, series of fights, between the allies of Turkey occupied the attention of all Europe, and for a time it was feared that some of the great powers would become involved…. While as yet no final adjudication of the boundary lines has been signed, there has for months been a cessation of hostilities, and the powers have breathed easier. At one time the peace of entire Europe was threatened by the pugnacious smaller countries.”
• “Today the Parcel Post service of the Post Office department celebrates its first birthday. ‘The business in the local office has increased beyond all expectations,’ declared Postmaster Finch. More than 20,000 incoming packages were handled during the five days of the holiday rush this year and the delayed Christmas presents are still coming in.”
• “The Social Service League has considerable clothing on hand at the Social Service League Hall which will be given to the needy poor upon application. The league announces that it will care for all who are needy and worthy.”