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

• “While the errands of Congressman Taggart were chiefly political when he was here this week, yet there were other things that he had in mind, and to which he was giving his attention. Chief in importance among these to Lawrence was Mr. Taggart’s investigation into the conditions that prevail at the post office with reference to the facilities for handling the mails and doing the work. Some time since, Postmaster Finch wrote to Congressman Taggart giving him in detail the needs of the office, but at that time Mr. Taggart did not believe it would be possible to secure any immediate relief. Since then, however, the democrats have ‘cut out the pork barrel,’ and he thinks it may be within the bounds of possibility to extend some relief to the office. Congress, Mr. Taggart says, is just now inclined to cut out the new buildings, but is reasonably liberal with cities where buildings are already located, but are not large enough for the transaction of the increased business. He will at once take measures to secure an appropriation to build an addition to the post office building so that room may be had to do the work…. When the Christmas rush was on, the room was utterly insufficient, and for the daily mails, without any extra business, there is not room for the clerks and carriers to work to advantage on account of the crowded conditions. When the rush came there was absolutely not a foot of space on the workroom floor to handle the parcel post mail. It had to be taken to the basement and distributed there ready for the carriers…. The post office building was erected in 1906, when the receipts of the office were for the year $36,018.24. During 1913 they were $68,517.35…. Mr. Taggart visited the office in order to see for himself what the needs of the office were, and one look was sufficient to convince him that more room was urgently needed. He believes that for $20,000 an addition can be built at the rear that will make room for the mailing department, and leave the present floor space free for the use of the city mails and the rural carriers.”
• “Through C. B. Harman’s agency, the Valley Falls-Meriden Independent Telephone exchanges of Jefferson county were purchased from C. L. and J. A. Zimmerman and sold to Charles Vavra and Otto Boles of Oskaloosa. The value of the entire property transferred, including 43 miles of toll-line, is $20,000. Chas. Vavra has been managing the Oskaloosa Exchange.”
• “By defeating the Edwardsville five this morning by a score of 48 to 29 Lawrence High school won a place in the finals in the Second District Basketball Tournament in Baldwin. Lawrence will play Fort Scott this afternoon for the championship of the district. Yesterday in the first games of the tournament Lawrence defeated Iola by a score of 29 to 23 and then won from Rosedale by a 32 to 16 count. The first game was a hard one for the boys from Lawrence but they were able to nose out ahead. Rosedale was not so hard.”