From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for May 18, 1914:

• “The public is receiving the proposition to have a road day for work west of town with a good deal of enthusiasm. The day set apart for this work is Tuesday, May 26, and on that day the business men in town are expected to turn out with pick and shovel and work side by side with the horny handed sons of toil living along the line to the distance of the Shawnee county line. ‘I am going to see to it,’ declared Albert Walter, ‘that you town fellows do as much work as the country fellows. Any man who does not keep up his end of the double-tree will find that he will be made to do so.’ In other words this is no time for shirkers. There is a lot of work that needs to be done…. There will be work enough for every man who turns out on the road day. The plans will be thoroughly matured in advance and the work laid out. There will be no haphazard work, but everything will be intelligently done. The man who is figuring on going on as a picnic or a lark had better stay at home.”
• “The board of directors of the Y. M. C. A. in their meeting Saturday decided to install a filter for the use of the swimming pool. This will be a distinct advantage in that the water can be sterilized each day and the same water can be used for a good length of time. The authorities say that the water after passing through the filter that is to be used would be entirely clean and so far as being good is concerned it could be used for drinking purposes. This will be quite an expense to the Y. M. C. A. and it is planned to pay for a part of the new filter by subscription. Any one who will help with a quarter or fifty cents may give it to Mr. Boltz, secretary of the Y. M. C. A.”
• “The city commission has had a complaint laid before it of an employment agency of this city. A laborer says that he deposited $3 and was assured of a job. He was told that he had one clerking in Kansas City, but it did not materialize. The employment agencies are always open to criticism, but the city commission is going to be very certain that the one here does a legitimate business.”
• “Some people fear that the Red Line will obliterate the old California Trail, put it out of business in fact. Such is not the purpose. The historical name will cling to the road west of town and it will be made a show place.”
• “Farmers from north of Lawrence complain of damage from Hessian fly. Ed. Harvey of Fairview, south of town, says that the flies have not made their appearance there.”
• “Commissioner Holyfield has decided that he will remain at his desk each evening until 7 o’clock in order to accommodate those who desire to pay their poll tax. He realizes that many laboring men are busy during the working hours, but that they want to pay. To accommodate these he will keep his office open until 7 o’clock each evening. Mr. Holyfield is very anxious to collect this tax without any inconvenience to the public.”
• “There has been promised rain for a week but it has not come. In many localities there has been rain, but none has fallen in the near vicinity of Lawrence. The bugs are getting active and rain is needed to stop their ravages. Wheat is doing fine and so is every other crop. Nothing is suffering so far, but people are easily frightened.”