From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Dec. 11, 1915:

• “The approach of the interurban line to Lawrence is watched with keen interest by the board of administration of the University…. The board’s interest is caused by the possibility of shipping University freight direct to the big state school instead of handling it twice after it reaches Lawrence. If the arrangement can be made with the interurban line for hauling freight from the railroad yards to the University campus, the board sees the possibility of making a big saving by eliminating the present teaming and transfer bills which are a heavy item of expense. The hauling of coal in the winter months is one of the heaviest items, as the present method is laborious and slow. The board hopes before a great while to be able to have the cars of coal delivered at the University heating plant.”
• “With a hoisting derrick and crane mounted upon a raft in the river swinging heavy pieces of steel sheeting in place, the south tower for the bridge work is being constructed. This tower will support one end of the cable which will be the means of carrying the concrete across the river for the piers. The workmen are engaged in framing the tower for the north side of the river. These towers will range in height between ninety and 100 feet.”
• “Eighty-five copies of the lists of questions for the bi-monthly examinations for the children of the rural schools of Douglas county were mailed from the office of the county superintendent C. R. Hawley, this morning. Mr. Hawley is departing from the usual custom and giving the examinations this year before the holidays in order that the children may have their minds free from worry on this score while enjoying the Christmas dinner.”
• “The first debate held between teams of the Universities of Kansas and Nebraska since 1904 will be held in Fraser hall Friday night, when the question of armament for the United States will be discussed. The Kansas team will uphold the affirmative of the question, ‘Resolved, That the United States should immediately and substantially increase her armament.’ It is believed the debate will attract much more interest than the usual University debate because of the present interest in the question to be discussed, the question which will be the chief one at the present session of Congress.”
• “With the arrival of Christmas weather, the most familiar sight, the Salvation Army Christmas kettle, put in its appearance today. Through this means together with personal soliciting and Christmas boxes, the dinners served the poor last year by the Salvation Army were numbered in hundreds.”
• “To a visitor in Lawrence today the news that Yuan Shi Kai had accepted the throne of China was of absorbing interest. His is Rev. Herbert E. House, financial agent for the Canton Christian College at Canton, China, where 500 Chinese students are receiving a western education. Mr. House formerly was a tutor in the family of Yuan Shi Kai and enjoys the close personal friendship of the new monarch.”
• “A mass meeting to discuss the issue of national prohibition will be held at the Varsity theatre tomorrow afternoon at 3 o’clock. A program has been arranged in which the pastors of local churches will be the principal speakers. The meeting will be held under the auspices of the Douglas county W. C. T. U.”