davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1899-04-16


The industrial commission created by
the last congress and which is holding
sessions in Washington proposes to in
vestigate trusts and industrial combina-
tons generally. According to the an
nouncement the investigation will in
clude any or all individuals, firms, cor
poratiOns or combinations that from any
cause, whether control of patents, favors
of transportation companies, large cap
ital or otherwise, may apparently so
prevent or regulate, or attempt so to
prevent or regulate competition and pro-
ductiOn that they can fix the price of
their products for the whole or a part
of a market, with little or no reference
to acts of existing competitors or to the
cost of production and distribution. In
prosecuting the investigation the com
mission desires to secure from every
source trustworthy information regard
ing the methods of organizing II con
Quoting such enterprises and their eff
fects upon rivals in trade, upon en-
ployes and upon the general public. 1t
invites statements of facts from anyone
who is in a position to give them.
The plan of the commission is cOinpre-
hensive and Is quite in line with the
purpose of its creation. 1t is moreover
an investigation that should be made,
though possibly his commission will not
be able to make it so thorough and com
plete as could be desired. 1t must de-
pend upon voluntary contributions of
facts and unless the business interests
of the country concerned in an investiga.
ton of this character freely give the
commission such information as they
may in regard to industrial combinations
and their effect the aim of the investi-
CATION cannot be fully attained. The
matter is one that appeals to every
class of business affected by trusts and
as nearly all branches of trade are more
or less affected the commission ought to
get Il vast amount of valuable inforna-
ton. The investigation will afford an
opportunity for measuring the public in
terest in a question of commanding i'm
portance to cverybody-tO the producer
and the consumer, to the capitalist and
NV ""SN 'hlh'l w III manufacture
and the merchant.
The trust problem is perhaps the most
serious of all the problems now confront
ing the American people and it is grow
ing steadily more perpleXing and porten-
tous. 1t must be met and solved aud
to this end all the information that can
be obtained in regard TO the organiza
ton and effects of industrial combina-
tons will be useful. 1t is to be hoped
the efforts of the commission in this dl,
%rection will not find the public indiffer,
emf.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-04-16

Philadelphia Ledger. OF course there ars
various methods OF establishing Chrisiianiiv.N
civilization and independence among the
heather, but While killing or discriminating
them may be the most expeditions means To
the end, it must be confessed that. though
convincing. II is more or less drastic and
also that 1t seems to be more or less az
odds with the Decaloguc. the Sermon OF
the Mount and of even the Declaration OF
independence.
New York Times. 1t cannot he denied
that the situation at Manila is both sur
p%rising and painful for the American people.
In her troubled dream Lady Macbeth ex-
pressed wonder that Duncan should have
had so much blood in him. 1t astonishcs
us to discover that the F]ilipinus have SO
much fight in them. 1t is shocking to us
that so much of their blood and so much VI
ours must be spilled through failure to
understand each other. 1t is rather hard to
be shooting down men against whom you
bear no Ill will.
New York Press. There never will be any
considerable trade with these tropical couu-
tries. Their people have no wants, accord
ing to the standards of temperate zones,
and never will have. Thus, as was shown
before the Academy OF Political Science last
week, Great Brltaln exports SlO,34 per capita
to its non tropical and so per capita to its
tropical colonies. Moreover. IL we had all
the trade of these dependencies, they in
~requital having, Of course, free access to our
markets. the balance against us would be
over 500, 900, 900 a year This the Treasury
Bureau of Statistics, which is more at home
in this field than the War department. has
shown. We should also lose more than half
as much more in customs revenue.
Springfield Republican: 1t Is the fashion
for the ire-eating supporters of the ad-
ministration to denounce as "cowardice'
all projects to end this war by any means
but brute force. Risking the epithet of
coward" therefore, we are free to say
that the president ought to instruct his
commissioners to invite Aguinaldo to a
friendly conference. The president ought
to go still further and promise to recognize
the native government in all internal affairs
as soon as il could give a satisfactory guar
antee of its power to maintain order and
protect the property of foreign residents.
Those islands over which Aguinaldos gov
eminent could not extend It's authority and
there maintain itself, would still be under
our care, as would the island of Luzon itself
in it's foreign relations. In this way 1T
might be possible to establish a protectorate
and start the northern islands in the path
of disagreement without further blood
shed and great sacrifices by the American
peOple,
Omaha daily bee., 1899-04-16
TIE NAMOAN COMMISSION.

The agreement of the Signatory
powers to the Samoa treaty in regard to
the duties of the commission disposes of
the controversy for the present, but its
future renewal is possible by reason of
the requirement of unanimity which
Germany insisted upon While it is TO
be presumed that the members of the
commission will endeavor to consider
the situation and to act with absolute
fairness, ii Is not merely possible but
probable that there will be disagreement
as to some vital matter, SO that it can
not be confidently assumed that the ap;
pOintment of the commission assures the
adjustment Of the Samoan difficulty
without further controversy between the
governments.
Al to the duties of the commission the
best information is given in the state
ment made to the ~Reichstag by Baron
Won Buelow, minister of foreign affairs.
1t is 10 take control of the provisional
government of the islands and to eX-
ercise absolute authority, prescribing
such laws and regulations as shall he
deemed necessary to restore peace II
order. Nothing, however, will be of any
force or effect thai is not unanimously
ordered. The commission will consider
what should be done for the future GOV
eminent of the islands and report
thereon. Its authority is in no respect
final. Whatever it shall do will be sub
ject to the approval of the three powers.
There are features of the statement of
the German minister of foreign affairs
which are not reassuring. 1t is evident
that the government is strongly dis
posed TO uphold the action of its consular
representative at Apia and if the Ger
Omaha daily bee., 1899-04-16
Personal AND OTHER WISE.

An eastern medical authority classes
blushing as a disease. 1t is too rare to be
considered dangerous.
Modern hygienic ideas sometimes get far
fetched confederation. Aguinaldo, it is be-
lieved, has gone to the mountains for his
health.
The good point about Esterhazy's testi-
mony in the Dreyfus case is that nobody
is obliged to believe any more of it than
he chooses to.
General Aguinaldo's health is in such a
precarious condition that mountain air is
necessary for an indefinite time. Emilio
dislikes being converted into a sieve.
Indiana Presbyterians, in meeting assem-
bled, rejected the declaration that the use
is more commendable than Chewing the
rag
Opposition to the ringing of church bells
received a melancholy endorsement at Ply
mouth, Mass. A sexton was struck by
lightning and killed while pulling the bell
rope.
Peter Dunno, author Of "Mr. Dooley's
Meditations, threatens TO go abroad and
lecture. Hasn't this country trouble
enough without an additional strain on our
foreign relations?
The failure of the wife of the governor OF
Kansas to vote at the recent city election
in Wichita provokes needless
Every shrewd wife knows that one politician
is enough in a family.
If the Filipinos would pause in their
foot race long enough to read the details
of political trials and investigations going
on in this country they would realize what
blessings await them, promptly cry enough"
and demand a board of inquiry.
Justin Huntley Mccarthy of London
spent six weeks in this country this year
and has already put in print a history of
the United States besides being cited as de-
PENDANT in a divorce case. The allegation
that Londoners are slow needs revision.
North Dakota towns complain that the
revised divorce law, requiring a year in
stead Of six months residence, has had an
injurious effect already. Society is not as
lively and picturesque as it used to be and
there is a lamentable scarcity of grass wild
ows and widowers at social and judicial
functions.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-04-16
NO PULPIT VACANCIES.
Good Salaries Scarce, but Lots of
Room Cor workers.
lNvaCbiputop Dnct

Good Salaries Scarce, but Lots of
Room Cor Workers.
Washington Post.
Not many years ago the ministry pre-
scented better opportunities than any other
of the learned professions for young men
of education and refinement who aspired
rather to an assured competency than a
possibility of wealth. In nearly all the
Protestant churches pulpits were vacant in
large numbers, and good salaries were walt
ing for competent applicants. 1t was easy
for a bright young man to step from school
to pulpit, to go from the theological semi
nary to take charge of a church at an in
come ample for the support of a family in
comfortable, If not luxurious, style. The
young preacher could begin at a point to
reach which the young lawyer or doctor
must work for years. with many chances
Of utter failure.
But all this is changed; the eligible va
cancies are filled, and only feeble churches
and small salaries await the advent of
theological graduates. At least, such is the
report from the Episcopal church, and the
Post is advised that a similar situation eX-
lists in most of the other denominations.
Rev. S. d. Mcconnell of Brooklyn states, in
a communication to the Churchman, that
there are in the United States at present
but two vacant parishes of the Episcopal
church prosperous enough TO accord to a
rector with a family a salary OF $1,000 per
year. DR.. Mcconnell, 1t appears, had been
pondering for some time over the question,
els there any room in the ministry" and to
determine the matter he sent a message of
inquiry to every bishop of a diocese or mis-
sionary jurisdiction in the country. He
received f\y-nine replies to the seventy
letters of INJURY mailed, with the result,
as stated, that there are only two parishes
of the American church in which vacancies
exist.
This may be dlscouraging to many young
aspirants for the privilege of serving God
and man among pleasant surroundings, but
there are many places where churches can
be built up by hard work OF the right kind
performed in the right spirit, There are
r%ectors in the Episcopal church and min
listers in other churches in this city who
began their professional work in poor
rural communities and on salaries OF less
than $500. Openings OF that kind are not
all taken yet, nor is there likely to be a
scarcity of them.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-04-16
4 PLEA FOR CHINA

The prejudice of western nations
against China, SO far as the masses of
their people are concerned, is largely due
TO ignorance. They know nothing of the
history of that nation, its institutions,
its civilization and its achievements.
The common idea is that the Chinese
except in a few provinces where they
have come under the influence of west
ern civilization, are little better than
barbarians. A study of the history of
China would correct this notion and les
sen, if 1t did not wholly eradicate the
prejudice against that wonderful nation
and its people.
The Chinese minister at Washington,
In Il recent address. made an able plea
Tor fair and just treatment of his cOun-
try by western nations, lie urged that
1t has been too much the habit to ignore
the good points the countries of the east
possess and 10 leave out of account
what they have done. The east has a
civilization of its own, of which China
Is the chlef exponent and there is cred
tied to it some of the most important
achievements in the annals of mankind.
me common impression is that China
mas remained stationary. but this, said
the minister, Is a mistake, the nation
Omaha daily bee., 1899-04-16
DOMESTIC PLEASANTRIES.

Indianapolis Journal: isn't your husband
a bit dyspeptic|'
81 rather think he Is; know he always
disagTees with his meals
Chicago Post: shes a wonderful woman
How does her husband stand the ex-
pense?"
marry happily, Mrs. Pusher-Brown?"
"Well. we think so; her husbands people
gave her two barrels of cut glass;
Chicago Record: Josephine is so
thoughtful
she had the rustic of her silk psetticoat
taken by phonograph, for fear she Will
forget it when 1t is out of style"
Boston Transcript: Mrs. Greene-Funny
how mothers will believe that their own
children are so much better than anybody
Mrs. Gray-I know it. If all people, now,
were like my little George, it would not be
so strange.
Detroit Journal: Wife-You mustn't
worry so much, dear; 1t will make you i'll.
Wife-Cross-eved?
Husband-Yes; trying to look at my in
come and my expenses at the same time.
Philadelphia North American: do you
expect me to believe you have been at the
lodge al. this time?" she demanded at 1927
a. m.
up false hopes he responded meekly.
Brooklyn Life: The father of ten
daughters listened silently to the solemn
words that united his eldest to a million
aire There, he murmured as the tying
That's 10 per cent off for cash"
Chicago Post: My husband tells all his
friends that he drew a prize in the matri-
mOnial lottery" she said proudly.
He probably refers to your bank ac-
count returned her dearest friend.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-04-16
ut-ytcip4L OWNERSHIP.

Within the past week sixteen great
public mass meetings have been held in
Detroit to cnlightcn the taxpayers on the
proposed municipal ownership of the
street railways of that city under the
act recently passed by the Michigan leg
islaturc. The agitation which has led
up to this situation has inspired and pre-
cipitated widespread discussion of the
problem of municipal ownership of pub.
lie utilities.
In almost every large city in the Coun,
try public sentiment is rapidly Crystalltz-
ing in favor of public acquisition and
operation of the plants for the supply of
water, gas and electric light and the eX-
pertinent on which Detroit is about 10
enter will be watched with intense in
%terest. The conditions under which the
four corporations that control the street
railway system of Detroit are required
to turn over their properties to the city
viii create no serious financial embar-
raSsment. 1t is computed that the earn
ingS of the lines at the present Scent
passenger rates will prove sufficient to
pay operating expenses and necessary
bettcrments as well as the interest on
the investment and sinking fund TO pay
off the original cost within less than
thirty years.
While no other American city may at
tempt to experiment with municipal
street railways for some years to come,
many if not all Of the larger cities are
already face to face with the problem of
municipal light, municipal water and
municipal telephones. 1t goes without
saying that irresistible public sentiment
in Omaha will demand the purchase of
the water works as soon as the city can
acquire them under the existing con
tract. Municipal ownership of the
water works will at ne distant day be
followed by municipal ownership of gas
and electric lighting plants now oper-
ated by franchiscd corporations.
While municipal ownership of these
utilities has not been uniformly success
full from a financial standpoint the
absolute control of the water supply and
lighting facilities by the municipal gov
eminent has become almost n matter Of
public necessity by reason of constant
conflict between the public authorities
and the owners of municipal monOpolies.
When the time ONE for Omaha to
grapple with the problem with which
other cities are now wrestling The Bee
will be found planted firmly upon the
side of the people, voicing their reason
able demands and pointing the path by
which they can most speedily accom-
pliSh the desired results.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-04-16

man member Of the commission is i'll
structed to take this position disagree
mcnt may be safely predicted, for
neither the British nor American gov
eminent is likely to recedc from the
position they have taken in respect to
the acts of Consul Rose. These are held
by both governments to be q violation
of the treaty, which Is clear and explicit
as to the authority of the chief justice
of Samoa to decide any question respect
ing the rightful election or appointment
of a king. The statement of the min
lister of foreign affairs in this connec-
ton is disingcnuouS, to say the least, ana
warrants some misgiving as TO the
sincerity of the professed desire to re-
spect the letter and spirit of the treaty.
There is Il quite unnecessary aggressive
ness about Won Buelow's own statement,
implying that Great Britain and the
United States have designs inimical to
the interests and rights of Germany i'll
Samoa, which are distinctly offensive.
Certainly the American government has
In this matter given no reason for any
suspicion on the part of Germany that
ITS intentions are not entirely fair and
friendly. 1t promptly accepted the Ger,
Il proposal of a commission, it agreed
without hesitation to the principle of
unanimity and in every way it has mani
tested n desire for Il just and an AMIGA
bic settlement. as soOn rs possible, of
the Samoan trouble. This country ia
not very deeply concerned in the future
of the Samoan islands. Its only inter
est there is in n naval station, which it
would undoubtedly retain in any event.
1t has nothing to gain by depriving Ger
many of any rights there or doing any
thing to the prejudice of that nations
interests. All that the United States de-
sires is that the treaty to which 1t is
IL party shall be respected.
The German minister of foreign af-
fairs said ii would be in the highest de
gree re~prehensible if wal were kindled
by the three great civilized nations on
account of a group of islands inhabited
chiefly by savages and of very little
commercial value, yet it is not an unfair
Inference from other portions of his
speech that Germany is not now pre-
pared to make concessions that may be
found necessary to avert war. The
spirit of Won Buelow's remarks is not
wholly conciliatory.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-04-16
HOW TO CrBB THE TRUSTS.

The problem of the hour is, How are
the gigantic combinations of capital
known as trusts to be curbed?
The antitrust laws enacted by con
gress and state legislatures have so far
proved ineffective for three reasons:
First, because the laws against trusts
have been framed chiefly with a view
to preventing combinations in restraint
of competition rather than combinations
to loaf fraudulent or inflated capitali-
cations of industrial concerns. Second.
because the laws enacted for the reprcs-
sion of trusts are complex and full of
loopholes. Third, because the officers
charged with the enforcement of the
laws have for the most part played into
the hands of the trusts either by evasion
of duty or by acting in collision with
them.
These facts are palpable to all men
who have given the subject any thought
full consideration. 1t is conceded also that
the greatest and most dangerous incen-
tive to the organization of trusts lies
in the unrestricted issue of stocks and
bonds based on fictitious values and
imaginary earning powers. The balloon
ing of inflated securities was the chief
incentive for the formation of the
Whisky trust, the Sugar trust and scores
of other trusts that nave unloaded bill
lions of stocks and bonds upon the mar
ket, thereby menacing the security of all
legitimate investments. AS long as these
fraudulent practices continue without
restraint periodic panics with all their
disastrous consequences are inevitable.
The only practicable way to deal with
this worst feature of the trusts is
through congress. The legislation re-
CURED is simple and direct. Let con
gress assert its power over all corpora
tions engaged in interstate m in
the same manner that ii has over the
national banks. Let it subject every
such corporation, whether acting alone
or in combination with others, to official
supervision through n bureau of control
charged with the duty, registering its
securities, including both stocks and
bonds, and prohibit under severe penal
ties the issue of any securities that do
not represent actual values. Let con
gress authorize the registration of all
securities of all corporations complying
with the law and require the head of the
bureau to make public periodically the
financial condition of corporations en-
gagged in interstate business.
This course would make it almost i'm
possible TO market trust securities that
do not stand the test established by law,
while honestly organized and financially
sound concerns would be comparatively
harmless no matter on how large n scale
their business is conducted. If in addi-
ton to this Il heavy progressive tax
were imposed upon corporations COM
bined in restraint of competition the
trust evil would be minimized.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-04-16

1t is the general teaching of Catholic the
ology that among the scenes and places OF
mans future habitation will be this planet,
not as we have it now, with its winters and
m with its biting winds and eneryat-
ing atmosphere, but as it will be after the
great day of judgment, when, according to
the clear teaching of Holy Scripture, the
world is to be deluged by fire, and in the
purifying lements Of fire the world is to
be renewed and regenerated. The world will
then be transformed into a scene of change
less and surprising loyeliness, a fit dwell
ing place for glOrifed man.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-04-16

The reported boycott of the new Mex
lean ambassador to Washington because
of his connection with the trial and exc
cution of Emperor Macmillan is not
likely TO prove popular or render those
engaged in it any more popular in this
country. Macmillan has never been
regarded in the United States in any
other light than as IA usurper and had
not the MeXicans themselves been able
to depose him this country undoubtedly
would have aided them-in fact, was
preparing TO do so at the close of our
little family jar. The new ambassador
is entirely acceptable to this govern
ment, according to trustworthy reports,
and outside pressure is not likely to
change his status.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-04-16

1t is now limited that the missionaries
who are so devoted to the work of
spreading the light of christianity
among the heather may be responsible
for the Samoan troubles. If so it was
without intent, but the missionary and
the war spirit will not mix well to-
gether. If the missionaries cannot pros
ecutc their lahors without being backed
up by mcn-of-war it might be the scnsi-
bic thing to retire from the field and
let the heather work out their own sal
walton for a little while.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-04-16
nIHl nnM-

j. Sterling Morton's Conservative.
There should be no endeavor to propagate
the gull. Wall street is furnishing the mar
kets of the world with gulls. This bird is
very prolific. The flock of gulls lowering
about the trust traps and industrial snares
Of Wall street are innumerable. Every day
they take the bait. Before long there will
be whole coveys of gulls entirely featherless
they will have been plucked Of every quill
not even a pin feather will remain to help
prevent the exposure of their nakedness and
idiotic credulity. Gulls are too plentiful,
Bird day should not protect them.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-04-16

officials of the pension Office report that
the DEPARTMENT is almost overwhelmed with
applications for pensions now being filed by
the soldiers who served in the Spanish
American war. In the Thirty-fourth Mich
gan the number of applications thus far re-
ceived is $50, or over one-fourth of the en-
listed strength of the regiment. Every sol
der deserving a pension should have one,
but when $50 men out of a regiment ask for
government help it is evident that someone
has started to ride a free horse to death.