Omaha daily bee., 1899-08-10
} HEARD ABOUT TOWN..

Among the guests OF one OF the hotels
Tuesday evening was Erik Skram OF Copen-
hagen, secretary OF the lower house OF the
Denmark Parliament and president OF the
Danish society. Mr.. Skram is making a tour
OF the principal American cities for the two
fold purpose of organizing among his coun-
trymen an American branch OF the society
and becoming familiar with the customs OF
the citizens of the United States.
The more progressive people OF Denmark,
Mr.. Skram says, have observed that Danes
who have emigrated to America have pros
pered. Those who remained at home wish
to learn the secret of their success; they
wish to introduce into the Danish systems
OF trade, education, ETC., a little OF the
American activity.
Speaking Of the purpose OF his visit and
its result Mr.. Skram said:
I'VE have known a little about the Ameri-
cans through those OF our countrymen who
have settled here and become citizens. We
know that you are progressive, and, as the
rising generation in Denmark is made up
OF young men Of progressive ideas, they
wish to become familiar with your systems,
thinking that perhaps we can learn a great
deal from you.
Then we do not want the Danes in this
country to forget their nationality. We
want to have a brotherhood OF Danish peo-
pie all over the world, and we are starting
In by extending the Danish society OF Den
mark to America. l have visited the big
cities OF the west and intend to stop in all
the important places of the east to interest
my countrymen In the society project and to
inspect the industrial and school systems.
There are a great many ideas regarding
schools, particularly the grammar schools,
that We can Introduce with profit in Den
mark. American boys seem to grow to
mans estate quicker than our youth. They
are fitted for business pursuits and profess
Tlons quicker. They are taught in more
nracical ways, and I intend to try ITO have
American methods copied extensively"
Colonel j. ]. Dickey, with Theodore N.
Vail Of Vermont, c. E. ,Yost, e. NJ. Mors-
man and A. j. Love OF Omaha as guests, left
yesterday afternoon for a pleasure trip OF
two or three weeks in the mountains OF
Colorado. Idaho and Utah. The party &C.
cupies a private Union Pacific car. The time.
aside from travelling, will be devoted to rec
%reation, fishing and hunting in the noun
tains.
Theodore N. Vail probably has more to say
in the present and future OF the Bell Tele-
phone company than any other individual.
He has a national reputation, but is par
ticularly well known in some sections of
the United States. coming to Omaha In
1863. Mr.. Vail is a telegrapher and at that
time secured a night position as operator
for the Union Pacific at Pine Bluffs, Neb.
Soon after he was made a mail agent run
ming between omaha and Ogden, which posi-
ton he held until 1873, when the authorities
al, Washington were attracted by his abil-
tiles aud the efficiency OF his services At
N n ftrna Nh IT>sN
of the railway mail service in the
United States under G. s. Hubbard, then
postmaster general, Washington.
Alexander Graham Bell, Postmaster Cen
erai Hubbard's son-in-law, having invented
the telephone, Mr.. Vail was prevailed upon
to give up his government position and was
appointed general manager Of the great
American Bell Telephone company. with
headquarters in Boston. The gentleman is
entitled to great credit In establishing and
perfecting this great service in the United
States, Canada and South Amerjca