davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-08

The decision OF Judges Grosscup ami
Humphrey in the cases Of the tax on cor
porations before the United states circuit
court is Of the highest Importance and in
terest. In some respects 1t is an entirely
new departure from former lines Of adiu-
dication in the federal courts.
II will be recollected that in "the school
ma'ams' case as il was called. before
State Judge Thompson at Springfield the
State Board Of Equalization reassessed the
property Of several Chicago corporations.
The board fixed total corporate valuations
in Chicago at over SIS. 900, 900.
From this assessment by the state equal
izing board an appeal was taken to the
United States circuit court on the ground
that the collection OF taxes on this assess
ment would be a denial to the corporations
Of equal protection under the laws and a
violation OF the fourteenth amendment.
That is how the case got into the federal
court. The United States tribunals are
coming very close to all the people. They
are interfering with the execution OF state
laws. This is a startling change from the
original understanding Of the limitations
on federal judicial power.
The federal court sets aside the rule Of
State Judge Thompson for corporate as
sessments. incidentally the state law for
the valuation Of corporate property by es-
timating the value Of the stock and bonds
Of a corporation is nullihed. An entirely
new rule for assessment is established.
The market quotations Of the stock and
bonds Of a corporation on a given day shall
not be the test Of valuation for the entire
property. The valuation shall be fixed by
the general earning power Of the property
on a s per cent basis. This excludes the
quotations Of rigid" or speculative mar
kets from the calculation in estimating
the taxable valuation Of property. 1t re-
verses the rule Of the state board, which
took the market prices on a given day as
the basis Of corporate assessments.
The basis Of the assessment, according
Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-08
1NrrnsrArE LAW lMrNpM1Nr.

Today hearings will begin before the
foreign commerce in regard to the pro-
posed amendments to the interstate
commerce act and are expected to Oc-
cupy the attention Of these committees
for a couple of weeks. Those who are
TO give their views TO the committees
represent commercial organizations in
every section Of the country and men
prominent in railway management will
also be heard. 1t is expected that a
great deal of interesting and useful in
formation will be elected which will
throw much light upon the prevalent
sentiment among business men and rail
way managers in regard to the proposed
changes in the interstate commerce act
The chairman of the executive COM
mittee Of the interstate law
convention. Dir. Bacon. who is now in
Washington. advocates what is known
as the Corliss bill, which proposes to
enlarge the powers Of the Interstate
Commerce commission. but does not pro-
vide for pooling, as does the measure
introduced in the senate by Mr.. Elkins.
In this he voices the practically unani-
nous judgment of the convention he
represents. In a late interview Mr..
Bacon expressed the opinion that re-
cent developments have been such as
to make it incumbent upon congress to
act. The time is Op2ortune," he said,
land further delay would arouse such
a feeling Of resentment in commercial
circles as to render possible serious agi-
tation for radical measures against the
carriers. Public opinion is in sympathy
with the present movement. This is APP
parent from expressions by prominent
statesmen and business men, by the
testimony submitted to the industrial
commission on the subject of transporta-
ton and in the known desire of GER
tain representative railroad men to meet
the friends Of the proposed legislation
in a spirit Of compromise" He stated
that conservative railway officials pri-
vately admit the justice of the demands
of the shippers. asserting that some
thing must be done to satisfy public
sentiment. He pointed to the fact that
a number of the state legislatures have
passed resolutions urging upon congress
the necessity for prompt remedial legis-
lation.
1t would seem that congress should
need no more enlightenment in regard
to public sentiment in this matter; that
in view of the disclosures of the last
three months regarding the widespread
and persistent violations Of the inter
state law congress a re-
quire nothing more to convince it of the
necessity for so amending that act as
to make it more effective. There is
no objection, however, to the hearings
to be held and the testimony that will
be submitted will be regarded with gen.
eral interest.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-08
II ANGELS LEG.

Kate Thyson Mari in Town Topics.
There were two girls, such jolly friends,
AS Ill proceed to show.
One was a daisy up TO date.
The other somewhat slow.
One rode 4 bike" and danced and sung
And like a sailor row'd.
A Sunday school the other taught,
Or stayed at home and sewed.
''Th ''hikey" girl she broke her leg
Twas amputated. too;
Her friend took sick. and knew she'd die,
SO pondered what TO do
Above. with wings. IN need no legs,
SOIL give her one OF mine.
The girls and surgeons all agreed
The splicing turned out nne-
The good girl died. her leg was left,
Her friends had q in tow.
Twas catching on in real good shape,
But grated legs are slow.
The surgeons smiled and called the job
a scientific spec
The girl who longed for more good spins
Was happy as could BE-.
She soon got well. took out her bike
And then her sorrow learn'd.
That leg refused TO tax a part
In joys for which she yearn'd.
Twould Eo to church. but bike" or dance
II wouldn't move a peg.
She means her fate, that naughty girl.
Who has an angels leg.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-08
Taxing Corporations


to this decision. shall be the true net
earnings" OF a corporation. The amount OF
earnings shall be capitalized on a ratio OF
6 per cent dividends. The sum thus ascer-
tanned shall be regarded az the value OF
the corporate property. including the fran
chises and the tangible property.
Except that an unusually large per cent
is allowed for dividends. apparently Moth
ing could be fairer than this rule. The
capital stock Of property paying s per cent
dividends is worth $3.50 on it's face dollar
value. But probably allowances were made
for fluctuations in corporate earnings as
between hard times and flush times"
The net earnings forming the basis OF
assessment, Of course. are estimated after
all fixed charges are paid. including i'm
pairment and depreciation Of property with
the expense OF renewal. The cost OF ex-
tensions. meaning permanent improvements.
shall not be deducted from the gross earn
ings in ascertaining the amount OF the net
earnings.
From the total valuation so ascertained
30 per cent shall be deducted, as it is sup
posed that all property in the state is as
sessed at not over 20 per cent of its value.
This part Of the rule OF assessments is
against the corporations, for the general
assessment is much less than 20 per cent
OF cash values. II makes up, however, for
the lower valuation based on earnings that
yield 6 per cent dividends. So the general
equity Of the rule is maintained.
The principal thing about this decision.
however, is that the United States court
assumes power to FIX rules for assessment
in Illinois which set aside state laws and
reverse the decisions OF fits highest court
in a matter purely Of state legislation and
policy. United States masters in chancery
shall make the assessment.
This is a great stretch OF Jurisdiction
under the ~overworked fourteenth amend
ment. But as the federal courts are the
final judges OF the limits Of their own
jurisdiction the aw must be taken as they
lay II down.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-08
TIE UNREST OF B

With the opening Of spring comes
always the periodic effort Of working
men to secure better terms OF employ
ment either by the reduction Of hours
or the increase of wages. Symptoms of
unrest are manifested again this year in
various sections of the country in
strikes and threats of strikes.
In New England and in the factory
centers OF the middle states the heavy
employers have for the most part made
voluntary concessions to reasonable de-
mands or have submitted their differ
ences with wage workers to arbitration.
These peaceful victories of labor are
due chiefly to the fact that the unex-
ampled prosperity of the country has
stimulated consumption and American
mills and factories find themselves with
more orders than they are able to I'LL.
In the west, and especially In the
larger cities, the demands of labor for
higher pay and reduced hours have been
confined principally to the building
trades. In some instances these de-
mands have been conceded, while in
others they have brought on a strain
that may seriously affect building en-
terprises projected for the coming sea
son. Capitalists feel reluctant to invest
money in buildings unless they have
reasonable assurance that the invest
ment will yield as good returns as
money loaned on mortgages or converted
into securities I'M bonds.
These conditions face the mechanics
engaged in the building trades in Omaha
and must be kept in view in the ad-
justment OF the wage scale. While
workingmen have a right to demand
their full share OF prevailing prosperity,
il is not to their interest to make de-
mands that would check the erection Of
buildings and other Improvement and
thus prevent the attainment of their
object by reducing the opportunities for
-emplOyment
Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-08
Tendency of the Times.

Hartford Comm Courant Crep.).
We deplore the whole drift OF things, and
cannot see how those steering the COM
binations fail to see the port that they
are heading for. Indeed, it looks to US as
IL some Of them did see and proposed to
land their craft in the United States treas
ury. The magnitude of such a misfortune
cannot be measured in advance. 1t would
mean the making over of our social and
political system. But what else can come,
il combinations can be made as wide as
the continent and as long as from the gulf
to Hudson's bay. The end of such mag
nihcent schemes is empire and the people
will step in at that point and take the new
empire into their own hands. We shudder
even at the possibility of such a develop
ment. But the fact that the possibility
stands there, and that the short-sighted
schemes Of momentary aggrandizement by
men already rich beyond the ability to
count their treasure are driving us that
way, ought TO be emphasized and repeated
until the public senses the situation and
takes up the cry.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-08
Poorly Paid Life saver..
New York World.

New York World.
In a few brief lines from the rockboupd
Massachusetts coast is condensed a pitiful
tragedy Of the sea. A distressed barge in
the ofing; a lifeboat with a crew Of seven
to the rescue; a rush Of angry waters en-
gulf1ng the little vessel and then wifi
death for six hardy lifesavers. Not even on
the high seas when hurricanes rage Is mari
time adventure so dangerous as the oft-re-
peated experiences Of the government life
saving crews. And these heroes. who value
not their own lives and take no heed Of
fame, are paid starvation wages by the
government for ten months in each year and
are laid of without pay during the remain
ing two months.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-08
BANKRUPT FROM THE START.
Asphalt Trust Revealed as = Huge
Swindle.

New York Evening Post.
The chief point of financial interest in
the recent Developments regarding the
asphalt trusts affairs is not the fact that
the company is badly insolvent today, but
that, apparently. II was never solvent. The
cold and unfeeling report by the Audit com
pany, after examining the books, indicates
this with entire distinctness. The national
trust really began business in October. 1900.
when it. absorbed the Asphalt Company Of
America. much in the fashion of the more
recent "stock-holding companies" 1t Is
sued bonds for the paidup stock of this
junior company. and assumed that concerns
$50, 900. 900 fixed liabilities. This represented
an annual fixed charge Of 81, 500 900, against
which the company is now shown to have
earned but 1911 900 net in 1901. and, of
course. less in 1900. TIL plea Of the old
management that its Venezuela experiment
was costly, and that one subsidiary con-
Germ was a total failure, does not hep mat
tiers. The truth appears to be that. even II
the company had not sunk the half-million
dollars accounted for by these two enter
prises II would still have earned last year
less than half OF its fixed charges. More
over, it may properly be asked how long 1t
is since a company's creditors have &C
cepted outright blunders in management as
a valid excuse for bankruptcy.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-08

1t has become he fashion with peri
patetic agitators and fanatical reformers
20 point at Omaha as n OF the wick
eldest cities In the country. but these
assertions are c~Ontradicted every time
comparison is made between Omaha and
other cities Of like OF larger population.
St Louis, for example, has 2.1O0 saloons,
or one for every 1855 OF it's population,
while Omaha with go saloons has only
one for $50 people. On the other hand,
while Omaha has one policeman for
every l.O06 OF It's population. st. Louis
has one for every 461 OF its population,
estimated At 100000.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-08

The Board of Education appears to be
entirely oblivious to the fact that the
issue Of warrants before the taxes have
been levied to meet them has no au-
thority in law. In that respect the
school district is precisely in the same
position as the city, but. while the
mayor and council have stopped drawing
warrants while the levy is hung up by
the courts, the school board keeps right
on as If the levy had already been
made.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-08

Omaha seems to be the most obstrep-
erous town on the map of the ire in
surance rate makers. According to the
Chicago Tribune, the most stubborn OPP
position the proposed increase in rates
has yet encountered m from the
Omaha Fire Underwriters association.
Whether their remonstrance will have
any effect on the officials of the West
ern Union, as the combine is called, Is
vet to be ascertained.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-08
FLASHES OF FUN.

Washington Star: THE difference be-
tween a mule an some human bein's, said
Uncle Eben. lis dat de mule only kicks
once in a while, an when he does, II
mounts TO sumpin'."
Philadelphia Press: our Legislators
protested the machine politician, are not
as bad as they're painted
they're certainly not as good as they're
whitewashed."
Chicago Tribune; lie it clear to you
now?" asked the instructor. after a length
ened exegesis concerning the relative i'm
portance OF positive and negative. forces.
woman with the banged hair. Its partly
cloudy still.
Puck. Ethel-what did You say to papa
Ferdy-N-Nothing. ! was so scared that
l didn't open my mouth.
Ethel-Oh, That accounts for It He said
you Impressed him very favorably.
PHILADELPHIA Record: II will kill YOU
Kissed the villain with the tintol sword
mo. ii won't" retorted the beautiful
heroine, this is New York, and II you kill
me the case will go on forever"
Baltimore Herald: ''The Philippines are
at our door knocking; yes, sir. knocking,
said the ardent imperislist.
the war news. they do seem to be doing
a whole lot of knocking the last few
years.
Chicago Tribune: "whst ! want to know
IL this" said the man with the scheme.
How much will IL cost TO get this ordi-
Sir. exciaimed the alderman from the
'Steenth ward, reddening with indignation,
your question is an insult! Hover
how much can you AFFORD to spend TO have
IL nut ThT0uEhI'
Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-08
THE ALASKAN BOUNDARY DISPUTE.

THE ALASKAN BOUNDARY DISPUTE.
The dispute in regard 20 the Alaskan
boundary has been given fresh interest
by the report that in American terri
tory near the border OF Alaska British
and Canadian officials are making sur
yeys and encroachments on territory not
included in the agreement entered into
by the American and British govern
ments. 1t is asserted that these officials
are removing and destroying ancient
landmarks and monuments long ago
erected by the Russian government to
mark the Alaskan boundary. A resOlu-
ton was introduced in the house Of rep
resentatives a few days ago asking the
secretary of state to inform congress
what steps. il any, the State depart
ment has taken To ascertain the facts
as to the alleged e~ncroachments upon
American territory and the alleged re-
moval and destruction of landmarks and
monuments and to prevent the same.
According TO Washington advices OF a
few days ago an investigation had been
ordered by the authorities, but the facts
were not officially made public. Ii APP
pears probable. however, that there is
substantial ground for the report that
the Canadian authorities have been ex
ceeding their rights and II this shall be
established there viii be a very deter
mined demand on our government to
take decisive steps TO put a stop TO any
invasion Of American rights in Alaska.
The dispute regarding the Alaska
Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-08
BITS OF WASHINGTON LIFE.
scenes and cider Sketched on the
SDOt.

cBONs
The other day a magician. who is aston
ishing Washington with exhibitions OF the
black art, paid a visit to Secretary Of the
Treasury Shaw. and turned a neat trick
on the master of the nations money chest.
Now Mr.. Secretary" said the magician,
please take this SO bill and see II IL is
all right"
Yes sir" said Secretary Shaw. II stake
my reputation that this is a genuine bill
and give 1t official recognition"
"All right said the magician, please
crush it up and hold Il tightly in your
hand" The secretary followed the direc-
tions and held on to the bill like a miser.
You're quite sure its there now, Mr..
SecretarY?"
Sure; sure's you're born"
"Open your hand" said the magician. The
bill had disappeared.
well, that beats ALT" said the secretary,
very much mystihed.
And a nice man for secretary of the
treasury Of the United States. indeed" said
Mrs. Shaw, who was standing by.
Senator Willard OF Nebraska. was in the
War department yesterday calling upon the
quartermaster general. reports the Wash
ington Post. AS he emerged from General
Ludington's Office he walked along the cor
ridor where the wax figures 0f Uncle Sans
soldiers are located. A GROVE of tourists
was gathered about the cases inspecting
the uniforms, which the soldiers Of the re-
public have worn since continental times.
One man, more inquiring than the rest, APP
preached Mr.. Willard.
Say" he asked, are these some of the
soldiers that were killed in the late WARP"
NO" replied the senator. without a
smile upon his benevolent countenance,
these are some of the soldiers we are
saving to be killed in the next war"
There is the man who nominated Theo-
dore Roosevelt for the first ONCE he ever
held" said a gentleman quoted by the
Washington Star. And then he brought
over to the table the man referred TO. Mr..
William Leary, and introduced him to the
visitors. BILLY" Leary is one Of the best
known newspaper men and politicians in
New York.
Il remember the occasion very we'll, -
continued the speaker. BILLY was a dis
trict leader and it came time to nominate
an sssemblyman from his district. The
party managers got their heads together
and picked out Theodore Roosevelt, a
yOuhs lcllON VINO udu DeeQ GOING some
good work in the district in an unosten-
tatious way.
'Roosevelt's the man for assemblyman.'
was the unanimous decision. and they told
Billy to nominate him in the convention.
That was the beginning OF the once hold
ing career Of Mr.. Roosevelt, which has cuI-
minated in his holding the highest once
in the gift of the people"
The other day the principal OF a New
York private school led about twenty Of his
pupils into the East room OF the White
Hose.
stand them in a row. ordered the pres
ident as soon as he saw the teacher and
his charges. This was done. and Mr.. Roose-
welt passed down the row grasping one
boys hand with his right and that Of the
next boy with his left hand. exactly as
does the dancer Of a quadrille in the grand
Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-08

Rev. DIR. Dewitt Talmsge has for sew
eral weeks been dangerously i'll and
his life is said to bea hanging almost
by a thread, but that has not prevented
the regular delivery Of his sermons
every Monday morning by the only
Omaha religious daily, which always
carries a full supply of fresh sermons
In cold storage.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-08

An u~p-to-date Chicago preacher is re-
sorting TO a new method for bringing
members OF his congregation to church
to hear his weekly sermons by estab-
fishing a nursery and kindergarten in
connection with the church TO take care
Of the children during morning service
for the mothers who might otherwise
be prevented from attending. What he
proposes to do to fetch the fathers along
q unfortunately not yet disclosed.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-08

Last years agricultural exports from
the United States made a record
breaker. Last years consumption of
agricultural products within the United
States was also a recOrd-breaker. Big
crops would not mean half as much
If it were not for big demand
from an army, steadily employed, of
wage workers.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-08

Mayor Rose Of Milwaukee will have
10 watch the COmmoner to find out
whether he has kept within the proprl-
eties in shylng his presidential castor
into the democratic ring at this stage of
the game.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-08

Now that Miss Stone has signed her
contract for the promise of a lecture
tour it would be the polite thing for
those Bulgarian brigands to remit for
u fat block Of tickets just to show their
appreciation OF the enterprise.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-08

The promoters of the South Omaha
bridge no longer have any reason for
keeping their plans under the hat. II
anything more is to come out OF the
scheme than political hot air, they might
AZ we'll take the people into their con-
hdence and let them know who Is to
capitalize the scheme and how much
bonus they propose TO ask for.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-08

The st Louis exposition managers are
mp to the point of acknowledging the
necessity of p~ostponing their show till
1904. but they want Uncle Sam to make
the first move.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-08
which Does Not Spell Hill.
New York Sun

WV TVTN SUN
The democratic party would be without
hope except for the southern states. There
are its brains and the only majorities
upon which it can rely. Obviously, there
fore, the time has come when to the south
belongs the shaping Of the democratic ma
tional policy, and logically the candidate
nominated by the democratic national con-
vention in 1904 should be a representative
Of the dominant southern democracy.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-08

WOrkingmen out Of a job who are
willing to cultivate a Pingree potato
patch this summer should not be back
ward in coming forward with their ap-
plicatlons and place them on file with
Ehe Woman's club.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-08

New lOrk Press.
Expert testimony in crimina cases is
fallen into disfavor. There are other ex-
perts. however. which maintain their stand
ing in the community. There are the ex-
pert accountants. Do you know. ofhand.
what an expert accountant is? No? Well
without desiring TO be personal-an expert
accountant is a person capable OF varying
the Congratulated principle that . and 2
make
Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-08
A MonEreI Coin.
Philadelphia Press.

The bill providing for q Philippine dol
lar. a. favorably reported by the senate
committee, provides hat the inscription on
the coin is 10 be in English. Filipino and
Chinese. Why Chinese, when Chinese are
to be excluded from the islands, is not
clear; neither IL Il clear what is meant
by Filipino. There are many dialects
spoken ly the natives, and II will take a
judicial Interpretation to decide which OF
Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-08

The presidents visit to the Charleston
exposition involuntarily recalls the i'll
fated visit Of President Mckinley to the
Rainbow city at Buffalo. While no one
apprehends a repetition of that dire
catastrophe, most people will shudder
ut the mere recollection.