davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-22
Where Does the Public Come In?
.< HE decision of the depart
ment Of justice at Washing
Il ton at the direction of Pres

"~ HE decision of the depart
ment of justice at Washing
"a ton, at the direction of Pres
ident Roosevelt, to ask for n
judicial opinion as to the legality of the
recent merging of the Northern Pacific
and Great Northern railway systems
by the exchange of their respective Sc
curities for the securities of a new COR
poration organized for the purpose and
known as the Northern Securities COM
pany, renders timely review of the
known facts of that transaction.
They are set forth with admirabl
clearness by Professor Edward ID. Jones
of the university of Michigan in the
Current Encyclopedia for December.
At the outset it is necessary to know
that the railway business west of Chi
cago is controlled by three groups of
capitalists: the Gould interests. includ-
ing more especially the southwestern
roads; the Hartman syndicate, includ-
ing the Union and Southern Pacific:
the Chicago and Alton and some 9TH
ers; and the Hill-Morgan interests,
traversing more especially the north
western country. Last year the rumor
gained currency that the Chicago, Bur-
lington and Quincy railroad, which up
to that time had been in a measure
independent of the three groups in
tended TO build a line of it's own or
gain connection through to the coast.
This caused the Harrimans to bid for
Burlington stock, in order to forestall
such an invasion of their territory. But
the Hill-Morgan people objected to the
Harrimans invading the northwest ter
ritory and began also to bid for Bur-
lington The latter got control of Bur-
lington, but no sooner did this take
place than the former set out to check
mate them by getting contIpl of North
ern Pacific, How, under the stress of
this war for control, Northern Pacific
SCARED up to $1,000 share and how, to
avert panic, the cOntending parties
had finally to get together and com
promise are well remembered facts of
recent financial history.
Out of this circumstance the North
ern Securities company was born. Both
sides had loaded up so heavily with
these securities bought in at fancy
prices that TO unload would mean to
wreck the market, In that emergency
arbitrators We're called in, and after
carefully weighing the matter they de-
cided that the only safe way out of the
dilemma was the organization of new
company to take up these securities
and administer the properties which
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-22

proposition suggests that this
Il time it be handled prudently.
| As to the need of such a
| structure there cannot be two opinions.
| It's construction Is necessity. The
thirty odd thousand people whose lives
are endangered by the continuance of
| the present conditions of travel on
| West Lackawanna avenue have an un-
| challengeable right to demand that the
city shall do away with this menace
| and accord to them the same security
which prevails elsewhere.
But there is d right way and wrong
way to go about even the most desir-
able of public improvements, and 1t has
| happened heretofore that the promoters
of the vaduct have favored the wrong
| in preference to the right way. If any
| individual, firm or corporation were
| contemplating the investment of two
| hundred or more thousand dollars in
| an enterprise, the first step would be
to ascertain as accurately as possible
just what ii would cost No manager
of private business eXpending his own
or his employers money would be con-
tent to enter into any contract until
the details had been carefully worked
out. Not only would the first cost be
figured carefully, but all the later con-
tingencies would be taken into account
so far as possible to foresee them. In
short, when the word was given to go
ahead little or nothing would be left to
chance.
With regard to the viaduct, however,
the custom has been to move first and
figure afterward In not a single in
stance in which this proposition has
been before councils and people for con-
sideration has there been an approXi-
mately accurate attempt to estimate
the city's liability for damages. Not a
citizen today knows or is prepared in
telligently to guess whether this liabil-
ity would exceed or fall within half a
million dollars. No two guesses agree
No two plans agree. There is a nat
ural and proper demand for a viaduct,
but hardly a bit of matured detail. Had
practical sense instead of hurrah poll
tics governed in this matter we do not
uoupl lllitL Inclc WOulu nave Deen Il
viaduct and a good one in use long ago.
What is past cannot be recalled: but
it is within our power to use better
Judgment in the future and this should
be insisted upon.
The start made by Councilman Roba-
than Thursday night in presenting Il
resolution directing the city engineer to
prepare plans for IL vaduct on the
southerly side of the avenue is an in
telliSent one. Plans for IL structure
covering the entire street are already
in existence. Plans for Il private right
of way can be had at any time. With
these various plans to choose from it
VIII be possible for councils to consider
this matter deliberately and so to act
that nothing afterward will arise to
cause regret. The magnitude of the
undertaking calls for prudence and de-
liberate judgment, not impulsive leap
ing in the dark.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-22
He Knew 1t All the Time.

A gentleman from one OF the Ecarby stateS
who was in Memphis last week, told Il good story,
which will illustrate the easy manner IN whch
gossip may be started. lie said that several years
ago there was minister OF the gospel in his
ncighborhood who was noted for his piety. about
two years ago there came a change, and the
minister, whom we will call Rev Mr. Jones, was
transferred to different part OF thr state. Only
the day before lie arrived in Memphis there had
been another change, apd Mr.. Jones was giyca
The chapIaincy of the state prntcutiaIy.
That day, the Memphis visitor relates, he
happened to run across one of the minister's old
Pensioners, and, thinking he would be interest
ed in the lattcrs good fortune, said:
Say, Smith, did you hear that Rev. Mr. Jones
had been sent to the penitentGly?'
Good for him. responded Smith, llconically;
II always thought he would get there some day
lie was always such an allred rascal when lie
was around here, | knew he would wnd Up be.
hind the bars"
When his a,tounded informant remembered that
Smith had been known as one of Dr. .Ionc,'s !
greatest henchmcm, hc could hardly get m The
courage to tell him OF his crlor-- Memphis sum.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-22
The Lackawanna's Pension Plan.

1RECTLY in line with what
was said yesterday about the
49, equity of providing retire
nlent pensions for faithful
labor comes the announcement, cx-
planned in detail in another place, nf
the installation of q pension system
by the Lackawanna Railroad company
By this step President Truesdale en-
hibits another evidence of the far
sightedness of his management,
No fact is palmer to the attentive
student Of economic tendencies than
that this question of knitting employer
and employe more closely together by
substantial ties of self-interest must
receive the earnest thought of adminls-
traitors of large commercial and indus
trial trusts If they would escape from
continuous friction, annoyance and eX~
pense. IL is not enough that the man
ayers of our large corporations should
adjust satisfactorily the relations of
the investing interests over which they
presidei business necessity requires
that they Should give equal heed to the
equities of the labor whose activities
come under their supervision At pres
ent much of this labor is cropping
bliEdly for betterment of it's conditions
and falling an easy prey TO designing
men who misdirect its energies, to its
own and TO the communlty's loss. The
intelligence which is bringing into be-
Ing the admirable organizations of
capital that today promise to put the
commerce of the world under American
psubjectiun is also capable, If 1t tries,
Of bringing about equally satisfactory
hrelations with the thousands who toll
g In its employ. The first requisite to
substantial progress in this direction Is
the development of a feeling among
\ these wOrkingmen that the managing
ei.G has an honest and earnest concern
in Its well-being.
We can think of no approach along
fthis line more likely TO succeed than
that embodied i'm the pension plan
above referred to. 1t Is not a charity.
1t is not, in any Objectionable profess
sional sense, a benevolence. 1t is a
simple proposition of business equity
and fair play. 1t assures 20 faithful
cooperation In, the ranks a share In
the profits so arranged as to be avail
RI r = y ~ = = + = = = -
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-22
Why Laurier Couldn't Deny 1t.

Sir Wilfid Lauricr, the Canadian premier, was
on a specchmaking tour of Ontario during .hc
recent bye.clcctOns in that province ana the
province of Quebec. The elections were bitterly
contested, and efforts were made both by the
Liberals and Conservatives to stir up race and
religious prejudice. \ Quebec Liberal, whose ac.
puaintancc with Sir Wfrid was only political,
sent this telegram 10 his leader:
REPORT in circulation in this county that your
children have not been baptized. Telegraph
denial"
To which dispatch the premier sent tins reply:
Sorry to say report is correct l have no
children"
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-22
The Rishop's Trout.

Bishop Potter was returning 10 toxin ono sun.
day night recently tired with many duties donn
in the northern part OF his diocese, when a
friend, who had just boarded the train, handed
him fine basket of trout, the result OF dav' )
Spolt with the remark that he thought the
bishop had worked the harder OF the two and de.
served the catch.
On Monday morning the bishop was met by his
horsekeeper who inquired at once, "Oh, bishop,
how will you have those trout served which you
caught yeSterdayT'-New York Times Magazine.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-22


- yesterdays issue it is fair to
IA infer that the executive board
of the striking street railway
men intend to keep up their present
attitude indefinitely. That, of course,
is within their legal right. 1t has been
said that these executive officials are
receiving more pay while running this
hopeless strike than they could earn if
the strike were declared off and they
themselves sent back to their regular
employment How true this is we have
10 means of knowing. 1t should be in
vestigated by those most concerned.
The determination of these strike
leaders to hold out when every disin-
terested observer sees clearly that there
is no chance whatever for them to carry
the points for which they contend justi-
fies an appeal over their heads to the
men whom they have been misleading.
For four months in the neighborhood of
three hundred men have been carried
along in idlenesS on empty promises of
victory that every day became more
and more improbable. In this period
d
number of times on terms more ad-
vantageous to the strikers than any
now or hereafter open, but for the in
reference of these leaders. Has not the
time now come when common sense
should be asserted by those of the rank
and file who are tired of idleneSs and
cutthroat judgment-notc relief doled
out in driblets, and stand taken which
will at once relieve themselves ana the
long suffering and much abused COM
munity?
We think so. 1t is not now Ques-
tion of loyalty to the union. 1t is a
question of loyalty to self and to those
dependent. The union made its fight
and lost. Why should it keep on in
:reasing that loss? In spite of the loud
sounding rhetoric of the executive
board there is not thoughtful man in
Scranton who honestly believes that
the union has any longer the ghost of
a chance to regain the ground that 1t
has lost. That being true, why not take
the horse sense view and put an end to
the agony?
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-22

able at the time when most needed
Wfensa dvancing years foreshadow ear
.ly loss of earning power and bring
,homes the anxious problem of old age
To do this, as we said
yesterday. is proper charge upon In
dsstry. Far-sighted employers are see
ing this. Among the certain develop
nlsnts of the twentieth century none
is more hopeful in its promise of tram
QUILTING influence upon the troubled
labor@ situation. For the move which
he has made at this upportune time
President Truesdale and those sharing
responsibility with him. deserve the
w6rmest public approval.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-22
Small Wonder He Tottered.

couple of men bought tickets OF one Of the
city ticket agents yesterday for Dawson City.
After the gratihcd railroad man had gathered up
the money $40 in all, one Of the men said that
another fellow would he in later for a ticket TO
the same point. The two men had scarcely left
the room when another man walked up 10 the
counter and asked for "a ticket to Dawson. "
With the assurance of the late purchasers of
tickets to Dawson City in his mind, the agent
Issued another ticket TO the same far-oR place,
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-22
No Book Learning Needed.

During a school tea the other day a kindly old
doctor was regarding one OF the young guests
with evident alarm undismaycd by the doctor's
ganccs, the Young scholar rapidly demolished
plate after plate OF bread and butter and cake
At last the doctor could stand it no longer.
Going mp to the young rascal, he said;
My boy, have you ever read any book which
would tell you what 10 eat, what TO drink and
what TO ayoid?'
"Lor' bless yer, sir" replied the young gentle
man, II don't want no book Why, | eats all |
can drinks all | can and | avoids burstin'."-
indianapolis Sentinel.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-22
TEN PAGES.
SCRANTON, FEBRUARY %, 1902.

Messrs. Keller, Paine and their asso-
ciates in common council who resolute-
ly opposed the lobbying of subordinates
for increase of salaries asked for over
the heads of department chiefs. were
on solid ground. A claim which does
not have the sanction of the men held
responsible is good claim to let alone.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-22

Those who say that nothing will be
in congress forget that nothing is ever
settled in this country until it is set
tied right.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-22

The latest plan for Cuban reciprocity
a flat reduction of 40 per cent. on all
tariff duties, both ways, would un-
doubtedly prove, in the long run, the
ever malo.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-22
OUTLINE STUDIES
OF HUMAN NATURE

folded it up and put it fr an envelope. As he
laid the ticket down the stranger demanded:
"iUw lnuch?"
"0nc hundred and twenty dollars please
WHAT'S thatE' fairly shrieked the stranger,
as he tottcrcd backward and came near falling
through the plate glass window. Then it de.
velopcd that the man wanted n ticket to Dawson,
Mnn.-siN dollars and some cents. Duluth News
TribInc.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-22

Former Secretary OF State Foster
thinks it will be many years before an
other visit of foreign diplomats to the
president of the United States to inter-
meddle with American conduct shall be
permitted. We should hope so.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-22

From press reports it would appear
that Chnas grand old woman could
avoid confusion by am advance sale of
seats on the occasion of her next recep-
ton to the diplomatic corps of Pekn.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-22
At the Opera.
COMPLAINTS CONTINUE.
lrom the Carbondale Lcnder.

From the Carbondalc Leader.
There is still some growing in many quarters
about the many mistakes made in the printing
of the ballots for this city. and The circum-
stances are pointed to as another strong piece OF
evidence OF the need OF a county commissioner
from the upper end" who knows the residents
and the desires OF the district.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-22

Those who can read into the presi-
dents Schey verdict a condemnation
of Secretary Long certainly have great
gifts of Imagination.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-22

1t becomes more apparent daily that
young Alfonso's crown is to be made
Il target for bricks.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-22
TOLD BY THE STARS.
Daily Horoscope Drawn by Ajacchus,
The Tribune Astrologer.

Astrolabe Cast: 23i a, M, for Saturday, Feb.
ruary %, 1902.
A child born ON this day should have proper
admiration for the father OF his country,
The misery of dyspeptic man is as nothing
compared with that of his friends.
Hope usually springs eternal in the breast of
the man whose genius is only recognized by tie
fringe on the bottom of his pants.
The more ignorant man is regarding the sub.
ject, the more severe Is usually his criticism.
Ono of the elements OF success in man is the
ability to keep honey on his tongue when there )
gall in his heart.
Some people are continually worrying in eX.
peetation that the uneXpectc win happen.
At the Opera.
lie 50 you think the gentleman must be her
hrpbandy
She -undoubtodly, lie has not spoken to her
during the evening,
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-22

There is some choking and hard swal-
lowing in the Schley press over the
presidents decision; but in the main
the verdict is accepted and the whole
affair gladly dismissed.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-22

Senator Patterson, who calls Judge
Taft liar, is wild eyed Denver Pop.
That is enough said.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-22

If the aftcr-clection resolves of de-
fcated politicians to be good should
only be kept, what fine world this
MOmll be.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-22

We are again reminded of the her
culean task before the modern faith
ers of their country" who expect one
day to occupy a niche in the hall of
fame on the same floor with the grand
patriot whose memory is honored to-
day.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-22

they represented. The charter powers
of the new company are, however most
sweeping in character. They resemble
the powers of the United States Steel
corporation and vest the company with
authority to take over an unlimited
number of railway properties. While
no proof of a purpose to exact unfair
rates from the public exists, the fact
that the principle of the merger makes
such exaction possible at any time and
robs the community of all hope of inn
mediate redress had lead to loud call
from the people of the northwest for
legal steps to test the combines right
to exist. Tho bill in equity which At
torney General Knox intends to file
within a fcw days is drawn so as to
bring the matter fairly before the
courts on the allegation that the merg-
er is in conflict with the Sherman anti
trust law.
Without doubt the principle underly-
ing the Northern Securities company
that OF industrial cooperation for the
avoidance of needless competition and
duplcation-has come to stay and in it's
coming, in spite of what alarmists have
taught to the contrary, has brought
many economic blessings. But before 1t
can be applied to the business of inter-
state transportation few points now
in dispute must be cleared up. If there
is to be concentration of railway control
so that it lies within the power of a few
men to regulate absolutely the trans
portation of an entire community, state
or group of states, then the public must
have court of appeal. This power
is too important and too liable to abuse
to be lodged wholly in hands beyond
reach of public opinion or public JUS
tice. If it Is to be delegated to any
man or set of men the basis of such del
egation must be- not their own enrich
ment primarily regardless of the larg-
er welfare of the public but Il prudent
safeguarding of the common veal. 1t
becomes the duty of government to see
that this is assured Otherwise we
should soon have intolerable monopo-
lies unrestrained by law.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-22

Under the law application to the
Pennsylvania free library commission
from twelve taxpayers in any town not
having library facilities or in any rural
district, will secure for six months the
use of a library of fifty volumes, cover
ing history, travel, fiction. useful arts,
etc. Thirty-four of these libraries are
now in circulation and thirty additional
ones are being made ready for early
use. Undoubtedly this is work of
large possibilities in educational use
fulness. 1t is a wonder philanthropists
like Mr.. Carnegie DO not try to do more
for the small towns and country settle
ments. They need help most.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-22

Here's gratitude for you. The Pitts
burg Times, the organ of the Finn ring,
the beneficiary of the latest ripping,
lays all the blame for Tuesdays over
turn on the governor, whose consum-
ing ambition, impenctrable hide, dull
persistency and fat wit" it claims
made any other verdict impossible If
that kind of talk measures Flinn's cali
Der then the people Of Pttsburg have
made no mistake in firing him.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-22

They are more beautiful and dress
Ter than any shown heretofore;
greater range of styles and many
entirely new designs. Probably the
most prominent and most appropri-
ate of the tailor made effect Is the
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-22

Judge Crumpacker, the courageous
Indiana congressman who insists that
one vote in Mississippi for example,
shall not have six times the voting
strength in congress welded by one
vote in Pennsylvania, has just been
unanimously rcnominated for the
fourth time. And he will be elected.
The people of Indiana appreciate his
Style
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-22
End the Agony.

ROM the communication in
- yesterdays issue it is fair to
IA infer that the executive board
tho vi ct root railway
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-22
With Regard to the Viaduct.

|NHE recurrence of the viaduct
proposition suggests that this
Il time it be handled prudently.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-22
Gibson Waist
Made of fine quality Mcrcerizet
Madras; comes in white and the
popular shades of the season.
White Silk Waists

These are very handsome: made
of good quality Taffeta Silk, clus
ter of tucks and hemstitched o.
front and back, and lace trimmed.
also White China Silk Waists, with
chiffon trimming.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-22

IRECTLY in line with what
was said yesterday about the
~ equity of providing retire
Cat,
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-22
White Lawn Waists

Are strkingly dressy In design;
made of fine imported lawn with
allover embroidery, tucked front
and back, latest legligee tucked
collars.
Others with fancy trimmed W
shaped front in lace and embroid.
cry: also line with low necks am
short sleeves.