davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-28
INTERVIEWING MORGAN.
Lots of Information Isn't Obtained
from the Magnate.

Buffalo Express.
interviewing j. PierpOnt Morgan is evil
IDENTIFY of the pleasantest assignments
a New York reporter can get. Chauncey
Depew is not in it for affability with the
banker, and when it comes to results, what
a boon Mr.. Morgan is to those who seek to
make copy. The New York Times of yes
terday makes a leading article out of the
attempt of it's reporter to get Mr.. Morgan
to say something. Here is a sample of the
interview:
What action, if any, will you take re-
garding the striker" he was asked. "It was
the general impression that on your return
from Europe you would take some action to
bring the strike to a speedy end"
What action can L take?" he said. why
is it necessary for me to take any?"
"Will you take any action?"
''Why should 1? l am not the president of
the coal companies"
Mr.. Morgan was then asked if there was
any chance of arbitrating the strike.
Il know nothing about the matter" he
said.
Then the reporter propounded an elabor-
ate statement about rumOred conferences,
etc. to which Mr. Morgan's only answer
was: Il don't know a thing about that"
Then he added after a minute: why don
the papers leave matters alone? Why
should you stir up things in this way in
stead of leaving them to settle matters
among themselves"
Further efforts by the persistent reporter
resulted only in enabling him to inform the
public that Mr.. Morgan declined to say
whether not he would interfere in the
coal strike. 1t was pointed out TO him that
the operators had said he would let the
strike wear itself out.
THAT | will say nothing about, he said.
But the operators have already said you
will not interfere"
Il have not said | would not Interfere, =
! he replied, 'or that | will interfere. l Will
not talk on that subject
Mr.. Morgan then said that this was not
! the proper time to tell his plans. He would
| not say when he would make any state
ment He added:
when the proper time comes if there is
/ anything to say, L will say it. L may have
something to say later or | may not. will
| not make any statement now, however.
/ When there is anything to he said by me
! for the press, the reporters will get it"
If that isn't a meaty interview witt a
great man there never was one. 1t at any
/ nothing to say for publication, though to
| be sure that information might have been
/ conveyed to the reader with greater brev-
! ity. We suspect that Mr.. Morgan is not
/ greatly given to humOr, but if he looked al
/ yesterdays New York Times he needed a
| sense of hUmOr to appreciate the headlines
/ over his refusal TO talk. the first of which
| was: y. PierpOnt Morgan Discusses Coal
! Strikei" And the same interview appears,
word for word in at least one other New
| York paper.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-28
MPossIBILITY OF ARBITRATION.

An expression of opinions from the may
ors of a number of leading cities and towns
in Indiana regarding the anthracite coal
strike shows general sympathy with the
strikers and unanimity in favor of an i'm
mediate settlement of the strike by arbi-
tratiOn. Several of them say that is also
the sentiment of the communities which
they represent. No doubt it is of the coun-
try. generally. BY the firmness with which
they adhere to their demands and by their
general good conduct. barring a few ex-
ceptions. the strikers have convinced the
public of the justice of their cause and
have won public sympathy. Almost every
body would like to see them succeed. But
beyond this is general desire to see the
strike ended, and arbitration is suggested
as the only conceivable means of fastening
the end. AS the operators have refused
and still refuse to entertain the idea of ar
bitration the suggestion probably means
compulsory arbitration.
y little reflection Will show that such a
mode of settlement is out of the question
at the present time. There is no doubt but
the idea of compulsory arbitration is gain
ing ground in the public mind, and the
present strike has given it distinct i'm
petus. But compulsory arbitration can only
be had by methods and processes provided
by law, and there is no adequate law on
the subject at present. There is a so-called
arbitration law in Pennsylvania. but il is
generally regarded i'm that State as of no
account as far as its compulsory features
are concerned. 1t provides that either or
/ both parties to a difference between en-
ployers and employees in the mining, manu-
/ featuring transportation industries may
appeal TO the courts for the appointment
Of arbitrators. each party naming three
l and the court naming three. If one party
refuses TO unite in the request TO the court
/ then the court will appoint six arbitrators
The board of arbitrators so appointed has
4 all the authority necessary TO procure evil
\ dence 1t shall duly execute its decision
which. with all the papers and minutes OF
its proceedings. shall be returned to and
fled in the court for safekeeping But at
this point the law breaks down. because
| tHSlt ID 10 pApNlSAoH Whatever Auf tiloIC-
! ing the decision OF the board OF arbitrator
and no penalty on either party for not ac
cepting it, If the miners had any faith ii
this law they would have invoked it Ions
ago. 1t was passed in 1898 and has not beer
employed in single instance to settle 4
strike in Pennsylvania. Ii is practically Z
dead letter.
There is no national law on the subject
and in the absence of such a law the ma
tional government has no power to act. /
cannot lift finger in the case. Possibl!
under the law OF eminent domain il nigh
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-28
CUT RATES ON DOG TAGS.
Bargain Sales of Licenses by the
Monumental City Authorities.

Baltimore Herald.
Another slaughter sale" of dog licenses
is going at the City Hall. While the
onslaught hasn't taken the form of bar
gain counter rush, the remnant department
is doing sufficient business to keep the stock
clerk awake. Tags that at the beginning
of the year cost 81 can now be had for ST. 40
and, though it is violating a business secret
TO say so. another drop is scheduled, and
next month they will be selling for Sl30
This ''cut rate" does not affect renewals in
any way. This class of tag is sold for 81
straight
LOCALIZED dogs add between $4,000 and
$4,000 to the city treasury annually. l. was
expected that more than this amount would
be realized this year, but up TO date the re-
ceipts fer tags is below the estimate. In
view of this ii is hardly probable that in
giving out the contract more than 5000
tags will be arranged for next season. The
collector Of water rents and licenses or
dered 1900 at the beginning of the present
year, but has a lot on hand yet. IL would
appear from this that the dog which has
some one interested in keeping il out OF the
pound is on the decrease.
Collector Shafer yesterday awarded the
contract for furnishing tags for wagons.
drays and other vehicles to the ROnemOus
Sign Company, OF Baltimore. al A92S7 The
next lowest company was the Pearre +.
Crowl Company, at 500. II is stipulated
that $3.50 pairs OF tags be furnished.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-28

pany- Reviving and passing the ordinance
now would not revive the company's offer
OF several months ago, nor impose any
obligation on the company TO accept the
ordinance. The original ordinance of 1887
gave any consumer the right to require
gas 10 be furnished by meter measurem ent,
but it did not give the city the right to
make meter measurement compulsory on
the companies. 1t did not give the city
the right to revise and refx the rates
and prices herein designated. at any time
after the expiration OF ten years from the
date of the passage Of the ordinance" but
clearly such revision and refxing Of rates
would be such a change OF the ordinance
as TO require a new acceptance BY the
companies. The city may well recognize
the difficulties Of the situation in which it
is placed by unwise action in the past
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-28
Take Hitching Posts Along.

Philadelphia Telegraph
When the farmers OF Delaware go to
Bowers Beach. which is on the Delaware
bay, in Kent county. on big Thursday
and last week several thousand Of them
were on hand-they take hitching posts
along. One route 10 the resort Is via Dover
and every vehicle that passed through the
State capital carried, I'm addition 20 bounti-
full supplies Of provisions. a spade and A
goOd-sized post with which TO tie the
horses Bowers Beach is short on those
necessary appliances and. 10 make sure
that they will have a conveyance home
ward, the visitors all dig holes, plant the
posts and then fastcn the steeds with ropes
that go around the neck and through the
bride When the days enjoyment is over
they all proceed 10 take up the posts much
after the style OF "A circus breaking camp
The farmers OF the Diamond State are
nothing II not original
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-28
Dead by Proxy.
Kansas City Journal.

Kansas City Journal.
Harrison HUFF. aged ninety-one. went into
a drug store at Wichita. Kan, the other
day and inquired for Bombay root. saying
he wished TO use il a substitute for
tobacco. Cant you quit without a SUBJ
stitutec" inquired the druggist. after ex-
planning that Bombay root was an anti
quated drug and no longer found in the
market. Il don't want 10 quit" said the
old man. Il simply want TO let up a little"
How long have YOU been chewing in
quired the druggist. Nigh on TO eighty
years; maybe more. / know | was chewing
when jefferson died on the Fourth Of July
in 1924 Continuing his talk about the
early days. Mr. Hun said that he had voted
for Andrew Jackson. and at every Presi-
Dental election since. THE day I was
born" ne said, my father was drafted
into the war against the English He
couldn't GO for nay mother was very i'll
they thought she was going TO die-and so
ne hired a substitute. The substitute died
before he had marched three miles The
officer came back and wanted 10 draft nv
father again. Your proxy is dead the
officer said, and i want you. Then my
father said: If my proxy is dead. then /
am dead by proxy, and l won't go. And
he didn't GO
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-28

Baltimore American.
Not all men are affected by the three
score and ten-year fiction. Now and then
some prominent man drops out Of active
life and for want Of a better reason claims
this mystical age limit as an excuse. jus
tice Shiras is the last to hold that at sew
enty a man should step down and out
This age limit has not affected Senator
Frye, of Maine. the president pro TEN. OF
the United States Senate. At seventy-one
Mr. Frye is spry enough to engage i'm a
second matrimonial venture. In one sense
matrimOny does put the man OF the house
upon a shelf. SO Mr. Frye may not be
breaking precedents after all. Moreover,
he has the excellent example of his col
league from Connecticut, Senator O. III.
Plat, who took his lottery ticket at sew
enty-fOur. The other Platt-ThOmas c., OF
New YOrk-has also lately been under sus-
picion, and il would not surprise his friends
If he should marry again shortly in spite
OF his nearly seventy years. And then
there's the jaunty Chauncey NJ Depew.
now going on siXty-nine and again BRIDE
groom. Bishop Potter, another New
Yorker, is about the same age. and does
not consider that he has passed the prime
of life.
And so instances might be multiplied TO
show that there is no magic line OF human
decay. The age limit, like the Atlantic
City tidal wave, is a myth.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-28

take possession of the mines. but it could
not do that without compensation to the
owners. and even if it took possession it
would have no authority TO operate them.
That would not be arbitration. and the peo-
PIE would not like 10 see the government
enter on a policy of confscaton. That
would be worse than government by in
junction. Justice Shiras points out some
of the difficulties Of the situation in pub
lished interview. He says:
Arbitration is the logical method of set
Ting labor troubles such as this one, which
affects the general prosperity and comfort
of a great section of the country. The
method and enforcement of this arbitra-
tiOn is a subject for the lawmakers of the
Nation; but arbitration itself is logical
There Is now one great difficulty standing
In the way of an arbitration law. Many or
the labor unions are not Incorporated IN
III they are no law can be made DlhdlhS'
as no contract or agreement could be en-
forced upon them, while the operators, on
the other hand. could be held liable. IN
corporation OF all labor unions is the pri-
mary step toward the passage of an arbl-
rauOn law. The unions must be response
bic for the carrying out of an agreement,
and until they are, there Is little hope Tor
compulsory arbitration of labor troubles
Here we have the opinion of judge Of
NAAS supreme OOAAb LAicAN NlAC AebAAoAle'A oDF
eminent cannot do thing in the direc-
ton of compulsory arbitration without
act of Congress on the subject Such an
act may be passed some time, but not in
time to affect the present strike. The point
made by Justice Shiras in regard to the
nonincorporation Of labor unions is inn
portant one. As labor unions are mere vol
untary organizations without any legal
existence or status under the law they
cannot be made amenable to law as cor
poratons can. For their own welfare as
well as that of the public they ought to be
incorporated.
For these and other reasons that might
be named compulsory arbitration of the
present strike is out of the question. Vol
untary arbitration is equally so as long as
the operators absolutely refuse to consider
it, and their latest utterance is to this
effect. No matter how strong public SYM
pathy with the strikers or condemnation
Of the operators may be, the latter in
a position to ignore and defy it. There
fore. all talk of arbitration is waste of
breath. 1t is the logical and would be the
right method of settlement, but it is i'm
! possible.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-28
The Biters Bitten.

Nebraska State Journal.
During the Saratoga races. some smart
New York gamblers established a station
at Sharon Springs where some well-heeed
farmers of sporting proclivities reside, and
laid the wires to separate the hay seeds
from their cash. The bookmakers had a
private wire over which the results of the
races were telegraphed, so that they would
have the advantage of the hawbucks and
invite them to bet on their own judgment
after the gamblers knew the results. But
the hayseeds were too lively for them. They
sent "A man to the scene of war with long
distance phone in his ante-room. They got
their information in this way, twenty min
utes before the gamblers were notified by
wire. and they cleaned out the bookmak-
ers to their uttermOst dollar There was "A
big row. but the farmers called in the local
police and the bookmakers had to shell out.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-28

The Carroll county Democratic cOnven-
ton. evidently not satisfied with the plat
form of the Democratic State convention
and of the Ninth district convention. took
occasion to free its mind by adopting the
following resolution:
Resolved, That we are Democrats of the
Jefferson. Jackson and Bryan type. and
that we here reiterate and indorse the Dem
Ocrauc principles and tenets and the plat
forms OF our party from the inception OF
true Democracy down to the present day.
In other words, the Carroll county DEM
ocrats said: I'VE are not Democrats of
the Tilden, Cleveland, Hill and German
type, or of any other type which did not
whoop it up heartily for Mr.. Bryan" The
Carroll county Democrats practically de-
clare that there was no real Democracy
from Jackson to Bryan. The Democracy
of Carroll has managed to obtain the Popu-
list vote since without it the county could
not have been held for the Democracy,
its plurality in 1900 being but 1O5 in a
total vote of 5,275. The fact is that the
Democratic leaders in counties like Boone.
Carroll, Clinton and more than a score of
others are compelled to cater to the Popu-
lists in order TO elect county tickets They
now feel that they and the Populists may
be near the parting of the ways, but they
propose to hold them as long as possible
in the hope that something may turn up
before 1904. They know that if they had
declared in their resolution that they are
Democrats Of the Cleveland and Hill tyne
instead of the Bryan type, the Populists
would leave them. SO, in Carroll county,
the Democratic leaders in their local ca
pacity added the foregoing resolution as a
distinct reputation of the platform of the
State convention.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-28
As to Andrews.

Roswell Field. in Chicago Mail.
DR.. Andrews, the great conversational
successor Of Balzac in the continuation and
completion Of the human comedy, has
stopped TO take breath and incidentally TO
tell mothers not to teach their children 10
fear God. We have tried 70 ind Scriptural
authority for this injunction, and we are
surprised and disconnected TO discover that
the doctor and the Savior do not seem TO
agree In fact the Savior gives specific d.
rections on this point. saying: Fear Him.
which after He hath killed hath power TO
cast into hell; yea. | say unto you, Fear
Him" The disciples and Paul are equally
explicit and much more communicative.
hence we cannot see where the great lee
turer gets his authority for the prese Mt
training of youth. Perhaps Or. Andrews did
not mean il in such broad sense. and pos
siblv il is only a Pickwickian construction.
For while Dr. Andrews is a very learned
man. we hardly think he will take issue
with the apOstles-much less with his
Savior
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-28
The Growth of beaumont.
WASHINGTON Post.

washington POST.
THE discovery of oil suddenly trans
formed Beaumont from a city of 10000 peo-
pie to a city OF 3O.OO0. said NJ. T. c. Nc
Cormick, OF Beaumont, Tex, yesterC ly.
Not very many years ago a brick building
was something OF a curiosity in our little
city but now a frame building is seldom
seen When we first began 10 build with
bricks a twO-stOry building was consid-
cred quite a high structure. Now our new
buildings are nearly all five or six stories
high.
''When the oil was first struck people
were skeptical. Even the residents of
Beaumont said that IL would soon play
out. and that it would never amount TO
much They thought the town would have
a boom and then fade out. but they have
changed their mind. Beaumont oil Is now
used for fuel in all parts of the State. and
a short time ago of the vice presi-
dents OF the Southern Pacific Railroad
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-28

expressed his confidence in the Texas oil
supply by ordering that all the engines
on that line be equipped with oil burners
The discovery OF the great value of lands
about Beaumont for rice production gave
the town its first start. and the oil boom
operations now are limited only by the
lack Of labor. WOrkmen are busy night
and day providing for the people who have
engaged in the oil business. Great hotels
have been erected. and are so crowded
that their halls are constantly nlled with
cots for the accommodation Of guests
The tents and shanties Of the early DAYS
of the oil boom have disappeared. and sub
stantial buildings have taken their place
street car line is now in course OF con,
strucuon, and the city has just completed
a system of sewers which is second 10 none
in the United States"
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-28
The New York Divorce Law.

New York Letter.
After Sept. ! any one obtaining a decree
of divorce in this State cannot marry in
side of three months. This follows the Eng
nsh law, except that in England the time
limit is six months. The way adopted to
prevent the new marriage Is 10 withhold
the final decree Of divorce for three months.
In this State the guilty party IN a divorce
case is always prohibited from marrying
again. But he or she viii go Immediately
TO some other State and have the ceremony
performed there. But under the new law
this cannot be done without committing
higamy for AT least three months as the
final Judgment will not be given until that
Deriod has elapsed There can De no doubt
that this is in the interest of morality and
proper respect for the marriage state
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-28
Punching Bag Cheaper.
New York Law Journal.

New YORK Law Journal.
One of the most Improbable. and, in the
end, most unsatisfactory, proceedings in
which a person can engage is to commence
a lawsuit merely because he is boiling in
ternally and can think of no other safety
valve. 1t is very much cheaper to buy a
punching bag. There may be a certain pre-
liminary satisfaction in reading notices the
plaintiff himself has caused to be inserted
in the newspapers that he has sued his
enemy for a round number of thousand dol
if il has not substantial merits, becomes
irksome in itself and expensive, and the
humiliation of spite suit ends in a judg-
ment for the defendant. with bill of costs,
misery
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-28

The question Of Venezuela's right to de-
clare blockade OF her own ports and the
question whether it is an eTective block
ade or not are very different ones. ANY
ade OF its own ports. but such declara-
tion or proclamation is only u paper block
ade unless 1t is made effective by an ade-
quate naval force. II the Venezuelan
blockade is not actual and effective. other
powers have a right to disregard it.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-28
A Fairly Good sum.


Philadelphia Record.
The proponents of the Mckinley memorial
at Canton, who set out blithely 10 raise a
million and quarter for "a monumental art
work, find it almost impossible TO overtop
the figure at which the fund now sticks
$50, 900. A fine monument could be built in
Canton for this sum. and the promoters
might fairly take heart OF grace and cry
quits with the public. Let not the deed lag
superfiuous through the dragging years.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-28
After the Profit.
Chicago Post.

NnlCdgO FOst
Great ScottT' cried the summer hotel guest
he looked at his BILL you're charging twice
what you did last summer"
"Of course replied the proprietor, calmly.
I'VE didn't expect to do it at the beginning Of
the season. but had such rainy July that
there nothing doing, and so these August
prices are necessary"
But I wasn't to blame for the rain,' pro-
tested the guest.
Neither was T. replied the landlord. in a
tone that seemed to indicate that this settled the
matter.
il did
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-28

There is no doubt as TO the right OF the
Council 10 pass a meter ordinance. but
compelling any company to operate under
IL Is another matter. 1t is true the In
dianapolis company indicated its willing
ness few months ago TO furnish natural
gas at . cents per thousand meter meas
urement. but as the offer was rejected by
the city It Is no longer binding on the com
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-28
Ra Gtime i'm Russia.

Washington Star
With all his urbane adaptability Minister
WI has never undertaken TO give a Chinese
version Of an American street song. It re-
manned for Grand Duke Boris of Russia to
rise to this occasion. During his stay in
Chicago he evinced such a liking for some
st. Petersburg may soon be expected 10
ring with the jovial assurance that there
will be a hot timeski in the old townski"