davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19
VEGETABLE FUEL IN PROSPECT.
Efforts to Secure n Substitute for Pres
ent Means of Heat.
Chicago Tribune.

Chicago Tribune.
Mr.. Edward Atkinson is one of the most
adventurous and indefatigable of intellect
ual explorers. The intellectual world con-
tains few recesses into which he has not
penetrated. From f~reproof wood he turns
lightly away to the use Of tubs as ovens in
farm houses; from that he hurries off to the
status Of subject populations, and from that
he fits to the diffusion OF light on plants
through glass; Just now he is trying to
find out whether a farmer cannot raise his
own fuel 'by ~devoting about one acre in
a hundred of his possessions to that pur-
pose for the supply OF one family"
Anthracite COAL" he says, lis becoming
a luxury. In about two generations It will
be exhausted" There is no way Of replen-
ishing the supply, There is just so much
coal and no more. "Why, then" asks Mr..
Atkinson in a letter to the chiefs Of the
agricultural experiment stations, should
we not try at once to discover some sub
stitute?"
Consider the corn crop. The ratio of dry
stalk, leaf and corncob is about one and
one-half tons to the ton Of shelled corn.
The amount OF potential fuel, therefore, in
the present corn crop is over 100, 900, 900
tons. Consider now the whole grain crop,
including corn, wheat, oats, barley, rye,
etc. The total amount OF potential fuel in
yolved is between $50, 900, 900 and 200, OO0, 900
tons. Further, there are plants, like alfalfa
and the sunhower, which produce heavy
fuel growths. Sorghum. however, is OF all
fuel plants the one which Mr.. Atkinson
regards as most promising. Sorghum,
compressed into logs in a partially green
stage" and seasoned as green wood is sea-
soned, holds out great possibilities Of future
usefulness. Besides. there is a new seed
rain plant from Egypt which grows rapidly
in the semi-arid parts Of this country.
Could not this plant be used as fuel, and
have we not here a means Of turning the
semi-arid west to account?
Whatever plant is used, the problem IL
essentially the same. Corn. wheat, alfalfa
he sunfower, rye, oats, sorghum, cane
brakes. horse beans, barley and the new
seed grain plant from Egypt are all avail,
able for fuel only under one condition
Some cheap and effective means Of com,
preston must be devised. The farmer whC
wants TO prepare his own fuel is confronted
with a mechanical dihculty. II fuel
we're cultivated" however. In large guam.
titles on the western plains compression
could be accomplished on a large scale a
mall cost. AS for the "calorihc power" o
vegetable fuel, Mr.. Atkinson thinks tina
,wenty tons Of cornstalk and leaves would
aqual about fourteen tons Of bituminou
soal. This being the case, one may hop.
hat the chiefs Of the agricultural expert
nent stations will give Mr., Atkinson's suF
-estion something more than the "derlslon'
hich he deferentially anticipates for IL. !
vegetable fuel is practicable there are In
,eresting Industrial developments ahead 0
u.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19
THE PHILIPPINE TARIFF

The bill reported by the ways and
means committee, providing for a re-
duction Of the tariff on Philippine
products coming into the United States
to % per cent Of the existing schedule,
Will undoubtedly pass the house of rep
resentatives without unnecessary delay,
hut there nay be protracted considera-
ton of it in the senate, from the effort
that will doubtless be made t. have
the products of the archipelago admitted
free. This is what the democrats Of the
house desire and of course those In the
senate will urge 1t, perhaps for the rea-
son urged by the house democratic
leader, that any duty in those products
is unjust, unconstitutional and IN
American"
There is no doubt that the proposed re-
duction of duties would be very bene-
fetal to the trade of the Philippines and
1t is of course the policy of the United
States to promote the Industrial and COM
mercial interests of the islands in every
practicable way. The reduction which
the bill provides for was earnestly recon-
mended by Secretary Root in his annual
report and has been advocated by the
Philippine commission as being most
necessary to the improvement Of ma
terial conditions in the archipelago. The
secretary OF war referred to the ills
which have recently befallen the people
of the islands as calling urgently for
active and immediate measures of relief.
This is quite as important in the matter
Of the tariff as in that of the currency
and the present congress should supply
relief In both directions. Our trade with
the Philippines has been steadily grow
ing and it is manifestly desirable from
every point of view that 1t should be
encouraged. This will be done by re-
ducing duties on the products of the is
lands and giving them a sound and sta
BILE currency.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19
PROTECTING AMERICAN rRADr.

II Is understood to be the position Of
gu government that the so-called pa
clfc blockade Of Venezuelan ports shall
not apply to American ships. In this, IL
Is pointed out, It merely follows a prin.
ciple consistently observed for Iaany
years. 1t holds that a peace blockade,
or blockade established prior to n
declaration Of war. is applicable only to
the country against which it is directed
and that neutral nations are not com
is the view of this government that only
Venezuelan vessels are subject to the
existing blockade and that American
vessels, merchant as we'll as national,
may enter and leave the ports of Ven
ezuela at will.
There is European precedent for this
attitude. A writer on the subject says:
AT the time of the blockade of
La Plata, in 1916, by Great Britain and
France, Lord Palmerston said in Parlia-
ment that unless war existed the govern
ment had no right to prevent not only
vessels of third powers, but also British
merchant vessels, from communicating
with the ports. 1t wal in accordance
with that view that the blockade of
Greece in 1850 was maintained by the
British government. So also in the
blockade Of 1886, the powers authorized
the detention Of Greek vessels only"
This rule was departed from in 1897 In
the blockade Of Crete, which was made
applicable not only to all ships under
the flag of Greece, but to vessels of the
six powers or of a neutral II the cargo
was destined for the Greek troops or the
interior Of the island. In regard to that
blockade the United States Department
of State replied to the notification Of the
powers simply taking note Of the com
munication, not c%onceding the right to
make such a blockade and ''%reserving
the consideration of all international
rights and Of any question which may In
any way affect the commerce or interest
Of the United States" The present atti-
tude of our government is therefore en-
tlrely consistent and has the support Of
European precedent.
1t is most important that our South
American trade shall be protected and 1t
is gratifying to find the Washington au-
thorities fully alive to this. There is
very great probability that our commer-
cial relations with the southern coun-
tries will be very materially benefited as
a result Of the Venezuelan imbroglio.
British and German goods are already
being boycotted in Venezuela and 1t is
altogether likely that this will spread to
adjoining South American republics, to
the advantage of the trade of the United
States. While there is some dissatisfac-
ton in the southern republics sympa-
thizing with Venezuela because the
United States has not interposed in the
difficulty with the European powers,
that feeling will disappear with a better
understanding of our position by those
countries and be followed by an i'm
proved sentiment toward the United
States, which there is every reason to
expect will show itself in an enlarged
trade. Every legitimate and proper eff
fort should be made to protect our South
American trade.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19
THE CUBAN TREATY.

The reciprocity treaty with Cuba, con-
ceding a 20 per cent reduction in tariff
duties in the products of hat country
coming into the United States and max
ing large reductions in Cuban duties in
favor Of exports to the island from the
United States, 1t is expected, will be con-
sldered In the senate Immediately after
the holiday recess and 1t appears to be
the impression In administration circles
that the treaty will be ratified. There
has been no intimation, however. that
those who opposed tariff concessions to
Cuba at the first session will not renew
their fight against the proposed reduc-
ton of duties. On the contrary, what
information has come from Washington
in regard to the matter has indicated
that this opposition will be renewed
with undated vigor and in this event
the defeat of the treaty is quite posi-
BILE and even probable.
The situation is somewhat different
from that when this subject was dis
cussed at the first session. Then It was
urged that Cuba was suffering indus
trially and commercially, that there was
much restitution and that conditions
generally were exceedingly bad. This
cannot be said now, the fact being that
Cuba is on the whole better off than for
many years. The advance in the price
of sugar has of course been most ben
efcial to the island and no complaints
are now coming from there that the
financial and business conditions are
unsatisfactory. The revenue of the gov
eminent has somewhat exceeded ex-
pendltures, so that the treasury has
more money than when the republic was
launched, while the people are well EN-
ployed and general business Is good.
Thus while considerations of duty and
good faith may still be invoked in be-
half Of Cuban reciprocity, the argument
that it is required to save the island
from disaster is not at present avail.
able.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19
TIE sourH oMAHA MIsFIr.

When the South Omaha charter was
pending before the legislature two years
ago The Bee denounced it as a mlsht-
several sizes too large in the waist and
several sizes too small around the neck
but the patriots who had ventured to
lobby the bill through the legislature
succeeded in f~oisting the misit upon the
people Of South Omaha In spite Of all
remonstrance.
The South Omaha misht has proved a
costly garment. Its mother hubbard d.
menslons around the waist have caused
IN expansion Of expenses and a waste
OF money that Is represented by a
$4,000 overlap in the municipal treas
ury. Its close at around the neck has
pretty nearly choked the breath out Of
the police and fire departments and is a
serious menace TO the safety Of life and
property. The cry for relief is spon-
taneous and the coming legislature win
be asked TO reconstruct the mIsht so as
TO make il wearable.
With this end in view Mayor Koutsky
has decided to call public meetings for
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19
showing PardonabIe Pride.
ST. Louis Globe

ST, Louis Globe-Democrat
Newspapers in other states that are
pointing the finger of seorh at st. Louis on
account Of boodling developments should
note the fact that in the eight trials for
public bribery and for perjury connected
with It there have been seven convictions
with sentence to the p~enitentiary in each
case OF from two to FIVE years, The con-
~victions include a millionaire briber and a
rich promoter, as well as city ofhcials who
sell their votes to corruptionists. Let the
critical cities secure even one conviction
OF this class within their own limits. The
whole country will hear OF the unusual cir
eumstances with interest and 81. Louis will
offer its congratulations
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19
BABY's FIRST LETTER.
Baltimore American.


Don't go runnin' on me. fellers,
Somethin's stickin' In my throat,
For this letters from my baby,
An tn first h ever wrote. '
Centrally I'm Rame-you know II,
An a stand fer lots o. chaff-
Take yer joshin' good an plenty
An not do a thing but lam;
But this letter, with its scrawlin',
Strikes a whole lot diff'rent nota
Fer it's from my only baby
An tn first she ever wrote.
Wrote 1t All herself, God bless her;
Took her three. four hours, l guess,
Though fhey's only two short pages
Filled with baby blessedness:
Starts 1t out 81 love you, papa
Then tn lines all seems { float
Do you blame me-? She's my baby;
It's tn first h ever wrote.
Way of there beyond tn mountains,
BY a sunny, sLIlmer sea,
Spellin' out her daddy's letters
An a-serdin' love L me-
What? Not you big boobies cryin'!
Wy IT hain't your baby's note;
It's my own wee girlie's letter,
Very first she ever wrote 3
Mono, runnin' on me. fellers.
Somethin' chokes in my throat,
Cause this letters from my baby,
An tn first h ever wrote.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19
WRAT cAusep UNIoN PAcIFIc srRlkr.

WHAT CAUSED UNION PACIFIC STRIKE.
An authority identified with the Har-
rlman interests is quoted in New York
dispatches as saying that the opposition
to President Burt was one of the pri-
mary causes of the walkout of the
Union Pacific shopmen. There is abso-
lutely no truth In that statement. Every
body in Union Pacific headquarters in
Omaha knows that opposition to Presi-
dent Burt did not figure in the so-caIled
strike, which in reality is a lockout.
The strike was virtually foreordained
when the m%achinists and boiler makers
employed in the Union Pacific shops
were asked to change from day work to
piecework. Whether the edict issued
on July l to the machinists and boiler
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19

makers emanated from Mr.. Hartman
or Mr.. Burt is immaterial to the contro-
versy. AS members Of the machinists'
and boiler makers unions the men were
under solemn obligation to live up to the
rules of their organizations. They could
not remain in the shops without vio-
lating the rules of their unions, which
forbid piecework. and therefore had no
other choice left than to quit work.
In other words. Mr.. Burt's order was
an ultimatum that they must either
abandon and break up the unions or
leave the employ of the company. Per
sonal likes or dislikes Of their superiors.
including Mr.. Burt, had nothing to do
with the controversy. From the outset
1t was manifest that II was a life and
death struggle Of the unions and a blow
at organized labor. The struggle has
been %protracted and costly on both sides
and it Is to be hoped that Mr.. Hartman
and his advisers will realize by this
time that an amicable adjustment either
by mutual concession or arbitration be-
tween the company and its former
workmen would be hailed by the patrons
of the Union Pacific and the general
public with a great deal of satisfaction.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19

The contention that business institu-
tons in Omaha should not be taxed the
as other property owners because
competitors in smaller towns do not pay
as much in taxes cannot be conceded.
The constitution of Nebraska contem-
plates substantial uniformity of as
sessment and taxation and strictly linn
It's the classes of property entitled to
exemDtion.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19
She Kept Her secret.
New York Sun.

A great city, a great solitude. The prov
erb is musty, but is It true? A dispatch
introduces us to a woman who has lived
In Coscob for fifteen years and yet nobody
knows her name. Either she has unusual
gifts Of concealment or Coscob has a more
than metropolitan want OF curiosity. How
few refuses can hope to keep their names
from their n~eighbors. There is only one
higher step of perfection in the path Of
that Coscob ~reeluse. Her name is unknown
to other folks; she must strive to forget IT
herself.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19

If Venezuela is or it's own application
to go into the hands Of a receiver, who
is to act as receiver? What authority
is he to have, and by what means are
his decisions to be enforced? If the gov
eminent should within a few weeks or
months be overturned by some new revo-
luton, as may easily happen, who will
guarantee its faithfulness to the receiv-
ershiD?
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19
LiberaIity Of Mercer Kings.
MINNEAPOLIS Times.

"|'''E|ITVTT| N'H||N
We all remember the new rich man who,
OF the scion OF his house Just returned
from an European trip. %queried, (which
place did you like best. SOM" ard upon
"son" replying in favor Of Paris, re-
marked, "Is that so? Then I'll buy 1t for
you" Our Northwestern railroad king
presents something Of a parallel in his al
titude toward the merger, what will the
Mammoth Madame have now" says Mr..
Hill. 1.-THE army transport service" is tie
reply. Then I'll buy It for you says tho
Merger Magnate.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19

Those heightened gentlemen caught in
the raid on those heightened New York
gambling houses, who refused TO answer
for fear of discriminating themselves,
seem to have taken their tip from the
redoubtable deputy of our own county
attorney. who made the same answe
when caught in a similar fix.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19
SMILING

Cleveland Plain Dealer: Sometimes \
think so hard II makes me tired"
How thoughtless" -
Chicago Tribune: Grieved by the escape
Of his Intended prey, the crocodile wept.
They may be crocodile tears" sobbed
the s%aurian, but they are real t~ears!".
New York Sum Johnson-WiI you have
another drink?
JOhnstein-No; I'll take the same. b.
Boston Transcript: The Accused-But It
was a case of Observation-Disclosures, yer
honor. didn't know what / was doing
when l took the coat.
The Judge.3But, unfortunately for you,
the officer did.
Kansas City Journal: "Podkins insists
that the Garden of Eden was a roof
garden"
Absurd! How does he make that out?"
HE say that's the only way. to account
for the disastrous character of the fall
that they fell off the roof"
Electrical Review: John, said the re-
tired lawyer to his coachman, aren't the
horses trying to run away?"
The be, sir!'
Then drive into something cheap
Chicago Tribune: Yes, It's true" said
Miss De Skreemer. 9Th death of a rich
relative has relieved me of the necessity
of making my living by singing In public
I'm SO glad!' impulsively exclaimed the
other girl.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19

Governor Mickey will not counte-
nance dancing by participation in an
inaugural ball and so the ball is of.
But the people Of Nebraska will find
solRce for the loss of the inaugural ball
in the assurance the governors action
gives that neither will he sanction n
more bull fights with the executive pres
anaa
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19

And now another eminent Nebraskan
is to the fore. Collector Of Revenue
Cruzen at Porto Rico has climbed into
the public prints by ordering the seizure
OF a shipment Of liquors struggled
across the customs line In a government
lighthouse tender. Collector Cruzen
does not propose to let any liquors get
past hlm-not If he knows 1t.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19

No use worrying for the present about
the succession to Judge Norris on the
district bench. Judge Norris term as
member of congress for the Fifth Me-
braska district does not ommence until
next March.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19

According to the Interstate Commerce
commission government by injunction is
very unsatisfactory when applied to
secret ra~te-cutting by railroads, as it
operates simply to advance the charges
which the public has to pay.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19

Our visiting real estate men are in
vited to make themselves at home. II
they can turn a few bargains in farm
acreage or city lots while they are here
they are entitled to combine business
with pleasure.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19

A single transatlantic liner has sailed
for Europe carrying money orders aggre-
eating $46O,615, representing Christmas
gifts sent abroad by people of the
United States. The American cousin
must be In high esteem In the old coun-
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19

1t required the wisdom Of Solomon to
adjudge the ownership Of a babe that
was claimed by two women. 1t re-
quired the wisdom Of the Nebraska
supreme court to decide what portion of
the property belonging to a man who
married a divorced woman should go
to her in case she concluded to cut short
their mutual disagreeable relations.
The Nebraska Solomons have decided
that although marriage of divorced
couples is forbidden during the period
of six months after they have been I'M
coupled, nevertheless If they see at to
marry again or the new contracting par
ties live together as man and wife
neither of them can set up the plea that
the marriage was null and void because
1t was prematurely contracted. And all
whom 1t may concern must govern
themselves accordingly.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19

The startling announcement comes all
the way from Tacoma that his acct
dency. Governor Savage, will quit Ne
braska for good, shortly after the ex-
piratlon of his term of office next month.
No one in Nebraska will go into mourn
ing over the loss.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19

BY a singular oversight. no interna-
tional bankruptcy court has been estab-
lished to which the Latln-American ma
tons could resort when they get into the
nx in which Venezuela now finds itself
involved.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19
A ProatabIe Inventment.
Cleveland Plain Dealer.

NTNFNIaHU IIdII DVdIVIs
1t is claimed that the great Assouan
dam across the Nile will add over S1S, OOO,-
600 to the agricultural earning power OF
Egypt every year. As this is about the
sum the improvement cost it may be said
that 1t will pay for itself in a twelve
month.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19

Between Justifying high valuations OF
their property for the purpose of main
tanning increased traffic rates and low
valuations for the purpose of evading a.
Just share of the tax burdens the rail-
road lawyers are up against 1t.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19
BITS OF WASHINGTON LIFE.
Minor scenes and Incidents sketched
on the spot.

Senator Henry cabot Lodge OF Massachu-
sets Is a frequent recipient Of punches OF
red carnations, which invariably provoke
inquisitive ~glances from his colleagues On
a recent occasion the floral tribute bore
a card on which was written the simple
words, God bless you"
How touching" remarked Senator
Hoar, as his colleague read the inscrip-
tion.
yes. it's touching enough" said the re-
cipient. "but It means eggs, eggs, eggs"
Eggs" inquired some one; and then
Senator Lodge explained. He said that
many years ago he had secured a stu
alton for a man in the Treasury depart
ment and at every opening Of q session
since his protege had greeted him with
the carnations and the inscription quoted
"But that is not all Of It," continued the
senator. HE is not satisfied with sending
me the lowers. but every week during the
session he sends me eggs, nice. fresh coun-
try eggs, too. He won't accept
tion. He won't even come after the nice
little baskets in which he packs them. l
have at least 100 of them and still they
come. These baskets are going to crowd
us out Of the house some day. ] have
heard Of senator's being embarrassed with
m " things, but I'm the only one that
ever suffered from a plethora of eggs"
Never mind, Lodge" piped Senator
Hoar. Gust thank God they're not of the
variety some actors are embarrassed
with" and Senator Lodge couldn't see
why his colleagues laughed.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19

Real estate never escapes its full share
of taxation. That is why real estate
men are interested in seeing to it that
all other classes of property pay their
full share,
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19
Lamb shearinE Overdone.
Chlnn 20 pnah

Gotham bankers have made a pool of
$4,000 900 to prevent a panic in Wall street.
Evidently all the lambs have been closely
sheared and the thrifty operators must be
taken care Of until more wool grows or
more lambs are born.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19

New Hampshire will submit to popular
vote the question of female suffrage, as
q good many other states have done, but
whether the voters will submit to 1t is
said to be doubtful.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19

The discovery Of a bank defalcaton
amounting to $4,000 by a bookkeeper
in a bank at Darnstadt, Germany. is
simply a reminder that dishonesty
knows no nationality, creed or politics.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19

with Governor Mickey at the helm,
we may be sure of less fuss and feathers
and more brain and business in the ad-
ministration of state affairs.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19

South American cable companies are
the ones that are reaping the harvest
of the pending unpl%easantness.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19
Weary of the Job.

ITVU ITVHss
Secretary Shaw has finally notified Wall
street that the government is through
walking the floor with the stock market
every time 1t has a touch of speculation
colic