davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-20
coNSTIT1rJOy1L REVIsION.

Governor Mickey's position on the
question Of constitutional revision, as
outlined in the Interview given to The
Bee, should command the Immediate
and favorable consideration Of the legis-
lature The governor states clearly the
reasons why revision should proceed
through the submission Of amendments
by the Legislature rather than by the
submission of a proposition to call a
constitutional convention. Summed up,
these reasons are:
1. That the amendments needed to
remedy the defects in the constitution
can be framed as well by the legislative
committees as by the committees of a
constitutional convention.
?. That to meet the urgency of the de-
mand, revision by amendment can be
made effective at least two years
earlier than revision by convention.
3. That the expense of the convention,
which might reach as high as 100000,
is unnecessary and would be specially
burdensome to the state in it's present
embarrassing financial condition.
4. That it would be as easy, If not
easier, to secure ratification Of amend
ments submitted by the legislature as
to secure popular endorsement of the
proposed call for a convention.
8. That revision by convention must
run the gauntlet Of endorsement at the
,nlI 81. -
and then to ratify its work. while re-
vision by amendment can be accom-
plished by one submission to the people.
Governor Mickeys enumeration of
needed amendments includes the most
important although one or two other
subjects should be added.
One amendment should be submitted
providing for an increase in the number
Of supreme court judges.
Another amendment should revise the
schedule of salaries paid to state
officers, or, perhaps, leave the determi-
nation Of these salaries within certain
limits to the, legislature.
| Another amendment should deal with
the investment of the state school
moneys and forever put an end to the
practice of farming out the trust funds
on the plea that legitimate investment
is barred by constitutional prohibition
Still another amendment should pro
vide n way for municipal home rule fol
all cities whose populations entitle them
to the full measure of local self-govern
nent.
On most of these subjects the amend
ments drawn and submitted by the leg
islature Of 1895. and which failed OF
ratification because of the disturbing
factors of the presidential election
would still be serviceable with possibly
few notifications.
The committees on constitutional re
vision in the two houses Of the legisla
ture should at once make a careful ant
thorough study of the constitution ant
formulate the amendments which will
make that document conform to tn,
present needs of the state.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-20

Grsaaries Boaaed with Last Years
Crop Calculated 90 Boom Things.
C1aveland I.eader.

Cleveland Leader.
Experts IN the grain trade have come
quite generally 20 the opinion that tho
worlds production OF wheat last year ex-
ceeded the largest crops Of all other sea-
sons. II is thought that the yield was
about per cent bigger than that OF tho
greatest harvest previously recorded, which
made 1898 famous in the grain markets.
This is an important factor in the COM
fort and welfare of the civilized world,
where nearly all Of the wheat is grown. II
is a strong influence on the side OF economy
and abundance in food. and It means much.
in a business sense, for many millions OF
farmers in various parts Of Europe, Amer
lea, Australia and Asia. Africa grows
little wheat.
1t is interesting, also. to note that the
United States. though exceeding any other
country in the production OF wheat, did not
have a record breaking crop last year, un-
less the statisticians are in error. II was
the third best wheat yield in this coun-
try, though not far behind the unmatched
harvest Of 1901. But in Russia. Austria
Hungary, Germany. Roumsnia, Spain and
Canada, besides a few countries of less
importance IN wheat growing. tho crop Of
last year beat all others.
II will be noticed that of these lands
which came TO the highest point they have
ever reached In wheat production. Canada
alone is new. Some Of the others are
among the oldest. in point Of civilization
and tiliage, In the world. When Spain can
beat all records in growing wheat. what
shall be said Of the predictions made. from
time to time, that the world would be
cropped to exhaustion IN comparatively
short period, and would then become unit
to sustain such a population as 1t already
supportsf ....
There is good cheer for those who like
to look far ahead into the future Of the
race in such facts as the increasing pro-
ductiveness Of ancient lands like Spain and
Italy. It all means that with tolerahle
care man will never use UP the capital
which the globe he fnhabits has given.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-20
MORE powER FoR rnE pREslDENr


MORE POWER FOR THE PRESIDENT
The power conferred upon the presi-
dent Of the United States by the law
creating the bureau of corporations ap-
pears to be regarded in some quarters
and doubtless by the corporations
generally-as dangerous. The law gives
the president authority to make public,
in his discretion, information obtained
by the bureau in regard to the organiza-
ton, conduct and management of cor
porations, other than common carriers.
The investigation required to be made,
under the direction of the secretary Of
commerce and labor is intended to sup
ply the president with such information
as he may need in order to intelligently
recommend legislation respecting the
corporations. If he deems such informa-
tion to be of public interest he may give
it, or so much Of it as he thinks proper,
publicity. 1t was thought better to thus
make publicity permissive, relying upon
the judgment of the chief executive,
IDHn 10 make II mandatory.
The New York Commercial calls it
"a tremendous power, under which the
president may make or break n good
many corporations at will, and says:
mot that the facts about a company's
affairs are always in themselves repre-
hensible or damaging to its reputation,
but their use in certain hands and at
certain times might ruin almost any
corporation. Think for a moment what
might result to the average company
doing an interstate business If some fine
morning its bank, its attorney and its
managers and employees should exploit
in print all they know. Yet the presi-
dent under this law, can learn and make
| public all that these persons could
| Now a company or corporation that is
doing an interstate business lawfully
and on an honest basis would not suffer
| from having the facts regarding its or.
| ganization and business conduct made
| public, but it is not the intention of the
law that information regarding corpora
tions of this kind shall be given pub
licity. The purpose is to expose any
corporation that is found not to be law
fully and honestly conducted and it is
in the discretion of the president to de
termine how far this shall be done. Fol
the sound corporations the law is really
protection. The information these
will give will be secure. Only the un
sound or unlawful corporations hav,
anything to fear from the operation Of
the law and these should be exposed.
Those who see danger in the powe
thus conferred upon the president as
sumo that at some time we may have
a chief executive who will want to de
stroy all corporations. Rational people
will have no apprehension on this score
1t is possibility, IL indeed it be posi-
bic, far too remote for present atten
ton. So far as President Roosevelt Il
concerned, no corporation organized anC
conducted in compliance with the law
and which deals fairly and honestl,
with the public has anything to fea
at his hands. He is not an enemy o
such corporations. On the other hant
those that are not complying with tn
laws must expect that he will exercis
fully and firmly the power conferre,
on him. The assurance of this will
doubtless have a most salutary effect.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-20
WHY

The principal purpose of the Omaha
charter amendment bill fathered by the
Douglas delegation in the legislature
seems to be to effect a readjustment of
the salaries paid various city officers.
And the principal purpose of the salary
readjustment seems to be to almost
double the salary of the city comp
troller by raising 1t from S1,SO0 to
$4,000.
The salary of the governor of Ne
braska is $2,5OO Why should the
comptroller Of the city of Omaha be
paid as much and more than the states
chief executive?
The salary of the chief justice of our
supreme court is $500. Why should
the comptroller of the city of Omaha
be paid more than an occupant Of the
supreme bench?
The salary of the auditor of state is
$4,000. Why should the auditing Off
Ger of the city be paid more than the
auditor OF state?
The salary of the city attorney is
$500 and the position requires law
Yer of thorough training and tried ex-
perience. Why should the city comp
troller, who is simply an accountant. be
paid more than the corporations legal
adviser?
The salary of the city engineer is
$500 and the position requires techni.
cal skill and practical experience in
construction of public works. Why
should the city comptroller, who at
most supervises three or four office
clerks, be paid more than the engineer
in charge of all the city's construction
Under the existing Omaha charter the
city comptroller, the city clerk and the
city electrician all receive the same sal
aries. Why should the salary of the
city electrician be reduced $500 and thai
of the city clerk be increased 5000, Will,
the salary of the city comptroller is in
creased $1,000?
| Whvs
Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-20
THE BEEF TRUST INJUNCTION

The decision rendered by Judge
Grosscup in granting a temporary In
junction against the so-called Beef
trust, in the case instituted under the
Sherman antitrust law, lucidly and
forcibly sets forth the facts and circum-
stances which show the existence of a
combination in restraint of trade. Hav-
ing explained the nature of the business
of the defendants and the method Of
conducting 1t, the court said that the
averments in the petition of the govern
ment state a case of combination and
whether or not this was unlawful de-
pends not upon prices, with which the
law as interpreted by the supreme court
has no concern. but whether it is In re.
straint of trade.
Whatever combination" said Judge
Grosscup, "has the direct and necessary
effect of restricting competition is,
within the meaning Of the Sherman act
as now interpreted, restraint of trade'
He held that the agreements of defend
nhtS NCiO hOAhihS iCSS IMAM IcblIdluls
upon competition and therefore combi.
nation in restraint of trade. Hence a
case under the law of 1890 had been
made out. The very clear exposition
given by Judge Grosscup must remove
whatever doubt there has been in the
public mind, and II has been by nc
means general as 10 a combination OF
beef packers, and 1t seems also to as
sure the final success OF the govern
ment's case. At all events the granting
of the temporary Injunction is a justi
fication of the proceedings instituted
and it will not be very surprising If the
defendants allow the injunction to be
come permanent, though this is thought
to be improbable.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-20
A DEcLININe rRADE BALANoE.

The trade balance in favor of the
United States has declined during the
last few months though not to any
very serious extent, and il is still what
any other country would regard as ex-
tremely satisfactory. While our ex-
ports OF merchandise have recently
shown a reviving tendency. the value
OF these for January being larger by
several million dollars than for the
same month last year, the import move
ment has been very heavy. There have
been eight successive months of the
heaviest imports on record, the result
of the great trade activity and pros
perity of this country. 1t is stated that
our purchases of foreign luxuries have
been on an unusual scale. Still the ex-
cess OF exports over imports for last
month was more than S4S,OOOOOO. not
very much less than year ago. Dur.
ing the seven months of the current
fiscal year the trade balance in favor
of the United States has exceeded S25S
100000.
II is remarked that aside from oul
crop failure in 1901 the decline in tn,
trade balance is due TO abnormal trad,
activity and high prices I'm the United
States, cOincldent with depression il
Europe. OF course this cannot go OF
indefinitely. The New York Journal o.
Commerce says that evidently natura
forces are at work leading to reaction
Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-20

The assertion of Attorney Ben White
Of the Elkhorn that the terminal prop
erty Of railroads has no value aside
from its connection with the main line
is on a par with the assertion OF Attor-
ney Baldwin of the Union Pacific that
the value of the terminals is insepara-
bic from the value of the entire road.
We have right here in Omaha a strik-
ing object lesson of the value of rail
way terminals aside from their connec-
ton with the remainder of the system
in the leases by the Union Pacific to
the Chicago trunk lines, giving them the
use of the Omaha depot facilities for a
stipulated annual payment In ST.
in the union station are all owned by a
separate corporation distinct from the
railroads entering over them, which pay
n rental for the privileges enjoyed. Not
only are the terminals in st. Louis sep
arately owned, but they are separately
valued. Some idea Of the real value Of
such properties may be obtained from
the fact that the st. Louis Terminal
Railroad association has issued S1s,OOO,-
600 in bonds, with an additional out
standing issue Of $17.5O0,OO0, making
the total amount of bonds on which It
pays per cent interest $35,5O0, 900, to
say nothing of the shares of stock
which may claim dividends. The most
difficult thing for the railroads enter
ing Omaha to explain is how they were
able TO estimate the value of the Omaha
terminals and figure out their earnings
for the purpose of defeating the maxi.
mum freight rate bill ten years ago,
while they now insist the terminal
values are inseparable for taxation.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-20

Measurements by County Surveyor
Edquist Of railway mileage in Douglas
county do not tally with the returns
made by the roads for purposes OF tax
alton. But that is not surprising. In
making up their schedules the paid tax
evaders Of the roads are accustomed to
dropping all the franchise values and
big blocks of rolling stock, and 1t is
only in keeping with their practice to
forget few miles of trackage here and
there
Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-20
WEALTH IN FARM ANIMALS.
Number and Value Increasing at
Tremendous Pace.
Louisville Courier-Journa


Louisville Courier-JournaL
An impressive illustration Of the in
crease Of actual wealth that has been go
ing on in this country during the last few
years is shown in the estimate OF the num-
Der and value Of farm animals at the be-
ginning OF 1903. just issued by the statis-
tician of the Agricultural department.
According TO his figures there was a gain
OF 4s7 .573 in the number Of animals over
the previous year, and gain OF Slls.S45.-
45O in their value.
AS the value is estimated at the tremend-
Gus sum OF $3,lOs, ,515540, II can be readily
seen what an important element OF our ma
tional wealth is to be found In these ami
mails. Every item on the list has increased
in number and value with the exception
OF "other cattle" mules and swine. Mich
cows have gained, but other cattle show
a falling OF OF thirty-one cents per head
in value, and a decline OF 6s,591 In number.
Horses have advanced S3.64 in value per
head and gained 20, i49 in number. Mules
have gained s4s2 per head in value. and
though they have lost 2s.s27 In number,
presumably on account OF the British buy
ing, they now represent an aggregate
value of $1s7. 1887 as compared with
siS6, All ,7O4 for January l, 1902. Swine
gained seventy-hve cents In average value
and s22s52.s0s in the aggregate. but lost
1.776 266 in number.
These ngures when taken in connection
with the vast sum represented by the value
OF the 1902 farm crops, show that the crea-
tion Of the actual wealth on the farm has
been going on at . tremendous pace
Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-20
No Occasion for Surprise.
PHILADELPHIA Record.

T HIIdUtIpHId INVNUIUs
There is no reason why the president
and Secretary Root should have been sur
prised, as they are reported to have been,
at the Interesting discovery that the
globe which stands in the cabinet room.
and which was prepared from British Ad-
miralty charts, ''sustsins the contention
Of the United States in all particulars" as
to the Alaskan boundary. 1t is an ele-
mentary part OF the case of the United
States that British maps, and even Cana
dian maps made not many years ago, show
the Alaskan boundary just where the
United States government has always said
It was. The Canadian claim is only dozen
or fifteen years old.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-20

South DakOta's Legislature is provid-
ing by law for keeping a complete in
ventory of all property belonging to the
state in any of it's departments or in
stitutions and for having the lists
checked up periodically. This is good
idea that should commend itself TO law
makers in this and other states. The
tendency OF public property bought with
money out Of the public treasury to dis
appear mysteriously is perhaps not as
Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-20

In speech at Baltimore, william Jen-
nings Bryan declared that If his friends
can ever get entire control of the ma
tional government they will institute so
many reforms that the republicans will
not obtain foothold in a generation. If
we remember rightly, the same promises
were made with reference, to the con-
troll of the state government here in
Nebraska by the Bryanites, but when
they were once in the saddle they for
got all about reform, with the result
that the republicans regained not only
a foOthold, but the whole thing.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-20

and counteracting the extraordinary
conditions that have prevailed in this
country for the past FIVE years. "As
soon as supply overtakes demand more
normal conditions must be expected to
prevail, although 1t must be acknowl-
edged that that contingency is not yet
at close range" Indeed it seems TO be
remote and the decline in the trade bal
ance is by no means significant of an
approaching reaction.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-20

1t is given out at the Interior depart.
ment that I'm view of congressional in
action on the subject, preparations will
against the Illegal fencing of the public
domain. Colonel Mosby may have a
chance to call out his cavalry yet.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-20
An Appropriate Combination.
Chicago Post.

A bill has been introduced in the Wis
consin senate providing for the distribu-
tion in the schools Of a history OF the
Standard OIL company and OF the United
States senate, We must admit that our
backwoods statesmen may be pardoned
for assuming that these two things may
be most appropriately studied together.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-20

Plans for the meat packers merger,
which was to have been launched as
soon as the packers won out in their
injunction suit, will now have to be re-
Vispd
Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-20

The powers of Europe will present a
sultan's known financial stringency.
They will have to take care or he will
ask them to cash/it at once.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-20

OF the millions OF bottles used every
year about one-half are lost, and the other
half used again. They are collected by
servants, janitors, rag pickers, dump pick
ers and small boys, and sold at half cent.
a cent, or two cents, to junk dealer, who
disposes of them to a bottle dealer, from
whose place, when they are cleaned and
assorted, they go back again into trade.
"The business said a dealer quoted
by the Evening Post, Clocks simpler
than II really is. Collecting is easy,
and cleaning presents no difficulties.
When a bottle is very dirty, say, where 1t
contains paint, 1t costs more to clean 1t
than 1t will sell for when cleaned. Such
bottles are never bought. The asserting
demands considerable trade knowledge. All
bottles which have names blown in the
glass are put by themselves. They are
purchased by their original owners, and
sometimes by imitators.
Drug store or prescription bottles make
a class. We don't care much for them, as
they are so cheap originally that the profit
is very small. Rhine wine and Moselle
bottles are in large demand, as they are
nearly all imported. Whiskey and gin
bottles make good stock. They go to the
distilleries, bucket shops and cheap saloons.
champagne DOLJleS are uOI Qullo oO PlOhb~
able. They are used by American cham
payne makers, cider bottlers and mineral
water men. Cologne and fancy perfumery
bottles go to the East Side, where cheap
scents are manufactured. Many patent
medicine bottles, especially those Of odd
design, are bought by the manufacturers.
The same rule applies to ink ard mucilage
bottles, but only to larger sizes. Magnums
and extra chiantis always find a ready
market.
Another important point is the attitude
Of a customer. Many bottlers, saloons, and
drug stores will receive our goods delivered
in open baskets. It does not hurt their
trade for the public to know that they use
second hand bottles. Others are very
different, and insist on their bottles being
packed in boxes and crates, as II they
came from the glass works. Formerly we
did a lalge business in beer and milk bot
ties, but these trades have organized an
excellent system OF cooperative collecting
and distributing which was, of course, at
our expense. We do not utilize broken
bottles. In Europe they are mixed with
mortar and laid on the top Of low walls
where they make an insurmountable bar
rier. They are also broken finely, mixed
with plaster of Paris and poured or rammed
into ratholes. When the plaster sets, nc
rat will ever gnaw It. Mixed with cement
broken bottles make a good beton or con-
crete for military walls"
Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-20

The decision of Judge Grosscup on
the beef trust injunction discloses at
least one federal judge on the bench
who can be independent of the corpora
ffouo
Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-20

Governor Mickey is clear-sighted on
the question of constitutional revision
1t will be just as easy to carry amend
ments 10 the constitution direct as to
secure the popular vote necessary TO
call a constitutional convention.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-20

If the Great Western needs a Mis-
souri, river bridge TO come into Omaha,
what's the matter with the South
Omaha air line for which Our Dave
presented the charter to Tom Black
burn about a year ago?
Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-20

II the coal strike arbitrators only do a
good job by rendering a decision that
appeals to- the public as eminently just,
they will be in position to set up in
permanent business as healers of labor
troubles.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-20
Promoting Good Roads.
New York Tribune.

4NUW IUTh IIIDUIlts
The demand for broad tires should keep
pace with the active and encouraging prog
gress OF the agitation for good roads. Ruts
in the highways would be comparatively
few and cause comparatively little trouble
were it practicable to abolish entirely mar
row tires on vehicles
Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-20

Senator Quay has certainly not lost
his ability to make 1t decidedly uncom-
Portable for those who get in the way
of his pet schemes, His fight for the
statehood bills shows that he is still
slayer.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-20

1t is easy enough to put up a straw
man to knock him down and to mis-
quote public men in order to lampoon
them. The public however. has little
sympathy with such methods.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-20

The national good roads convention
meets at an appropriate time. Season
able object lessons of roads to be
avoided should be plentiful just now in
all parts Of the country.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-20
The Weight of evidence.
New York World.

An issue Of veracity raised between
President Baer on the one hand and the
Civic Federation. headed by Grover Oleve-
land, Bishop Potter, Archbishop Ireland
and men Of like prominence, is unfortunate
for somebody.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-20
SeaEOnRbIe Hint.
IndiananoIis News.

II Queen wilhelmina names the umpire
in the Venezuelan case, IL is to be hoped
that she will not select any Of the cdg-
nomens that are applied by the bleachers
when the home team is losing.