davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-01
THE EARNINGS OF LABOR.

According to a statement Just made
by the commissioner of the New York
labor bureau, the earnings Of wage
workers in that state averaged higher
in most trades during 1902 than In any
other recent year. The increase was
not very large in most Of the trades, but
the aggregate amounted to a very con-
siderable sum, and a very important fact
In the comparison with previous years
is that labor was almost continuously
employed, so that, taking the earnings
as a whole, they made a very decided
addition to the gains Of labor.
There is no reason to doubt that the
conditions generally have beer prac-
tcally similar to those prevailing in
New York, which means for the entire
country a very great increase during
the past year in the earnings of labor
over any preceding year. That this Is
the case is attested by the increased
consumption in all the necessaries of
life and in the augmented deposits of
the savings banks of the country, the
latter being the best index 10 the i'm
proved earnings Of the people. 1t is
claimed that the increase in wages has
not generally been in proportion to the
advance In the prices Of commodities,
and perhaps this is the fact, but 1t re-
ain true that American workingmen
are not only the best paid In the world,
but are receiving compensation which
enables them to live better than ever
before and to save money. The facts
in evidence Of this are abundant and
incontrovertible.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-01

While it might be well If legislation
provided for greater elasticity OF the
currency, the fact remains that recent
instances of stringency in the eastern
money centers have been mainly due to
excessive indulgence by the banks to
borrowers for use in the speculative
market. The remedy, therefore, is
largely in the hands of the banks them
selves. If they would not give SO much
rope to the stock gamblers and specu-
lators, there would be less occasion to
call upon the government to come to
their rescue. And If it were a fixed
fact that the treasury would not place
its cash at their disposal when
called upon it is almost certain that the
banks would pursue q safer policy.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-01

Bangs replied that It began with Adam
and Eve and came down to the present day.
Cant you give 'em something older than
that7" the manager asked, j~okingly. The
funny man reflected for a moment and then
said: 81 might work in some Of your jokes
II you think the audience will stand it,
Rev. william McGill, a eolored preacher
In Georgia, aspires to be a chaplain in con
gress, now that DR.. Millburn is about to
retire. He is editor OF a paper called Hot
Shots. The Atlanta Journal objects to such
prominence being given Hot Shots" McGin
because the reverend gentleman wears side
whiskers. Says the Journal: only one
congressional light is allowed the obsolete
Of wearing side whiskers, the Hon
orable Peach Depew, United states senator
from the state OF New York. It is an un-
written but nevertheless recognized law
that no man, white or black, shall enter the
august precincts Of the national assemblags
with any personal Rdornment, natural OF
artificial, which shall in any way tend tt
subtract from the pulchritude of the only
Chauncey."
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-01
NOTES.

In Missouri a death Is referred to as a
demise.
James Leeming. the prominent New York
railroad man, h dead in Buffalo. He had a
national reputation In railroad circles.
A ST. Louis merchant uses but two letters
In signing his name, although one Of the
pair is brought into requisition four times.
His name is A. A. AAi.
There Is a report that Rockefeller will
give $4,000. 900 toward education In the
south. II he does. there is no knowing how
high the price Of kerosene will soar.
At a Japanese e%otilllon given by Mr.. and
Mrs, Albert Dewey, In Chicago, Christmas
eve, all the favors consisted OF novelties
purchased by the Deweys in Japan some
months ago.
A statue Of Anthony J. Drexel is to be
given to the city OF Philadelphia by his
partner, John II. Harjes, and will be placed
in Paramount park II the necessary permits
sion Is given.
Emperor William has determined to have
a grouse moor OF his own in the royal do
main about Konigsberg. The grouse is an
important bird in Great Britain, but 20 far
as known 1t does not exist in a wild state
elsewhere.
VI vi EAahh 1ANthf AoNn hldgOH
Of London in 1900 1901, who has Just died,
that the hrst sight he saw on coming to
London as a country boy was the lord
mayors show, which took place on the day
Of his arrival, and that he became lord
mayor himself exactly fifty years after.
The szabadsag meaning Liberty, which
Is published In Cleveland, o., and claims to
be the Oldest, biggest and best Hungarian
newspaper in the United States, deyotes its
Christmas number in great part to advanc-
ing the movement for the erection Of a
monument to George Washington in Buda
Pesth as an indication OF the friendly feel
ing of Hungarians residing here and Of APP
probation OF the recent erection Of a monu-
ment to Louis Kossuth in Cleveland. II
publishes letters from many prominent
Americans f~avorlng the project.
Major Pond, the lecture manager, was
negotiating with John Kendrlck Bangs for
the latter's talk on 9TH Evolution Of the |
Humorist." The major made some In
quiries as to the scope Of the lecture and
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-01
TAXING RAILROAD PROPERTY.
Chicago Moving Against DiscrImina
tiOn In Taxing Power.

chicago NEWS.
one OF the pernicious and persistent
ABUSES by which Chicago has been deprived
year after year OF its rightful revenue Is
the method employed by the State Board Of
EQUALIZATION in assessing railway trackage.
The revenue law Of Illinois contains distinct
and explicit provisions regarding the as
sessment OF railway tracks. II makes a
sharp distinction between main-track right
Of way and the sldings, switch tracks ana
yards established locally at points along the
right OF way. THAT there may be no mis-
take about It, the law distinctly saws that
the value Of mainline railroad track osbaIl
be listed and taxed in the several counties.
towns, villages, districts and cities in the
proportion that the length Of the main track
In such county, town, village, district or
city bears to the whole length Of the road
In this state" The same clause Of the law
makes an express exception OF sidings and
other local properties which shall be taxed
IN the county, town, village, district or city
In which the same Is located"
Tit statute is clear enough. II is the in
tention OF the law that the taxation on the
main right of way shall be spread among
the different counties traversed by such
right OF way. 1t is equally plain that under
the law the realty held by the roads in
various cities or villages for use as sIdings,
turn-outs, stations and yards should be
taxed separately and locally. Notwithstand-
ing all this the State Board of EouaIiza-
ton has kept on year after year spreading
the valuation Of Chicago railway properties
over the whole state. 1t is estimated that
the vast railway holdings in the central por-
ton Of Chicago, apart from main-track
right OF way, II properly assessed would
add $64O,0Oo annually to Chicago's income.
In the case now being argued before the
circuit court Of Sangamon county at Spring.
field the representatives Of Chicago are en-
deaVoring to compel the State Board Of
Equalization TO assess these properties in
accordance with the law. The result will
be watched in Chicago with deep interest.
If the law is to be interpreted in accord
anee with its obvious meaning there must
be some way to stop the practice by which
Chicago has been regularly plundered of an
important part Of it's revenues for the bene-
Mt Of the country districts.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-01
CHAIRMAN KNAPP Oy pUBIio,rv


The argument Of Chairman knapp Of
the interstate commerce commission
against publicity of corporation affairs
is labored and technical, and does not
proceed on a practical view of the inter
est of stockholders or Of the public.
While publicity is generally agreed upon
as necessary by those who are earnest
for efficient control 'of corporations, it
has not been put forward as the onlv
remedy or as sufficient by itself to solve
the problem, as Mr.. Knapp seems to
assume. but as a very important means
to that end and as a practical begin
ming, strategically, in the campaign for
real public control of public corporate
combinations.
The argument against enforced dis.
closure Of the essential facts Of CORPORA
ton organization and business could be
made far stronger against bank corpora
tons than Mr.. Knapp makes it against
corporations engaged in commerce Of an
interstate character, for the former do
not touch public interest at so many
points or so vitality, nor is It possible for
them to destroy competition. Yet no one
would dream OF removing or relaxing
a public control over national and state
banks which, in addition to recurring
complete disclosure, provides a rigorous
system Of inspection to enforce II.
If sovereign power is to be effectively
employed to restrain admitted corpora
ton excesses and abuses, publicity is
absolutely Indispensable. not merely for
the guidance Of the law-making power
n the officers. but also for the en-
hghtenment OF public opinion. which
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-01

Men of Eminence IN the worlds Az
fairs who Have Passed Away,

chicago Tribune.
In each annual neurology the list OF ia
nous dead seems longer and the loss 10
each department Of the worlds work
greater than ever before. This is only be-
cause In the close Of a year names are not
SO fresh In recollection as at It's commence
ment. The list for 1909 contains no larger
number Of prominent names thar that OF
1901, and yet, as will be seen, q large
number OF conspicuous individuals have
passed away, some Of whom In 1908 may be
"a name and nothing more"
The world Of politics and tatesmauship
has lost Jean de Bloch, the forcefui Rus
sian councillor OF state; Cecil John Rhodes,
the South African empire builder, whose
work will long live after him, and Thomas
b. Reed, the ex-speaker, whose parliament
tary record always will be a striking fea-
turs OF American political history. Roy
atty has been fortunate, for It has lost but
one OF its representatives, Queen Marie
Henriette Of Belgium, whose sorrowful life
was ended in September. The army and
navy have lost one distinguished ex-union
and one equally distinguished ex-confed-
crate oficer. General Franz SiReI and
General Wade Hampton, and the navy Rear
Admiral w. p. Sampson.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-01
OMAHA.

When God designed the setting of
Columbia's diadem,
He gave the city we best love
The place of Center Gem,
And with II the grand destiny
To sparkle for all time
With added lustre ev'ry day,
And rivalry outshine.
Nor is II OF mere carbon made,
Reflective but to glow
This seat Of coming art n trade.
Unlike those gems, will grow
TIL, tho already of great worth,
Its increase, slow but sure,
Will make of It 'mong towns OF earth
A very Ko-hi-noor!
More valiantly did never knight
Or Arthur's time defend
His love than for our City's right
Her sons would fain contendi
And tho they'll quart among themselves,
And have their spat and bout,
Their civic pride all discord quells,
When menaced from without.
Our seer's clear vision conjures up
A scene to revel In
OF Greater Omaha, whose cup
OF fame is filled to brim-
No vacant lots or wastes Of weeds
To syncopate the sea
OF stately houses which the needs
OF millions caused TO be.
No surface trafHc blocks the streets,
Nor wires obstruct the view
They're relegated under ground, O.
AS are all KNOCKERS" tool
No North. South. West our eyes detect
No merging TO discuss;
And tube and bridge by scores connect
The Borough Council Bluffs.
One corporation great extends
Far out beyond the lines
Where yet each minor town defends
Its crumbling, cramped confines;
With magic wand will Destiny
Ere long touch each ripe bud
To blossom forth In one bouquet
OF splendid cityhood.
Then will she proudly hold her place
AS grand Metropolis
OF the fair Valley whose sweet face
Missouri's eddies kiss
Then will the "croaker" shut his nav
And seek the cyclone cave,
When comes the Greater Omaha.
Home Of the fair. the brave.
Omaha, Eeb. ALFRED AARsCHNER.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-01
AMERLoAN

The latest triumph Of American
diplomacy emphasizes what had gone
before and treasures the world as to
the profound desire Of this nation for
the preservation of the peace Of the
world. Since the foundation Of our gov
eminent its steady and consistent policy
has been to cultivate friendly inter
course with all nations and to promote
peaceful relations. The United States
was one of the hrst countries to approve
the proposition Of Russia for an inter
national arrangement in the interest Of
universal peace. In the trouble with
China this country was the leader in
the effort to settle that difficulty with
out resort to measures of conquest and
its diplomacy was successfully exerted
for the preservation of the integrity Of
Chinese territory and the maintenance
of the government of that empire.
Wherever it has been able to properly
use its influence in the interest of peace
the diplomacy of the United States has
been freely employed and generally with
success. Its good offices were used in
the South African war, but under cir
cumstances which precluded the posi-
bility of their being effective.
The course Of our government in con-
nection with the Venezuelan affair has
received the approval Of the powers con-
cerned and the result is universally
recognized as a most important victory
for American diplomacy. Nothing has
been asserted On the part of this gov
eminent. The Washington authorities
held out no threat to the European gov
ernments. There was no intimation Of
a hostile attitude or OF a disposition to
engage in quarrel. Our government
simply represented to the allies its belief
that the true to be pursued was
to submit the controversy to arbitration
and its reasoning induced them to ac-
cept this view. 1t was an acknowledge
ment Of confidence In the integrity and
the high and honorable motives Of this
nation.
The United States has created a new
school Of diplomacy, the cardinal doc
trines Of which are frankness and honest
dealing. 1t is observed that this is
recognized by the great governments of
the world in the character Of the dipIo-
matte representatives they send here.
American diplomacy is no longer treated
with Indifference OF amusement by
foreign powers. Newspapers or in
dividuals may sheer at and attempt to
depreciate 1t, but in the chancelleries
where serious thought prevails and
every question is given the earnest con-
sideration that it merits, the views and
opinions at the capital of this republic
are not lightly regarded. The diplo-
matte successes Of the United States
In recent years have been in the highest
degree honorable to the nation and the
results have been most beneficial to the
world at large. We have set an example
that cannot fail to be of universal ad-
vantage.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-01

Wool and Cotton Reporter.

OF one thing the American manufactures
should In particular beware. namely, Of the
delusion< that it is possible TO pass on a
spurious article on the Chinese as the real
thing. Thu Chinese are very careful in
sampling the goods they buy. and they take
nothing for granted on receiving the goods
but are exceedingly patient in examining
them to md out II they are according to
contract. There has been a tendency on
the part Of American exporters to the EN-.
pire TO ignore that fact. The first thing an
occidental merchant needs to get into his
head in dealing with the Chinese merchants
is that he is dealing with a class OF people
fully his equal In business a~stuteness. The
chinaman knows h he wants. n he Il
no more disposed to take what he does NOT
want than Is anyone else.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-01
ACCEPTS

Adviees have been received at Wash
ington Of the acceptance by President
Castro of the arbitration proposals of
the allies, and 1t is assumed that no
serious difficulties will now be encoun-
tered in arranging the terms for an
amicable settlement of the dispute.
Nothing will be given out at present in
regard to the details, but the fact that
the acceptance by Venezuela is regarded
with satisfaction at Washington is to be
regarded as giving pretty substantial
assurance that the arbitration PROPOSE
ton will not fail. 1t is to be presumed
that Castro has unqualiiedly consented
to do whatever may be required Of him.
So far as the government Of the United
States is concerned, it appears that it
will have nothing to do in the matter,
except perhaps in regard to the question
of calling Off the blockade of Venezuela
ports while the arbitration proceedings
are in progress. There is not very late
information as to the position of our
government respecting this matter, but
1t probably favors the raising of the
blockade, though it may not be disposed
to insist upon this. German advices
indicate that the sentiment in that coun-
try is for maintaining the blockade, but
the decision of this question doubtless
depends upon the British government
and it is quite possible that it will be
guided by the desire Of this country,
should u government strongly urge
that the blockade be called off.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-01

The railroads have enough to answer
for on the coal situation without being
blamed for the manipulations Of the
dealers. Strong evidence indicates that
in some cases the latter have conspired
to make a scarcity and artificially ad.
vance prices. 1t is, however, chiefly in
the large cities that this has been done.
Under existing conditions such a course
is nothing less than a crime, and 1t is
a crime for which the laws of many of
the states provide severe penalties.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-01

1t is to be noted hat the west will
continue to furnish the head of the
general land office Notwithstanding the
change in the commissionership. The
administration OF the public domain con
Germs the west more particularly than
any other section of the country and II
Is only fair that it should be guided
by a western man with a view of pro
noting the settlement OF the unoceu.
pied western lands and the development
Of western resources.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-01

1t is gratifying to know that the con-
ference between the Union Pacific
strikers and the managing directors of
the road is progressing tremendously in
New York and is to be resumed again
tomorrow. 1t is certainly to be hoped
on the part Of the people of Omaha and
of the entire territory traversed by the
Union Pacific that the negotiations will
result in an agreement that will speedily
put an end to all pending labor troubles.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-01
Woman or LADY,
New York World.

Is 1t the woman or the lady? The Chi
eago committee on school management has
substituted woman" for lady" in classi-
tying the female teachers. On the assump-
tion that every woman is a lady until she
furnishes proof to the contrary. this change
is quite generally approved in polite So
ciety. Yet the wives OF the presidents
cabinet officers describe themselves as 1.-The
ladies Of the cabinet" in inscribing a
Christmas gift TO Mrs. Roosevelt, VINO is
also called "the first lady of the land"
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-01

Itds safe to say that II the reciprocity
arrangement with Cuba be ratified the
same tarin concessions viii not be made
to Germany under the most favored
nation clause. no matter how strongly
Germany should insist upon it. That
clause does not apply TO reciprocity
arrangements. II Germany wants reel.
proeity with this country the way Is
open. but there will have to be con.
eessiOns in both directions the same as
In the Ease OF Cuba
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-01
mrs OF WASHINGTON LIFE.
Minor scenes and incidents sketched
on the spot.

II is dificuit to understand why some
oficial makers Of booklets in Washington
should harbor a grudge against Chicago.
The government spends lots OF money
In the town and the town pays back dol
lar for dollar with some interest. In spite
OF these reciprocal business deals, some
OF the bureau sharps gives the town a
periodical Jolt, probably TO reduce its pride.
A few months ago the Weather bureau in
simulated that there was more truth than
poetry in the scof1ng title, THE Windy
City" The bureaus insinuation provoked
a gale Of wrath. from which the weather
sharps emerged with statistics showing
Chicago to be the windiest city In the
nation and the third in rank Of all weather
stations-being exceeded by only two
mountain stations. Now another govern
ment sharp springs the theory that Chicago
has been the terminal station of an arctic
moraine. "Ha been" is good. The
theory is that the ridge lying back from
Lake Michigan and about 200 feet above
Its waters is the old glacial moraine, dat
ing back many centuries, TO the time when
a lobe Of the great continental ice sheet
paused on its southwark journey, or, more
strictly, here melted as fast as II advanced,
leaving an accumulation Of sand and gravel
about its margin. Along the eastern edge
Of this elevated belt are found at three
successive intervals, each lower than the
other. lines Of benches or terraces, which
mistakabiy point to long periods when the
waters of Lake Michigan stood at sixty
feet. then forty feet and finally twenty
feet above the present level, and when
they completely covered the present site
Of he western metropolis, flowing off
through what is now the Desplaines river
valley to the Mississippi river and the Gulf
Of Mexico.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-01
Leading educators are engaged In ais.

Leading educators are engaged in dis
cussing whether a college diploma
should be made a prerequisite to admis.
sion TO the professional schools. There
is no disagreement however, on the
point that a diploma from a professional
school be required to practice in the pro
fessions. 1t is merely a question of
point Of view as to where the line should
be drawn.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-01

Elliot Woods, architect of the capitol, is
preparing to demonstrate that "the world
does move" during the meeting Of the
American Academy OF Sciences this month.
A wire cord 1853 feet long will be suspended
from the ceiling Of the capitol dome to the
floor Of the great rotunda. On the end Of
the cord will be a large iron weight, which
will have an index point. This will be hung
directly over a table ten feet in diameter
and covered with sand. The movement OF
the earth In its In rotation will be traced
by the point OF the weight in the sand. 1t
is an old experiment, but II is interesting
and valuable,
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-01

at is much easier to cook a shirt than a
hat" said the chef Of the New Willard at a
consultation Of cooks on Christmas eve.
o even a pair Of boots" remarked the
chef Of the Raleigh.
The occasion was a conference of the
cooks OF the principal hotels Of Washington
to devise the most palatable way Of serving
a hat Christmas day to Charles Edwards,
secretary OF the democratic national con-
gressional campaign committee. Edwards
told Senator Blkins that he would eat a hat
II the republicans elected a congressman in
West Virginia. The republicans we're sue
%cessful, and 1t was up to Edwards to have
a hat served for dinner.
Senator Elkins was not disposed to hold
the venturesome politician to the strict let
ter of the bet, but Edwards insisted. He
declared that his honor demanded that he
eat a hat. This was the cause Of the con-
ference Of the cooks. The chefs regretted
deeply that Mr.. Edwards had not agreed to
eat a shirt instead of a hat. Fine linen
shirts can be made very palatable by French
cooks.
1t finally was decided to serve the hat as
a soup and an entree. The recipe for the
soup is simply'to boil until reduced to a
pulp, pour of, take juice of hat, flavor we'll,
replace on fire and season to taste.
The second dish is made as follows: Take
parts of the hat, chop very fine, mix with
onions and roast until it Is done very brown.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-01

Congressman Neville has come to the
sage conclusion that Nebraska is ire
trievably lost to the fusionists so long
as the era Of prosperity prevails. Judge
Neville showed his far-sightedness when
he refused in advance to be a candidate
for reelection last fall and stuck to his
decision.