davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-10-19
WHAT DID THEY ENpOR SCI

1t has been given out that the execu-
tive committee of the Commercial club
has endorsed the proposition of Frank
H. Gregg Of Cleveland to supply Omaha
with dollar gas IL he and his successors
and assigns shall be given a franchise
to construct, maintain and operate gas
works in the city Of Omaha for period
of forty-three years.
Conceding that gas consumers in
Omaha would welcome dollar gas, we
are very much puzzled how any COM
mercial body in Omaha could seriously
contemplate the granting of a public
lighting franchise, whether gas, electric
lights or any other Illuminating sub
stance, for the period of forty-three
years. Does the executive committee
of the Commercial club in dead earnest
endorse the scheme to give Mr.. Gregg
a franchise of incalculable value with
out restriction as to it's assignment or
transfer to any company willing TO buy
It? Does the executive committee en-
dorse a proposition that contemplates
the wiping out, or at least the heavy re-
duction, Of the royalty we now receive
from the gas company for a period of
FIVE years as is provided in the Gregg
ordinance?
Some, If not all, the members of the
executive committee doubtless remem-
Der the contest that had to be waged to
limit the franchise period of the Omaha
Gas company and secure from it a roy
atty on sales to consumers. 1t is a mat
ter of history that the council of 1893
voted a fifty-year franchise to the gas
company for $3.50 gas, without any roy
atty, and the contamination Of this deal
was only prevented by the firm stand
taken by Mayor Bemis, the vigorous OPP
position of The Bee and finally an APP
peal to the courts by John L. Kennedy
and w. S. Poppleton, which eliminated
in a new ordinance reducing the fran
chlse period from fifty to twenty-five
years, cutting the rate from $3.50 to
$1.35, and providing for n royalty of 3
cents per thousand cubic feet on all gas
sold. Thus was effected saving to the
consumers of several hundred thousand
dollars and a royalty secured for the
city that will aggregate not less than
half a million dollars by the time the
twenty-five years have run out.
While dollar gas looks very attractive
at this time 50-cent gas may be found
excessive twenty-five years hence. Why
the executive committee Of the CONNER
cial club should endorse or even counte-
nance any proposition looking toward a
gas franchise for a period exceeding
twenty-five years is inexpIicable.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-10-19

against securing any more labor from.
that portion OF the West Indies, which
is the most desirable because immune
from the diseases of the isthmus. The
great task of feeding and housing the
thousands who will be employed in
building the canal has been undertaken
by the government and there is reason
to apprehend that It will not be entirely
successful. The work of sanitation Is
far from complete and does not appear
to lie making much progress. Secretary
Taft is again going down to the isthmus
to investigate conditions and perhaps the
country will learn after his return just
what the situation is.
Meanwhile there is naturally dispo-
sition to doubt whether the canal COM
mission is entirely competent to meet
the demands of their great task. When
the public thinks Of the great expendi-
ture and the small results it is pretty
sure to become impatient and indulge
in criticism. The commission is UNI
doubtedly endeavoring to faithfully per-
form its duties, but II may expect to
hear some unpleasant things said about
1t in congress. OF course the canal will
be built, but at the present rate Of
progress the completion of the work will
take twice the time that has been esti-
mated and greatly increase the cost.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-10-19
THE MORTON MONUMENT.
Tribute 10 the Memory of the Founder
of ArbOr Day.

foruand OregOnian.
In Nebraska City, October 2s, a monu-
ment Will be unveiled to the memory of
). Sterling Morton, secretary of agricul-
ture during the second administration of
PRESIDENT Cleveland, and founder of Arbor
Jay Ihe ueeless state, which was the
home OF Secretary Morton, appreciates. in
manner not shared by people where ma
ture has provided forest supply, the value
and significance of Arbor day. This fact
Is witnessed in the very beautiful and an
propriate monument that will be unveiled,
and in the history of the effort by which
funds were collected for the purpose
The result is a monument the design OF
which was to combine dignity with sim
plicity and impressiveness, thus IMPLYING
the character of the Sage of Arbor
Lodge"
This purpose has been carried out in a
statue of Mr. Morton which rests on a
pedestal in a characteristic attitude At
the foot of the pedestal stands a wood
sprite, her hands protecting a young. grow
ing tree. A semicircular stone bench sur
rounding the pedestal is Ornamented by
two medallions. one of which illustrates
the one important period in Mr.. Norton
life-the treaty with the Pawnee Indians,
to which he was a party. the other a group
Of school children planting trees.
We have here monument with some
thing to commemorate besides a name,
and the fact that It once stood for au-
thority in the Official world. This man
was lover Of trees and OF all plant life;
he took pains to promote tree-plsnting and
plant culture. His position as secretary OF
agriculture was but the result OF political
accident Long before II came to him he
loved all growing things. Trees were his
friends, his proteges. The monument "a
be unveiled attests these facts and will
ftly honor and perpetuate his memory,
EX-President Cleveland, who will be the
chief speaker of the occasion. will have
a chance to grow eloquent as he points to
Mr.. MoTton's service to agriculture. and
especially 10 forestry-a chance that he
will. no doubt, fully improve
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-10-19
PUMPING TIE TAXPAYERS.

We are getting along famously with
the acquisition of the water works.
Only three years ago 1t was resolved by
the embattled Fontanelle chiefs that the
works must be acquired Immediately, If
not sooner. Under whip and spur a
compulsory purchase bill was engi-
neered through the legislature and be-
fore the ink had got dry on the gov
ernor's signature a resolution was
rushed through the council to proceed
with the acquisition of the water works
on the three appraiser plan.
In the twinkling of an eye three $50
a-day engineers were discovered, en-
gagged and confirmed, and the laborious
task Of appraisement began. After
lapse OF more than eighteen months the
inventory of pumps, pipes, hydrants and
other bric-a-brac was very nearly COM
pleted when the water board had the
engineer appraisers enjOined by the
courts from rushing things and, being
unlike our gasOmeter cOuncilmen, the
appraisers refused TO put themselves
into contempt and actually Obeyed the
order of the court to sit still and wait
patiently and persistently for a judicial
opinion whether or not the South Omaha
tail goes with the Omaha hide.
Meanwhile the water works board,
that has no water works to manage, has
continued vigilantly at the salary pump
ing station and by the aid of special at
torneys and special engineers has man
aged to work up a large and lucrative
business for the lawyers of the water
company, 1t is now confidentially given
out that this process of evaporation and
procrastnation will continue for at least
six months in the United States circuit
court, and anywhere from two to five
years I'm the United States supreme
court. BY that time the clty's contract
with the water company will have ex-
pired.
Possibly It may have dawned upon
the immediate ownership advocates that
the acquisition OF the water works has
not been fastened by the Howell com
pulsory purchase bill. On the contrary
It must be apparent to everybody that
Omaha has been buncOed into an end
less chain controversy in which its tax
payers are hound 10 foot the bills when
1t could have had possession OF the
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-10-19
rACkING A CONVENTION.
Futile Attempts to Override Public
Sentiment.
San Francisco Chronicle.


San Francisco Chronicle.
1t is said that the Interstate Commerce
commission alleges that the railroad bu-
reaus in charge of the matter are sys-
tematicellI engaged in winning over" del
egations which have been chosen TO attend
national convention, which has been
called to meet at Chicago on october 20.
to endorse" President Roosevelts policy
OF comforting additional power over rates
upon the Interstate Commerce commission.
The methods alleged to be adopted by the
railroads are fine dinners to all delegates
who can be caught, together with free
passes TO the convention and hotel bills
thereat. Candor compels us to confess
that methods more potent could hardly be
adopted to win over" delegates who have
been elected to attend, at their own ex-
pense, convention in some distant city.
Nevertheless delegates who nave been
elected to endorse" should stand by the
platform on which they are chosen. The
wording OF the dispatch implies that the
endorsing convention has been called by
the Interstate Commerce commission itself.
We doubt whether the Interstate Com
merce commission has called a convention
for the avowed purpose Of endorsing" a
project to increase it's own authority. At
any rate, It is net necessary to approve
such action IL 1t has occurred in order to
sustain the argument against the course
taken by the railroads in opposition TO reg
ulation. II as a result of the proposed in
crease OF authority serious injustice should
be done to the railroads the people can be
fully relied to correct the evil. The
courts will always be open to the carriers,
and their authority cannot be abridged. II
the carriers will in good faith produce ell
their evidence at the h caring by the COM
mission no injustice is likely to be done. In
the meantime the strong opposition OF the
roads to a measure of regulation which
seems reason able 10 most people IAN crly,
if successful, incite the people 20 moro
drastic measures. The fact is that the rail-
roads do not come before the people with
clean hands. They have debauched the
public service. They have corrupted the pub
lie servants. They have secretly controlled
conventions by base methods,
have seized upon the public revenues for
the support of their parasites and have
elected United States senators by bribery.
Those things the people know and the feel
ing is that the first thing to be done is at
all hazards to utterly gubdue these great
corporations and break their power. They
have sown the wind they will possibly
reap the whirlwlnd. When they surrender
they are sure of the consideration due to
a great interest. While they continue their
present course they have little claim for
consideration. Too long persistence will
make the cry for public ownership ire
sistible. And then the $4,000 salaries will
20,
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-10-19
"PA AMT HERE NO MORE.v


s. E. Kiser in the Record Herald.
There was a lot of people come TO our
house one day
And me and Aunt LIB set upstairs. and
when they went away
Ma went along but after while my grandma
fetched her back,
And she was cryin,, all the time and all her
And grandpa he was cryin', too. and pretty
soon, why then
We all come down to grandpa's house, and
amt went back again.
like to live at grandpa's house; wish "a
- was with us, though,
cause he was grandpa's little boy, long,
And he's went far away, they say, and
when ask them why,
Ana when he's comm back again. somehow,
A.. IL makes them cry;
Most all the time they seem to try to treat
me awful kind
And ma don't ever, scold no more when 1
forget to mind
Whenever grandpa goes to town he brings
me home a toy,
Cause I'm the picture of my pa when he's
6 little boy,
And when I'm hungry grandma spreads the
jam on good and thick,
And never thinks it's naughty when want
the spoon to lick,
And Aunt Lib says the reason why they
love me such lot
Is cause since pa amt here no more I'm
all the boy they've got.
At night I ride so on grandpa's back when
Cause that's the way pa did when he's a
little curly head,
And grandma holds me on her lap and pats
my cheeks and tries
To make me think she's smiln' when the
tears are in her eyes
! never knew that folks could treat a boy
so kind before;
There's nothln' that's too good for me since
pa amt here no more.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-10-19
REFORM IN STATISTICS.

The agitation for reform in crop sta
tistics has not been without effect, re-
ports from Washington stating that the
Department of Agriculture has not
ceased it's activity with reference to the
bureau of statistics. 1t is evidently the
determination of the department au-
thorities not to be content with having
cleaned out those who abused their
trust, but to put the bureau in the most
efficient condition and make it worthy
Of the public confidence. There is no
doubt as to the earnest purpose Of the
secretary Of agriculture in this matter.
It is suggested in the Washington cor
respondence of the New York Journal
of Commerce that 1t would lie an excel
lent thing II complete agricultural
census could be taken as soon as posi-
BILE, in spite of it's great cost and in
spite of the fact that it should have been
that such a census would afford the
needed basis for the bureau figures and
would furnish a good many data that
would be exceedingly valuable in the
work of the census bureau on its new
and permanent basis. If the department
shall make such a recommendation 1t is
altogether probable that congress will
comply with it, since its Importance and
value are obvious. The demand for
economy in expenditures might be an
obstacle, yet in a matter of this kind, in
which so large a portion OF our pOpula-
ton is interested, the expense would
be justified
Meanwhile there will be very general
satisfaction with the statement that the
prospect for real statistical reform is
brighter than it has been for a long
time. 1t may take a little while to Lrush
away the distrust of government crop
statistics which has been created in re-
cent years, but the efforts of the author
tiles TO do this will certainly be success
full II persevered in.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-10-19
RATE REarLArtoN PLANS.

Plans for the regulation Of railway
rates will become numerous by the time
congress assemblies We have already
referred to several and the latest is that
suggested by Mr.. Parry, president Of the
National Association Of Manufacturers.
According TO the brief outline given I'm
the dispatches this proposes the creation
of n bureau Of interstate transportation
in the Department Of Commerce and
Labor, the duty Of which would be to
have charge of all differences arising
between shippers and the railroads. IL
such differences could not be adjusted
by the bureau it is suggested that they
be carried before a special court Of
transportation, the judges Of which
should devote their entire time to the
adjudication Of such differences.
The idea of a railway court is not
new. AS far back as 1886 the editor
of The Bee, in a hearing before a select
committee Of the United States senate,
said that "there might be a railway court
constituted, just as the court of claims
has been constituted" and It was admit
ted by Senator Plat of Connecticut a
member Of the committee, that congress
could make such court with power
to enforce its decisions, the same as
any other court That view was again
urged by the editor of this paper in a
speech before the conference held in
Chicago in 1890 to consider the question
of railway rate regulation. There is
consequently no novelty in the Parry
proposition, so far as appears from the
outline given of it.
A recent dispatch from Washington
stated that Senator Elkins will probably
endeavor to secure the support of the
senate interstate commerce committee to
a proposition for establishing a railway
court. 1t was said that the plan had not
parently the thought or some is that
such n court would be added to our
judicial machinery and would simply
deal with disputes concerning interstate
cOLuuleTCe- WHICH, Ny SOiht huCCudhlSu
would be speedily disposed of and APP
pealed directly to the supreme court
when desired" The opinion was ex-
pressed that If some such plan could
be worked out it would do away with
a great many Of the difficulties that
grow out of the anomalous position Of
the Interstate Commerce commission.
There is no doubt as to the power Of
congress to create a railway court. with
power to enforce its decisions the same
as any other court, and there are CO.
gent reasons why 1t should do so. So
far as the administration is concerned,
it is not known to be opposed to such
tribunal, but President Roosevelt is as
insistent as ever upon the policy he
urged in his last annual message of Civ
ing the interstate commission the power
to revise rates, the revised rate to at
once go into effect and to stay in effect
unless and until the court of review re-
verses 1t. Any plan for a railway court
that should interfere with this would he
very likely to be opposed by the presi-
dent
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-10-19
PERSONAL NOTES.

A bologna famine is threatened In New
York by a lockout of the workers.
Queen wilhelmina of Holland follows the
example of Queen Victoria end keeps
diary. She illustrates it with little pen
sketches.
Lord Roberts doesn't smoke. touches wine
but seldom and rises at $50 every morning,
summer and winter-no matter how late he
may have retired.
One OF the busiest and most versatile
Of European writers is spiridion Gopcevic,
who lives at Lussinpiccolo and who has
written newspaper articles and books In
nine different languages-German French,
English, Italian. servian Danish, Spanish,
Portuguese and Swedish. In thirty years
he has contributed 1893 articles to news
papers in those languages
Like many other kind hearted persons, the
late Mary Mapes Dodge never could make
herself believe that organized charity was
the only sort that did good. She considered
organized charity rather cold. She believed
in the charity spirit which, she said, vas
best fostered by the direct, personal con
tact OF recipient and giver Hence she never
refused beggar.
Count savorgnan De Brazza, French
man by adoption, though not by birth,
whose death occurred the other day, ranks
as one Of the great French explorers and
colonial organizers. In twenty years he eX-
plored the vast region In West Africa now
known as the French Congo. founded and
maintained twenty-One stations among the
100000 natives living there. organized a
large part OF the territory as a French
colony. stopped wars between the tribes,
established friendly relations with them
and did all ibis without shedding blood.
In sentence. this is the summing up OF
De Brazza work Violence played no part
IN his policy and he never shot native.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-10-19
PANAMA CANAL PROBLEMS.

The American people have now in
vested in the Panama canal enterprise
$60OOO,OOO and expenditure is going on
without bringing corresponding results.
The visits of members of the commits
sion and the consulting engineers to the
isthmus do not appear to have brought
any nearer a solution OF the problems
that confront them. Whether or not
there is to be a sea level or a lock
canal is yeHnto be determined and it
is announced that II will be several
weeks until a decision OF this very i'm
portant question is reached by the en-
gineers. 1t is believed that a majority
of them favor a sea-level waterway,
but SHOULD they so decide there is no
certainty that it would be approved by
congress, owing TO the great increase in
cost
Then there is the problem of labor
which has already proved somewhat
troublesome and is likely TO become
more so. Only a few days ago several
hundred labOrers that had been imported
from Jamaica quit work on the canal
and sailed for home. This will operate
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-10-19
A Shot at the Bankers.
DhfIo D1.za

The assembled bankers found no diff
Guilty in reaching a conclusion in favor
of the payment of ship subsidies; but they
couldn't agree on the question of cur
rency reform. This recalls a story told
Of Senator Morgan OF Alabama, who is
given to the utterance OF long winded
speeches. Asked how long he could talk
at stretch, he said: ION any subject
I thoroughly understand can talk for two
or three years; but given a subject know
nothing about l can talk on indefinitely"
The bankers were most effusive on the
subject where they were least instructed
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-10-19

The manifesto to the people of Ne
braska issued by the aspirants for
places on the board of regents of the
State university would have created a
profound impression II they could be
taken seriously, but with the prospect Of
being showed under by over 10000 ma
jority on the 18th of November the APP
peal of the spontaneous redemptionists
will have about the same effect as the
pope's bull against the comet.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-10-19
Preparedness for scWar,
PHILADELPHIA Record.


The great anthracite coal mining corpo-
rations are pilng up coal and the anthra-
cite miners are recruiting their unions with
a view to argument over a new arrange
ment between the corporations and their
employees when the present arrangement
ends next year. 1t may turn out that due
preparation for strike may prove an in
surance against a strike. The general
prosperity in the coal fields will plead
strongly against any radical change in
present conditions.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-10-19

One of the fusion candidates for uni
versity regent publicly admits that he
made a personal contribution toward
the 100000 fund started by the Rookie
Teller donation, with it's conditional gift
Of $4,000, but says he now regrets his
action and that II the people of Ne
braska win only elect him TO the board
OF regents he viii do all he can to get
his money back
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-10-19

The late congressman from the Sec
ond Nebraska district is not so much
perturbed as to whether County Treas
urer Fink was the progenitor or pro-
jector of the scavenger law, but in his
eyes Fink committed an objectionable
offense when he advertised the tax list
in newspaper of known circulation.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-10-19

water works easily more than a year
ago by simply exercising it's charter
right to take the works by condemna-
ton appralsement under the power of
eminent domain and left the water
works company 10 invoke the power Of
the courts If the award thus made was
not satisfactory TO It.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-10-19

Nebraska has no pride in having one
of It's Indian reservations paraded as
an horrible example, and If the advice
of The Bee had been taken years ago
the present condition of affairs at the
winnebago agency could not be held up
to shock eastern reformers.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-10-19

Nebraskas foot ball team is of today
to invade the territory of the hercest
foe It has yet been called upon to
tackle. II the Conhuskers succeed in
winning from the Wolverines, the fame
OF the University of Nebraska may be
considered as having been established
for all time.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-10-19

Developments iSehe insurance inves-
tigation indicate that others besides
relatives of the high officials had their
eyes on the easy money" 1t would
have been an occasion for wonder If
this were not so.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-10-19

Captain Carriers attempt to pose as
1.-THE American Dreyfus" is not likely
to gain him any great sympathy, nor
relieve him of any of the obloquy that
has attached to him. Calling better men
names is favorite practice among con-
victed criminals.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-10-19

The new Union Pacific machine shops
constitutes the biggest manufacturing
interest I'm Omaha outside OF the meat
packing houses. Every enlargement
that means more employment to Omaha
labor will be welcomed