davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-23
oVERSHooTING THE MARK.

The two local yellow journals that
shout for municipal ownership when
ever the water works is mentioned and
take the other end whenever a mu-
nicipal lighting plant is proposed are
overshOOting the mark in their parade
of a balance sheet of the Kansas City
water works which they have taken
without credit from Kansas City papers.
That exhibit seems to have been pre-
pared by the city comptroller for
strictly home consumption, to show
what a good bargain Kansas City got
An inspection of the figures, however,
shows that the $2O0OOO0 in profits COW
ering a period of ten years includes
81, 100000 charges against the city for
water used for public purposes and
$1,15O,00O more raised by taxation to
meet interest and sinking fund require
ments on the bonds issued.
The difficulty still remains as to as
certaining just how much the Kansas
City plant is worth If the $2,OOO,0O0
Of alleged profits were pure velvet, rep
resenting a cleanup of 100000 a year,
1t would indicate returns at 4 per cent
on an investment of $5,OOO,O0O. The
comptroller, however, figures 1t out that
Kansas City has put into the plant
$5,240,0O0, but claims that the total as
sets figure up S7,146,OOO, while other
estimates Of the present valuation are
said to vary from $s,OOOOOO to $12, 2,OOO,-
600.
The riddle is, How much is the Omaha
water works plant worth? and will it
pay us to buy it at the appraisers valur
alton If the price appears excessive?
Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-23
RAILWAY ACCIDENTS.

The report OF the statistical bureau of
the Interstate Commerce commission,
covering the year ending June 30, 1904,
showing marked increase in the number
of railway accidents is occasioning re-
newed comment ON the recklessness Of
human life displayed in American rail-
way management. To be perfectly fair,
The Bee has reprinted some interesting
facts gathered by the London corre-
spondent of one of its exchanges com
pairing the accident statistics of British
and American railroads and endeavor-
ing to show that the superiority of the
British railway operation is by no
means so great as the figures would
lead people to believe. Attention is es-
pecially called to the fact that on Brit
ish railroads a great deal is done to
cover up accidents and to prevent re-
ports of them from becoming public in
order to head off the injurious effect
they might have upon passenger traffic.
Allowing for all this, however, the cas-
ualty exhibit of the British railroad is
considerably better than that of our
own.
But aside from all questions of COM
parison, the annual sacrifice OF human
life through railroad accidents in this
country has reached stupendous proper
tions and may we'll call for radical pre-
ventive measures. In the one year COW
cred in the statistical report OF the In
terstate Commerce commission referred
to the total number of casualties is
given at 94,201, of which 1O.O46 come
under the head of killed and s4,155 un-
der the head of injured. We all know
that the disposition of American rail
road managers to cover up railroad ac-
cidents is just as marked in this coun-
try as 1t could be in Great Britain and
that the figures reported by the Inter
state Commerce commission are below
rather than above the true mark.
Even If the British railroads were
killing and manning proportionately
twice as many victims as the American
railroads that would still be no excuse
for us If any of the accidents resulting
in loss Of life could by any reasonable
precaution be prevented. II the rail
roads OF the United States want to JUS
tify their boast that they are the best
in the world they will have to reduce
their mortality account and make the
point of safety paramount TO profits.
Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-23
Looking for a King.

Now HOrK IrlDune.
Norway now presents the interesting spec
tacle of a kingdom in search of king. In
its act OF dlsunion 1t committed itself to a
continuation of the monarchical form OF
government, but thus far It has not been
able to find an eligible prince who is will
ing or who would be permitted to ascend
its throne. King Oscar, for reasons OF much
strength, declined to let any Of his family
accept the invitation. and now It is int-
mated that Prince Charles OF Denmark
who seemed an ideal choice. is not to accept
1t either. Perhaps it will be easier to fll
the throne after the terms OF separation
from Sweden are, finally settled and Nor
ways independence is recognized by its
late partner. II not, there is the alternative
of a republic which would suit many Nor
wegians better than a kingdom.
Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-23
personal NOTES.


At the fashionable watering places near
New York japanese costume dapces are all
the rage.
Thomas IT, sheviln has given $4,000 70
the University OF Minnesota for woman's
building which will contain a gymnasium
a luncheon room, etc.
Flying must come" declares Sir Hiram
Maxim, and in the next breath adds; For
100000 ! myself would build flying ma
chine" We fancy that at such price aerial
touring will be limited strictly 70 the high
flyers"
New York Is running 70 subterranean ro-
nance this summer. what with the subway,
the discovery OF Tilden's secret cellars. and
now the case q the Italian who has dug up
a lot Of old English guineas, which had
probably been hidden In a cellar during the.
revolution.
Under vows TO calculate nothing moro
profane than Hang" or "ping IL" or Me
for the rank swat" are the members Of the
new sect Of Christian golfers" lately
founded by Rev. George Cady OF Iowa Fails.
a clergyman who by dint OF hard practice
has learned to play the game without
single syllable Of curslng.
Prof. Harvey W. Wiley. chief Of the
Bureau Of Chemistry of the United states
Agricultural department, has finished his
tour Of inspection OF distilleries Of Scot
land and Ireland, and has returned to Lon
don and will shortly start to inspect the
wineries Of Germany and France. He will
sail for home on September 9.
In an interview with DR.. Hugo GanE OF
the Frankfurter zeitung King Oscar Of
Sweden said that he, for his part, had par
doned the Norwegans for seeding. and
that he prayed God the Swedish nation
would preserve a peaceful attitude, as an
attempt 70 restore the union by force would
be like hanging milestone around its neck.
| Sooner or later, however, he added,
"retribution comes 20 nations as to indi-
viduals; and thereat l grieve. on account
of the Norwegian people; for l still believe
that the majority were merely led astray
and are innocent of what has been done"
Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-23
A STANDARD OIL TRICK.
Independent Producer said to Have
Been Driven from Omaha Market.

Independent Producer SAID to Have
Been Driven from Omaha Market.
Ida Tarbell In McClure's.
l. r. Knapp OF Chanute had gone into
the Chanute field in 1889, and had found a
market for his oil with the Omaha and
Kansas City gas companies. He trans
ported the oil TO these concerns in tank
cars OF his own. each of which held about
$500 gallons OF OIL, and he had enlarged his
market until he had twenty cars in transit
The railroad charged him 10 cents 100
pounds from Chanute to both Omaha and
Kansas City, and they counted the weight
6.5 pounds per gallon. They also allowed
Mr. Knapp &-of a cent rental per mile for
the use of his tank cars. The price at
which Mr.. Knapp sold his product was not
brought out in the testimony in which the
above facts were developed but presum-
ably It was reasonable one. for this ar
rangement went on with apparent profit to
Mr. Knapp until May. 1902, when suddenly
he was informed that henceforth the weight
OF crude oil would be reckoned at "a
pounds per gallon. 1t was equivalent 10
an advance of $3.50 per carload. The change
came two weeks after Mr.. Knapp had
signed years contract with the gas COM
panies he was supplying. But while the
freight on crude oil had been raised $3.50
car by this new weight classification,
the freight on the products OF crude re-
manned unchanged. That is. the Standard
was able TO ship gas oil, a product OF
crude from Neodesha at the old weight of
Ga pounds a gallon.
OF course. Mr.. Knapp and his agents pro-
tested loudly They pointed out the anom-
aly--the injustice. They did not hesitate to
call II manipulation. The railroad agents
were evidently ashamed OF the tricky bust
mi
| hoation-admitted II was not general even
on their own roads. They did succeed even
I'm getting It reversed, but for only a very
| short time. when back II went and the
| Kansas agents, goaded by Mr Knapp to
still further protest we're told by their
| superior officers that they were tired OF
| the correspondence. that the rate was fixed
and II was unnecessary TO discuss the mat
! ter For eleven months Mr.. Knapp had to
| fulfill his contracts at this disadvantage
| Independence at an expense OF $50 a car
| may mean bankruptcy. Whether II did or
did not Mr. Knapp felt Il was too costly,
and, in May, 1903 he turned over his crude
oil to the Standard; and henceforth that
concern filled the contracts OF the Omaha
and Kansas City gas works Thus the
/ very small breeze Of competition which
was freshening the air OF Chanute was
stilled! Mr. Knapp's twenty cars were
sidetracked. and in March last. 1905, they
| still stood idle at ChAnut,.
What had the Standard OIL company TO
do with this manipulaton2 One who
knows the history OF the Standard OH
company viii not ask that question. That
Is why It's history is useful today! What
happened 70 Mr. Knapp happened 10 scores
OF Pennsylvania rehners and shippers back
in the '7Cs and sos and left hundreds OF
j Iank cars sidetracked as his were.
Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-23
PIONEERS.
New York Sun.

Strike to the forest to the clearing strikel
Blaze the slow trail through tangled bush
o pioneers. take prairie, gulch and pike,
And swing the blows that tingle and in
Cut greatly onward to the real desire.
And il you take the jungle fierce with FIRE,
Soon shall you out upon the placid soil
Beyond the huge turmoil!
The lassolng branches Of the sapling will
The lariat ropes of cllngng Ivy strands
Shall be burst through, as when q sea Of
Strikes the breakwaters and spreads up,
On, pioneers, to unnamed seas and lands
The world love pulls you over
With all the tug OF huge and graphing
And all the grip of love! Strike on, earth
Forever still q roveri -.s
Reach out! The earth is stale where over
Wiring of the rime OF ages cut the old!
Be Adam and Eve, b man and woman,
Start a new world with vigor that will
And set your lusty children starward
They cannot fling too high. 49,. .,
All naked to the broad inspiring skyl
There live, and greatly die!
Huge waters through primordIal gulches
Vast peaks Hft through the clouds a sword
There Ii lie faii' valleys and the roaring
Man only there is lacking! Let him go!
There start the race that shall stretch out
And make the whole world over
strike axes, pioneers! Hew blow on blow,
You vanguard of humanity! Earth lover,
Forever stu rover
Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-23
Honor Outweighs the Sacrifice.
springaeld Republican.


In the name of common sense, what is a
legal practice, however remunerative, COM
pared with the solid honor of being the
foreign minister of this country? Mr.. Root
might have received half a million year
in corporation fees, but the honor of being
secretary of state would be an equivalent.
Honors of this sort, 1t is needless to say,
are great personal achievements, and few
men there are who would regard them with
indifference. Talk of self-sacrifice in accept
ing this particular Office, especially in the
case of a man already possessed of a per-
manent living income, is an amusing kind
of twaddle.
Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-23
THE CANADIAN TARIFF

Canada has a tarirr commission and
1t will soon enter upon an investigation
with a view TO revising the tariff All
the business interests Of the Dominion
Will be given an opportunity for an eX-
preston Of views and the commission
will report TO Parliament early next
year, with recommendations of such
changes as shall be agreed upon. And
in all probability much OF what the
commission shall recommend will be
adopted.
The contemplated revision Of the Can
adian tariff has an interest for Ameri-
can manufacturers, for 1t is very likely
that such revision will be in the direc-
tion OF higher duties on manufactures
from the United States. The manufac-
turing interests of the Dominion have
for some time been urging better pro-
lection against their American com
petltors and they are now fully organ
lied TO make a fight for this. They feel
that the time is at hand when the gov
ernment should do more than has been
done to promote the development OF the
manufacturing industries, thereby i'm
proving the home market for the agri-
cultural producers increasing the
Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-23
corNsELINa MonERLrInM

The japanese ENJOYS are being ad-
vised from outside sources to modify
those demands upon which there is dis
agreement and persistence in which 1t
is apprehended will result in the failure
Of the conference. They are being told
that while justified in asking that Rus
sia shall reimburse Japan for the cost
Of the war. in view Of the fact that
all has been conceded for which Japan
went to war she can well afford to re-
linqulsh this demand especially as In
the event Of peace she will secure val
.uable assets which have cost Russia
hundreds Of millions Of dollars. 1t is
urged that although beaten Russia is
not conquered and that If the war goes
on the tide may turn.
Also in regard to the demand for the
cession of Sakhalin 1t is urged by these
counselors that japan would commit
grave mistake II by insistence upon this
the war should he prolonged. She has
possession of the island and undoubt-
edly can hold 1t by military force Its.
material advantages, is admitted. Yet
some think that she ought not to per-
NIT this to stand in the way of peace.
Then there are the questions Of the
surrender Of the interned Russian war
ships and the Limitation of Russia's
naval power in the far east, both Of
which the ENJOYS are advised to drop
from their demands, though 1t is not
seriously contended that there is any
thing unwarrantable in the japanese
position.
1t is not to be supposed that these
admonitiops, if they have reached the
representatives. of Japan, are having
any influence with them. They are able
to give very good and valid reasons for
every one Of the twelve demands made.
1t is unquestionable that Russia ought
to pay a part at least Of the cost Of the
war to Japan, since upon her rests the
responsibility for having provoked hos
tilities, and it is absurd to talk of APP
plying to this what has been wrested
from Russia by the armies of Japan.
The money reimbursement which Japan
asks is the penalty of Russian Tad faith
and is from every point of view just
claim. As to Sakhalin It is now con-
quered territory and If Japan feels that
she really needs It she has full justifica-
ton for insisting upon keeping It, In
her possession 1t may be made of value
not only to herself but. to the world,
while Russia has done nothing with it
except to make It a place for keeping
her worst and most dangerous Grim
inals. The other matters are perhaps
of no very vital Importance and might
be eliminated without any serious sac
riflce to Japan.
1t is assumed that the mediation OF
President Roosevelt is directed to bring
ing about a compromise respecting the
reimbursement and cession demands
but while 1t is still hoped that he will
| be able to save the conference from
failure the feeling is said to be some
what pessimistic The Russian ENJOYS
continue to profess an earnest desire
for peace, though at st. Petersburg the
dominant sentiment seems to be for
continuing the war. The Japanese say
nothing but appear determined to ad-
here to their demands. The next meet
ing Of the conference may decide the
great issue
Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-23
A HoMELY COMPARISON.
One of the shallow DOdEes of Cor
pOrRtiOn Lawyers.
Philadelphia Record.

pOrattOn Lawyers.
Philadelphia Record.
In proceeding against the private car
lines and the railroads Jointly for viola
ton of the law forbldding rebates and dis
elimination in rates, the Interstate Com
merce commission necessarily assumes that
the charteTing Of the cars and the hauling
of the same are two phases OF single
transaction. The device OF the Offending
companies, which claim that the excessive
and unequal charges are made by the car
lines and that the latter, not being common
carriers, are not amenable to the law,
should no longer serve to shield them. At
best it is a dodge. and at worst this false
pretense is an aggravation OF the wrong.
The railways are certainly answerable
for unlawfully demanding or accepting un-
equal rates for the carriage of like classes
OF freight between identical points; and II
is no excuse OF the wrongdong to say that
the vehicles in which the goods are carried
belong to somebody else Neither are the
wicked partners of the railroads, the car
lines outside OF the prohibitions OF the
interstate commerce act; for they, too, are
common carriers. II a person engage in the
transportation Of perlshable goods over the
highways in ice wagons he would be a
common carrier none the less because he
conducted his business on toll roads owned
by turnpike companies and because the lat
ter furnished the horses, mules or other
motive power. Neither is a company which
receives freight for transportation in re-
frigerator cars absolved from the liabilities
and duties of a common carrier because
the vehicles employed in the traffic are
hauled over an iron road by an iron horse
belonging TO another corporation.
In the light OF this homely illustration
the figments Of corporation lawyers resolve
themselves into smoke-9nd smoke. in
most cases. is all they consist OF.
Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-23

The Bees remarks about the fraternal
Insurance lobby seem to have struck a
sympathetic chord in several quarters.
II the state insurance department can
put an end TO the expenditure Of money
belonging 20 the members in paying
salaries and expenses OF lobbying law
yers and officers who flock to Lincoln
whenever the legislature is I'm session
II win get a good. big credit mark.
Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-23

The common desire for irrigation may
renew the friendly feeling between Cal
ifornia and Oregon strained by the dis
cussion of the Chinese exclusion laws,
but water is a rather thin liquid in
which to drown discord.
Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-23
Ex-Congressman Hitchcock, in person

Ex-Congressman Hitchcock, in person
or by proxy, has over the nom de plume,
"A Square-Deal Republican" put into
the mouth Of his successor a speech he
should himself have made. He de-
clares that he might have said. "It is
true, | am a congressman, but a con
gresham Ly the grace OF Mr. Rose
water / owe him homage and service
that is due him from a creature to a
creator" The former congressman,
however belongs to the party Of re-
pudiation.
Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-23
Russia is Not Conquered.

Russia is not conquered, neither is
Japan a sweeping conqueror holding the
destinies of Russia in the hollow of her
hand. If the demands for indemnity, lin
itation of Russian naval power and the
cession Of Sakhalln are persisted in to the
extent of precipitating a renewal of hos
tilities Japan will have cause TO regret
that her greed outran her discretion. That
is as safe a prediction as lies within hu-
man estimate of the future
Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-23

Of the state boards OF assessment which
disclose the fact the most favorable as
sesspent Of their property the railroads
ever secured was secured from the fu-
sion officials It might also look up the
records Of the old state Board Of Rail
road Commissioners and find, IL it can,
wherein during the fusion regime the
railroads suffered any Inconvenience or
distress at the hands Of the do-nothing
railroad commissioners.
Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-23
The Most Unpopular Party.

Complete returns from the recent election
in Norway show that there is one political
party in the woBld more unpopular than
the so-called democratic party OF the United
states Upon the question OF dissolution
the Norwegian uniOnists could muster but
1874 votes, while the national independents
polled 36s, 200.
Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-23

The arrest of Russian reformers i'm
mediately following the proclamation of
the car evidently means that the bu-
reaucracy intends to have no interfer-
enee with its own plan Of reform.
Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-23

= A great deal of building of all kinds
is going on in Omaha, but the supply
or modern dwelling houses Of moderate
size and moderate rent by no means
equals the demand. AS soon as the
new houses are built there are people
ready to occupy them. This should be
a hint to investors
Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-23

Uncle Sam Is doing everything in his
power to make the lot OF the rural let
ter-carrier as attractive as possible. and
every inducement that can be granted
this public servant is always cheerfully
given Not long ago Postmaster General
CorteIyou received large number OF re-
quests from postmasteTs all over the
country, inquiring If IL would be against
the law to allow the rural carriers to
paint the boxes along their routes I'm
which mail Is deposited. Many OF the
carriers stated that they would thus be
enabled TO earn few extra dollars in ad-
dition 90 their monthly compensation OF
$50. But Mr.. Cortelyou was not willing
10 decide the matter offhand, so he re-
ferred the requests TO the comptroller OF
the treasury for decision. Recently the
comptroller held that so long as the bust
ness of painting rural letter boxes did
not In the least interfere with the duties
OF the carriers, they could. under the law.
be allowed to perform this service to the
government for a small fee, which should
be the same in every case. Heretofore the
contract for painting rural letter boxes
has always been given TO outside parties
but the government, in it's desire 10 be
lenient 20 the carriers will hereafter per
NIT them 70 do this work, thereby adding
something " their MOSTLY pay.
Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-23

Former Statistician Hyde seems to be
Of the opinion that local crop report
ers Of the Department Of Agriculture
are useful only to indicate what not to
include in official Statements No won
der trouble breaks out in that depart
ment when the subordinates disagree.
Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-23

Has Tom Worralrs carpet bag gone
out Of commission? Everyone was in
hopes It would be continually replen-
ished as If by magic, iike the presti-
digitator's sack of eggs.
Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-23

II is now alleged that Rockefeller is
buying up gas companies. A comblna-
ton Of oil lamps and gas meters needs
only the electric light to make it air
tight
Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-23

The censure given Ensign Wade is
chiefly important in calling attention to
the system which permits a junior OFF,
Ger to ignore his duties for so long
time without superiors discovering the
lapse.
Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-23

The local demo-pOp newspaper mouth
piece now wants evidence that the rail
road machine had better grip on the
fusion administration in Nebraska than
IL has had on their republican sue
cessors in the state house. Our amiable
contemporary should look Up the records
Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-23

The demand for uniform marriage
and divorce laws would be greater If
there was not such a divergence of
opinion as to Just what those uniform
laws should be.
Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-23

Whichever way the law may be con-
strued by the courts, there is no danger
that Douglas county will be left with
out a full complement Of members for
fits county board.
Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-23
Ernerience HeInn.
Chicago Record-Herald.

Chicago Record Herald.
Theodore Roosevelt has on several oc-
casions brought about peace between Platt
and Oden There is no reason, therefore,
to doubt his ability to bring Russia and
Japan to terms II they will give him a
chance.
Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-23
sirnincnnt Precedent.

st. Louis GloDe.
A Russian diplomat points to the fact
that after whipping Spain the United
States paid 100000 to the Madrid govern
ment. According to this precedent Japan
is very heavily in debt TO Russia.
Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-23

After the government has success
fully opened the Panama canal it might
move the machinery to Louisiana and
drain the swamps.