Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-02-18

panies should be made amenable to any
law regulating rates, although the courts
have held that sleeping cars are only no.
tells on wheels and that the express COM
panies are not common carriers. But the
absolute inequality of express rates and
the utter lack of uniformity in sleeping
car rates is so apparent to any one who
has given the subject any attention what
ever. that while the railroad rate bill may
not include these corporations within its
provisions, there will doubtless be an at
tempt at legislation to regulate sleeping
car charges and express rates before the
end of the present session. The difficulty
in enacting legislation of this character,
however, is great. and 1t is by no means
likely that bill can be put through hav-
Ing this object in view for some time to
come.
1t is far more likely that a parcels post
system will be inaugurated which will give
the people of this country equal rights
with the citizens OF Europe in the matter
of transmitting small packages to various
points in the United States. It is a fact
not generally known that a pound package
can be sent from London to San Francisco
today for less than half the cost Of send
ing n similar package from New York to
Omaha.
Bill for Metric system.
Representative Littauer has introduced a
bill to establish the metric, system as the
government standard Last year when a
similar bill was under consideration some
thirty or more business men from all parts
Of the country appeared in opposition and
their arguments against the adoption of
the change were so strong that the measure
was not even brought to a vote. This
year the hearings are confined so far to
listening to those who favor the change.
and IL is worthy OF note that most of them
are men who favor the change from an
academic standpoint AS a rule the great
manufacturing interests OF the country OPP
pose the change. 1t Is argued that to in
troduce the metric system in this country
would mean a practical revolution in the
manufacturing industries and that the cost
would aggregate hundreds of millions of
dollars.
Ten or fifteen years ago a bill of similar
import was passed by the house 'by unani-
nous consent" when no one was looking.
But on the following day a motion to re-
consider was adopted by practically a
unanimous vote and then the measure
was laid on the table"
Four Submarine Torpedo Boats.
The committee on naval affairs OF the
house of representatives is now considering
the naval appropriation bill. But it will
be some days before the items providing
for an increase I'm the vessels in the navy
is reached. 1t seems to be a foregone
conclusion. however. that unless the Chi
nese war scare changes the situation ma
terially within the next few weeks. that
there will be no more than one new
bsttleship authorized.
But while battleships, which cost $4,000. 600
or 100000 each. are not attractive to the
members OF the committee. there is a grow
ing disposition on the part of those gentle
men to increase the fiotilla OF submarine
torpedo boats. The action of the presi-
dent OF the United States last summer in
taking a short trip on one Of these YES
sells attracted more attention to this new
type of fighting vessels than was ever
accorded to them before. Since that time
reports have come from England to the
effect that the British Admiralty has de-
cided to materially increase the number
OF gunboats OF this type. because their
effectiveness has been demonstrated be-
yond question.
Then. too France. after a series OF ex-
periments during which a number OF diff
ferent types OF submarines have been
tested. has decided to follow the English
lead and TO place in commission a series
or units OF five or six submarines each
all OF the same type. though OF different
displacement. Since the FIRST OF those YES
sells was purchased for the United States
navy the builders OF this style OF tor
pedo boat have made remarkable strides
towards perfecting vessels OF this type.
Today the submarine can dive quicker and