davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-18
LIMIT Of SAFE PROSPERITY.
Danger of Increasing the Pressure
Considered.



Replying TO a question regarding the
probable results Of the present session of
congress a distinguished senator said that
he hoped that nothing would be done which
would tend to increase our national pros
perity The statement is a little startling
until 1t is carefully digested.
II is a question whether this country is
not today very much like a youngster who
has eaten more jam than is at all good for
him and yet is hungry for more. Nothing
10 OF real value unless il can be properly
utilized and controlled. The United States
may be said to be crippled by its present
prosperity. We have not laborers enough
to do the work; we have not cars enough
to move our crops and our merchand Sc,
and there is even a shortage of money for
the proper conduct of busienss II is true
that there are many who have less than
they want and some who have less than
they need. That is inevitable under any
circumstances. But never before in the
history Of this country. and perhaps any
other country, have the comforts, the con-
veniences and even the luXuries Of life
been 50 widely distributed as they are
among American people today.
In 1870 a single generation ago, the total
wealth of the United States, as represented
by the aggregate value Of all real and per-
sonsl property, was officially report d as
5000 ,51SOOO. The total Of the present year
Is officially estimated as little exceeding
{l0c, 900 O0C,OOO The population of the coun-
try in 1870 was 3S,55S.3ll. II is now approx
mately 85.00OOO0. Within that generation
wealth has Travelled at a much swifte- pace
than has population. Within six years
the value OF our agricultural products has
increased from S3,56Al77,7O6 to very neatly
yjS00OOO, Gee, according 10 the figures OF Sc
II tary Wilson. Within five years the value
OF our manufactured products, according to
figures given by the census bureau. has
risen from about $500 10000 for the year
1880 10 nearly NG00l0JJ.oJ0 for the year 1895.
The condition OF the country Is amazing.
Our $1,000 10000 people actually engaged IN
gainful occupations are unable TO do all
the work there is to be done We neeq
both skilled and uusklled workmen our
present supply OF more than 100000 freight
cars is inadequate for the transported. on
OF our merchandise. Nearly ysOOCOOO.OO OF
money in actual circulation is insuhicle-t
Tor our business needs.
AS a nation we are gorged with pros
perity, ana II may be that we are near T.
the danger line, II not actually upon T..
Wisdom may lie in EFFORT 20 hold what We
have rather than in efforts 70 obtain imms-
I -.--.ely greater abundance.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-18
4 rRANsPoRTArIoN EMERGENCY.

4hAN NE OhI a ION EN- ENCls
The explanations of the insumciency
of our transportation system vary
greatly in detail, but agree on the main
point. The general impression natur-
ally is that of shortage of cars, and
at many points actual shortage is spe-
cihcally proved. But at other places,
including important centers, it is
shown that great numbers of cars are
unavailable for lack Of motive power
Some of the foremost transportation
authorities like J. J. Hill have ex-
pressed the deliberate opinion that
motive power and cars cannot be used
to best advantage because of track
shortage, going so far as to hold that
mileage should be doubled to meet
present requirements, while still others
are disposed 10 locate the trouble in
terminal facilities.
Since conclusive evidence is produced
Of the lnsuficiency of the railroad ma
chine in each of these vital parts, the
cumulative effect is to bring out into
clear light a serious transportation
emergency. II it were mere temporary
local embarrassment, which is not an
usual during the season of crop move
ment, the matter would not be vitality
important. But the indisputable facts
seem to demonstrate that the trans
portation system has generally failed
to keep pace with our enormous indus
trial expansion during recent years.
/ Notwithstanding the extensive prep
orations for new construction and bet
terments which the roads are making,
and even though the increase of
freight and travel should not continue
at the present extraordinary rate. ,Se
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-18
Anomalies of Prosperity.


National prosperity continues TO show
that 1t entails certain penalties as well as
pleasures. The very force of the swelling
tide tends to react upon itself Thus bust
ness activity is so great that money COM
mands high prices II is not only the stock
gamblers who suffer. Legitimate enter
prises are halted by the difficulty of finan-
cling them. 1t is well known that the pub
lished rates for money do not by any means
tell the story. Money, like any other COM
modify, is worth what II will bring, and
neither lender nor borrower is likely to
take the public into confidence respecting
transactions far above the nominal rates.
The scarcity of money is one dlsagreeable
phase Of prosperity; the scarcity Of labor
Is another Here, toe. great enterprises
are hampered and delayed by the circum-
stance that men are not to be had to do the
manual labor They cannot be secured
even by Offering extravagantly high wages.
There are simply not enough men in the
country to do the work of the country.
The tide reacts upon itself again.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-18
IN ExAMrLE FRoM cHIcAGo.


Reports from Chicago are to the
effect that the tangle which had been
precipitated by the proposed municipal
ownership of the street railway lines
there-a tangle which long appeared
to be as complicated and as intermina-
BILE as that in which Omaha is in
volved over the acquisition Of its
water works-has been settled by
compromise. After being in and out
of the courts with varying degrees of
success for both sides the question of
purchase or readjustment with the
Chicago street railways was finally
sent to a conference of representatives
Of the city and of the companies,
which just came to agreement last
Saturday.
The terms Of the Chicago comprom-
Use boiled down in a nutshell are sub
stantially these:
An extension of the franchises for
twenty years, reserving an option to
the city to purchase at any time
Acceptance of an appraisement of
$5O,O0O,OOO as the present value of
the properties, which amount the city,
whenever it undertakes municipal
ownership, must pay in addition 10
any sums invested from now on in the
betterment of the roads.
A partnership arrangement between
the companies and the city by which
the city is to have So per cent of the
net earnings and the companies As per
cent, with free access to and control of
accounts for the city.
Assurances on the part of the COM
panies of immediate rehabilitation of
the system and improved service all
along the line.
This example from Chicago should
give at least a ray of hope to the long
suffering people of Omaha cropping in
the dark for a settlement of the diff
culties and embaTTassments brought
on by the bungling job of water works
purchase under compulsory" legisla-
ton. Omaha is fast outgrowing the
capacity of the present water works to
supply its needs and must soon have
extensions and betterments, which
seem impossible so long as the pur-
| chase scheme is tied up in the courts.
1t is becoming more and more impera-
tive to find way out without sacrific-
ing the city's interests and without the
| jeopardy of dangerous delay.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-18
BEST SEASON OF ALL.
New York Times.


Let others sing of summer with its airy,
fairy maze
And the blue waves idly tapping on the
shore,
But give me old December with its blum
and hearty ways,
When the winter comes to meet you with
roar.
When the turkey bird invites you and the
wonderful mnce pie
Your gastronomic gladsomeness divides
With the buckwheat cakes and butter that
are piled before your eyes
And the maple strip running down the
sides.
There may be some fun in frying on .
strip of sandy beach,
But give to me the blessings OF the fall,
When the kinds of food I'm fond of are In
season and in reach
And their odors come to meet me in the
hall.
There's the smell Of turkey stuhing ana
the cabbage, strong and true, T. l-
And greet the good old steak and onions
fried,
But best of all the grlddle cake with butter
oozing through,
And the maple strip running down its
side.
Don't give me jams and jellies or the
health promoting food
] want the good old filler mighty quick:
The stun that keeps you healthy isn't
likely to be good,
And 80 / think m willing TO be sick.
No eyanescent fodder but a good square
meal for me.
A solid simple something that abides,
Like the good old-fashioned griddle cake
with butter flowing free
And the maple sirup running down It's
sides.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-18
END OF A Rad SPELL.
Congregational Documents Relieved of
BObtailed OrthOEFRPhy.
Pittsburg Despatch


B0btaiIed OrthOGrRphy.
Pittsburg Despatch
Copies Of the presidential and depart
mental documents IN reformed spelling will
soon become Of value chiefly as curious
mementoes OF an amusing episode in
American history. The house, by the over
whelmiug vote OF l42 to %, voted pro
vision into the legislative, executive and
judicial appropriation bin that no money
appropriated by that act shall be used in
connection with printing documents au-
thorized by law or ordered by congress or
either branch thereof unless the same
shall conform to the photography recog-
nized and used by generally accepted die
tionaries OF the English language.
Had this action been taken by the sen
ate II might have been attributed TO sena-
torial reactionlsm or hostility to all re-
forms bearing the Roosevelt brand, but in
the house Il can only be taken as repre-
sentinR popular opinions While, as a mat
ter OF fact, the action Of the house will
have as little effect on spelling reform as
the presidents endorsement, outside OF the
advertisement he gave II, II may, never
theless, have an important effect on our
relations with our Transatlantic friends. A
good deal has been heard Of late in Eng
lard and IN this country about an increas-
ing GOODNESS between the two nations. This
has been ascribed 20 various causes-Von
sternberg's friendship with the president
the personality Of the British ambassador.
the Anglo-Japsnese treaty and other
serious matters. As a matter Of fact. this
GOODNESS can be readily traced back to the
presidents attempt 10 bobtan the sacred
English language. John Bull has never
felt the same toward Us since
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-18
Centenary of Poet LonRfenovv.


The plan of the school authorities to pro-
vide for celebration of the Tooth birthday
Of Henry w. Longfellow is something a bit
out Of the ordinary, but none the less
praiseworthy. The school children have
been taught repeatedly OF the lives and
greatness Of public men and patriots There
Is no reason why an equally instructive and
beneficial lesson could not be taught from
the life Of Longfeliow. the eminent Amer
lean man Of letters, a good and true gentle.
man whose memory will always be revered
To awaken in child's mind an interest in
LongfelloH is to open the door to a knowl-
edge OF good literature in later years In
no way can this be done better than by
observing the poets birthday with stories
OF his exemplary life, OF his love for chill
dren and of his work as a poet
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-18

THE PRESIDENT PANAMA MESSAGE.
President Roosevelt's special mes
sage, summing up the situation OF the
Panama canal In the light Of his per
sonal investigation on the isthmus,
will greatly strengthen public con
ndence in the outcome and should in
many ways aid and stimulate the
progress Of the work. 1t is replete
with additional evidence, If any were
needed Of the presidents intense in
terest in the undertaking and Of his
determination to exhaust every energy
in carrying It forward,
The message places in clearer light
than has heretofore been available the
magnitude of the results achieved
since the government took over the
canal from the French company. The
preparations in sanitation, in local ad-
ministration, in securing laborers and
feeding, housing and caring for them,
medically and otherwise, in assembling
machinery and materials, etc.--a task
Of vast scope and difficulty and requir-
ing time-were as vital as actual ex-
cavation and construction Of dams and
locks, and the latter could be prose-
Cuted effectually only after the former
problems had been disposed Of. But
the preparatory work, although abso-
lutely indispensable, would not ordi-
narily be popularity appreciated and
gave opportunity for the misrepresen-
tation and carping criticism which it
is the fate of all great enterprises to
encounter The presidents detailed
account of the visible results, however,
will be generally accepted as con-
elusive answer to malicious detract-
ors and obstructive pessimists.
Not less gratifying and, to many, sur
prising is that part of the presidents
exposition which deals with actual ex-
cavation and similar striking features
of positive construction, showing verify
that "the dirt is flying" The work
has already, for months, passed into
stage Of realization upon the prelim-
mary labor and expenditure, and is go
ing forward on Il rapidly-enlarging
scale that is highly encouraging.
In short, as the president marshals
the facts, seen with his own eyes,
many of the great problems which
had to be solved, and under which the
French effort broke down, have now
been conclusively disposed of and inn
mense progress made towards the goal.
Other problems undeniably remain and
the president does not underestimate
nor conceal the prodlgious task to be
performed. But he makes a showing
that warrants his spirit of optimism
and his profound conviction that this
national undertaking can and will be
completed with the same success with
which 1t has been so far carried on
Such assurance, aside from the bene-
fetal effect it should have upon con-
gress and all departments of the gov
eminent is especially opportune now
when the Importance of the speediest
possible opening of'"the Strait of Pan,
anna" is becoming every day more APP.
parent a~+. t..e
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-18
LAUGHING GAS.

do you expect to make a hit in your
new part?" asked the friend.
How shall | say?' answered Mr.. Storm
lngton Barnes. WHO shall venture to pre-
dict whether the careless public will duly
appreciate what is placed before tt?' wash
iugton star.
The earl of Warwick heaved deep sigh.
They call me the king maker he said
ia rather be a peacemaker, but there's
For, as he reflected with bitterness Of
soul, the Nobel fund had not been estab-
lshed yet.-Chicago Tribune.
Jaw. really. y know. you're the belle Of
the ball" chartered the silly dudes who
surrounded her; Jaw pawsitively chawm-
SN6nsense!' protested the lovely girl,
YEARLY there are some things about me
that are utterly stupid" - Philadelphia
Press.
Il wonder why typewriters seem to get
positions easier than other. girls ~
mess at their fingers ends. 'EBalumore
American.
Knlcker-why did you tie that string
around your finger?
Bpcker-To remind me to forget tho
waiter.-New York sun
"rhis circular gives every fraction Of
rs there anything peculiar in that?"
perhaps not, but one would expect
circular to give statements in round num-
bcrs.'-Baltimore American.
Are you giulty?" the lawyer asked his
burglar client. ....
Sure" replied the prisoner. 81 cracked
the crib all right but I thought from the
size Of your fee you might dig up a little
of this unwrtten law for me. '-Philadel-
phia Ledger.
81 went to see performance of Romeo
and Juliet last night and | don't believe
have tear left in my system
well! well! does a tragedy usually make
you cry?"
This one did. It was an amateur show
and l laughed myself into hysterics."-
Philadelphia Press.
you once fill the chair of professor OF an
cient languages and Biblical literature in
an eastern college"'
mo, my young friend" said the slender,
scholarly looking man. II cannot say
Tribune.
1--WE been mailing you quite lot of my
writings from time to time" said the
send you anything acceptable"
oh yes, you do" replied the editor;
the stamps are always acceptable. Phil
adelPhia Ledger. ,-.-a ...,'
Don't you get any Christmas presents
unless you are good?' asked one small boy
I'm 'spOsed to be good" answered the
other but father an mother are too busy
shopping this time of year to take much
notice.-Washington Star.
Solomon gasped family.
Christmas is coming" he mutteTed; Just
think OF the number Of neckties i'll get
from my wives"
So does polygamy rebound with terrible
enect.-New York Sun.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-18

The railroad disbursements are try
ing hard to smuggle articles into the
country weeklies designed to bolster
them up for a continuance of immunity
from paying city taxes on their ter
minal properties In this way they are
attempting to follow up the play they
made during the late cam align,
through Chairman Allen of the demo
cratic state committee, to eulist the
democratic state papers on the railroad
side under pretense of making 1t a
political issue. The editors of Ne
braska country papers know thing or
two themselves and not many of them
will be likely to bite on the bait.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-18
.REEoNM spnLL 1Na.I INc1pENr..

Unnecessary mystery is being made
of the effect of the joint resolution of
congress as to spelling in printed pub
tic documents. No question whatever
exists of the right of congress to adopt
a rule requiring the government print
ing office to conform to the usage of
the standard dictionaries, and the pres
ident himself has been prompt to sig
nifty his acquiescence, Indeed, he dis
tinctly explained, when it was issued
that his executive order was merely
tentative.
On the other hand, the presidents
right is also indisputable to employ
the so-called simDlified spelling, If he
chooses, in his own private and Of
ficiai correspondence and in communl-
cations addressed to the various de-
partments, which are not intended for
printing under the laws of congress.
If any contingency should happen re-
quiring such communications to be
printed, the printing office would, of
course, follow the legal style.
1t may be that, a hostile spirit inside
and outside Of congress towards the
president has found expression in ex-
aggerating the reformed spelling in
cident. but in point of fact the whole
matter is of trivial import and has
been put by all parties concerned into
definite and satisfactory state.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-18

Every one connected with the
Omaha revival meetings expresses him
self as highly satisfied with their sue
cess. The real test of success, how.
ever, will come later when the pastors
OF local churches try to figure out
whether the attendance on their Sun
day services has been increased.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-18
Protests Too Much.


sometimes 1t really appears as IL Mr..
Carnegie doth protest too much In the
matter OF reprehending great riches. He
has given much money. to quasi-philan-
thropic causes, but he is still one of the
richest men in the country or in the world.
Might II not be advisable for Mr. Car
negie to reduce himself TO that state of
poverty which he deems so honorable be-
fore preaching against swollen fortunes
and their owners?
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-18

Congressman Kinkaid in a letter
to one of his constituents expresses
himself confident that the judicial
division bill will be passed be-
fore congress adjourns With two
sets of judicial officers in Nebraska
they can easily arrange time between
them so that one or the other can be
on hunting trips continuously.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-18

prospect for the immediate future is
one OF extreme strain to meet the de-
mands Of business. The supply Of la
Dor and materials alone limits extern
sion Of transportation facilities and
would barely suffice for new demands,
even II the roads had to this time kept
up with the development Of the coun-
Nv.t-
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-18

Now that the United States supreme
court has decided that the secretary
OF agriculture has no right to estab-
lish quarantine lines within states,
state oficials will have reason TO watch
live stock shipments closer.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-18
Careful scrutiny of the report of tn

Careful scrutiny of the report of the
contributions to the last republican
state campaign fund, and for that mat
ter to the reports of the contributions
to previous campaign funds, fails to
disclose the name of the patriot who
has just been re-nomInated for sur
veyor of customs at the Port of Omaha,
which lucrative job he has been hold
ing for nearly four years. Perhaps he
will do better next time.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-18

The prospect OF Vacancy in the
Omaha Park board discloses the fact
that the number OF local democrats
hungry for official honors without
compensation is much smaller than the
number hungry for official compensa-
ton without honor,
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-18

Army officers who complain so loudly
OF deficiency in the personnel OF the
artillery may be depended upon to
make a good showing should occasion
require the use of the guns, Com
plants of this kind usually cease when
action begins
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-18
lamentations of MiIiionaIres.

The gloomy tendency OF milllonaires to
look on money as curse must be inten-
sihed by the jeering refusal Of the public to
accep. their earnest warnings TO beware
OF getting in love with its accumulation.
AS matter Of fact, the world at large in
sists on getting Its experience Of the dan
ger of such matters at first hand.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-18

bat" Masrerson, as a newspaper
reporter, may regret the good stories"
he wasted on predecessors while strug-
Cling for a reputation, but as he has
succeeded in having himself arrested
he must have held his faculty for get
ting free advertising.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-18

The cry, Down with the Vatican, ="
raised over in Italy, will be tempered
by recollection that the. Vatican brings
thousands of tourists and millions of
dollars to Rome each year, which
would follow the pope to any new
abode he might take up.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-18

Members Of all political parties re-
gardless of previous Affiliations are
invited to join Mike Harringtoh's new
Public Ownership league and. get in
line to support Colonel Bryan as the
democratic presidential nominee.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-18
shifting the weight

washington tteIdlo
Every time Mr.. Rockefeller takes a bunch
of money out OF one pocket and puts It in
another, the report goes out that he has
lost few millions or so. He has never
yet been known, however, to lose anything
where he couldn't find It when wanted.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-18

The report that the SmOot case will
be prolonged in the senate in order to
delay legislation may be good news TO
the senator from Utah, but several
other statesmen will be called on to ex-
plain at the proper time.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-18
Oklnhomn's PerpIexIty

Chicago Chronicle"
Oklahomas constitutional convention Is
engaged In animated debate respecting the
designation that should be applied to the
Deity This will occasion some surprise
IN the enete east, where 1t is generally be-
heved that the Oklahoma designation OF
omnipoterce is usually indicated by
three-em dash
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-18

The important-if-true discovery that
the real cause Of traffic congestion is a
dearth of locomotives and not o
shortage of cars would indicate that
the trouble is not due to the enforce
ment OF the law requiring the use OF
safety devices
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-18

The appeal OF local contemporary
TO make the figures in our Official
finance reports plain, or at least
palmer, can be readily answered. But
then some people will have TO go to
school again and learn arithmetic.