Omaha daily bee., 1906-12-11

Ripples on the Current of Life I'm the
Metrouo1fs

William p Burr, assistant corporation
counsel, made a few discoveries. Mr. Burr
made public a contract made By the Stand
ard OIL company with the Consolidated
Gas company to furnish 255,OO0,OOO gallons Of
oil to the gas company, 40 per cent Of II
at ASS cents a gallon and the rest at 429
cents. Mr. Burr said this was a cent more
than any other company had to pay the
Standard for the same kind Of oil, and he
declared that cents difference in that
cost would make at least 5 cents more in
the cost OF gas on every 1000 cubic feet.
Mr.. Burr also made public a statement
Of his expert accountants working on the
books Of the company. 1t shows that gas
by the company's books. costs $3.50 cents a
thousand instead Of 4S1 cents, as the COM
pany said; that land the company says is
worth 100000 cost only 100000, and that
gas production does not increase the value
OF land on which a plant is erected; that
the company figures in its cost of gas sew
eral items Mr.. Burr believes ought not to
be considered at all; that some Of the
franchises the company claims through old
companies have expired or will soon ex-
pire, and that the company has ninety
three miles less of mains than II claims
Inasmuch William Rockefeller, James
Stillman and other men are directors in
both the Standard OIL company and the
Consolidated Gas company, ut is fair to
assume" said Mr.. Burr that there is q
niger In the woodpile."
When a runaway horse attached to a
physicians carriage went galloping up At
lantic avenue, Brooklyn, relates the New
York Tribune, John La Maze saw an OPP
portunity to become a hero. As the animal
swerved toward the sidewalk la Maze
leaped forward and grasped the bride, but
before he succeeded in stopping the run
away he was dragged half block; his new
$50 overcoat was torn to shreds and his legs
were severely bruised. His act was APP
pauded by a large crowd and a few min
utes later DIR. Joseph Krimsky Of 29O Brad
ford street, Brooklyn, rushed up and
claimed the rig La Maze was pointed out
to him as the man who had caught his
horse.
You are a brave man." commented the
physician. I'm obliged to you for your
trouble"
La Maze modestly made light of the af-
fair, but held up his tattered overcoat for
DR.. Krimskys inspection.
But you're not hurt, are your" asked
the physician.
The young man complained that his hip
panied him, but the physician, after a
hasty examination, said 1t was nothing
more than a slight brulse
But how about the coat? Amt you go
ing to give me the price Of a new one?
risked my life in capturing your horse
and probably saved you a heavy damage
suit. Your horse certainly would have run
over some person only for me-"
The physician declined to reimburse La
Maze for the torn overcoat but he did
offer him S. La Maze was Indignant and
refused to accept the money, saying that
he would bring suit against him for the
price OF new coat and for personal in
juries. The physician drove away.
Bundling what was left of his oyercoat in
newspaper, La Maze, accompanied bv
several witnesses, went to the Liberty ave-
nue. police station end sought advice from
Sergeant Mccormick.
La Maze was told that civil action was
his only redress but that IL possible II
would be better for him to effect a settle
ment with DR.. Krimsky. La Maze ap-
peared to think 50, too, for he at once
started for DR.. Krimsky's home, and after
another talk the physician paid La Maze
3d. getting release from any further
claim
Returning to the police station, La Maze
told Of the settlement, saying that he was
! now convinced that 1t didn't pay to be a
hero. THE worst part Of It all was lust
| before we came to a settlement" inter-
jected La Maze, the doctor tried TO i'm
press me with the fact that he wouldn't ex-
act any fee for examining my hip"
Now up goes the price of candy Meat.
butter eggs and all the real necessities OF
ire appear to have climbed pretty near to
the pinacle Of high figures and the mann
facturers Of sweets say it is their turn.
In some OF the retail stores of New York
the price OF chocolate and bonbons has re-,
advanced 20 cents on the pound and the
upward movement may not stop there. One
dealer with six stores scattered throughout
the city has taken the lead in fixing the
new scale. Until recently his chocolates
ana bonbons sold for 60 cents a pound. NOW
they nave been put up to so cents Other
grades OF CONNECTIONS are much higher
Pecans and sailed almonds are retailing for
h'25 pound and other sailed candles at 81
a pound. All OF their other candies are
now 80 cents pound, except Swiss bon
bons. which are still sold at 50 cents High
prices for labor and raw material is given
as the reasons for the raise.
BY the computation Of the census bureau
the wealth Of the state of New York com
prised in farms and other real property.
factories, railroads, telegraphs, canals, ma
chinery, gold and silver etc, Is a476s,-
O429J7
This is approximately one-seventh OF the
national total of SlO7,OO 900. It exceeds
Italy's wealth by nearly s2OO0.OOO,OOO and is
about equal to the combined national re-
sources Of Spain. Portugal Switzerland and
the Netherlands, It ranks New York among
the financial great powers with a standing
just below that OF Austria Hungary.
A per capita division Of the states wealth
would give 5000 to every man, woman and
child, as compared with the national aver
age OF $3.50. It represents the aggregate
possession Of 1900 plain millionaires, fifty
Carnegies or twenty Rockefellers. II would
buy all the railroads in the United States.
To this enormous wealth the state is
adding 100000 a year, or almost the
valuation OF a Baltimore. II is a wonderful
showing Of material prosperity, one that
gives a prouder claim to the title OF En-
pire state. Within this single common
wealth is now contained more than double
the wealth OF the entire nation half a cen.
, tury ago and its annual increase more
than exceeds the total value OF our export