davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-28
what a Court would Not Do.

In considering whether the public will be
sufficiently protected by the exercise Of
power by a court to declare a given rate
eNtortionate. the subject should be looked
at practically. An existing rate for trans
portation being 25 cents per hundred pounds
the question in controversy will never be
whether the railroad has justly made 1t
100 cents, nor whether a commission repre-
senting the people has justly made it
cents. In the one such case a court would
undoubtedly judicially say that the rate
was extortionate, and in the other that 1t
was contiscatory. But a court would never
undertake to judicially pass upon the fair
ness Of the raising of a rate from % cents
upward to 30, 40 or 90 cents, nor upon the
fairness of the reduction of a rate from Is
cents to 20 or Is cents. Yet within these
limits OF Is cents on the one side and 30
cents on the other, hangs the whole ques-
tlon-not Of an extortionate or conflsca-
tory rate-but of fair and just rate
What the railroads wish to do is to slowly
push the 25-cent rate up to 30, 49, F0-as
far as the traffic will bear-and so pay,
interest and dividends upon as mich as
possible of the $4,000 goo 900 of stock and
bonds which they have made the capital
iation of the $6OO0,GOO. 600 or $500, 100000 OF
value In the railroads of the country. That
there shall be some superior power to de-
termlne how far they shall go in this
scheme seems to be a reasonable popular
demand.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-28

Railway company has already applied for a
concession for a similar line between the
Monch and the Jungfraujoch. 1t is hoped
that the whole OF the above line will be
available for traffic during 1906.
The works on the electric railway to
the summit OF the Jungfrau railway arc
being pushed forward with the utmost
possible speed. A destructive storm occur
red on November 20 causing serious damage
to the undertaking. The station at
Scheidegg was completely destroyed and
the roof carried away, some OF the ma
terials being transported to a distance OF
$50 feet The Elger station was also de-
stroyed. The working face OF the tunnel
is now 10,49S feet above level, and only
GAG yards remain to the station for the Mer
de Glace. The average monthly rate Of
progress with the tunnellng is about fifty
five yards, so that 1t may be possible to
complete the undertaking in ten months.
Great efforts are being made to push on
the work faster, and If possible to attain
q rate OF sixty-fve yards per month, so as
to be able to get the line at work during
the season of 1906 The Mer de Glaze
station will be about 100 feet above the
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-28

by putting forth or countenancing legal
views hostile to the popular demands. one
OF these much insisted on is that rate-mak-
Ing is judicial question and that the In
terstate Commerce commission cannot be
invested with the judicial power to make
rates. The idea Is absurd. To determine
what, on the whole. is a reasonable rate be-
tween man and man, between railroad and
passenger. is in no sense judicial question:
1t is a legislative and administrative ques-
tion-the legislative and executive branches
of the government may participate therein,
but not the judicial branch. The latter
may, indeed. by a stretch of legal reason
ing. be allowed to decide. as a matter Of
law whether a low rate complained OF is
80 low as to be con1scatory, or whether a
high rate is so high as to be extortionate;
but in the decision of the real common
sense business questions of reasonable rates
there is absolutely no judicial element
whatever.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-28

Prof. G. A. Hill of the national observa-
tory was describing the duties of an astro-
nomical corps during an eclipse.
The eclipse" he said, may only last five
minutes. Each man in the party has a
certain line of work mapped out for him
during these precious minutes. One man
makes hurried pencil sketches. Another
man photographs. A third man takes OBJ
servations, while a fourth jots down his re-
marks.
And so 1t goes. An astronomical corps
during an eclipse is n very busy body An
interruption would be as unwelcome to 1t
as-as--"
Prof. Hin smiled.
"An interruption would be as unwelcome
to It as it once was to young friend OF
mine in Elizabeth.
My friend according to the story. was
calling on his sweetheart who lived on
Elizabeth's outskirts.
LAS the young man was taking leave for
the night, his voice, as he stood on the
piazza, rose passionately in the still air.
Just one he said. Just one.
''Then the young girls mother inter-
rupted, calling from her bedroom window:
Just one? No, 1t amt quite that yet.
But it's close on to y, so think ye'd better
be goin' just the same. Washington Post.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-28
Government directors.

The Union Pacific Railroad company. Gre
ated a corporation by congress on July /,
1862 az Stats. 4s9) has In its charter a
provision in section l that the stockholders
shall elect by ballot not less than thirteen
directors for said corporation" The Sec
tion also provides as follows; AT the time
OF the first and each trienn.al election OF
directors by the stockholders two additional
directors shall be appointed by the presi-
dent of the United States, who shall act
with the body OF directors. and be denomi-
mated directors on the part of the govern
ment; any vacancy happening I'm the gov
eminent directors at any time may be filled
by the president Of the United States. The
directors to be appointed by the president
shall not be stockholders in the Union Pa
cihc Railroad company"
This method OF introducing officers Of the
Eovsrnment directly into the governing bod =
OF corporation has great merit Such
directors can be put into every railroad cor
poration by the legislatures and into every
interstate commerce railroad by congress;
and It may be provided that no rates OF
transportation shall be fixed except with
the concurrence OF all the government d.
rectors.
The telegraph companies which were
given by the act OF congress of July "a
1855 "a Stats 2s1) the right TO construct
and maintain telegraphs over any OF the
post roads OF the United States. were sub
jected TO this provision; that telegraphiC
communications between the several de
partments OF the government OF the Untet
States and their officers and their agent,
- shall be sent at rates to be annually
nxed by the postmaster general"
They were also required 10 accept the pro
visions OF the act by section T. as follows
''T'' Nefore any telegraph company shall
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-28

Miss Paula Edwardes, who is almost
ready to begin rehearsals of her new comic
opera spent the summer travelling in the
far east. Miss Edwardes says that the
Mohammedan religion permits OF more eva
sons than does the Raines law. THE faith
full are forbidden to paint any live object"
Miss Edwardes relates, land yet l fire.
quently saw in Constantinople pictures Of
birds and animals. One day l commented
on this fact. The guide and had stopped
before a canvas showing two doves Here
is an artist, l remarked, who has allowed
his enthusiasm to get away with his scru-
Piles. His picture represents something
alive
Not at ALL returned the guide. If
madame will look more closely she will see
that these birds are not alive. A bullet
hole has been painted In the breast Of
each "-Harper's Weekly.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-28

Senator Plat had finished testifying be-
fore the insurance investigating commit
tee
You did WELL" said a spectator.
Il fear not" said the senator. 1T is
hard TO shine as witness Whenever
am called on TO give testimony. think
with envy Of an old man OF Owego.
This man in the witness box was never
at loss. In one case, some thirty years
ago, he succeeded in greatly exasperating
lawyer who was cross-examining him
Finally, beside himself with rage, the
lawyer shouted at the old man:
Why do you make such foolish an
swers?'
The old man murmured alphabetically:
You ask such foolish questions. sir -
New York Press.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-28
The Election Eye.

The following story is told of one OF the
former governors OF Georgia:
He was out walking one morning a few
days prior to his election, when he met
an old negro. The following conversation
took place:
Mornin', Marse John"
Good morning, uncle"
"You all is looking mighty fine"
Eyes, l feel pretty good"
do you know what you look like. Marse
John?"
mo. What do look like?"
"You looks as II you had dollah in youh
pocket and was runnin' foah governor
Philadelphia Ledger.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-28
the Questions Involved Are

out restraint or Limitation other than that
which may be self-imposed by the fear that
increased rates will altogether stop the
traffic in the articles too heavily burdened
The power now sought for the Interstate
Commerce commission, It was universally
believed, was given in the original act OF
1887. and 1t was exercised by the commits
sion, but the decision of the court in Inter
state Commerce Commission against Texas
Pacific Railway Company, l67 L. S. 49, de-
stroyed it, because although congress had
the authority TO grant the power It had
not in fact done so.
When next Enthusiastically given no harm
will happen because the courts will still
possess all the power they ever had to de-
clare any given rate confiscatory and an
null 1t.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-28

What Electricity pronounces "a remark
able electric locomotive" the work of Lars
Nielsen, was given a trial test on the Bal
umore & Ohio railroad, and easily made
htty miles an hour. The locomotive is in
tended to replace the locomotive proper on
all branches and spur lines, and judging
from the results of a highly satisfactory
test, attended by experts other than tn
railroad officials, this intention may be soon
rapidly carried out in general practice Tn,
apparatus employed was an eighty horse
power gasoline engine driving a fifty -kilo-
watt generator. The electricity was fed intd
a storage battery consisting of l8 cells,
and used as required in driving the entirs
equipment. 1T is thus seem" says Elec-
tricity' ITO be really complete electrical
generating and storage battery plant. whose
energy is ultimately consumed. subject to
the motorman's control, as in the case OF
any electric car. But q locomotive must
necessarily possess sufficient grip on the
rails TO move whatever is attached to IL
without stoppage. In this respect the sheer
weight Of the steam locomotive is a distinct
advantage, but IL is not a disadvantage in
the case Of this unique combination of parts
described, for the reason that this is readily
compensated for by the use Of more, or at
least larger, gasoline tanks. IL is thus seen
to be case in which the possibility of the
tractive effort II reduced by the generating
and storage battery equipment. may be ade-
quately made up by the carriage OF more
liquid fuel. Pound for pound. gasoline
gives out many times the available energy
of coal, particularly as coal is now burnt
under the boiler for steam making The
standards OF economy are therefore bound
to be exceeded, in spite of the fact that the
energy obtained from the gasoline is passed
through the engine, the generator, the stor-
age batteries and then the driving motors.
IL Is not at all difficult by the use OF cleo
trlcity to completely shatter the standards
OF steam engineering and establish higher
ones. For this reason a gasoline electric
locomotive is on it's face a distinct stem
forward. 1t means a coup de grace in hast
ening the already heralded demise OF steam
traction"
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-28
His Last card.

certain venerable archdeacon engaged
as a footman well-recommended youth
who had served as stable boy. The first
duty which he was called upon to perform
was TO accompany the archdeacon on
series OF formal calls.
Bring the cards, Thomas, and leave one
at each house." ordered his master. After
two hours of visiting from house to house
the archdeacons list was exhausted.
This is the last house, Thomas" he said;
leave two cards here"
"Beggin your pardon, SIR" was the reply.
II ean't-I've only the ace o. spades left
Harper's Weekly.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-28
Conductor Was Mistaken.

Senator Penrose tells of a lady who OBJ
jected to all familiarity by street car con-
ductors, such as touching her or calling to
her or assuming that she needed help in
getting on or off car. One day when the
motorman was putting on brakes and slow
ing up the woman arose, and the conductor
shouted:
Wait Teddy, until the car stops"
Don't address me, sir, as lady" she in
dignantly replied.
beg your pardon, ma'am," replied the
conductor but all OF us is liable TO make
mistakes. "-Pittsburg Dispatch.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-28
Had Mother Wit with Her.

The Rev. Mr.. Thompson OF Pittsburg
tells a story illustrating the Unborn Irish
trait for quick wit. He was preaching in
a Michigan town. On Saturday the women
Of the congregation were busy trimming
up the church. Il strolled in." says the
Rev. Thompson, and Katie Martin was
decorating the pulpit. noticed some tacks
strewn about the floor and 1ocularly advised
Katie to be very careful to pick up all the
taeks when she was through with her work
You know, Katie / said. that II I should
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-28


point, said Katie, without cracking smile.
Teachers Stumped by Plain Words.
Every one of the $50 Beaver county (Pa.)
school teachers was spelled down" on
thirteen common English words at the ses-
sion Of the teachers county institute by
Dr. IL. r. Pattengill, at the close of his
lecture on spelling. But one woman, Mrs.
Arthur Lyons of Beaver, who has not been
a teacher for years, spelled all the words
correctly. DR.. Pattengill, who is an ex-
state superintendent of Michigan, cleverly
lured all into the contest. He said the old
form of spelling down at spelling bees
was obsolete and he wanted to demonstrate
a better method.
He asked all Of the teachers to write
the words he would pronounce on their
note books. They did this. Then he told
them to exchange papers with neighbors.
He then spelled the words correctly. With
the first word he spelled there was a
litter from the instructors, who found the
word had been missed. By the time the
third word was reached the filters were
not so loud, and at the end every face was
sober. Then Dr. Pattengill had all stand
up. Those who had missed the first word
were tOiu W SIT uo"h anu Alty tooh tnelr
seats. The second word was not missed
by many, but the third brought another
half hundred to their seats. From then
on about a score sat down at each word
until the unlucky thirteenth was reached
when about twenty who were yet standing
dropped silently into their seats, with the
exception of Mrs. Lyons.
Among the last twenty was ex-County
Superintendent c. A Moore. while Super
intendent w. d, Brightwell Of the New
Brighton schools, and Superintendent Ed
ward Mcguire Of the Beaver Falls schools
went down earlier in the game. The
words which DIR. Pattengill had given out
were: Auxiliary, Tennessee, beefsteak
proceed, supersede, precede, picknicking
sieve, seize, siege, cylinder, succotash and
desiccated.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-28

nus of the Prussian railway system in the
extreme northwest. and a small seaport for
the Tristan islands. The towers for the
station are to be 2132 feet high. The
foundations have already been laid and
the work of erecting the iron superstruc-
ture will soon begin. l am informed that
the entire plant. including dwellings for the
officials and employees was to have been
completed during the month of November,
and that by the beginning of the present
year this latest and largest telegraph sta
ton was to have been ready for performing
its work
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-28
Electricity Conquering the Alps.

The first section of the aerial railway up
the Wetterhorn, Switzerland, which COM
prises two stations, has just been com
pleted. This is one of the boldest lines so
far executed in the Alps; it connects the
elevated hamlet of Gleckstein with the val
ley beneath by means of a series of strong
metallic cables, which hold the rails sus-
pended in midair 1t was designed by
NJ. Feldnau, who has engineered several of
the best-known Alpine railways, and cleo
trio traction is employed. The Jungfrau
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-28

glacier, but the temperature will not per-
NIT Of its being open station like the
one at Elgerwand A footpath followed
out of the rock will, however give easy
access to the glacier, and similar footpaths
will be constructed to enable other ascents
to be made. for which this station will
serve as the starting point. The actual
summit Of the Jungfrau will be reached
from the above station, and will not present
any difficulties, even for amateur Alpine
climbers.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-28
A ClnaR CnIl.

Congressman A. p. Gardner OF Hamilton
Mass. tells the following story: 1t was at a
little shooting party which was attended by
some OF the elite OF that vicinity, and more
than one OF the party felt tribe nervous
about a certain young Englishman. as he
and his gun seemed strangers.
eIothing occurred. however, until Mr..
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-28

IlAnlNt should De done at the present
80 session of congress to obtain leg
islation carrying out the recommendations
already made. The naval and military
officers are particularly concerned in bring
ing this arrangement about declares the
Boston Transcript. A bill was prepared
a few years ago, but nothing was accom-
plished, largely, 1t is said because of the
adverse influences brought to bear by
private firms interested in installations
along the coast. Secretary Bonaparte has
the subject under consideration, and will
probably urge that something be done
towards regulating the use of wireless
telegraphy, especially in a period of war.
The Navy department has obtained much
information of a damaging character to the
expert operators in wireless telegraphy at
private commercial stations who make
practice of interfering with the sending of
official dispatches over the government
systems already installed. Incidents of this
character are described as showing to what
extent there might be trouble of a serious
nature in time of war. 1t appears that
certain operators make a practice of inter-
rupting message sending, and it is of
record, with the date and place of the
offence that operators not connected with
the service have been known to sit for
five or six hours and make the air thick
with meaningless letters and incoherent
words. When the station which thus breaks
in is of the powerful order. 1t has the effect
of destroying the chance of communication
between two other stations. 1t is found
also that In some instances of this sort the
operators have acted upon the instructions
of their employers, and IL it were possible
to punish such offenders they would be
promptly brought to justice. There is moth
ing to do, under the law. at present, with
operators or their principals who choose to
send the troublesome signals. AS Rear Ad-
miral Bradford pointed out several years
ago, and frequently reiterated in strong
recommendations to congress, the only
relief possible is that which will inevitably
have to be afforded through legislation CIV
Ing the national government absolute con.
troll of all wireless outfits In the United
States and its possessions. There is every
indication that congress may be brought to
realize the danger of procrastination in this
matter at the present session, and that 1t
VIII determine to act while II will be far less
expensive than 1t would be a few years
hence, when commercial installations are
more numerous and active.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-28
Tersely Told Tales Both Grim and Cav

Gardner felt something poklng him in the
side as he crept along. Turning quickly, he
found the novice proddng him with the
muzzle, and fumbling with the hammers of
his gun.
HI. Gus" he said, before we get on to
the birds you might just show me 'ow you
let these ere triggers down!-Boston
Herald.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-28
Johnny on the spot.

The Philadelphia Bulletin tells how a
temperance worker caught a number Of
men in a smoking car. "a corkscrew! Who's
got corkscrew?" he cried. score OF
kindly hands sought pockets and their own
ers cried out:
Here you are, sir"
81 thought SOL shouted the old man.
"And now l lay before you, gentlemen, fifty
temperance pledges. Who will sign the
irst?"
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-28
Pound the Opening.

The pedestrian was striding along at a
swift pace. not intent upon his immediate
surroundings.
Reaching a place where workmen had
torn up the street. he made no pause. but
plunged into the excavation.
Thank YOU" he said when they had
pulled him out, singularly open winter we're
having"
Then he STROBE on.-PhiladelphiA Ledger.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-28
POainOnel.

A bashful young couple. who were evil
IDENTIFY very much in love. entered crowded
street car In Boston the other day. DO
you suppose we can squeeze in here?" he
asked. looking doubtfully at her blushing
face.
Don't you think. dear. We had better
wait until We get homer" was the low EN-
barrassed reply.-Brooklyn Life.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-28

HE railroad question now peltulhB
in congress is not complicated
nor does Il raise serious legal
IGEWI9I doubts The simple proposition
- Of the president is that when
complaint is made TO the Interstate Com
merce commission that a particular rate
charged by a railroad for the transportation
of specified kind Of merchandise. or for
the carriage OF passengers, is unreasonably
high, the commission, after a hearing, may
decide that the complaint is just and may
fix new rate which shall take the place
OF the old rate and go into immediate effect.
that Is, within a short period OF about thirty
days. the remedial rate thus fixed not to be
increased withut either the consent of the
commission or decision by court that
It will be confiscatory in its effect.
The railroad counter proposition is that
the roads shall not be interfered with as to
any freight or passenger charges which
they may choose to make and collect. UNI
less n court upon due complaint made by
person aggrieved and proofs submitted,
shall decide that the rates are unreasonably
high and should be prohibited.
The constitutional power Of congress to
establish in due form the first Of the fore
going methods does not seem to be seri-
ously disputed. CThe Granger cases. See
lUo u. D OGps Oflt anu 40 ~ % 'p'D iii'
railroads do indeed urge that It is an unjust
interference with the rights OF private prop
erty belonging to the owners of the rail-
roads; while the shippers say as to the
second method that 1t is either a futile and
worthless remedy or else will compel the
courts to perform nonjudicial function.
Such legal questions as may arise In con-
nection with rate legislation by congress
have been carefully considered by Attorney
General Moody in opinion given on
May 8, 1905, to the senate committee on
Interstate commerce. This committee had
no right to require an opinion and 1t was
most unusual for the attorney general 20
give an opinion to committee OF congress-;
but he thought the public interest would
be promoted and after careful consideration
he sent an opinion which Is so full and
we'll reasoned that it should command the
attention Of every person interested in the
legal questions considered. Copies may be
obtained by writing to him or to any SEN
ator or member of congress.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-28
Railroad Lawyers on Guard.

It should always be borne in mind that
three-quarters of the ablest legal lawyers
in the United States are In the employ and
riding on the free passes of the railroads,
and are constantly on the watch for an
opportunity to do their clients a service
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-28
German wireless. s,.,,on

The General Postoffce department OF the
German imperial government is now build
ing a wireless telegraph station OF mon
strous height at Norddeich, which prob
ably will be for the time being the mos. sf-