davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Weekly Jeffersonian., 1907-03-21
RAILROADS DECLARING WAR ON
THE PUBLIC.
(New York American.)

\N6W 1OTh AIu0rICdu.)
The railroads apparently have deter
mined to declare war upon the public
wherever legislatures exercise the
right of regulating them. This is a
policy which is sure to react upon the
roads, for when it comes to close
quarters the people, after all, are
stronger than the corporations.
Nebraska passed two-cent fare bill
few days ago. 1t went into effect at
once, and Immediately the railroads
entered upon a campaign of retalia-
tion. Trains have been taken off;
every sort of public concession has
been cancelled; each road has refused
to sell continuous tickets or to check
baggage over connecting line; the
two-cent fare has not been allowed on
interstate tickets, the passenger be-
ing required to buy a new ticket at
the state line and also to recheck bag
gage.
The people of Nebraska are not like
ly to bear this kind of thing patiently.
For forty years they have had more
CAdh O11OuSA VI ldIlIOdu GACOTIlOu duu
tyranny. Besides imposing robbing
freight rates, the companies have as
sumed political mastership. For a
long period the Burlington and Union
Pacific took turns in electing the
United States senators and combined
in choosing the governor and legisla-
ture. A Nebraskan was not asked,
'Are you a Republican, Or a Demo-
crat?" but Are you a u. P. or a
B. & M. man?"
This continued until the antimonop-
oily uprising in 1898 caused the passage
of the maximum rate bill, which was
afterwards beaten on a technicality
before a federal court. The reform
wave subsidized and the railroads again
took control, which they maintained
until the present rebellion in the Re-
publican party, which has once more
broken their grip.
Throughout all these years the rail-
roads of Nebraska lodged their taxes.
Recently they were forced to pay up
to the tune of $3,1OO,OOO, which no
doubt has something to do with their
ill-temper. Nearly every prominent
man in the state had a pass, so that
ordinary people who travelled were re-
quired to pay for themselves and the
'deadheads" too.
Among the trains taken off to punish
Nebraska are those running east and
west between Chicago and Los Ange-
les, the finest on the Hartman over
land system.
A fact that the railroad managers
everywhere need to have impressed
upon them is that the states of the
American union are sovereign, each
within its sphere, and that to defy
them and challenge their power is
an extremely hazardous thing to do.
y
Weekly Jeffersonian., 1907-03-21
GETTING EVEN.
(The Philadelphia Press J

(The Philadelphia Press.)
AS so many people are now engag-
ed in smashing the railroads, it looks
as if the railroads thought they had
a right to smash some of the people.
and that's what they are doing with
their accidents.
Weekly Jeffersonian., 1907-03-21
THERE ARE OTHERS.
(The Chicago Tribune.l

(The Chicago Tribune.)
While paying his respects to the
mollycoddle the President might have
uttered few earnest words concern
ing the geezer, the slob, the mutt, the
pieface, the fink, and the cheap skate.
Weekly Jeffersonian., 1907-03-21

by means of syndicates, largely made
up of national bankers.
That, too, is an excessive state
ment, and yet it shows the temper
with which Mr.. Harriman's testimony
has been read in this city and probably
elsewhere. The chief difference be-
tween the so-called Hartman financing
and that which distinguished Jay Gould
and Commodore Vanderbilt or the
Credit Mobilier group is that suggest
ed by the magnitude of the figures.
All the others operated with intent to
secure comparatively few millions.
Mr.. Harriman's operations in Chicago
and Alton alone were vastly in excess
of the Credit Mobilier underwriting
of the Pacific railroad securities, al
though apparently the underlying prin-
ciple in each case was the same.
Hartman and Equitable.
Many who read this testimony spoke
also of what would have happened if
Mr.. Hartman had succeeded in his
surmised attempt to secure control
of the Equitable Life Assurance Socie-
ty. All who have been familiar with
the inner history of the family troub-
les which at last eliminated in the
revolt of James H. Hyde and the gen
eral cataclysm preceding the insurance
investigation, have been firmly of the
opinion that these troubles arose at
HrsC% ~ D
minatiOn to secure control of the gi-
gantic resources and opportunities of
the Equitable. What could he not have
done had he penetrated the Equitable
fortress and occupied it himself is a
question many persons now ask.
The moral effect Of this investigation
will in all probability be of more
consequence than any legal results
The question for the interstate COM
merce commission to decide is the le-
gality of the methods by which Mr..
Hartman swept into one colossal con-
troll much the greater part of the rail-
way systems west of the Mississippi,
with considerable alliance east of that
river. 1t may be impossible to prove
that anything was illegally done or
that the various combinations made
by Mr.. Hartman are in violation Of
federal statutes. But there has been
demonstration Of the manner in which
syndicates may take advantage of self
made opportunities and accumulate gi-
gantic personal fortunes representing
the subscription to stocks and bonds
OF railroads which these syndicates
have underwritten and marketed. Re-
Gently, railway presidents have spoken
with some anxiety, apparently sincere,
OF the lack Of public confidence at this
time in railway securities. They have
been disposed to trace the cause to
popular agitations of legislative in
vestigations. But there are wise men
In this city who say that after this
investigation it will cause surprise If
the general public are disposed to pur-
chase new issues of stocks or bonds
OF the Hartman groups.
At the same time we think the rail-
ways will manage to make dividends
with the 2-cent passenger rate. Short
tailed dogs manage to learn to walk
Weekly Jeffersonian., 1907-03-21
AsToUNDs THE PUBLIC.
Hartman Inquiry Shows the Methods
of High Finance.
WILL HAVE A MORAL EFFECT.

May Be Led to Insist Upon Roose-
Welt Again Being Candidate for the
Presidency.
(Holland, in Philadelphia Press)
Mr.. Hartman is dividing public in
terest with or diverting it from Ey-
elyn Nesbit Thaw, and maybe it is
well that there has come this relief
from the intense strain occasioned by
the examination and crossexamination
Of Mrs. Thaw. Many persons who
read the testimony given by Mr. Har-
riman spoke of it as an amazing rev.
elation of the manner in which gigan-
tic individual fortunes were in a few
years time rolled up The veterans,
however, spoke of this testimony as
though it recalled other investigations,
especially that of the Credit Mobiler.
Then, too, the brilliantly conducted
investigation of Jay Gould and the Erie
Railroad management by legislative
committee, of which A. Burton Hep
burn was chairman, was recalled by
Mr.. Harriman's testimony, as was the
evidence variously produced of tho
lossal fortune was established, chief
ly through the doubling of the capital
stock of the New York Central, almost
all Of the forty millions of stock there
by created being absorbed by the COM
modore.
There were other comments from
which a judgment of public opinion
could be secured. For instance, one
man, himself of prominence in finan-
cial promotion, and also of a little con-
sequence as politician, declared that
if this investigation continued and
the further revelations of what may
be called Hartman financing equal
those already made, then the entire
country would willingly confess the
obligation the people are under to
President Roosevelt and may be likely
to insist without party distinction that
he be named as the candidate of all
the people for the presidency next
year. or course, this was an excessive
statement, and the temper of it may
be gagged by the fact that the banker
who thus spoke had been at consider
able odds with e. H. Hartman and
with Benjamin B. Odell.
Democrat BIames National Banks.
One very good Democrat, who is
himself soon to be associated with
financiers, was of the opinion that
this "Jack and Beanstalk' method of
securing gigantic fortunes through the
control of executive boards of rail-
roads and the creation and then the
private and afterward public market
ing of securities, the profits going into
the pockets of members of the execu-
tive boards, will continue as long as
the national banks make such fnanc-
ing possible. This Democrat ventured
to say that the most grievous blow
business interests of the United States
received was that administered by An
drew Jackson when he vetoed the re-
newed charter of the United States
Bank and in that way destroyed the
bank. For whatever the faults Of an
institution OF that kind might have
been, nevertheless, under it, there
could be no such manipulation or use
OF banking funds as the exploiting OF
railway securities to private ADVANTAGE
Weekly Jeffersonian., 1907-03-21

Decent Foreign Representatives.
(The New York Journal)
News dispatches announce that Mr..
Bryce, the English ambassador, has
paid his first visit to Elihu Root, Sec
retary for the United States.
All the world knows the character
of Bryce, author of the American
Commonwealth" He is profound
and thorough student, a brilliant
writer, an unselfish servant of his
country and his fellow citizens for
many years.
And he Is an honest man.
What kind Of man does he meet as
Weekly Jeffersonian., 1907-03-21
ROOT is A DISGRACE.

A Shameful Type of Man to Receive
Decent Foreign Representatives.
Weekly Jeffersonian., 1907-03-21

The firm of Lon & Harvie, farmers
of the farmers, seems to have more
friends in Wall street than in the cot
ton fields.
Weekly Jeffersonian., 1907-03-21

At the same time We think the rail-
ways will manage to make dividends
with the 2-cent passenger rate. Short
tailed dogs manage to learn to walk
log all right.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-09-01
GLASS HOUSE
IN WHICH TO LIVE

That c. Parker woodbury.. banker, Of
New York, has no wish 20 indulge in
the reprehensibIe pastime of throwing
stones at his neighbOrs is demonstrated
by his determination to live in a glass
house. He engaged an architect TO draw
plans for the novel dwelling. which is
to be erected at Beechhurst, L. L
Bricks Of compressed Opalescent glass
VIII form the walls. The interior and
partitions are to be Of the same material
worked into thin slabs, and, of course,
the roof is to be of glass. In fact,
everywhere that II is possible glass is TO
be employed, The wall glass and the
interior generally is to be of a cream
tint, and an elaborate arrangement Of
shades will regulate and moderate the
light which enters the house.
Mr.. Woodbury. is a great believer in
sunlight. Il have had this idea Of a glass
house IN mind for q long time" he said.
If light is good, il manifestly is better
for a man to live in a house where he
can enjoy the sunlight all day than In
one which is practically nothing but a
cave Of bricks I am positive my ex-
pertinent viii prove ali / expect from
a heaIth-giving standpoint
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-09-01
ARTISTIC HOUSES
RULE IN CAPITAL
They Range From Modest
Homes to PretentiouS
Mansions.

II is possibly a far cry from a man
sion costing 100000 or more TO the homes
OF the less fortunate that can be pur-
chased for a few thousand dollars. But
Washington builders have well provided
for al classes and all purses and
throughout the city can be found dwell
ings well adapted for the man with
slender means provided with all the
comforts and requirements OF modern
living and at the same time carefully
and artistically designed. The day has
gone by when houses of modest size
were built after one general plan, 50
that each house was as much like its
neighbor as the proverbial two peas in
a pod" To-day builders of houses find
Il necessary TO engage a competent ar
chitect and the advantages are seen by
the improved and varied appearance of
the different rows Of dwellings that line
the streets.
Whether one goes to the southeast,
southwest, northeast. or northwest sec
ton of the city the same general im-
movement is noted. and while. of course.
the higher price OF ground in certain
sections prevents the building Of any but
high priced residences there still remain
10 many localities vacant spaces that are
vet TO be built upon with neat and de-
sirable homes Of a character with those
that have come under observation.
It was not necessary, therefore, in
making a selecuon for illustration to
take any particular section or locality
for favorable specimens, for Washing
ton is too well provided with modest
houses ranging in value from S3,00O to
e eco. which was the only point required
In the northwest section very pretty
houses on P street, between First and
Second streets, were thought worthy OF
presentation, while in the northeast
those on K street. between First and
Second streets, were favored, both rows
showing houses entirely dissimilar in ap-
pearance and extremely neat and tasty.
on z street southeast, between Thir-
teenth and Fourteenth streets, a new
row Just completed in which the porch
idea. at one time so popular, is revived,
IS a pleasing and graceful departure in
the architecture Of small houses built
in rows.
Whether 1t be in the magnificent man
sions Of the wealthy. the elegant resi-
dences of the weIl-to-do, or the homes
provided for those of modest means
Washington builders have seen 10 it that
the beauty and character of the houses
shall be carried out throughout ali the
various grades to the great advantage
of the artistic and substantial appear
ance OF the Nations Capital.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-09-01
RAILROAD TIE SHORTAGE
MOST SERIOUS PROBLEM

Shortage in railroad ties is becoming
a serious problem to the railroads OF the
United States. Only recently the For
estry Bureau, Of the Department OF
Agriculture, predicted a lumber famine
IN The country In seventy-five years. II
the present consumption OF lumber was
maintained under present conditions OF
preservation OF the forests, ard manu-
facIure of output When IL is realized
that the railroads used last year l0S.-
10000 railroad ties. averaging about
thirty board feet each, ana that this
number OF ties aggregates more than
3090. 000. 900 board feet. or one-twelfth Of
the sawed lumber produced in the entire
country In one year, the problem can
be better understood. That such a short
age has been fOreseen by the railroads
is manifested BY their almost frantic
Efforts IN the past TO find a substitute
for wood from which 10 make railroad
ties. A few years ago steel tie was
invented, which, il was predicted, would
produce a revolution in the business A
serious accident on the Pennsylvania
railroad during the past winter, which
was ascTibed to the use OF steel ties on
a curved track. resulted In the displace-
ment and a return 70 the old wooden
railroad tie.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-09-01
* BEAUTIFUL HOMES ADDED TO RESIDENTIAL SECTIONS Il
RockefeIIer'S Nephew
Planning an Odd Home
Building a New House at Greenwich, Long
Island Designed TO Shut Out Air
and Prevent Fire.

Percy A. Rockefeller. son OF William
and nephew of John d. Rockefeller, is
building country home IN Connecti-
cut which is unlike any other ever
planned. Perhaps the most extraordi-
nary feature of it is a confined air space
in the walls. forming a non-cOnductor
OF heat cold. or moisture. The air
space, il is said, Will make the house
warmer IN winter, cooler In summer.
and dryer all the year around, than the
home of any other man. rich or poor.
This unique building is just outside
Of Geenwich, overlooking Long Island
Sound, and near the estate Of the own
er's father. William Rockefeller.
In the three stories and basement are
about sixty rooms. including more than
a dozen for servants. There are ten
bathrooms and innUmeTable closets. In
the basement are a boiler room, a room
for the motor that runs the elevators,
a laundry and a big space for car
riages, besides room for the storage Of
coal.
The owner has lavished money to
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-09-01

obtain one particular result-absolute
safety from fire. The wells OF the
house have not a Piece OF wood IN
them. They are made Of hollow terra
Gotta blocks. Altogether there are 5000
square feet Of these walls. that Is, more
than eight hundred tons.
On the outside there is an eight-inch
thickness Of the hollow blocks; then
comes the confined air space Of four
inches, ard then the inside thickness OF
four inches Of terra Gotta Thus IN
effect. there are two walls four inches
apart. constructed Of material through
which moisture cannot DO absorbed
II is said that IL ali the windows and
doors we're closed on a hot summer
day, ar being introduced only through
the basement, the temperature INSIDE
the house would be from Is 70 % de-
erees lover than outside
The exterior walls will be covered with
stucco ard those on the inside with
plaster. The floors and all other parts
OF the house viii also be nreprooI- MI
Rockefeller hopes 70 move IN lats IA
the summer or early IN the fall
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-09-01
COURT SUSTAINS
OPEN SHOP ACTION
Important Decision Affect
ing Owners of Property
With Labor Unions.

One OF the most important judicial
decisions handed down by any court
in this country. sustaining the prin-
ciple of the open shop. is that rendered
by the Supreme Judicial Court Of Mas
sachusetts, IN which an injunction was
granted the Aberthaw Construction
Company against the Carpenters Dis
trict Council of Boston and vicinity and
the Christian Science Church, owner Of
the property. which the Aberthaw Com
pany was constructing. The difficulty
arose from the fact that the plaintiff
company had IN its employ and en-
gagged on the work Of the church GER
tain wOrkmen who were not members Of
the carpenters unioh The latter
through its representative. demanded
that the non-unionists be discharged, OF
at least put off the work, the alterna-
tive being d strike OF the union work
men The Carpenters District Council
influenced the owners OF the church
through the building committee,
to insist that the Aberthaw Com
pany dismiss the n0n-unIon work
men or 10 relinquish its contract The
plaintiff company thersupon filed a bill
LOT lAJuACAlon against oLHplIACyB nam
ing the Christian Science Church town
ers) co-conspiratOrs. and in granting the
injunction the court held that where
the owner Of property joins with an Or
ganization of workmen in an effort 10
compel a contractor 70 discharge men
simply because they are net members Of
unions and to refuse employment TO any
except members OF unios.s, the owner
becomes a co-conspirator with the mem
bers. and IS equally liable with them,
both 10 pay damages and to be en-
Joined as a co-consplrator"
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-09-01
j. J. KELLEY CONSTRUCTS
GARFIELD ST. DWELLING

Builder J. J. Kelley has begun the con-
struction of three-story brick dwell
in gat 2617 Garfield street northwest. for
A. r. Townshend that is estimated viii
cost about $1,000 The plans were pre-
Fared by Architects Hunter and Bell
Who have incorporated several ideas in
the design OF the house which viii aD-
peal strongly TO those who appreciate
the value Of labor and comfort in the
matter of daily living.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-09-01
BUILDING FOUNDATIONS
BY a UNIQUE METHOD

4 new method OF making foundations
now used in all sorts Of conditions is
known as the Compressed system II
consists IN making holes through the
soft soil down 70 the hardpan BY mean
Of a tapering arm, which Is forced
down Ike a pile driver, and then filing
these holes with stones and rubble IN
successive layers. each OF which is frn-
iy rammed down. The result Is to pro
duce monolithic block OF great
strength. No ground Is removed in the
boring Of the shaft, the sides OF which
acquire great compactness-
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-09-01
BLUNDON, 0'BRIEN & BELT
MOVE INTO NEW OFFICES

The real estate firm of Blundon,
O'Brien & Belt has moved into its new
offices. at 1903 G street northwest. ana
Is preparing for vigorous fall cam
paign. The partners think that. with
the coming Of fall and the return OF in
vestors to the city, there viii be a re-
sumption of the activity equally as pro-
nounCed as occurred last spring and
they are making ready for their full
share Of it.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-09-01
PERMIT FOR DWELLING
ON BLAIR ROAD GIVEN

E. r. Palmer has taken ont a permit
to erect a two-stoTy frame dwelling at
Blair Road near Piney Branch Road,
at an estimated cost of $1,000. The
architect and builder is Frederick @.
Atkinson, who has designed a house Of
pleasing character, suited to the at
tractive environment IN which IL is TO
be located
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-09-01
POLICEMAN BUYS LOT;
TO BUILD HOUSE LATER

J. McKenney Berry, agent, OF 1914
Thirty-first street northwest, has sold
for Miss Ethel Lockhart, daughter Of
Dr. George 3. Lockhart, formerly Of
Georgetown. a lot on the south side Of
Dlmbarton avenue, between Wisconsin
avenue and Thirty-frst street north
west, the purchaser being Policeman
Minor K Fur.
II Is Furr's intention to build a home
on the lot in the near future.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-09-01

In the Ventosa is embodied
the very latest ideas in the
construction .of a modern
apartment building. Located
on the corner of two streets
and having a long frontage
on First street with a shorter
one on B street, the arrange
ment of each floor makes ev-
cry room an OUTSIDE
ROOM-an advantage not
possessed by any other large
apartment building in Wash
ington.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-09-01
TWO FRAME DWELLINGS
TO GO UP ON FRANKLIN ST

Hunter and Bell. architects, have pre-
pared plans for two two-sJory frame
dwellings, which John l. " amer has
contracted with Builder J. b. Giddings,
70 erect at SIS and 90 Franklin street,
al an estimated cost of $4,000.
The houses are TO be modern In every
respect. and TO be finished IN the best
manner
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-09-01
LARGEST BUILDING PERMIT
ISSUED FOR Fl HOUSES

The largest building permit last week
was issued on Thursday 10 NJ J.
Keaue for the erection OF tWenty-one
two-slory brick dwellings at 2214 TO z252
Ontario road northwest. estimated 20
cost 49, 200. John Miller q Co. were
named as the architects, and 81. J,
Keane as the builder The houses are
To contain six rooms and bath. The
lots are OF generous proportions. being
fully 20 feet in width.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-09-01
BUILDING NEW CITY
ON A MOUNTAIN SIDE

II the plans Of local capitalists OF
South Bethlehem are carried out, the
entire mountain side back Of the place
Will sooH be cleared Of its forest and
laid out in symmetrical terraces.
The South Mountain Transit Company
that IS promoting the project, VIII un-
dertaI<e the work, which Will demand an
outlay Of Thousands Of dollars in order
10 make room for the building Of hun
dreds OF houses.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-09-01

Of imposing appearance,
constructed entirely of fire.
proof material, soundproof
floors, rooms of good size,
modern plumbing. The Ven
toSa is unequaled' as an ideal
apartment home.
There are fifty apartments,
each of ? rooms, bath, and
kitchenette. Long-distance
telephone in every apart
ment. Speedy elevator ser
vice. Hot water and hot
water heat.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-09-01
FRAME DWELLING STARTED
FOR THOMAS H. STOKES

Builder o. II. Fowler has started the
erection of a two-story frame dwelling
for Thomas II Stokes. on Sheriff road.
near Minnesota avenue northeast, which
IS estimated Will cost about $500. The
design. by Architect y. S. Pullman. is
on the cottage style.