davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1908-02-24
Saving the Workman.

Senator Knox's comprehensive
employers liability bill suggests
how far America has to go before
her industrial laws are the best in
the world. Other nations, espe-
ciaIly Germany. have struck through
to results by waving aside a great
deal of theory to put all the obliga-
tion of making employment safe
upon the man who pays the wage.
He may not be always at fault, say
the Germans. but if you allow him
any leeway at all ne viii always be
beyond reach.
In this matter. the choosing of
one horn of a dilemma rather than
be driven on the other, has worked
for good. First, the cost has not
borne heavily on the employer. In
the construction Of a building, for
The Washington times., 1908-02-24
Special Pleading F0reStalled.

As the idle freight cars are begin
ming to be known as Teddy bears, "
il can hardly be denied that Presi-
den Roosevelt has some reason to
expect special pleading in the event
of trouble in tie railroad world.
Certainly the "bears' in Wall Street
are fattening up. But they have
seen a good many lean years.
The railroad employees do not at
tempt TO deny that the roads are
beset by hard times. The unprece-
denied abundance of idle rolling
stock is too big a fact to be over
thrown. But what the employees
say-and probably with some logic
is that while the roads are very
slow 10 raise wages when prosper
ity runs high, they are quick enough
to lower wages when the tide turns
in the other direction. Moreover,
the railroad officials themselves are
by no means united as to the out
look. While some are for taking
more money out Of their employees,
others are for holding off, as they
believe that the business depres-
sion viii not last long.
This it was that gave particular
force to the Presidents letter of
inquiry to the Interstate Commerce
Commission. He wanted the truth
not the haze of campaign fulmina-
tions. So he said:
IT is sincerely TO be hoped. there
fore. that any wage controversy that
may arise between the railroads and
their employees may ind a peaceful
solution through the methods of con-
citation and arbitration already pro-
vided by Congress which have proven
so effective during hte past year. To
this end the commission should be in
"a position TO have available fO- any
board Of Cancellation or arbitration
relevant data pertaining to such car
riers as may become involved in in
dustriai disputes. Should Cancellation
fail to effect a settlement and arbi-
tratiOn be rejected, accurate infOTma-
lion should be available in order to
develop a properly informed public
opinion.
Even the Presidents opponents,
we should think, could hardly read
that paragraph and not be i'm
pressed by the general good politics
of speaking out to the people.
The Washington times., 1908-02-24
MORE PAY IN SIGHT
FOR FIRST SERGEANT
Bill Proposes Mini
mum of S45 Per Month
for Him.

At last the top sergeant" IS coming
into Lis own. That is. he viii II the
army pay bill is passed by Congress.
Under the BILL as reported from the
House Committee on Military Affairs,
and which is 70 be attached TO the
army appropriation bin as an amend
ment, If possible. the first sergeant
viii set a minimum OF SIS per month.
This IS a big increase over what he
10 getting, and IS Somewhere near com
ensurate with the Importance OF his
position.
When it IS considered that the non
commissioned officer IS entitled 10 al
lowance OF clothing, rat;ons and equip
meut from the Government, SIS per
month IS a fairly good rate OF COM
pensation. It Is calculated that so far
as saving money is concerned. the first
sergeant, as well probably as all non
commissioned officers. viii be in bet
ter position tEan the second lieutenant.
or even tbs first lieutenant, who is put
under heavy drain Of funds to meet
the cost OF the multiplicity OF uni
forms the War Department. In imita-
ton OF certain foreign war offices.
compeIs offcerB TO have.
On the other hand, there IS no man
IN the company, troop or battery so
important, unless x be the company
commander. as the first sergeant.
whom the men call the top sergeant
the top soak" and other irreverent
terms. he Is the real head OF the
company. lie has the utmost respoa-
sibillty IN handling the men. he drills
the organization far more than do the
commissioned officers, and nine times
out of ten he So q more experienced
soldier than the Heutenants. All these
years he has been struggling along Ola
meager pay. Now there IS a prospect
he viii get something Ike the com
pensation he merits. Likewise sub
Etantfal increases are contemplated for
the sergEants and CoTpOrals. The
theory Is that II the inducements ere
such as 10 keep in the service the eX-
perienced nOn-cOmmissIoned officers,
there will at ali times be present in
every company troop or battery the
real backbone OF a strong fighting or
ganization. With good On-cOmnlis-
stoned officers any company of re-
cruits can soon be hammered into
the House committee, is intended TO
encourage Te-enlistment, X il IS
passed It will mean nearly 100000
more a year for the enlisted force OF
tie army. The average increase IN
~ of the enlisted men IS nearly s.
per cent, with an increase on the
average of over Is per cent FOR length
OF service.
The Washington times., 1908-02-24
-FOUR DEAD SENATORS
ALL FROM THE SOUTH

Deaths OF four Democratic. Senators
within the last ten months, all of them
from the same section of tho country,
have excited much comment among old
timers about the Capitol. In less taan
a year death has removed Senators John
Tyler Morgan and Edmund Winston
Pettus of Alabama, Senator Stephen r
Mallory of Florida, and SenaCCr Asbury
G. I.atimer of South Carolina
II is pointed out that these men lived
within a few hundred miles of each
other. Ne-er before in the history Of
the Senate, according to those that have
looked into the facts. has II happened
that - many Senators have died in so
short a space of time from States that
are near neighbOrs.
The Washington times., 1908-02-24
Dolliver Bill Held Up;
Senator Kean WithholGs
Consent for Consideration

Senator Burkett tried unsucCessrulIy
IN the Senate this morning to get an
agreement TO take up the Deliver
school bill at the close OF routine bust
ress Wednesday. Senator Kean OF
New Jersey objected. Being thus pre-
vented from getting a unanimous
agreement Senator Rurkett gave notice
that he would move to take the bill up
after routine business Wednesday. In
case a majority of the Senate supports
Senator BuTketts motion the bill will be
taken up for consideration.
Senator Kean has objected once b1-
for TO a unanimous agreement 20 take
up the Deliver bill. He has given no
reason for doing so. but is understood
to be opposed TO the measure. In
n.ediately after he had objected this
morning Senator Burkett sat down by
the Senator from New Jersey, and the
two had a rather spirited colloquy i'm
private. Senator BuTkeUL~is understood
10 have urged Senator Kean, il he was
opposed to the bi!l to oppose IL openly
on the floor, when it camc up for con-
sidcraIion and not TO sit back and OBJ
1ect to an agreement to taking il Up.
Senator Burkett said later thai he
thought there was little doubt that no
would be able TO get the bill up We'd
nesday morning.
The Washington times., 1908-02-24
TEXAS REPUBLICANS
SPLIT OVER TAFT
Recognized" Party Will
Name Delegation Opposed
to Secretary.

AUSTIN. Tex, Feb. 24-rexas is now
contributing its share TO the general
struggle IN the Southern States 20 pre-
vent their delegations 70 the Chicago
convention being turned over TO Score
teTy Tafc by Federal ofhceholders. That
two delegations viii be sent by Texas
is regarded as the inevitabis result OF
the deciding by the executive committee
OF the ''reoTganiZed' Republican party.
which opposes Taft, to hold a conyeE-
ticn 10 name delegates at large at Waco
May &c.
The Administration wing OF the party
viii hold its own convention, and Will
name Taft delegates. Many politicians
think this act of the ''reorgsniZed' men
VIII give them the advantage at Chicg-
go. The Rnti-Taft wing, they point out.
viii DO in a position 10 pOse as the reg
Ular' delegation. This is usually q SUI
hcient claim % gain seats in q cOuven-
ton.
The issue has been squarely drawn on
the Taft question by the "reorganized'
party's committee. in Saturdays meet
ing il threw down the gauntlet 10 the
national Administration, which Il ac-
cuses OF backing TafCs candidacy. ResO-
buttons were adopted denOuucing PreSi-
dent Roosevelt. Secretary Taft anG col.
Cecil Lyon. head OF the TAFT faction "a
Texas, and the charge Tas made that
by the distribution of federal patron
age an effort is being made 10 line up
The State for Taft
This bold declaration, however, has
served 10 rally Administration men 10
tie support Of Colonel Lyon IN his fight
for Taft. With the support OF Federal
Ofdceholders there Is no doubt strong
faction can be organized for Taft, and
The result IN several OF the districts IS
/, Omitted BY politicians 70 be In doubt.
There now seems little likelihood OF an
open clash in State convention as each
side Will likely ignore the meeting Of
its rival.
Lyon IS expected back from Washing
ton, where ne is said TO have been in
consultation with President Roosevelt
and Manager Hitchcock, Of the TAFT
boom II "a expected the plEns OF the
Taft men will then be revealed. One
prediction IS that Lyon will try TO steal
a march on the 'reorganiZed' party by
calling a state convention before the
Waco gathering. thus having It's dele
cation named first with a view OF cali
ing the other faction 'bolters."
The Washington times., 1908-02-24
GOAPERS URGES
TI-INJUNCTION
Speaks Before House Com
mittee in Favor of
Measure.

Samuel Go4upers, president Of the
American Federation OF Labor, spoke
before the house judiciary Committee
today for the passage Of the anti-in-
junction bill, Introduced by Representa-
tive Pearre OF Maryland, saying:
This is the only bill that. if enacted.
Will check the invasion of human rights
by the use of the injunction. As time
goes on, the injunction is being used 10
invade further and further the consti-
tutional rights of the workingmen OF
the United States"
SIR. Gompets explained TO the COM
mlttee that all the arguments for the
enactment OF the bill had been al
vanced by organized labor, and pointed
out his belief that the policy or the
opponents of II is to secure such de-
lay as VIII result in no action by the
committee on the subject. Therefore,
he said. the labor people had been will
nag TO have the committee report on it
without further argument.
He referred 10 au injunction issued
by Judge Dayton. of West Virginia, In
the telephone strike, as working an un-
expressed his surprise that Judge Day
ton should have laid down the pro-
Eouncement that there IS no such thing
as a peaceful strike"
Another case he mentioned was the
granting OF an injunction in West Vir-
gInia 20 prevent the forming Of a union
among some mining employees who had
contracts with the owners of the mine
This, he argued, was manifestly unfair
Mr.. GOmpers said he had a list or the
inJdHctions which he thought had been
unjust 10 organized labor. which he
would submit to the committee later.
The Washington times., 1908-02-24

example, the contractor has added
the cost OF his insurance to his esti-
mate, the builder has added it TO
his rents, and the renters have
distributed it among their custom
ers until the whole is divided into
imperceptible allotments.
The insurance companies. In their
turn, have come to require new
safety appliances, so that even the
careless wOrAman-and it should be
remembered that no man, however
careless, really prefers 10 lose an
arm or leg-is protected to the last
reasonable degree. AS precautions
have increased, the cost of the in
surance ras decreased. and now Ger
many has not only lessened the
death r@te among her workmen and
decreased still further the casually
rate, but holds that ground at A
cost less than Americans paw to
fight the families of late EMPLOYEES
IN the courts.
Assume that the same practice
were established in this country.
that coal mine owners-to cite only
one glassware required either to
conduct their business according to
precautions set by insurance com
panies or to pay for every injury
received by their men. AIanifestlv.
Americas discredit as the nation
which sacrifices twice as many Of
its citizens through mine accidents
as any other in the world must soon
pass. If the President has his way
it will pass, and it is good to see
that in his fight for reform which
is business economy and plain, ordi-
nary humanity combined, he has
the active services OF the junior
Senator from Pennsylvania as a
chief deputy.
The Washington times., 1908-02-24
INQUIRY BEGINS
IN RAILROAD CASE
Atlantic Coast Line Hold
ingS Will Have Thorough
Sitting.

President ROOsevelt's reference TO the
Louisville and Nashville railroad in his
letter directing the Interstate Commerce
Commission to look into the financial
arrangements of railroads, which pro-
pose TO reduce wages. is already pro-
dPeing activity at the commission OF
fees.
1t is learned that agencies OF. the
commission are already making prelim-
mary inquiry into questions relating
TO the big system, OF which tire Louis
Vile and Nashville Is part.
The Atlantic Coast Line Company, Of
Connecticut. Is the holding agency In
"a report the commission has pointed
a. this company as a remarkable de-
velopment Of the holding corporation
idea. With 81. 10000 capital stock is
sued, the company owns u majority of
the stock of The Atlantic Coast Line
railroad, which operates over 400 miles
Of road. In turn the Atlantic Coast
Line Railroad Company has since 1907
owned a majority OF the stock Of the
Louisville ana Nashville, whose system
includes nearly ZOO miles OF road. Al
together, the system subsidiary to the
Atlantic Coast Line Company is found
to aggregate about ~ 9J0 miles phe
commission wants 10 know about This
financial arrangement by which an is
sue Of Sl2,6O9000 Of stock can control
such a vast property
The Atlantic Coast Line Company IS
In bad odor with the Government be
cause it has refused to make financial
statements as required by the new rail-
road rate law. II claims 10 be an in
vestment and not a carrying concern,
and therefore, exempt from d law that
applies only 20 interstate carriers. The
Government is getting ready for a big
preliminary lawsuit 10 establish Its All
thOFity over the holding company.
il is intimated that, pursuant TO the
Presidents instructions, q big force OF
special agents of the commissions ac-
counting department win probably be
sent soon 10 make complete examina-
ton Of the accounts anC finances or the
Louisville and Nashville.
The Washington times., 1908-02-24
EVANS QUESTIONED
ON FAULTY ARNOR
Secretary Asks Light on
Charge, After Talk
With Sims.

Secretary AIetcalf mas cabled Ad-
miral Evans, commanding the PaciE2
feet, asking II il 5 true that the ar
NOR belt OF several vessels in the feet
is awash. or below the water line.
This query IS made because Henry
ReUteTdahI. critiQue-in-chief OF the
naval forces OF the United States.
makes the allegation AS yet Admire!
Evans has not reported 10 the Navy
Department on the charge, which IS
important, II true.
Suspectlng that Commander ". 5
Sims, naval aide TO the President. was
ReuterdahPs informant, Secretary Net
calf summoned that officer 20 the de-
Dartmeut for a conference. Command
er Sims said afterward that ne De
lieved he had made some reference 20
the aTmOT belt. Commander Sims is
one Of the men whom Secretary Met
salt suspected OF furnishing infOrma-
ton 10 critics OF the navy.
Asked II he had given facts on which
the Secretary's telegram TO Admiral
Evans was based, thu commander said
II do not know anything about the
telegram except what las been told 10
ne After / received the Secretary 5
letter 1 had a long talk with him.
know that / did not mention Admiral
Evans name, but the talk was so ex-
tensiVe that l cannot say that 1 did
not make the statement that the ar
NOR belt OF some Of the ships Is
awash.
u have not made any confession Of
having given information 10 persons
outside the service, but I viii say the
Secretary and 1 had a very frank and
a very thorough talk. ! have not yet
made my formal reply 10 the Secre-
tury's letter
Il was asked today II It were true
that when I was called for giving
away naval secrets l went TO the Pres
idenT, and he said 1 should pay no at
tentiOn 10 the matter. / have made
no statement of that kind, and shall
not do So II is absurd 10 think that
1 would talk that way about the Presi-
dent, even il he said, There Is nothing
in that "
It is known that CONNIE nder Sims
had q two-hour conference with tie
Secretary OF the Navy and that Mr..
Metcalf expressed the opinion that the
regulation shutting the mouths OF Of
fcers Is entirely beyond reason, and
that he win recommend that il b.
modified. 1t is not expected IN naval
circles that any cOurt-marual Will re-
suit from the inquiry.
The Washington times., 1908-02-24
EDISON OPERATION
CAUSES UNEASINESS
Electricity Wizard Under
Knife for AbSceSS in
Ear.

NEW YORK. Feb. although
Thomas A Edison. who submitted to
an operation at the Manhattan Eye.
Ear and Throat Hospital last night,
for abscess Of the middle ear is pro-
nounced in not the least danger, con-
siderable uneasiness is felt among his
friends concerning his condition.
II is felt. in the first place. that Mr..
Edison's age-he celebrated his sixty
nrst birthday e fortnight ago-is some
what against him. He has suffered re-
Gently from kidney trouble, too, and
though the physicians say there was
no connection between his present at
tack and the kidney trouble three
years ago. there is considerable IN
e9slness for the aged man.
His doctors say 10 will be out in
about a week. The attack is attributed
70 a recent siege of the grip and was
exceedingly painful. The patient has
long been Gear
Mrs Edison accompanied her .hus-
b5nd 70 New York, and was with him
all q last night.
The Washington times., 1908-02-24
RELIEF CORPS TO RECEIVE.

The Woman's Relief Corps. which
has been meeting at the Grand Army
OF the Republic Hall, adjourned Satur-
day until tonight. A reception for the
members OF the various posts VIII be
held this evening in G. A. r. Hall at s
O'Clock. Mrs. Kate Brownlee Sherwood,
wife of Representative Sherwood: and
WHO was second vice president Of the
national organization twenty-four years
ago will be the guest OF honor. Other
distinguished visitors will be present.
Friday evening the Woman's Relief
COrps and Department Of the Potomac,
G. A r.. will install officers to serve
for a year,
The Washington times., 1908-02-24
SENATE TO FEAST
ON FULTON'S BIG SALMON

The United States Senate viii adjourn
tomorrow at 1890 o'clock to do mons age
TO King Salmon.
The regular business session OF that
august tribunal will be suspended, and
for two hours all thought OF increasing
tho navy of the United States or OF
lowering the bars Of the tariff will be
put aside by the venerable legislators.
Perhaps little campaign talk viii be
INDUCED in, but the principal topic OF
conversation viii be King Salmon.
Senator Charles ". Fulton several
weeks ago placed ar appetizing pro
position before Vice President Fair
banks, which received immediate con-
sideration By the entire Senate. Later
the matter was ordered passed by a
unanimous vote OF the Senate. Accord
ingly two hours on Tuesday, the TIVE uty-
NTH OF February, were declared to be
holiday for the statesman, and an
opportunity Of INDUCING IN an annual
treat which has existed for several
years. was once more afforded. The
The Washington times., 1908-02-24
MANUAL ORCHESTRA
WILL GIVE CONCERT

A concert viii be given next Friday
evening IN the Business High School
building by the orchestra OF the Nc
ISinley Manual Training School, under
The direction OF George W. Sunderland
Vocal selections win be included in the
program. The orchestra was organized
four years ago, and has made remark
able progress.
1t has been heard at various high
school debates and entertainments and
has won the commendatiOn not only of
school officials but OF musicians. The
object Of the concert is to raise funds
for the school enterprises.
Members Of the orchestra are Messrs.
I.ansburgh, Lepper. Webster, Edwards.
Murphy, Stein. Hough. Mccarthy. King.
Whitbeck, Zebley, JczdoFf Felter.
Cheney, and Chatfield. 10 be augmented
by Messrs. Zieman, Cello. Darby. and
Jacoby.
The Washington times., 1908-02-24
TURNVEREIN ENTERTAINS
GERMANIA OF BALTIMORE

Members of the Germania Turnverein.
of Baltimore, yesterday called upon
their brothers, the Columbia Tuiuvereiu.
OF this city. in return for the trip made
by the latter society to the forIuersa
call last summer. The reunion was held
IN the gymnasium OF the Columbias. and
was enlly sned by speschmaking and
toAsting.
were added to the program. The 8th-
letes in the two societies anticipats Dar-
ticfpatinE in the indoor circus. TO he
given by the Y. NJ. c. A. tomorrow and
Friday.
The Washington times., 1908-02-24

proposition advanced by Senator Fulton
was that the Senate adjourn TO dine
With him, on the royal chinook salmon,
81 oregon.
Two large chinooks were ordered from
Portland. ore, and on Saturday they
arrived from the West. They were i'm
mediately taken to tie Senate dining
rooms. where the old chef. Charlie, Is
preparing them. The fish are immense,
weighing from thirty-five to forty
pounds each, and are from four and
one-haif 10 five feet long. They are the
choicest FISH that could be obtained az
the Portland fish market.
The private dining room OF the Sen
ate VIII be decorated with flowers and
large tables will be arranged around
the sides OF the spacious room. -Four
old negro walters who have seen duty
at the Senate for a number OF years
viii be again specially honOred by hav-
Ing the privilege OF carrying ia the
!ish 20 the diners.
Promptly at 1 o'clock. the four
negroes, heading a procession of wait
eTs, carrying the two large fish On a
slx-fOOt pine board, viii enter the din
ing room. The fish will be placed in
the center OF the room, between the
tables.
The Washington times., 1908-02-24
CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR
WHITE HOUSE CALLER

Governor Gillette, Of California who
IS here TO appear before the Rivers and
HarhoTs Committee to urge the drodg-
ing e the Sacramento and San Joaquin
riN.--s. called at the White House today,
with Senators Flint and Perkins, 20
shaEe hands with the President.
Politics isn't quite boiling out our
way" said the governor, for the people
are SO busy rebuilding San Francisco
and getting ready to greet the fleet
that they haven't had time TO talk
Presidential succession. From what
have seen, ! believe the boom Of Secre-
tary Taft is the most healthy Oh the
coast, but there are others who have
many friends"
The Washington times., 1908-02-24
I-RAY WILL BE USED
IN PROBE FOR BULLET

The physicians at the homeopathic
Hospital. where Harry Johnson, colored,
is confined because Of injuries resulting
from bullet wound. inflicted by a pis-
toll in the hands of Frank l. Lyles,
state that tire x-ray viii be used this
afternoon in an effort TO locate the bull
let. Unless the lead can be extracted
within a short time il is feared that
blood poisoning may set in.
Pending the result of the mans in
juTies, Lyles VIII be held at the Second
precinct until he can secure bond for
his release. Lyles says that he was eX-
hibiting q revolver to Johnson yesterday
in his grocery store at 413 . street
northwest, and that the gun was acct
Centally discharged.
The bullet entered the negro's neck
and took a downward course. Lyles
carried The wounded man tn bis house
across the street anf sent for the am
bulance.
The Washington times., 1908-02-24
TODAY'S CALLERS
At WHITE HOUSE

Secretary Taft.
Governor Gillette. OF California.
Senators Proctor of Vernon.
McCumber of North Dakota.
Perkins OF Califora a.
Flint OF California.
Bourne or Oregon.
Representatives Cushman OF Washing,
ton
Ellis of Oregon.
Young Of Michigan.
Slayden OF Texas.
Hamilton OF Michigan.
Gronna Of North Da-
kota
Former Senator Stewart OF Nevada
Harry 8. New, chairman OF the Repub-
Hcan National Committee.
Former Senator Wilson Of Washington.