davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-29
BETTER

Reports of the clearing houses and
the commercial agencies for the last
week, including comparisons with last
years record, indicate marked i'm
provement in general business through
out the country. The only exception
to the rule is found in railway earn
ings, which, after a sharp recovery in
September and October, slightly de-
creased for November, the number of
idle cars having increased, for the first
time since last April. This is explained,
however, by the fact that the grain
movement in September and October
was abnormally large and that Novem-
Der and December are normally dull
months in the movement of merchan-
disc from the manufacturing centers to
the interior.
The most encouraging sign of i'm
provement is found in the report of
business failures for November, COM
pared with the corresponding month of
last year. After the panic of 1907
there was an alarming number of fail
ures all over the country for several
months. Early last summer the mum
Der began to decrease, and this de-
crease has continued until now the
showing is quite satisfactory, indicat-
ing a steady tendency to more stable
business conditions. For the month of
November there were 1,120 failures in
the United States, with liabilities of
$12, 500, 900, compared with 1,1sO fail
ures in November. 1907, with liabili-
ties aggregating $17,6SS,000. In bank
ing there we're ten failures, for $685.
1S1, compared with thirty failures, in
volving $9.144.225 in November of last
year. In both the manufacturing and
retail lines there was a marked de-
crease in the number of failures and
in the amount involved.
The statistics are highly encourag-
ing, particularly in view of other evil
dence that the limit of the depression
has been reached and that improved
conditions are existing in all channels
of trade, making the outlook for a
highly prosperous year in 1909, from
a commercial standpoint, very promis-
ing.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-29
Mr.. HEARST EXPLAINS.

The founder. manager and press
agent of the national independence
party has offered a belated explanation
of the light vote cast for his person
ally conducted party in the last presi-
Dental campaign. Mr.. Hearst is on
WINGED that the independence party is a
little too far in advance of the time,
and he is equally confident that the
American voters will finally become
aroused to the point Of accepting his
platform and marching to victory owe
the remains of the democratic party
and the crippled hosts of republican
ism.
The explanation is neither new nor
original, being revamped from the pop
lists when the Ocala and Omaha plat
forms missed out. The same explana-
ton has been urged by Mr.. Bryan for
the failure of a majority of the voters
to accept Organism. 1t is the natural
plea of. the rejected man who believes
that he is superior to those who have
Cdo vi u III III d. OdoNs MS
candidate for the presidency, a man
capable and honest, received but 49,
1876 votes throughout the country, in
dicating that the party was either a
distance behind 1t.
The independence party was organ
lied on the rather violent presumption
that the republican and democratic
parties were wrong and were going to
pieces. The platform included an in
dictment Of the intelligence of prac-
tically all the voters of the nation, and
the figures show that a greater pro-
portion than usual of the voters ad-
hered to one or the other of the old
parties, proving that they are in no
mood to respond to a hurry call for
the organization OF a new political
party.
The nations history shows that new
parties get support only when they
espouse some great commanding ma
tional issue, like slavery, which gave
the republican party its birth and early
vigor. The Hearst party presented
nothing new or appealing. Its declar-
alton was only an exaggerated copy Of
the Bryan platform, with a few pop
ulistic and socialistic trimmings added.
1t appealed to no legitimate demand,
offered no pressing issue and promised
nothing tangible should victory be
achieved. 1t catered to the ultra-rad-
zeal at a time when the country was
surfeited with radicalism, and its fail
ure was logical and inevitable.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-29
CLOVES AND LEMON PEEL FAIL.
Shakedown for Men who COuIdn't
Hide Smell of BOoEe.
Emporia lkanD Gal

Ehnporla (han) Gazette.
A few days ago many railroad employees
in a Nebraska town stepped up { o'the cap
tain's office to get their pay, Tor the la
borer is worthy Of his hire in that state.
as elsewhere. The merry Christmas time
being at hand, the pay envelopes were
doubly welcome, but there were thirty Of
the men whose faces became sad and
drawn when they opened their envelopes.
for they found therein notification that
their services were no longer required.
If they felt as though the bottom had
fallen out of everything. the emotions Of
their wives probably were more harrow
ing; for it is a cruz. thing to be deprived
of ones livelihood when the JOY bells are
ringing all over the world.
The poet says that men must work. and
women must weep; but the truth is that
when the men work, the women have little
to weep about; It is when husbands have
nothing for their hands to do, and the flour
in the bin is low, and the savings are
dwindling away that the weeping begins,
and no wonder.
Well, these thirty men couldn't figure out
why they had been fired. or they pre-
tended that they couldn't; down IN their
hearts they probably knew all about Il.
To save their faces they went to the SUI
perintendent and asked with a great show
of manly Indignation, why they had been
cast into outer darkness. Had they not
labored diligently? Had they not been
prompt in their cominss and goings? Had
they not wrought as best they knew how?
And the superintendent lifted up his voice
and spake unto them. saying: Some
months ago orders came from the Main
Squeeze to the effect that all drinking men
should be dropped from the payroll; the
Main Squeeze made no fine distinctions; 81
was a blanket order. that covered all forms
and methods Of boozefighting; II included
the man who visits saloons; the ono re
ceiving suspicious packages by express,
the one who takes strong linlment Tor Il
Hypothetical bellyache. You have all been
diligent as you say, Your brcaths have
given you away on divers times and occa-
sions, and even the copious use OF cloves
couldn't protect you from the wrath to
come"
There may be men reading this tn whom
the warning will be useful, The man who
drinks is cut of the game in these stirring
times, and the working man who has a
home, and really loves II, and those who
live i'm it and watch for his homecoming.
will have none but legitimate business at
the drugstore, and will use cloves and
lemon peel only for culinary purposes.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-29

tariff schedules, will have to keep the
question OF revenues constantly in
mind, and the condition Of the treas
ury will have to be taken into account
in the estimates of expected losses and
gains. The treasury deficit now aggre-
gates $50, 900, 900. and Secretary Cor
telyou estimates the defcit at the close
of the fiscal yea June 80 next at
$114,000.00 Receipts from both Gus
toms and internal revenue have
sharply declined during the last year,
while expenses have continued to in
crease. The working balance Of the
treasury is at about its lowest safe
amount and the funds on deposit in the
national banks, about 10000, 900,
can not last more than another year,
IL disbursements are not curtailed or
revenues increased. The revenue prob
lem is the most serious that will CON
front the incoming administration. but
to solve it by placing a duty on coffee
will hardly be satisfactory to the peo-
ple.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-29
THE AMERICAN FIGHTING MAN.
General Bells Remarks ON the Steam
Radiator ldie

st. Louis Republic.
During his service in Washington Major
General Bell, chief of the army staff. has
evidently acquired false notions about the
resourcefulness, self-reliance and fighting
qualities of the present-day American man.
1t is doubtless true that among the de-
partment clerks and cushion warmers at
the national capitol there are too many
who do not know how to shoot or to take
care of themselves away from the coddling
warmth OF a steam radiator. But even
these fellows learn readily enough to shoot
and they are not Americans If they cannot
learn to sleep comfortably under a blanket
on the ground when responding to the
call of military duty.
In the men Of no other nation is the
personal initiative stronger than in the
American.
II the standing army of a country like
Germany could invade the United States
by marching across an imaginary line our
trained army and frontier Qualifications
would be far from sufficient. But the
periodic cry that we are in danger of in
Vasion from Europe or Japan takes no
account of the natural defense provided by
several thousands OF miles of salt water.
II any foreign power should accept GEN
eral Bells estimate of the weakness Of the
American army and the unfltness of the
American civilian for prompt service in
war, It might be led into ruinous mistakes.
A combination of all Europe, using all the
ships 1t could get into service, could not
land men along our Atlantic coast faster
than they would be killed or captured by
the men who would jump forward from
the farms, workshops and counting rooms
to oppose them.
The nucleus OF an army we need-and will
always keep. Coast Notifications are neces-
sary at the sea entrances of our principal
seacoast cities, more to warn away foreign
insult than as a protection against serious
menace to the country. Any hostile force
which should land here would, in order
to get away alive, have to retreat to its
ships as hastily as did General Ross after
burning the capital at Washington in 1914.
The United States need not and will not
depart from their traditional policy Of
fighting their wars with the valor of the
volunteer soldier.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-29
Personal NOTES.

One of the current magazines has an
article proving that Poe really wasn't so
much of a writer, while another demon
strGtes that he was a genius without peer,
Happily this preserves the average.
California courts have for the second
time within a week sentenced a bomb
thrower to life imprisonment, and no su-
perior court has interposed a word of OBJ
lection. Evidently the moral uplift out that
way is the real thing.
President Roosevelt mas promised to at
tend the dinner to be given representative
Sherman on January % in Washington.
The dinner is to be given by the members
of the New York delegation OF this and
the next congress and others.
Mr.. Heinze Indignantly denies the cor
rectness OF the story about his dinner with
500 bills for dinner cards, but his chosen
lady friends are less close mouthed about
the entertainment. 1t Is their enthusiastic
opinion that F. Augustus is a very nice
man and truly hospitable.
1t will soon be pertinent to remark that
las the days begin to lengthen the cold
begins to strengthen" From the 10th to
the Goth of January is ststistically the cold
est part OF the year. although these dates
sometimes include the January thaW-the
name given to any warm spell in that
month.
Gus Heinze, the copper-lined millionaire
Of Montana, manages 10 forget occasion"
ally those annoying New York indictments
While in the big town last week he threw
anxiety about the future TO the winds ana
some money TO the birds. Six OF the lat
ter, with stage wings were given n HeinIe
luncheon, costing $50 a plate.
The many admirers of the New YORK
SUMS answer 10 little Virginia Q. Hanlans
question. rs there a Santa Claus? VIII
be interested in moving that It was FIRST
published in. the Gun OF September a. lo'''
It has become a classic OF the Christmas
spirit and was more widely reprinted TINS
season than ever before. IL was reprinted
in the Sun last Friday, with this note re-
veaIing the author; Complying with many
requests and in sffectionate remembrance
OF its author, Francis Pharcellus Church
We reprint an editorial which will never
be old or without it's strong appeal 10 every
generous spirit. 10 all who reverence the
fair humaniies Of the imagination"
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-29
PARr1sAnsH1p AND PATRIOTISM.

The democratic world-Hersld as
sumes to tell the republican minority
what they should do in the coming Ne
braska legislature. IL The Bee should
undertake to tell the members Of the
democratic majority what they should
do we have no doubt the world-Herald
would intimate that it was an un-
called-for !mpertinence. The local
democratic organ wants the repub.
licsns in the legislature to fall in with
the democrats and help the democrats
put on the statute books all the vari-
Gus and ~variegated experimental laws
desired to make Nebraska an object
lesson Of Bryanite vagaries and cure
alls.
1t is safe to say that the republican
minority will follow no, such advice,
but that they will stand for republican
principles and republican measures.
On any proposition which promises
real reform in government or makes
for more economical administration of
state institutions members of the re-
publican minority will be found voting
with members of the democratic ma
iority, but on propositions on which
the republicans took distinct issue
with the democrats in the campaign
the minority members will do well to
uphold their party's position and let
the democratic majority have full re-
sponsibility for questionable legisla-
tion. That is what the republican mi
nority is there for-to constitute a
healthy opposition against hasty and
ill~-considered law-making. On sub
jects on which there is a decided
division of public opinion the men,
bers of the republican minority may,
we believe, be depended on to draw
the line between craftsmanship and pa
triotism at the right place.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-29
4 TAx ON

There will be no popular approval of
the proposition now being considered
by the ways and means committee at
Washington to impose a tax of 5 cents
a pound on coffee, as one of the fea-
lures Of the new tarff bill. The argu-
ment in support of the proposition is
that this tax would yield a revenue of
about $45, 1000, 900 a year and would
thus Offset the loss that would result
from lowering the duties on sugar,
tobacco. hides. iron. steel and wood.
So far as the consumer is concerned,
this argument is OF a piece with the
street vendors statement that what he
made on peanuts he lost on bananas.
This shifting of the tariff duties would
simply cause the to use the
savings in one pocket to pay the losses
in the other.
Advocates of the proposition have
another argument in support OF it that
holds a promise of future benefits.
They contend that a coffee duty would
encourage the development OF coffee
growing in Porto Rico, Hawaii and the
Philippines to the point where the
American demand could be supplied by
our insular possessions. The further
argument ais offered that the duty
would enable the United States to
make more advantageous reciprocal
trade relations with Brazil. which sells
the United States about $10O,00O,O OO
worth of goods, chiefly coffee. annually,
and buys but $4,000, 900 of American
products in return. With a duty on
coffee, it is argued. Brazil would hnd
it profitable to make trade concessions
on American manufactured products
and give America a share of the Bra.
lillian trade which now goes TO Europe
OF eourse the ways and "a com.
mittee, in planning a revision of the
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-29
Raises Acute Questions.

Judge Wrights action, however conclu-
sive it may be as to the law in this par
ticular case, raises a number of acute ques-
tions that will rave to be settled in the
forum of public opinion or by legislation.
One relates to the scope of the injunctfve
process as applied to labor disputes and
another to the amendment of the Sherman
antitrust law so as to exclude labor Or
CARNATIONS from its operation. Probably
the most important immediate effect of
the sentences will be to invigorate the agi-
tation for the rather radical legislation de-
manded by the Federation of Labor on
these topics. From this point of view the
severity of the punishment imposed may
be regretted as adding fuel to the flames
of a propaganda that was in a fair way OF
extinction.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-29
ELIOT ON LAwLEssNEss.
Real Remedy for Present Day
IneHlciency.
Eagle.

Brooklyn Eagle.
The address OF President Eliot before the
Civic Forum on lawlessness did not mince
words. No one will question the truthful
ness OF his description OF the lswlessness OF
high finance, although his statement that
we need a state police with a military or
ganiZation TO cope with our crimes of vio-
lence may surprise people who have grown
accustomed to taking newspaper reports OF
such incidents as a matter of course and
dismissing them from consideration. But
there is no doubt that such crimes are in
c~reasing, not merely in sections where they
are stimulated by race antagonism, but in
cities where police ineffciency is a superin-
ducing cause. Men rob and kill because it
is safe. and unless city governments are
able TO protect life and property we may
have to try the state c-onstabulary system.
although there is a well founded distrust of
its efficiency.
But the real remedy for inefficient gov
eminent is an arousal OF public opinion.
We have seen such an aroussl during re-
cent years in regard to crimes OF cunning,
and such are being shackled and will be
shackied further. A few years ago Presi-
dent Eliots blunt talk about financial
crimes would nave been sensational. Now
that the remedy is in course of application
It attracts only casual notice. We need a
further and stronger awakening in regard
20 the protection Of human life. not merely
from assassins, but from the greed of bust
ness which sacrifices lives to cheaper the
cost OF production. Not merely are the
death and accident rates on our railroads
greatly in excess of those in Europe, but
the machines in our factories are far too
little guarded, and we are only just begin
ming TO grow sensitive to the secrince OF
the health of women and children by IN
duly long hours OF labor and by unhealthful
working conditions. on these matters more
plain speaking like President Eliots is
highly desirable. The commandment, Thou
shalt not kill" still receives far TOO lin
tied and Technical an application.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-29
An Unfortunate Decision.
New York World.

Next to actual maintaining OF the SUI
premacy Of law and of the courts. nothing
is Of more Importance than keeping public
sentiment in sympathy with such suprem-
aoy. However fair and impartial Justice
Wright endeavored to be in dealing with
the defendants. however correct his con-
illusions, however just the sentence, the
fact remains that labor leaders will be
able to cite a hundred words and express
sions from his decision with which to per-
suade their followers that the court was
prejudiced against all labor unions. To say
that this is unfortunate, and doubly UNI
fortunate at a time when organized effort
is made to cripple the power OF the courts,
is to state II mildly.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-29
INTERNATIONAL CONSTELLATION.

President Roosevelt has taken the
initial step toward a conference of rep
resentatives of the governments of the
United States, Canada and Mexico
looking toward cooperative action for
the conservation Of the natural re-
sources OF the North American CONT
nent. This is the first official recogni-
ton of the fact hat the movement for
the conservation of natural
must be international and worldwide
to accomplish its full purpose, because
the saving of the natural of
one country at the expense of those Of
another country would be of the same
order as the little boys demand to eat
his sisters apple first.
In an interview published in the
New York Herald nearly a month ago
the editor of The Bee called attention
to this feature In response to a ques-
impose an export duty On wood pulp
in case we put wood pulp on the free
list as follows:
If the Canadians thought our demand for
paper would ruin their forests they certainly
would impose such a duty. This question
is not a purely American question, anyhow.
1t is a part of the great problem of the
conservation of natural resources and is
bound to become a matter for international
agreement.
The preservation and renewal of the
forests by more intelligent use of the
timber constitutes only one item. 1t
is almost as important to us that the
coal deposits and minerals of other
countries be carefully conserved as
that our own be protected from waste
full consumption. Along with the de-
velopment of our own waterways, II
would be equally stimulating to our
trade and to have the water
ways of other countries likewise de-
veloped.
or course, the movement for the
conservation of natural resources can
not become worldwide over night.
The truth is that we are behind the
older countries Of Europe in this
work. The enlistment of Canada 'and
Mexico will add material strength to
1t and lead later to still further terri
torial expansion.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-29
Taking the Risk.
New York Sun Gep).

SE" " 1N
We infer from these portions Of the
opinion Of Justice Wright which have been
published that Messrs. Gompers and Nit
cheIl have taken the ground from the be-
ginning that there was no constitutional
power on the part Of the court which
granted the injunction in question to make
any such order. and that for this reason
they announced their intention from the
first to'pay no attention to its commands
This was a perfectly safe and correct
course OF conduct II they were right In
their assumption as 10 the power OF the
court. III the injunction was granted In
violation and therefore without any jpTis'
diction Il was absolutely null and void, and
il had no more force or effect In the view
OF the law than a piece Of blank paper
But the defendants in assuming this posi-
don took the risk Of ats being correct
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-29

Baltimore American Crep.l.

baiJiHOTe american Uep').
TIL verdict means that labor shall no
longer suffer the false leading of men
who confuse self-aggrandizement with
constitutional rights. 1t means that
hereafter the intelligent labor forces
may work out their interest in harmony
with the general veal of the country.
1t means that hereafter the law shall
be accorded fun recognition. 1t means
that the dangerous trend toward utter
confusion and class antagonism shall be
checked. The atmosphere has been
cleared and much of vagueness has been
~dissipated by the decision against the
men whom Judge Wright called boastful
and persistent violators of the law.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-29
Court Had No Alternative.

hdHsdS Oily oIdT NIIu.J'
In this particular contempt case the evi.
dence, so far as it is understood by the
general public, seems to have been so ex-
plicit that the court had no alternative
from conviction and sentence. If a way
could have been found to acquit the ac-
cused no doubt the country would have
been well satisfied. But no such way
seems to have been left open. Even now
there is left the privilege of appealing to a
still higher court or to the president for
pardon or clemency; but whatever is to
be done, must be done within the law, not
in defiance of the law, which. it is sub
mftted, leaves as large latitude as may
be safely allowed for the correction of
error.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-29
~NEBRAsKA's SKIES.

FaiTer skies no land possesses.
How Ger fair those skies may be.
Than arch DER Nebraska's pTairies.
Like a radiant canopy.
There's a glory IN the sunshine.
Tha Ger spreads Nebraska's plains
Which awakens In the heart-strlngs,
Grateful, glad. inspiring strains.
After-gleams OF golden beauty.
From the earth TO heaven arise,
When the glories OF the sunset
Light Nebraska's western skies.
Stars that stud the syrian heavens.
Never gave forth rays mOre bright,
Than are those which fail 80 richly
From Nebraska's gems OF nigga.
All this beauty OF the heavens.
Shines upon Nebraska's fields.
Till they laugh in bounteeas giadueaa
A. the wealth which Mature yields
omaha J. w. CDNLEA