davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-04
LOWERING STEEL PRICES.

Now that the political phase of the
question has been eliminated, attention
may be called to the fact that even
the Steel trust, which democratic edi-
tors and speakers have held up as the
greatest of the industrial monopolies,
is not able to control the output or
prices in its special line, in face of COM
petition and a reduced demand.
Early in the era of depression which
began last October, the management of
the Steel trust made an effort to es-
tablish a policy of price maintenance.
1t was declared by Chairman Gary that
the company could not make any re-
auctions, even If raw material and la
Dor had been reduced in price, because
any change of the schedules would
simply result in unsettling business
conditions and preventing buyers from
making purchases except for immedi-
ate demands. The Independent con-
Germs, however, refused to accept this
, view of the situation and have been
prospecting by increased business at
reduced prices. They decided to meet
the demand for a lowering of prices
rather han remain Ia Improbable
idleness and the sales reports show
that these Independent concerns have
been doing an exceptionally good BUSH
ness, so much so in fact that the big
company has been compelled to make
price concessions in nearly all lines of
building Inc structural steel work,
The steel company still ~obstinately
adheres to the pool price" for steel
rails, but that is now higher than it
has been for several years, while
nearly all other material used in con-
struction and equipment for railroads
and building has been materially re-
duced.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-04
THE rLrorrnN RESULTS.

Returns received up to midnight,
while far from complete. indicate be-
yond question that the American vot-
ers have emphatically registered theiT
endorsement of the Roosevelt policies
and expressed a demand for their con-
tinuance under another republican ad-
ministration with william Howard
Taft of Ohio as the nations chief ex-
ecutive.
Mr.. Taft's overwhelming victory in
New York, indicated by early returns
and conceded by democratic managers,
would seem to end all hopes of the
triumph of Organism and to doom the
Nebraska leader to his third defeat.
The magnitude and impressiveness
of the republican victory will not be
fully known until final returns are in,
but II is already demonstrated beyond
question that the country prefers a
record OF achievement to one of prom
Use and theory.
Whatever the complete returns may
show, It is established that the people
do not and will not accept Organism
as a substitute for democracy. With
practically ali of the leaders of the
old-line democrats, who opposed Bryan
in 1896 and 1900, in line and working
for him in the campaign just closed,
the rank and file of his party east of
the Mississippi has refused to follow
him.
While Mr.. Taft has almost equalled
the remarkable vote polled by Mr..
Roosevelt in 1904, the Bryan vote in
the east has in some places fallen be-
low that given to Judge Parker. The
east remains "the enemy's country"
to Bryan and Organism.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-04

The car of Russia has recalled
Count Witte to st. Petersburg to o
fer with him on an important mission,
thus bringing from obseurity a figure
who inspired the world a little more
than two years ago. Count Witte has
played a most important part in Rus
sian affairs for a number of years and
his restoration to the advisorary conf
dence of the czar indicates that he is to
again figure prominently in Russian
affairs at a time when the car is in
need of wise counsel and efficient aid.
Perhaps the greatest monument to
Whites ability is the Transsiberian rail-
way, which was constructed under his
direction when he was the Russian
minister of finance. 1t marked the
empires first long step in material
progress in many a White is bet
ter known to the world. however, by
the part he played in the peace con-
ference at Portsmouth when he earned
the gratitude OF the ear and the Rus,
sian people by Saving Russla's face
at a time when the nations fortunes
were at the lowest. He even scored 8
triumph over the victorious Japs by Sc
caring peace terms that did not greatly
injure Russia's prestige or material in.
%terests.
Whites next great achievement wai
his success in convincing the czRr thai
Russia was ripe for representative gov
eminent. AS a result, the first Doums
was called, but when it was dissolved
Nltte had to bear the odlum of fail
ure. He lost the confidence of the czai
and since 1905 has been living in re
t%ireinent. His recall indicates that tbs
car has finally been won to- his con
tent;cn that the reforms desifNd mus,
be accomplished by suasion rathei
than by force, as attempted by ftoly
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-04
Personal n

An Englishman who came to this country
for the purpose of studying the campaign
has gone crazy.
Some comment is made upon the fact
that a Springfield millionaire has married
his photographer, this being due, of course.
to the general failure to grasp the beauty
and utility in the scheme of attending to
ones WI business.
Miss Florence Hayward, a leader in the
literary circles of st. Louis. once told a
story to the late Bret Harte which he
liked so well he asked her permission 10
write It. She refused. wrote it herself in
two days, and captured second prize in a
contest of LOO participants conducted by
the Sunset Magazine, the San Francisco
periodical.
Emperor William of Germany has sent
to DR.. ~Lettenbaur, the German consul OF
Cincinnati, o., a magnificent solid gold
medal to be presented TO the Columbus
Maennerchor upon the occasion Of tho
celebration Of the sixtieth anniversary OF
Its founding. The modal is OF the type
awarded by the emperor for great achieve
ment in art, literature and music.
The blind make books for the blind. as /.
illustrated in the Ziegler Magazine. now
printed in New York. One of the proof.
readers is a blind man who is working
his way through Columbia college. One
girl who is deaf, dumb and blind takes the
greatest delight in her work and her mother
says that until she began to work for the
ziegler she never knew her to smile.
Miss Dorothea Klumpke. OF California
the astronomer. who who was the first
woman to win the degree OF doctor Of math-
ematics in France, has a special building
forsher exquisite use in the great observa.
tory garden OF Paris. One OF her duties
is to photograph the stars in that section
OF the heavens known as the Paris belt
For this purpose she has made frequent
balloon ascensiOns.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-04
STREET RAILWAY EXPANSION.
Introduction Of Electricity Makes
for DEVELOPMENT.


In 1890 only a little more than IS per cent
OF the total mileage of the street and I'm.
terurban railway systems OF the United
States was operated by electricity. There
were then BIB miles OF such lines. The
total for 1907 was a little less than $4,000
miles less than 2 per cent Of which WIS
operated by power other than electric
Gables, steam or animals were used on
6,s6l miles Of line in 1890. BY 1886 only
2,SS7 miles were so operated. while the fig
ures for last year are T6 miles. Electricity
is now used on more than 5000 miles Of
street and interurban lines in the United
States.
Within ten years the number Of cars used
on so-called street car lines has Increased
from S. 72 10 S6.2O4. This is nearly twice
the total number OF passengers. baggage
and mail cars used or the steam railways
OF the country. Since 1900 there has been
an increase Of about HOO I'm the total
number OF cars other than freight cars
used on steam railways, and al increase
OF about 5000 In the number OF cars used
on the street car lines. Since 1897 the
steam railway system has been increased
by about 1890 miles, The capital stock Of
he street systems now exceeds ROO0,0O..
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-04
PENALTY OF REPUTATION.
Detroit Free Press.

Detroit Free Press.
I guess I'll run away from here an sail
For no one any longer seems to care a bit
I want fEn to be a pirate Or cowbs% sRetae
Or ip'raps I'll be a bandit an I'll hold up
railway trains.
I'm sick Of runnin' errands an a-doin' OF
I'm sick OF wipin' off my feet an closin'
I'm Sick Of everything there Is, but what
makes me feel blue,
Today / got a iickin' for a thing I didn't
do.
It's pretty tough to be a boy that's got an
awful name
For doing tricks, coz then II seems you
allus get the blame.
Becoz I've broken windows, an becoz I
chased a cat.
An becoz / threw a snow ball once at
Deacon Whites plug hat,
Whenever anything goes wrong they allus
1 guess they think no other boy can climb
An steal the fruit; an so it seems most
1 have to take a lickin' for things / didn't
do.
stoned a peddler's horse.
An when he ran away they came an
looked for me-, of course;
An when somebody put a snake in
Grandma Perkins bed.
That's one Of Dicky Watson's tricks"
was what the neighbors said.
An when somebody wheeled away Browns
baby cab and hid Il,
"There's nothiri to IT," they declared, but
Dicky Watson did. it."
It's "Dicky Watson" all the time. as
though they allus knew
Today 1 got a lickin' for a thing I didn't
do.
r amt complainin'; after all, maybe It's
just as we'll;
I'd ruther take a lickin' than on other
fellows tell.
But just the same, I wish Ia get awful
sick some day,
An have to lie up there in bed an not get
out to play,
Then maybe something would be done an
maybe they would see
That there are other boys around that are
as bad as me;
Then maybe they'd be sorry, an p'raps
they'd promise, too,
That they'd never, never lick me for tho
things / didn't do.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-04
COST OF ARMY RIDES.
Physical Endurance and Professional
Competency of Officers.
Washington Herald.

Washington Herald.
There has been more or less curiosity
concerning the cost in actual outlay on
the part of the government of the tests
in horsemanship imposed upon the army
by the president as an evidence OF sol
dierly ability. The physical endurance
was considered to have some occult rela-
ton to the professional competency of the
officer, since an officer, according to the
original scheme, who was not able to
take the prescribed ride on a horse at
stipulated gaits and under surveillance of
seniors to see that there were no irregu-
~larities was to be, and has since been, in
each case, retired from active service as
unfit and generally useless. OF course, in
taking these rides there was much travel
involved, and on one occasion several
officers who were stationed in Wyoming
went to New York by way of Washing
ton to submit themselves to the qualify
ing exaction. All of his meant much
travel, for which the participants received
the statutory mileage. 1t is now interest
ing TO observe that the expenditure by
the general government from the army
mileage appropriation amounts to about
S10,500 as the allowance of Officers who
rave Travelled from more or less distant
places to the point of concentration for
the rides. This represents the expenditure
for mileage on that account in the course
OF the last fiscal year. and the disbuTse-
ment will probably be more In the present
fiscal year. This is a brand new item
among mileage disbursements and in
creases the expenditure in that direction
to the extent named. 1t has, indeed, Tur-
nished one-tenth OF the increase of mile
age disbursements over the expenditures
of the preceding year.
Perhaps this expenditure has been
worth while. That viii largely be a matter
OF opinion, OF course. If the standard Of
qualification which has been established
by Mr.. Roosevelt is unfailing in its sepa-
ration OF the really useless from the
really useful army officers. then II must
be appreciated that the price paid, $40, 500.
was very reasonable; II, however. as
seems TO be most likely. the system mas
operated to retire useful officers. this ex-
penditure has all the characteristics of a
| wanton extravaganza
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-04
Electricity and Railways.
Philadelphia Inquirer.

There are now i'm the United States al
most 10000 miles of electrical railways, not
including the former steam railways, which
are using this power at the terminals.
There are plenty of men living who re-
member when there were not so many
miles of steam railway in the country. The
trolley, which was at. first a purely urban
institution. has become a competitor with
steam and it seems certain that a few
generations hence electricity will be the
great motive power on all railways unless
some invention of a superior quality is
brought out TO supplant both.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-04

900, or more than double the capital Of all
street and interurban lines ten years ago.
Using round figures, the trackage of the
various sections of the country stands
thus: New England. 5000 miles; Eastern
states, 10000 miles, central states. 1900
miles; southern states, 1900 miles; and
western states, 5000 miles. The capitaliza-
ton of the New England lines is on a
basis of an average of about $4,000 per
mile, as compared with an average Of
about $4,000 per mile for the rest of the
country. In the group .classed as Eastern
States capitalization exceeds for New
York state alone is about $4,000 a mile.
The future of electric railway systems is
beyond prediction. Every new year sees
them an increasingly important agent in
the social and industrial life Of the coun.
try.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-04

The School board could put an END
to all questions about safety and fire
risk in public school buildings of the
future by making 1t an invariable
practice to erect no more school build
ings except of strictly ireproof con-
struction. The money we are spend
ing on new school buildings in Omaha
ought to provide ~fireproof structures,
What we want for public schools are
plain, substantial, we'll ventilated and
convenient buildings without wasting
money on unnecessary ornamentation,
big assembly rooms and other luxuries.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-04
FIXING THE PRICE OF COAL.
Chief of the Anthracite BarOns Does
the Trick Readily.
Philadelphia Ledger.

az HNNbAAE
Philadelphia Ledger.
That Mr.. Baer, as president OF the Phlla-
delphia and Reading Coal and Iron com
pany. fixes the price at which the coal
mined by the company shall be sold to the
public is obvious enough. 1t ought not to
require an elaborate legal proceeding to
elicit that fact, nor an especially acute un-
Outstanding to interpret 1t. Neither does
the general public. with that rough-and-
ready faculty at arriving at judgments that
go directly to the heart of a subject. sweep.
ing away evasions and technicalities, fail
to see In the dual capacity of Mr.. Baer as
head of a coal-producing company and at
the same time head of the carrying COM
panies a grave injustice and an impro-
priety.
Legal requirements may possibly be sat
lstled by such a separation of corporate
activities as will permit Mr.. Baer to sit
down on one side OF his desk and fix the
price of coal, and then cross to the other
size OF the same desk and-in another
capacity-fix the freight rates on that COM
modify and determine what coal producers
shall have the opportunity of reaching a
market. Such a Pooh Bah" performance
renders absurdly ridiculous the pretense
that the spirit of the law is being complied
with, and that the common carriers are
giving a fair service to all corners and
favor to none. Whatever may be the out
come Of the present litigation instituted
by the federal government, the public will
never be satisfied with a settlement OF the
questions at Issue that has for its basis
a fiction such as that by which the Read
ing railway and coal-producing interests
have been separated"
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-04
A Neglected TERRITORY,

washington Post.
The recent celebration of the forty-flrst
anniversary of the formal taking over of
Alaska by the United States is made the
occasion of vigorous protests by Alaskans
against the neglect OF the federal govern
ment, A great territory, one of the rich
est possessions of the United States, with
a population larger than that Of many
states when admitted to the union, has
scarcely a vestige of self-government-not
even a legislature, although there are
cynics who insist that the lack of a legis-
lature is something to be thankful for.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-04
REGISTRATION COMPARISONS.

REGISTRATION COMPARISONS.
The Kansas City Times has compiled
some interesting figures for COMPARE
son of registration in the growing
cities of the central west, and while
these figures are by no means con-
elusive, they are useful. at least, in
showing us where we are at. The
table for these cities is as follows:
Kansas City ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Minneapolis ..,..."...s..."''"'5oSo
st. ul.....''....,.......'.'"."'SSdo S
Omaha
st. Joseph
This table does not do full justice to
Omaha because of the fact that South
Omaha, which is really part of the city
and must eventually be consolidated
with it, has registered separately $500
voters, which, IL added to Omaha's
registration, would give us nearly
$4,000 registered voters. On the
other hand, Kansas City would seek
to Offset this by pointing to the regis
tration of Kansas City, Kan, which in
cludes 1925 names, but Kansas City,
Kan, can never become part Of Kan
sas City proper because the former is
in a different state. Kansas City,
Kan, in it's relation to Kansas City
occupies the position of Council Bluffs
in its relation to Omaha.
Aside from all this, however, IL reg
~istration comparisons are valid, Kansas
City has approximately twice the popu-
lation Of Omaha. Minneapolis is al
most as large as Kansas City. st.
Paul is only so per cent greater in
population than Omaha, and Omaha,
although classed by the last census as
smaller than st. Joseph, is really hall
again as large as st. Joseph-all this
without counting South Omaha as
part of Omaha. Adding in South
Omaha to Omaha would leave Kansas
City quite a little short of being twice
in size, would make st. Paul only 20
per cent larger than Omaha and would
make Omaha nearly twice as large az
st. Joseph.
The registration figures are uniform
in all these cities in one thing-they
show up more registered voters than
w before and prove beyond contra.
diction that they are all steadily grow.
ing. If Omaha keeps up it's gait of the
last few years we may be sure wher
the next census ONE that Omaha will
be found to have gained substantial!
on the others in the list.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-04
oATEoHrsINq BANK DIRECTORS.


Comptroller of the Currency Muir
rays new order and instructions to
national bank examiners are aimed di-
rectly at one of the weak spots in bank
administration and their enforcement
promises to Go much to insure honest
ind efficient management of the insti-
tutions involved. The order provides
that the first duty of the bank exami-
ner shall be to summon a meeting of
the directors of the institution and in
vite them to answer a list of twenty
five questions prepared for the pur-
pose of ueicrmining whether their Of
fetal duties are being faithfully and
properly discharged.
The importance of such catechism
has recently been emphasized by the
disclosures in the Investigations into
the Morse banks in New York. In
most cases Of bank failures 1t develops
that the supervisory arrangements of
banks has been left to directors who
do not direct. In too many cases men
have been placed on the directorate
of banks who pay no attention what
ever to the administration of the in
situations. serving merely as figure
heads and leaving the active manage
ment of the hanks to their subordi-
mates. In many cases directors have
been chosen becarse of their standing
in the community n their conf
dence-winning powers, but never
bother themselves about the details
of the concern The new order will
change all that ano will compel direc-
tors to be vigilant and earnest in the
performance -of their duties, as it will
hold them responsible for the manage
ment of the hanks. The new order, II
rigidly enforced. should work to
strengthen public confidence in all the
banks straightforwardly run.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-04

The Italian minister Of marine has
granted the duke Of the Abruzzi leave
of absence for three months, with per-
mission to travel abroad. Senator
Elkins may begin to believe that there
is something in those wedding rumors
of which he has not heard.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-04

Louisiana treasure seekers admit
that they can find no trace Of the gold
supposed to have been hidden in that
state by LATTE, the pirate. Some
thing like $4,000 in pirate gold sent
to this state in 1904 has not been dis
covered, either, although both Mayor
Jim and Brother-in-Law Tom are
supposed to have seer II.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-04
Noise and Deafness.
Washington Post.

The rapid increase of deafness among
city jewellers is attributed by physicians to
the noises of the street, and in many of
the larger American cities active cam
paigns are being waged against what is
becoming an intolerable nuisance and a
menace to health. 1nvaifds and night work
ers. forced to sleep by day. have rights
which even the most militant commercial
ism should be forced to recognize.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-04

The returns will probably show that
Pierre Lorillard, jr., who ran for the
legislature in New York and frankly
told his hearers that he knew nothing
about the tariff or the labor question,
has been elected. Such honesty should
be recognized and rewarded.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-04

Washington authorities nave decided
not to burn the thousands of models
in the patent once, That's proper.
The country cannot have too many
models.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-04

DR.. Lyman Abbott, the veteran edi-
tor Of Outlook, says that he has never
encountered a trouble that was too
much for him. Let him wait until his
new associate editor goes to work after
that African lion hunt.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-04

If Mr.. Bryan should make gains in
any part Of Nebraska they may be
ascribed to the fact hat for the first
time he has failed to make a tail-end
tour of his home state on the day be-
fore election.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-04

Japan took its nrst lesson in the art
of war from the United States, back in
Commodore PeFTy's time. Now the
two countries are united In teaching
the other nations the lessons Of peace.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-04

or the ridiculous incidents of the
campaign the hnai warning of the local
democratic committee against IAN
effort to steal the election from Mr..
Bryan" should be awarded the prize.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-04

Missionaries report that the Chinese
have abandoned the use of opium and
are o smoking Turkish cigarettes.
Still. 1t is difficult to hail that as re-
form.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-04

An Englishman who came to this
country in October to study the cam
paign has been returned home insane.
He is just in the proper. condition now
to write n of those English books on
America.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-04
More Room to spread.
Washington Post

The knights of the dusty roads and
brake beams hail with delight the return
to active service Of $4,000 freight cars of
the 10000 idle in April. Prosperity smiles
for all alike
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-04

With N eye to timeliness in the pub
LEGATION of its bulletins, the Depart
ment OF Agriculture has just issued a
treatise on THE Status of the Amer
ioan Lemon Industry"
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-04

Russia is 10 build IN imperial print
ing plant, to be modelled after the gov
eminent printing once at Washington.
No nation in the world is in greater
need Of printing plants han Russia.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-04
Entitled to Promotion.

New IOrK sun,
As an honorary member of the great
Jokesmlths union Mr.. John d.
Rockefeller has certainly justified the fact
of his election. Indeed he has almost dem
onstrated his fitness to be rated in the
professional grade.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-04

When the Liquor Dealers assOcia-
tion and the Anti-Saloon league are
brought TO Join hands to boost for the
democratic ticket you can be sure
there is something crooked behind It.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-04

orders from headquarters. The rail
road bosses in Nebraska ought to have
learned enough by past experience to
know when to let well enough alone.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-04

The duke of the Abruzzi has only
about a dozen more in-laws whose per-
mission must be secured before he can
marry.