davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1910-03-12
IDLE LAND THE COUNTRY OVER
More Abandoned Farms in the United
States Than at Any Time in
Its History.

The idea prevails in some quarters that,
with the approaching end of free land In
the west, the era Of abandoned farms will
ing could be more erroneous. There never
were more abandoned farms in the history
Of the United States than there are today.
There never was a period in the history
Of the world-not excepting times Of war
and famine-when such uniformly high
prices ruled for farm products, when the
world demand was SO uniformly greater
than the world supply; and there never has
been a period-as far as the United States
is concerned-when there were so many
abandoned farms, when there existed such
a uniform deterioration In farm values,
such a uniform and persistent movement
away from the land TO the town in the
sections Of the country known as the
abandoned farm areas.
Take the United States as a whoIe-on
January 1, 1903, according TO special returns
gathered by the conservation commission,
there were 5000 square miles Of abandoned
farms, chiefly in New England, New York.
the southeast and the middle central states,
That is, there are In the United States at
present 100000 acres Of abandoned farms
an area the same as all that part of the
Canadian northwest that Is cultivated. III.
teen times the size OF Rhode Island, four
times the size Of Connecticut, twice the
size Of Massachusetts, twice the size of
New Jersey. Averaging up all the farms OF
the United States, the size per farm Is JAG
Omaha daily bee., 1910-03-12

In his pockets because Of the danger that
society would encounter In such moments
OF excitement as are likely to occur in or
binary daily experience. Just so there is
a danger that nations. upon slight provo
cation or no provocation at all, will de-
clare war upon each other when each
knows itself to be dangerously armed and
prepared for war. Instead of being a
guaranty for peace, therefore, It seems TO
me that great ornaments are a menace TO
tranquility. There is no real reason for
international war. The age was when IL
was thought possible for only one great
nation to exist in the world at a time.
Now we know that great nations are
necessary to each other, and as long as
geographical and climatic conditions re-
main as they are all Of them can grow
great side by side, In this era OF national
specialization we need the products OF
other countries to aid us In deriving all
the comforts and luxuries Of life. To gain
all there is out OF international life, just
as in private life, peace is desirable. In
~ternational commerce, International trade,
international languages. international art
and literature, international political influ-
ence and example all demand that perma-
nent peace be maintained, and none OF
them can flourish upon international war,
But the selfishness handed down from
barbaric ages, the distrust that has de-
scended from the misty past, prevents.
Peace without Arms.
The world must decide in. favor OF peace
without arms some time. however. II 1t
does not IL will be crushed by the very
weight OF the armies and the nRvies It Is
building, Some worldwide federation for
the insurance OF international peace must
be substituted for the growing armies and
sea powers. Just how this will be brought
about l do not pretend to tell. II must
come somehow, some time. 70 save the
world from bankruptcy. Perhaps when the
nations OF the world awake 70 a ~rsaliza-
ton OF the fact that In the fattening ar
mics and navies is found the cause Of the
lean larders-thO increased cost Of living
OF the people they will take steps 70 turn
their battleships into merchantmen and
their cannon into steel rails
Omaha daily bee., 1910-03-12

acres; so that there are enough abandoned
farms to set up 10000 farmers. Doesn't
look very much as II the abandoned farms
were decreasing, does It, though one hears
general rumors to that effect constantly
rake the abandoned farm areas by sec
tions-in New York state between 1880 and
1900 more than 1900 farms were abandoned.
more than 10000 people left the country
for the city; twenty agricultural districts
showed a decrease in population. II New
York land were worked to it's full capacity
II would support a population equal to
France, between thirty and forty million
people. As matters stand, the population
Is over 100000; but 100000 OF these are
city people, who draw their sustenance
from other states. Practically. only a little
over 100000 are drawing their support
directly from the soil.
The same story could be told OF all New
England with the exception of parts OF
Maine and Massachusetts,. The funny
mans description OF crops Of moss from
New York, summer boarders for New
Hampshire, summer swells for Massa-
and commuters from New Jer-
sey' Is, Of course, an exaggeratlon; but
II is an exaggeration that has a lot OF
truth in it.-Agnes c. Lsut in Golfers.
Omaha daily bee., 1910-03-12

priatlons during the eight-year period that
I mention and you will have a total OF
81, or, 000, 900, a sum exceeding by more than
S15S, 900, 900 the total interest-bearing debt
OF the United States. The sum total OF
the increase is even greater than the stu
pendous sum appropriated for all govern
mental purposes for the year 1910.
The DreadnOusht erase.
/ may be lacking in perception, burt I
confess hat 1 can see no valid reason for
engaging in this latter day "-Dreadnought
craze hat has taken possession OF the
United States along with the other great
powers OF the world. We seem to be bent
now on eXcelllng all other nations in the
size and number OF big battleships that
we are to build each year. II there is any
reason to apprehend war with any foreign
power within the next decade it has been
carefully concealed from the legislative
branch OF the government. We saw that
we could spare sixteen OF our great battle
ships from our coasts for practically a
year. We might just as well spare them
for ten.
Are we to entirely ignore our splendid
geographical isolation? Are we to entirely
ignore the physical facts that makes It
practically impossible with the modern
means Of warfare for any nation to invade
our territory or come within range of our
coast line without being intercepted by the
means Of defense we now have at our
commando The transport service OF no
European nation is sufficient, even with
out opposition, to land upon American soil
an army OF 10000 men at a given time.
There Is no country in the orient that has
- - -NaAa-
our Pacific coast. and no oriental nation
would be so reckless OF it's own interests
as TO risk the loss OF it's navy or its fleet
by attempting to'send II past the Hawaiian
islands for the purpose OF attacking us
upon the Pacific coast. 1t would know
what is plain to every mind. that without
a naval base between the object Of its at
tack and It's home ports, and without its
vessels being able to stop somewhere to
coal and repair they would never return.
In times OF war the ports OF every ounty
Omaha daily bee., 1910-03-12

war budgets of Japan, Russia, Austria,
Italy, Spain and other great powers Of the
world, all Of whom are groaning under
the weight of the gladiators they are car
rying on their backs, you will nave a
grand total cost Of armed peace 30 large
that the human mind can scarcely COM
prehend its magnitude.
Even though we are now appropriating
" per cent of our revenues for the wars
past and the wars to come, there Is no hint
OF a stop in this program, or even a
pause The wal budgets OF the world are
increasing rapidly and enormously every
year, and we are doing our best to keep up
with the procession. II we do as we'll in this
line during the next few years as we have
since the war will Spain II will be only a
question OF time when the whole country
Will be working. not for the pursuit OF
happiness, not for the education OF the r4s-
ing generation and the support Of the family,
not for the upbuilding OF arts and
sciences, but for the feeding. the arming
and the uniforming OF the mightisst mill
tary establishment the world has ever
known.
More Than Ever This Year.
Look at the showing OF the figures. Inn
mediRtely preceding the war with Spain
the annual expenditure for the army was
SAC 900. Thai was the yearly army bud
get for eight years preceding the Spanish
war. For the eight years following that
war the appropriation leaped TO more than
SsiOOO,O0 a year. This year we are asked
to appropriate more than S95, OOo,O0
The increase In the sums appropriated
for the navy for the same periods is about
S@oOooOoo, a sum larger than the total ex-
penditures Of the government for any year
previous to the Spanish war. and large
enough, oar friends interested in water
ways Improvements tell US, TO make the
great Mississippi river and it's tributaries
n~Avtgahls for thousands Of miles and to
carry out the entire scheme OF deepening
and broadening OF hannels that the ad-
~vocates are now attempting by convention
and educational ~rOpaganda 70 enact into
law.
Add the Increase in the army ~approprla-
lions to the Increase in the navy appro-
Omaha daily bee., 1910-03-12
HUGE COST OF ARMED PEACE
what il Means to Spend Two Billions
\ Annually for Defense.
DRAIN ON WORLDS RESOURCES
states All Other
acknowledgements TRwney
Reviews the situation at
Home and Abroad.

&'NO nation in the world approaches our
expenditures on account Of wars past and
Wars 10 come says Congressman Tawney,
chairman Of the appropriations committee,
81 a discussion OF armed peace in the
New York Times. In support OF the de-
claration Mr.. Tawney submits these facts
and figures;
In proportion to the size Of our army and
navy we are expanding about 100 per cent
more than any other power In the world.
The. total expenditures OF the United
States, Great Britain, Germany and France
on account OF their armies and navies is. in
round numbers, N,OOOOOO,OO a year. II you
add to this colossal sum the tremendous
Omaha daily bee., 1910-03-12
Omaha'S Greatest Silk Sale Monday

Sample Kid Gloves-All colors
and sizes; 800 values, satur-
day, at $50
Omaha daily bee., 1910-03-12

Many a true word Is spoken In gesture.
Happy is the man who can turn business
into pleasure.
A whole lte sometimes takes less trouble
than a half truth.
some people, like some things. impress
US as being too good to be true New York
Times.
Omaha daily bee., 1910-03-12

in the world are closed to the navies OF the
o~ontending nations, and each OF the COM
batants is driven to rely upon it's own
ports for supplies and for the means OF
carrying on naval warfare.
Omaha daily bee., 1910-03-12
DIHgraccfuI Conduct

OF liver and bowels, in refusing to act, Is
quickly remedied with DR.. Kings New Life
PMS. Ao. For sale by Beaton Drug co.
Omaha daily bee., 1910-03-12

Ladies and Children's Hose
Big Special Sale Saturday-at
HALF PRICE.
Omaha daily bee., 1910-03-12

in the world are closed to the navies OF the
~contending nations, and each OF the COM
batants is driven to rely upon it's own
ports for supplies and for the means Of
carrying on naval warfare.
One Years Expenditure.
Our splendid fleet Of battleships that
went around the world could not even start
on its record breaking voyage without the
aid Of at least twenty-eight auxiliary yes
sells flying foreign flags, and 1t was able
to complete the great journey only with
their assistance. without the use OF those
foreign coalers and auxiliary ships OF va
rious kinds the trip would not have even
been a first-class fizzle-It would never
have been begun.
Last year the United States spent nearly
sSo,OoO,ooo more in it's preparations for war
than It spent on all it's public buildings
throughout the country since the govern
ment was established, exclusive Of the pub
lie buildings in Washington Itself.
IF you will a the worlds figures Of
1908, the last obtainable, you will find that
my statement to the effect that proper
tionately we are spending more money for
wars past and to come was made advlsedly.
We are spending only $35, 900, 900 less an
nually upon our army and navy than Ger
many with an army twelve times as large
as ours and a navy half again as large.
Great Britain, with an army four times
and a navy three times as big as ours
spends only $50. 5000 more each year: and
France, with an army Of 5000 men and a
navy Of 5000. does not spend as much an
nually upon them as we do by more than
10000, 900 in the course OF the year. TAX
Ing the sum total Of the figures OF the cost
Of preparation for war and Of wars past
the United States is spending yearly tsA-
100000 more than England. sisSJOOO.O0O more
than Germany, and tlS2. 10000 more than
France.
Why Should We Go AFmsdI
In all civiliEed countries the use OF arms
In everyday life is discouraged and even
prohibited, There is nc more reason why
the nation should go armed In time OF
peace than the individual. We do not al
low the citizen TO so about with rsvolvers
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-11

fence in the work of this organization, and Is well qualified to see that everything Is properly handled.
 7 A special effort of this sort means much extra hard work for the officers and sol diers of the army.
 The Christmas kettles are now on the streets and the major Is hoping to raise a good sum in that way.
 Not only are the demands great at this season. but the calls are many right along. There are many poor and deserv- ing people who turn to the Salvation Army when they would go to no one else. They do not want it known that they are having hard luck. All cases are investi- gated thoroughly.
 The baskets will be given out on Christ mas eve from the army hall and on the Wednesday following, the 18th, there will be treat for poor children, when toys, candies, necessary articles of clothing, etc., will be given to the little ones
 Major Barter states that all who wish to contribute toward the Christmas din ner and winter relief fund may send their donations to the headquarters, 2141h North Twentieth street.
 If any of the friends have toys that they would like to send along for the chill drens treat the major would be very glad to receive them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-11
GREAT HOSPITAL
 IN LONDON This Institution Was Founded in the Year 1740 MODEL FOR THE WORLD Relics of Pre-Anaesthctic Days Still Preserved-One Who Refused Op- eration Was Turned Out
 in Disgrace
MODEL FOR THE WORLD
.. P. Bell in the Chicago News.

T.. r. Bell in the Chicago News.
 London.-Recent publications give q graphic account of the London hospital. founded in i74o by seven men met for the purpose in the bar parlor of the Feathers Tavern, Cheapside. It had neither resident doctor nor nurses-iust man and his wife to look after the patients. and a doctor, a surgeon and a chemist, each of whom came for two hours a day. After the hospital had been open for year 1t was run at total cost of Sl0O0 annually; at present 1t spends on laundry alone s9O,OOo year. It costs more than s10ooO to spring clean the place. The buildings are now worth S2,500, 0O0.
 One of the. first patients treated in the hospital was a costerminger, who paid for his treatment with two fine had docks. In 1903, when King Edward opened an additional building. he said:
 "I wish to record my deep feeling of gratitude to this hospital. which at the time of my severe Illness provided me with 50 distinguished a surgean as Sir Frederick Treves, with an anaestheist in pr. Hewitt and with two such nurses as Nurse Haines and Nurse Tarr, whose un- ceasing attention I cannot sufficiently praise. declare this building open and may Gods blessing rest on all who come -~>~~~~>~~~~~~ campaign. There will be plenty of work for the whip this session. President press to a vote in the House. and 1t win be the duty of the whip to see that all the republicans are on hand, and to uso his influence with the insurgents to stand by the administrators legislative pro- gramme. Whip Dwight says the results of the November elections will not damp en the ardor of the republicans at the short session, and his information is that the majority will pull together.
 The retirement of Senators Aldrich. Hale, Burrows, Carter, Beveridge, Dick. Flint, Scott and Warner on the 4th of next month. makes big gap in the ranks of the republican old guard and gives to the progressives in the Senate the oppor- tunity to reorganize that body on pro gressive lines. There Is plenty of talk around the corridors of the Senate that tue democrats and progressives will join hands in the next Congress and make division of the committee chairmanships, with the view of obtaining harmony in legislation favored by the progressives. This would include, 1t is believed, cer- tain amendments to the tariff law. Those familiar with the history of the Senate say that it is possible to amend several schedules of the Payne-Aldrich tariff law. while it would be practically impossible to pass a tariff law governing general revision at the next Congress. Progress sive senators like LaFollette of Wiscon- sin, Cummins of Iowa and Bristow of Kansas. say they will continue their fight for progressive legislation, and that they will exert themselves to obtain it. This means, say the standpat senators, that the progressives will not hesitate to bar gain with the democrats
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-11

The people of this city will be glad to learn that the Salvation Army is again supplying the worthy poor of Birming- ham with a good Christmas dinner, a basket complete for each family. Speak ing of the work & member of the army said yesterday:
 Christmas day to most of us means day of joy, of good fellowship. We clasp the hands of those we have been sepa- rated from; we exchange present with dear ones; we feast upon the good things of life: the children bubble over with joy because of the toys and gifts that are theirs
 Alas! In thousands of homes there will be no kind words said, no hearty greetings, no tree erected for the chill dren, no presents exchanged. Instead of the good things of life, the gnawing of hunger and an empty cupboard, cold and cheerless house, poverty and suffer- ing" a
 Mai M, Elizabeth Barter, divisional of ficer for the work of the Salvation Army in this section of the country, with head quarters in Birmingham, has direct over sight of the Christmas dinner and winter relief work.
 The major has had over 20 years exper-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-11
Bill Vines On Southern "Shivvelry"

faults. We air frauds. For real shiv- we must treet all alike or we air out on .'bobtail." Now look the same seen: crowded car, and in comes an Ole Made; she is not dressed in the latest fas- sion; she has on a 1910 model hat; hur dress is of ansient vintage; hur hare is thin, and has wire under 1t to make it stand up; and it don't stand up; she has no gluvs, or if enny they air cotton; hur feeturs air plane and unadorned with pant or powder; hur lamps air crossed and one of them gaizes pensively into Morrow County and the uther inspecks Calhoon. In short she is ugly. But, she is 9S per cent woman. and % per cent fixings. What happens? Evvery sun-of- a-gun on that car is reeding the foot holding to strap while our boasted shiv- velry and inherrint gallintry dies a dis rorerabul death and is buried in d paupers grave. This Is no joke; I have seen to it fifty times in Birmingham in a week. -.s a shame.
 Let us of the South keep up our repu- taslon Mistur Edditur or no longer boast of it. Let us at all times, set up and take notis of the rattle of skert, moor samer and quicker than the late G. o. P did at a campaign donasion. Whether the wearer of the skert be ugly or buti- full, ole or yung, in fassion or out, let the skert be sufficient Unless we do we of- han rr,an Uo oir Frauds. Yours trooly. BILL VINES.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-11

Mistur Edditur:
 There is no use talking man, that is us men, air susceptible to the butifull. Especially the butifull in wimmin.
 We air not what you mite call discrim- mating eether regret to say, we air fre- auent misled by the faults and elusive. We air not judges of reel buty. ou take the boasted shivvelry of the South, and It newer Shivs to enny thing that is not butifull, or at least to enny thing 1t thinks is not butifull About 15-16ths of our shivvelry is 4-fiushing and that's the truth. and the rest is "hot are" beleeve me. Man is fraudulint in his gallintry Mistur Edditur, and I'm ashamed to say it.
 You get on a street car loaded down with us men. All of us setting in com furtabull seets; then let butifull yung thing about IT, or 39 years of age, get on the car: she Is dressed in the latest fas- sion, she wears tub-marine hat, and hobble skert; she has dimunds and kidd giuvs; she has 75 cents wurth of chicken wire under shur hair to make it stand up; and it stands up. She has pant on hur feeturs and pads on hur curves; in preef she is sS per cent fixings and per cent gurl. What. What happens. Why old shivvelry gets bizzy. Instantly evvery "Onion' on that car is on his feet and sings out "have my sect Miss" and we bow and scrape to beet the band, and usually the marryed men air the most
 th,ta trrn 0p for being shivverus, MT. Edditur, it IS
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-11
A CHRISTMAS IN NORWAY
BY CHARLES woRsoE

lowing menu: Boiled rice, plentifully sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon;, roast of venison, vegetables of all kinds, cakes nuts, fruit and sweet wine. After din ner the time is spent in merrymaking until bedtime. Bright and early Christ mas morning everybody is reused out of bed, so that they can get themselves ready for the early Christmas service in church. which begins at o'clock There are two more services Christmas day and two the following day. From the third day to New Years eve at oclock, business has again resumed. New Years eve Is spent in many households as family reunion. New Years day there are two services in the church. the same the day after. The 12th day after Christmas Is the last day of the festivities; there has been one round of merrv-making from Christmas eve until
 There are many old time customs in connection with the Christmas celebra- tion that are observed.
 On Christmas eve, while dinner is in progress, the servants are busy prepar- Ing huge bowls of rice, which afterwards are taken out to the yard and outhouses and put in every corner that can be found; this is done to insure the good fairies. protection of the household; this custom is especially observed among the peasants.
 Another custom Is the feeding of the little birds; sheaves of wheat are put on long poles, these are nailed to the gables and ohimneys of the houses; that the birds appreciate this can be seen by the way they flock around the sheaves, only stopping to express their appreciation in song.
 Amongst the peasants the week between Christmas and New Years is one of a continuous round of merry making. In order to fully understand the custom I am about to describe I will have to make a few explanations as to the condi- ton amongst the peasants.
 The land In Norway is mostly owned by landowners in tracts of several hun dred acres; some of these landowners have as many as 50 or 50 tenants; these tenants are given a home, a plot of land for garden, COW and some sheep, but are mostly fed by the landowner as the whole family generally works for him. Before Christmas the homes of these
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-11
THE MAsQUERADERs
Local Talent Will Present seThe Title
 a. as Mart" Next Tuesday Night

At the Jefferson theatre Tuesday night, December IS, the Masqueraders will pre- sent Winston Churchill's wittiest and brightest comedy, 'The Title Mart
 The play depicts in an amusing manner, full of startling incidents, the efforts of . wealthy American woman to marry her daughter to an impecunious English lord. Through series of misunderstanding she actually proposes for her daughter to the son of an English china matiufacturer while the real lord falls in love with her daughter, mistalSing her for an actress { The members of the cast are Mrs. Will lard Sullivan. Miss Serena Kirkpatrick, : Miss Emily NIorriss. and Miss Florence Smith, MT. Arthur Mohan, MT. Fl. W. Tredinnick, MT. Hugh Martin, Mir A. B. White, MT. J. w. Ager, Mir Hubbert Smith, Mir woodruff George. Mr. James : Coleman, and MT. John Marks.
 : The proceeds are to be given to the St. 6 Nary's free kindergarten.