Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-10-18
Things You Want to Know % e.: s:Si !

In addition to the departments and
bureaus described I'm previous articles
there are a number Of independent organ
izations in the government service. Fore
most among these is the Bureau Of Amer
lean Republics, whose principal aim Is the
cementing OF International ties Of friend
ship between the various republics Of the
New World. Prior TO 1883 there was only
a half-hearted understanding between the
United States and its sister nations in Cen
trail and South America, and much was
TO be desired in the way Of international
comfy. In that year the foremost states
men of the Americas became impressed
with the belief that the best interests Of
all the republics would be conserved by
holding an international American con-
ference, In which all the governments,
from Canada to the Straits of Magellan,
would take part Such conference was
held at Washington.
The most important outcome Of this con-
ference was a resolution favoring the es-
Establishment Of bureau to be supported
by the combined efforts Of the American
republics. The mission OIL this bureau was
to bring about such a state of interna-
tional neighborlness that the Americas
should be united in one great government
tai union for purposes Of commercial inter
course How well the Bureau of American
Republics has fulfilled this purpose is IL
lustrateu by the present feeling of friend
ship between the people OF the United
States and those of the republics south of
the Rio Grande. Under the dictatorship
of John Barrett ,his bureau mas encour-
aged the upbulding Of profitable trade re-
lations between the United States and her
southern nelghbors and has improved
every opportunity to bring about ,nterna-
tional cooperation for the best interests
of all the republics. The bureau issues
publication known as the Bulletin OF the
Bureau of American Republics This bull
letin gives a monthly synopsis of a. mat
tiers OF Pan-Amencan interest and pub
fishes such literature as enables the United
States on one hand and the Latn-Amer-
lean republics on the other to get one
another's viewpoint on questions OF inter-
national concern. 1t also publishes list
of all important opportunities for extend
ing trade relations between the various
republics. The Columbus Memorial library,
maintained under the auspices OF the
bureau, contains the finest collection of
Pan american literature in the world.
The United States Geographic Board rem
ders final decision as to the name and
proper spelling Of the hundreds of thou
sands of places in the United States and
it's possessions. In the publication of its
literature the government must have uni
formity of name and spelling, so it has
decided that the geographic board shall
canvass each case OF disputed name or
spelling and make a decision. in doing
this It may write dozens of letters and in
other ways make inquiries as to what name
or spelling has the best sanction of usage.
Its decisions are final, and are published
annually. The postal guide and all other
governmental publications conform to these
decisions. This board also has advisory
| powers with reference to. the making of all
maps under the government Jurisdiction.
The national home for disabled volunteer
soldiers has nine different branches, stu
ated in as many different localities in the
/ United States. Any volunteer soldier who
has been in the military service of the
United States may go to one of these
homes whenever he desires and find a
haven of refuge from poverty. These
| homes are supported by appropriations
| from the federal government. In addition
to the homes there is sanitarium in South
| Dakota where those who are suffering
| from tuberculosis and like diseases may go
! for treatment.
There is also a national home for veter-
ans of the regular army. This home is
| situated on the outskirts of Washington,
surrounded by some Of the most beauu-
! full and well-kept grounds in the United
States. 1t now has about 800 inmates,
| of whom $50 are bedridden and need the
constant care and attention of the physi-
clans of the home. Each month every
soldier in the regular army has l2k cents
deducted from his monthly pay and this
goes toward the maintenance of the home.
Any disabled soldier and any soldier who
has served for twenty years has a right
to live here. Here he can feel that he
| is in no way the recipient OF charity. as
he has contributed his share toward its
maintenance. Those veterans who desire
to work need not go outside Of the home
to do 80. An allowance of 40 cents a day
is given to those who help care for the
home and It's surrounding grounds.
| When Abraham Lincoln was president he
found at his home a retreat from the cares
Of state, and other chief magistrates since
that day have gone there for rest in what
lis known as the presidents cottage. The
old soldiers constitute a fitting guard OF