davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1911-03-05
Pearv Gets His Prize

Robert E. Peary will be entitled
rear admiral in the corps of civil engi-
neers as soon as the president signs
the bill passed by both houses of con-
gress, retiring him on full pay with
this distinction, dating from April g.,
1909, the day on which he reached the
North Pole. That is the highest civic
honor his nation can pay him. 1t lifts
Captain Peary, officially. out of the
mire of controversy surrounding his
claims of discovery and gives him an
unblemished title.
The one regrettable feature of the
whole transaction is that circum-
stances make it possible for any of his
countrymen, or other countrymen, to
question the validity of the explorers
claims. What he says he achieved
was the goal he set for himself away
back in the years that have gone, and
1t seems too bad indeed, that now
when finally he has come into his own,
as he maintains, he should find sin
gle shadow of doubt to mar his dis
tinction. But the government of the
United States, through its chief exec
utive and congress, has recognized
Captain Peary's achievement and
recorded It in history as bona fde.
1t would probably be asking too
much to expect that this recognition
be unanimous, either in or out of Off
cial circles, for no matter what
mans accomplishments may be, every
one is free to doubt them and him.
But what makes it bad in Pearys case
is the fact that Cook came in with his
absurd claims just ahead of Peary. In
spite of everything, this served, and
will serve, to discredit Peary with
many people, though Cook, himself,
admits he was overstating the facts
when he declared with bland assur-
ance that he discovered the North
Pole. And it is Worth noting that
Cook has never disputed Peary's
claims But whether Peary actually
came to the exact spot supposed to be
the North Pole or not, he probably
came so near it as to earn the credit
of discovery. He worked too long
and patiently, through years of priva-
ton and hardship to be denied great
distinction.
Omaha daily bee., 1911-03-05
New Laws for Friar Lands.

The house committee in the eXpir-
ing hours Of congress reported a COM
plete generation of the officials OF the
Philippine government involved in
the sale of the friar lands, so far as
any wrongful motive or act was con-
cerned That makes a closed incident
of the affair. II is probably just as
we'll, since it does not shut out the
important fact that $4,000 acres of
this land was sold to the Sugar trust
through one r. l.. Poole. This trans
action is a matter of record, having
been made so largely through the
testimony under oath of Horace Have
meyer. the present head of the Sugar
trust
While the house committee did not
seek 10 disprove the fact of this sale,
it simply found that in making It the
administration in the Philippines had
violated no moral or legal prOpTiety.
/ The sale was made under the laws ex-
listing, 1t is contended, and IL is the
laws, not the officials, that are held
accountable What our government
now should do is to enact laws that
will not permit a monopoly of any
kind to get control of these lands.
They should not be left subject to
predatory exploitation, but held for
the benefit Of the government and in
dividuals, Congress cannot make
haste too soon in remedying these con-
ditions
II is a matter Of much satisfaction
that, though the house committee on
this investigation divided and submit
ted a majority and minority report,
both sides agreed that the situation
was unavoidable and should be held
Omaha daily bee., 1911-03-05
SECULAR SHOTS an PULPIT,

Chicago Record Herald: Twenty-one
preachers in Boston and It's suburbs have
broken down owing to overwork Evidently
# is going to be difficult to save Boston
Cleveland Plain Dealer: II seems a pity
that noted preacher should give as a
reason Tor leaving New York thet he can
do no good there, There's a suggestion
Of the discouraged prophets OF old in his
hopeless tone
Washington Times: A Philadelphia m mis-
ter. while under the influence Of ether,
thought he went to heaven. whore he
recognized a number " his psrishioners.
The disappointment he felt on waking M
ought not to be so keen. however since he
sees how easy It Is to make the trip.
Brooklyn Eagle: Rev Charles Stelzle
SAYS every church should have an expert
advertising manager The prophets says
Mr.. Stelzle, were scnsRuonalists. Today
the real advertiser Is not a sensauonalist.
but a prophet The Bible is fun Of com
mands to publish the glad t.dlngs-the
word publish Is common in the mouths OF
the prophets
Springfield Republican: one OF Rev. Dr
Aked's deacons intimates rather cruelty
It seems that the doctor feels that he
would he placed At a disadvantage by the
coming Of Or Jowett to the Fifth Avenue
Presbyterian church. a block above uu Dr
Jowett Is one Of the most brilliant pulpit
orators In England" The Presbvterians
will have fine new church edifce on a
Fifth avenue corner. and that Is what
Dr. Aked feels TRrt cularly sore about adds
the deacon.
Omaha daily bee., 1911-03-05
Italians in America.

Last year 215,0O0 Italians came to
the United States. OF the 100000
or 5000, 900 in this country only about
$4,000 went back to Italy in 1910.
According to a native of Italy who is
now an American citizen actively en-
gagged in doing mission work among
his people in the larger American cit
les, Italians come over here mainly for
one purpose-to get money. They
succeed, as a rule. But he begs Amer
leans to help them see that money is
not the biggest thing in this free coun-
try; that they are only getting a small
part OF what America has to offer
when they confine their acquisition to
wealth He wants them to have ad-
vantage of religious and educational
opportunities and urges on Americans
the duty of seeing that these things
are extended to them.
American schools and churches are
open to the people from every land.
American organic laws guarantee to
people, regardless of race, color or
country, the right of religious and
civil liberty and the alien coming to
our shores has the same opportunity
in this direction as the man born here.
Only, of course, he does not know
how to take advantage of these OPP
portunities. Very we'll, Our institu-
tions and moral forces have taken ac-
count of that fact. They are ready
with their various organizations to
take the stranger by the hand and
show him the way. That is the work
these missions, to which our Italian
friend belongs, are doing.
In the squalid quarters of larger
cities, where people from foreign lands
often congregate, these social and re-
ligious workers are centering some
of their best efforts. Indeed, they have
not, nor has our national, state or
municipal government, overlooked
the Importance of this demand to
which our Italian-American directs at
tention. 1t is a big work and is being
done by big men and women with
such system as to show up excellent
results. The United States long ago
learned Of the loss It would sustain by
not doing this kind OF work. So that
year after year We are paying more
attention to 1t. This serves the good
purpose of helping to impress on the
newcomers mind the fact that We are
interested in his physical and moral
welfare, as well as his financial, and
paves the way TO his becoming a use
full American citizen.
Omaha daily bee., 1911-03-05
Exit Rnrkett.

With the adjournment OF congress
Elmer J. Burkett steps down and out
from the position OF United States sena-
tor into private life. When the returns
came in from the late election fore
shadowing the succession Of a demo
crat to the place occupied by Senator
Burkett, The Bee reminded his sue
cessful competitor that mis- signal ma
jority was to be construed not so much
as a vote for him as it was a vote of
lack of confidence in Senator Burkett.
We say it with reluctance, but we
believe truthfully, that for nan who
has been in public life at Washington
twelve years, six years as a member of
the lower house and six years in the
senate, Mr.. Burkett retircs with less
to show for his presence there than
any other senator who has ever aerved
from Nebraska in recent years, and
with fewer people really regretting it.
The reason for this is not hard to
find in the fact that Senator Burkett's
SLuuleu eIIOELS 10 pledbe SNefgDOuy
pleased nobody; that while by this
course be made few enemies he made
no friends, and that he is completely
wanting in consistent devotion to prin-
ciple and absolutely devoid of any
sense Of appreciation of what other
people do for him.
His standing in the senate rested on
similar basis-no side recognizing
him as a dependable member Of any
side, and it is safe to say that he will
be missed by his colleagues less than
any Of the outgoing senator's who
have served there as long as he has.
The most creditable measure of his
legislative career which has been writ
ten on the statute books over his name
is that for federal inspection OF loco
motive boilers which he championed
for one of the organizations Of rail-
way employees and secured its enact
ment few weeks ago.
Senator Burkett's case is simply
another of unseized opportunity, which
has made lusterless the names OF most
of the men sent by Nebraska to Wash
ington as United States senators.
Omaha daily bee., 1911-03-05
A FRIEND TO MAN.
Sam Walter Foss,

There are hermit souls that live withdrawn
There are souls, like stars, that dwell
in a feiiowless firmament;
There are pioneer souls that blaze their
where highways never rany ..'e. -Iu
But let me live by the side of the road se
And be friend to man ,.-
Let me live in house by the side Of the
Where the race Of men go by
The men who are good and the men who
AS good and as bad as l. - -.
] would not sit In the scOrner's seat,
Or hurl the cynic's ban. .
Let me live in a house by the side Of the
And be friend to man, 49,.
/ see from my house by the side Of the
By the side Of the highway Of life,
The men who press with the ardor OF hope,
The men who are faint with the strife
But turn not away from their smiles nor
Both parts of an infinite plan
Let me live in my house by the side OF the
And be a friend to man. q
l know there are brook-gIaddened meadows
ahead
And mountains OF wearisome height;
That the road passes on through the long
And stretches away to the night.
But still l rejoice when the travellers re
joice,
And weep with the strangers that moan,
Nor live in my house by the side OF the
road
Like a man who dwells alone, .r
"
Let me live in a house by the side Of the
road
Where the race of men go by
They are good, they are bad, they are
weak, they are strong,
Wise fOolish-so am ].
Then why should sit In the scorneTs seat,
or hurl the cynics ban2-
Let me live in my house by the side OF the
road
And be a friend TO man.
Omaha daily bee., 1911-03-05
BOOSTING 1MM1GRATION.


United Action in Behalf of Ten West
erR states,
Spokane Spokesman Review.
Omaha's Commercial club has originated
project that promises well for the de-
velopment OF the west.
II consists of an association for jointly
directing immigration and investment into
California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Ne
braska, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washing
ton and Wyoming Oddly enough, how
ever, New Mexico and Arizona, Hawaii
and Alaska are not included. nor Is any
reason apparent why Nebraska should be
in and Oklahoma and Kansas out.
Ex-Governor Brady OF Idaho has been
made president, and the members are to
consist OF five delegates at large from
each state, and of one from each railroad
operating In the state. Such promoters Of
publicity and development as Riley Atiin-
son OF Idaho and c: c. Chapman Of Port
land appear among the vice presidents.
There certainly seems 10 be room for
such an organization as this Western De-
velopment association claims to be. 1t can,
for example, unity the efforts of All the
chambers of commerce and commercial
clubs and bureaus OF publicity IN the vast
territory attempted to be covered, The
strength and resources and intelligence
Of all can be put at the service Of each.
II sectionalism, politics and class interests
are kept out OF the proposed organize
ton, It should become capable OF securing
results Of lasting value for the real de-
velopment OF the west.
Omaha daily bee., 1911-03-05
HERE'S TO you, DOCTORi
Package of Editorial Bouquets
Handed Up.

Boston Transcript
The lawyer we take into our confidence
when we get good and ready; the clergy
man we admit TO parlor and dining-room
but the doctor goes into bedrooms unan-
nounced. He goes in at a time when the
house, temporal and spiritual, has not been
set to rights for his reception but II what
he sees there surprises him, he seldom let's
1t be known. In the healing Of bodies he
has opportunities for healing souls which
could never come to priest, and with
which many priest could not deal He
Is the lay father. confessOr, regardless of
creed In cities his clubabiiity is famous.
He always fits. And clubs are justly full
of him. Any club member is always safe
in replying to any others salutation. Good
evening, doctor" He is a safe man on
committees he can turn his hand TO any
public business. and, II left alone, discharge
It creditGbly. He knows more psychology
in five minutes than the philosopher in a
week, and he is withal the least emotional
Of men. For when the lawyer is in tears
before jury, and the parson is ladling out
pathos from his pulpit, the doctor, cold and
pale, is Keeping his nerve. The peculiar
thing about him is that while fighting his
grim and silent battle with death without
the applause OF crowd, often without pay,
and sometimes without even gratitude, he
seems superior TO all these considerations.
He is RESPONDING to a higher sort OF no.
blesse oblige which is almost uninteliigible
to the average man, hot for the average
prizes Compared with the impetuosity of
military men, the 'ecstasles of religious
leaders and the silent tortitude Of starving
artists, the frozen enthusiasm Of the doctor
is a very curious manifestation. It may
be something in the training he gets, for.
no matter what the youngster may have
been, II his practice as a physician does
not bring It out And to him belongs the
final reward Of service, which is the in
creased opportunity for service.
Omaha daily bee., 1911-03-05
People and Events

The natural gas wells Of congress are
taking the rest cure treatment
Private assurances come from the gov
ernments bureau OF chemistry that Or.
Harvey wiley's honeymoon bears the pure
10y label
The sporting editor OF the Congressional
Record turned in a fine line Of hoi stuff
on the Wickersharn- Mondell bout, but the
sobsquad monopolized the space and
cruelty shut him out
A democratic official in New York state
decspitated forty-seven fflce-holders with
out seriously shortening the bread line.
The hero Of the deed earns a pedestal
in the party's haul Of fame
In sizing up the Father OF his Country
at birthday party, the socialist mayor
OF Milwaukee admitted that while George
Washington was q fairly good man he
couldn't qualify for mayor Of the Cream
city.
The prospective increase Of British peers
promises season Of keen competition
among American heirAssss outside the
millionaire class. A. reduction in value
Of foreign TUFTS would send a thrill OF
life into dough piles hitherto immune.
NVAAl AdSh VI ~ oANll VI AAANN ~ w
marks the financial end OF matrimonial
separations. While an Omaha man
coughed up $4,000 to cheer his retiring
partner on the way, a New York man
pocketed fl5OOOO for giving up his wife
Just as the lame ducks are waddlins
from Washington into obscurity Cleve-
land magistrate rules that while II is
lawful under certain circumstances to
knock down a man, II is decidedly unlaw-
full to hand him one" while he is down
Justice tempered with mercy OF a rare
quality was dispensed by California
court to a young man convicted OF en-
bezzling 5000 The sentence OF the court
was: You shall stay at home nights
YOU shall remain within the limits Of this
county; you shall not play billiards or
pool, frequet cafes or drink intoxicating
liquor, and YOU shall go Immediately to
work and keep at It until you have paid
back every dollar you stole. Violate these
terms and you go to prison"
Omaha daily bee., 1911-03-05
Limiting Skyscrapers.

The tide of public opinion seems to
be setting in against the sky-scraper
in the larger cities. This sentiment
is developing in both New York and
Chicago, where the demand for more
symmetry in architecture has arisen,
particularly in Chicago, now preparing
for a new era in municipal landscap-
ing In New York, where structures
have shot up as high as forty stories,
the demand for Limitation comes from
the City Commission on Congestion of
Population, which proposes that build
ings hereafter be limited to fourteen
stories or ia feet, and that within
certain prescribed districts factory
buildings go no higher than twelve
stories, and that tenements do not ex-
coed in height the width of the streets
on which they stand.
Such a recommendation represents
a radical departure, for heretofore
New York's craze for the soaring
building has seemed to know no
bounds It is not certain yet that the
proposal Of the commission will carry,
but it seems to have considerable
backing.
In the smaller cities of the country
the same reasons that impels this re-
form in New York do not exist, but
nevertheless there is in them a de-
mand for restriction in the height OF
buildings. Most cities like to boast
of one or two skyscrapers and, as a
matter of pride, It is well enough; it
gives a sort OF lofty air to commercial
importance. But there are reasons
for limiting the height Of structures
in these cities. One is the conserva-
ton of property values and another is
decent regard for civic beauty. or
architectural symmetry. Both are i'm
possible where no regard is paid to the
average, height of business blocks.
Some western cities, Denver among
them, have already placed limit on
their buildings and others have dis
cussed it. Omaha, for instance. Den
YER allows no building to go higher
than twelve stories.
Limiting the height OF buildings
must not be construed as limiting OF
circumscribing business energy or en-
terprise. 1t is but begging the ques-
ton to say that it is. Growing cities
cannot afford to be lax in their build
ing laws, for they lie at the very
foundation OF the superstructure o.
their municipal life
Omaha daily bee., 1911-03-05
The sirtv.Firrt conpress.

The congress which has Just ad-
iourned sine die must depend for pop
ular vindication upon its earlier
transactions. Its later ones do not
make a formidable appeal to public
approval The closing session was
the least active Of any. That proba-
bly, was to have been expected as a
consequence Of the political upheaval
last fall, which sealed the doom of so
many members. These results served
to accentuate factional strife and ere
ate eccentric circles of discord, which
neither the power of the president nor
that of party leaders in congress was
able to counterfeit or allay. The seed
sown by events transpiring soon after
President Taft came into office did not
die. but bore fruit, and this fruit has
been very bitter.
Two points OF contrast in the ear
lier and later periods of this congress
are notable At the beginning the
working harmony between the execu-
tive and congress produced more con-
structtve legislation than had ever
been produced in a similar period. At
the last the utter lack of harmony be-
tween these two forces resulted in lit
tie legislation of moment and the en-
actment of the most important OF all
proposed laws deferred to another ses-
sion. Conflict and confusion in the
ranks of the majority. leading to one
hilibuster after another, prevented any
systematic fulfllment of the presi-
dents program. The Lorimer case,
Of course, was also provocative Of i'll
results.
The Sixty-frst congress will be dis
tinguished for the epochal changes in
the rules in the mouse, which deprive
the speaker of much traditional power
and came near unseating Speaker Can
non entirely. 1t marks what undoubt-
eddy will become new era in Ameri-
can politics. The transition has cost the
republican party it's working majority
in congress and may, unless heroic
wisdom is brought to bear, be equally
costly in the national campaign next
year. 1t leaves the party that has
held sway for nearly fifteen years con-
tinuously disorganized and chaotic,
making necessary complete realign-
ment and cohesion Of forces before the
great task of national campaign may
be undertaken with any degree of
complacency. But, of course, this pre-
liminary work can, and probably will,
be done in time. We must not forget
that the democratic party's victory is
not a vindication of its principles so
much as it is a rebuke to republicans,
and that therefore all the democrats
can rightly claim is that they have
been given a trial. How they dis
charge their commission these next
two years will largely determine the
issue, and they, themselves, are feeling
none too sanguine of results.
Omaha daily bee., 1911-03-05
Polite TO Our Friends.

Some Americans are becoming sensi-
lively cautious in their treatment of
the Chinese and Japanese. They would
not for all the world offend them. You
hear little now about the dread Of the
yellow peril" Races that once we're
the object OF scorn. now are exalted
We bid them friendship at every turn.
We court Chinas patronage of our IL
nancial resources, we grant treaty con
cessiOns to Japan it could not have
feelings Of both under all conditions.
We exhaust our hospitality in enter
tanning Japans distinguished repre-
sentatives and hasten to return the
favor by preparing to send a delega-
ton Of our own representative citizens
20 the Flowery Kingdom. We send aid
to plague-ridden China and entreat
both countries to send their young
men to our educational institutions
and graciously grant China's request
to educate two youths at West Point,
our military school.
All this is well. for it makes for
peace and better commercial and
diplomatic relations. Furthermore 1t
tends to strengthen the arms and in
fluence of our Christian missionaries
over there. But now we have come to
the acme Of our amenities. We have
taken It on ourselves to see that JUS
tice is done to our eastern friends even
to the use Of the proper term of racial
designation. When the Japanese visit
ors were over here, systematic pains
were taken to see that they were not
referred to as laps, but always as
Japanese, for it grossly offends one
OF these proud little men to be put off
with the nickname Jap. So new we
are engaged in a discussion of China
men and Chinese, as to which is
proper. We say Americans, Germans,
Englishmen and no one takes offense.
But the pedantic taste will not toler-
ate Chinaman, any more than IT will
Jap. IL must be Chinese, just as it is
Siamese and japanese and 1t will hurt
the feelings Of your cultured friend
from that land II you do not use this
term. Far better say Chinesemen, one
ultra-pedantic authority tells us, than
to say simply, Cinnamon. And this
American scholar cites to us the fact
that our British friends always say
Chinese. So that must be proper.
Omaha daily bee., 1911-03-05
Social ovsr.snesding.

The advent of Lent, which used to
have only a religious aspect, must be
particularly welcome in these Twenti-
eth century days when 1t has come to
serve less as period of pepitence than
as a period of rest and recupera-
ton from social over-speeding. Com
petent observers have not failed to
note that the pace set by society in its
entertainments and designations has
been constantly and continuously
quickening, and the distance covered
under high-gear by the present-day So
cial butterfly during the season of pink
teas and bridge tournaments matches
up fairly we'll with that of the racing
auto car and the swift biplane. A
infinitely kept diary by a popular de-
butante in our fashionable circles
would be as much an eye-opener for
her great-grandmother as would a
view of a spiral glide. But the machin-
cry that propels the social speed
maniac has it's limitations the same as
the machinery of the automobile or Of
the airship and has to go to the re-
pair shop periodically for general
overhauling or preparation for either
the next race or display at tho next
exhibition 1t is just as important to
observe rules of social o7er-speeding
as it is rules regulating reckless driv-
ing closer to earth or at higher alti-
tudes