davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1916-12-15
Pensions and Pensioners

A pension, like an annuity. is an encourage
ment to longevity. The report Of Secretary of the
Interior Lane shows that while no soldiers of the
war of 1872 are left. the names of lis widows OF
soldiers in that war are still on the pension rolls
Presumably these were young women who mar
ried ancient men, but all must be stricken in years
by this time. OF the Mexican war over nearly
seventy years ago, there are 5l5 living soldier
pensioners and 3,78S widows. On June 80. 1916
there were 362277 pensioncd soldiers of the civil
war, decrease of $4,000 in year. On the same
date the number of widows OF civil war soldiers
was 287,753, a decrease Of 1884. This is the sec.
ond year Of decrease. Till 1915 there had always
been an increase.
The greatest number Of civil war soldiers on
the pension list, 745,822 was in 1898. More than
half have gone since then. The greatest num-
Der OF widows, 304,37j, was in 1912 There were
7Oo.572 pensioners on June 80, 1916, 3S,S7s less
than on June So 1915. The amount paid for pen
sions was sl59,lSS,09O. some 100000 less than
in the preceding year.
From July !. 1870, to July |, 1916, the govern
mcnt has paid for pensions s5.0S4o3O727. The
share Of pensions in war expense is indicated by
The fact that from 1889 up to and including 1915
The war bill Of the government was $685., 322,-
205, the naval bill S5,235.S62os4,
Omaha daily bee., 1916-12-15

The Nebraska Farmers congress has put it
self on record as being opposed to the federal
good roads plan. The farmer is the one who pays
the high cost of poor roads. 1t is rather anoma-
lous situation that finds our agricuturists willing
to adopt improved machinery, new methods, and
all the advanced ideas for producing crops to
lessen the unit cost and then declare in favor OF
perpetuating the system of transportation that
eats into their profits. Last spring the state engi-
neer gave out figures to show that millions OF
dollars can be saved annually in Nebraska on tac
cost Of moving crops to market through the sim
pie expedient of building better highways. These
millions come directly out of the pocket OF the
farmer, He pays the freight both ways, on all he
sells and all he buys Five hundred million dol
lars worth OF farm produce is annually hauled to
market in Nebraska and the chief expense of this
attaches to that portion of the trip made by wagon
between the farm and the shipping point This
can be reduced only through better highways
And better highways will be built in Nebraska
for it means added profit to the farmer. The saw
ing in cost Of hauling by team all he sells and all
he buys will more than pay the interest on several
times the money needed to construct the roads
Omaha daily bee., 1916-12-15
Lloyd George
New York World.

Imagine William Jennings Bryan the politi-
cal idol of Wall street. Imagine all the hnanciers
and bank presidents and corporation managers
and captains OF industry haing him as the savior
OF the republic. Imagine all the forces of organ
lied property and rcactonary republicanlsm raj
lying to his support. Then we shonld have sit
uation parallel to the situation in Great Britain,
where Lloyd George is engaged IN organizing
new cabinet.
Three years ago David Floyd George was
easily the best -hated man in the British empire.
He had been the besthated man for half de-
cadc. He the ringeader OF British radical
ism, and while excuses might be found tor other
radicals, he was beyond the pale. Financial Eng
land detested him enthusiastically as the dukes
detested him There was hardly day when the
British empire not supposed to be rocking
upon its foundations because OF something that
this Contemplate little Welsh attorney was
doing preventing.
The worst that Wall street said about Bryan
in the campaign of 1896 was fattering in COM
parison with the least that conservative England
said about Lloyd George for five years, and yet
he is the man to whom conservative England has
turned as the head OF new government.
1t is beyond belief that the Tory intrigue
against the Asquith ministry ever had for its OBJ
Ject the making Of Lloyd George prime minister
of Great Britain. Yet that is its inevitable con-
sequence for there only two men who can
meet the exigencies OF that Office. One of them
is the prime minister who has been forced to
sign and the other is the contemplate little
Welsh attorney" who has been the great driving
force of the government since the beginning of
the war No member OF the former opposition
measures up to the work. as Bonar Law practi-
cay admitted when he refused to undertake the
formation OF ministry. What the unonist leader
in Parliament could not do, no other Tory can do,
The qualities that make a great chancellor OF
the Exchequer with revolutionary measures OF
social justice, or great minister OF munitions or
great secretary of state for war, are not neces
sarily the qualities that make successful prime
minister. Lloyd George has proved that he could
use the Asqulth government to mighty purposes
He has yet to prove that he can create a govern
mcnt of his own and use it for still mightier pur
poses But there be doubt that with the
Asquith ministry overthrown Lloyd George is the
ono statesman to whom the average Englishman,
regardless of partisanship or caste, would imme-
diately look for leadership. He has proved him
self the most vital individual force in the empire
That this radical Of radical democrats should
be called upon at this time to organize a govern
mcnt is one Of the most significant political events
in British history. In that has been prolific
in paradoxcs, there has been other such para
dox as this.
Omaha daily bee., 1916-12-15
Universal Military Training


Before there can be intelligent discussion of
universal military training, there must be deh-
mite plan Of military training before the country
Major General Hugh L. Scott, chief OF staff
of the United States army, devotes his annual
report to an argument in favor Of general COM
pusory military service, and then says: u shall
not attempt in this report to evolve system to
carry out important work"
1t seems to the World that that is precisely
what General Scott ought to have done. The
first thing the general staff should do is to evolve
a system and present it to the American people
for consideration. Otherwise argument is futile
Universal military service seems to mean a
different thing to each of its advocates, but it
must mean particular and definite thing before
it can be enacted into law or seriously debated.
What kind of universal military service does
General Scott think the country requires as
measure OF national defense? In his report he
takes it for granted that "the average parent
would gladly welcome the opportunity for mill
tary training for their boys between the ages OF
IS and 81" Perhaps he would and perhaps he
would not 1t Is hazardous to guess at the atti-
tude OF the average parent toward military
measure that has never been presented to him
and about which he has only the vaguest notions
Much will depend upon the scope, the length
and the character of the training that is proposed.
THE average parent in the United States is
neither mitarist nor a pacihst He did not
raise his boy to be soldier. Neither did he
raise him to be shirker in time of national need.
Tie has no inherent objection to military training
in itself, within reasonable limitations, although
the theory of compulsory service OF any kind is
inherently Objectionable to him.
General Scott could get far clearer notion
of the opinion of the average parent toward
universal military service if he would present
plan of universal service and give the average
parent chance to discuss it. Universal service
based upon German military theories would be
overwhelmingly rejected Universal service
adapted to American theories OF government and
American habit of life might meet with general
appreciation. Everything depends upon the ma
ture of the plan, and when General Scott declines
was before.
Unless the general staff has something definite
to offer i'll the way OF solving the problem, its ar
gumens are of no more practical value than are
those of the National Security league
Omaha daily bee., 1916-12-15
Russia's Part in the Peace.

One OF the questions that will come in for
much consideration in connection with any pre-
liminary discussion of possible peace in Europe
will be Russia's attitude What will be needed to
satisfy the Bear? If this were to be considered
wholly from the point of view of Russia before
the war, the answer would present much Of real
difficulty As constituted before hostties drew
armies into the field the ambition of Russia
would not have listened to the suggestion OF
revived Poland, nor an adjustment OF the Balkans
that did not consider Slavic domination. Btu
reaucratic Russia had definite views on these
points and declined to discuss them.
However, it is a different Russia to which
proposals for peace will be made. OF all the
countries that have engaged in the war Russia
has undergone the most profound political change.
1t was freely prophesied at the beginning OF the
great conflict that the end would see the rule Of
the people established instead Of the aristocracy.
Nowhere has this been more nearly realized than
in the most backward Of all the belligerents.
While the general form Of the Muscovie govern
ment has undergone no change, its quality has
been profoundly affected by the course of the war.
This is shown by the overthrow of Sturmer, re-
dictionary burcaucrat, and the calling OF Trepof
not democrat, but filled with progressive ideas
and an opponent of the system that all but ruined
the empire. This change was brought about
through bold attack in the Duma against Stur-
mer and his methods. 1t was the continuation OF
the attack which had been evaded by Goremykin
year ago through inducing the car to prorogue
the Duma. Doremykn could not stem the rising
food Of the peoples power, nor could Sturmer
II is OF curious interest to recall at this time
that the progressive program, which Goremykin
last year refused to allow to come before the
Duma, much less to be debated, has as one Of
its chief planks the granting Of autonomy to Po-
land. From this to independence is not such
far step, and may easily be conceded in ex-
change for some advantages as to the use of the
Bosphorus and Dardanelles. The naturalization
Of these important straits will almost certainly be
an issue of the war
Thus it seems that nowhere has the tide of
democracy risen so high under the impetus of the
war as in backward Russia No other people as
whole will benefit more directly or materially
than the Russians, and nowhere in Europe may
greater development be looked for when peace
comes again. Germany understands this, and may
be counted upon to look after the future OF Ger
man relations with its neighbor even if traffic
must be carried on across Poland
Omaha daily bee., 1916-12-15
People and Events

Cardinal Gibbons, now in his eighty third year.
has just completed six-voume series of his
"reminiscences.
Governor Capper OF Kansas donated the first
500 toward the fund for the Carrie Nation me-
mortal to be erected in Topeka.
Playing billiards is one OF William J. Bryan's
avorie recreations and his friends declare that
he is something of an expert at the game.
Sir Ian Hamilton, the celebrated British mill
tary commander is the author of numerous poems
that have been published under various pen
names.
Peter Goelet Gerry, the young democrat who
is to succeed Henry Lippit as United States sena-
tor from Rhode Island is a great-grandson of
Elhridgc Gerry, who was elected vice president
with Madison in 1872
Pennsylvania pays bounty of So for wildcat
skins and is doing considerable business in that
line. Besides the state is getting free sideline
of plain Catskins, which sports attempt to push
over for So each Nothing doing
Special importance attached to the duty
of counting and declaring the soldier vote mailed
from Mexico to Westchester county, New York,
and the expense run up to $227S per ballot. Ar
tistc service comes high in heeling times.
Age does not contract nor long usage weary
the vocal sweetness of Chauncey NJ. >Depew.
When is girl pretty" The question was fired
at the sunshine patriarch at New York bazaar
Always he replied. Safety first Half thou
sand girls surrounded him.
There is nothing slow about Mary Warren
OF Salt Lake City. Pretty and dark-eyed, demure,
experienced and e, she had shaken off three hus-
bands and was about TO annex the fourth when
the law stepped in Reversing the ancient matr-
monal methods of Salt Lake shocks modern
law and social custom.
The fortune OF the Standard Oil magnate,
Charles w. Hardness appraised for tax purposes
in New York amounts to $o0000,000 the sixth
largest fortune in the Empire State record The
recent death OF Mr.. Archbold brings Standard
Oil fortRuc into court and the tax gatherers wear
a holiday smile OF large dimensions.
Omaha daily bee., 1916-12-15

Silver Creek Neb., Dec. 14.-To the
Editor of The Bee: ], like your read
ers generally, as l suppose, have been
much interested in reading your re-
ports of the proceedings of the federal
court in that wild horse case wherein
certain parties are charged with viola
tons of the postal laws
Whether found guilty or not the
defendants have certainly rendered a
great service in the way of educating
the public as to the gullibility of hui
man nature, and warning them in gen
era against those designing persons
who make a business of preying upon
innocence and virtue.
For those bankers BARRIERS, real
estate men and preachers whose greed
of gain seems to have quite over
powered the better instincts Of their
natures, if they had any such instincts,
and who really ought to have guard
ians appointed over them, l have no
sympathy whatever. If | had been
such an easy mark as they seem to
have been, l would have taken my
medicine without a wry face or a
squeal
In case the defendants should be
found guilty, l think the court should
look upon this service Of theirs to the
public as strongly in mitigation of
their offenses; make their sentences as
light as possible, and, if that were
permissible, recommend to the presi-
dent that he give them an uncondi-
tional pardon.
CHARLES WOOSTER.
Omaha daily bee., 1916-12-15
Hindsight Versus Foresight.

Omaha is again being taken to task because its
builders did not possess the gift OF prophecy,
and therefore could not exactly foresee what has
actually happened. 1t may be urged in defense
OF our pioneer citizens that, plumng their hope
on imagination's wing. they did picture for them
selves and their descendants future as great
and glorious as could be conceived at their time,
but they were also in some degree limited by
material considerations. They could think in
terms OF population, of area, and similar con-
crete facts, but they could not plan for trolley
cars for skyscrapers, nor for number OF other
incidentals OF present day existence. Moreover
they had to cut their garment according to their
cloth. Some problems necessarily were left to
future builders and some that confront now
will also be postponed,
Thus it happens that some sewers were put
down that are no longer adequate; if the present
day needs OF the city had been taken into con-
sideraton twenty-five years ago, the public works
would not have advanced as they did, for the peo-
pie then could not have contrived them. Nor can
the citizens be accused OF want of foresight be-
cause the school room situation has become acute
in some sense This has been with us for quar-
ter OF century, and Omaha has not been negli-
gent in the matter. The people are not to be
blamed for the dilatoriness of the school board in
carrying out its program The funds voted were
ample at the time, and If the board has dallied and
allowed the money to lie idle in the banks while
the price of real estate, building material labor
and everything else has gone up, the fault does
not lie with the public.
And finally, The Bee again suggests that the
planning board give us a plan, rather than so
much advice that leads to nothing.
Omaha daily bee., 1916-12-15
Storyctte of the Day.

Three commercial travellers meet
ing at a hotel one winter evening had
a hearty supper together. Supper over
the three found some difficulty in al
lotting their respective shares in the
bill, but one of them at length cut
short the dispute by proposing that
whoever had the oldest name" among
them should go free, the expense be-
ing halved by the other two.
This amendment being promptly &C
cepted, No. l produced a card in
scribed Richard Eve" which No. 2
trumped with Adam Brown" Then
No. 3, a portly veteran with humor-
Gus gray eyes, laid down his card
with the quiet confidence of great
general making a decisive movement
and remarked, with a chuckle:
81 don't much think you'll beat this
'un. gents"
And he was right, for the name was
mfr. B. Ginning. Pittsburgh Chron-
icle-Telegraph.
Omaha daily bee., 1916-12-15

Chancellor Avery's summary OF price boost,
ing operations puts at the foot Of the list "the
psychology Of situation On the score of COM
prehensve reach and sustained wind power "the
psychology Of the situation" long ago won the
lead. But it is not known by the learned desig-
nation. In friendly circles is passes for Boost
Everybodys doing iii"
Omaha daily bee., 1916-12-15

had published a companion First
Reader to be used as review book
for primary students
The mail matter intended for Wal
nut Hill people was sent to the branch
pOstofiice at that place, but had to be
returned because the postmaster APP
pointed had not yet opened shop.
George w. Crosby of the Beach &
Bowers Minstrel company spent the
day with Stub Bandle renewing an
acquaintance formed in the halcyon
days when Bandle was wearing out his
young life behind the bat for the
Union Pacifics and Crosby was in the
pitchers box for the Chicago Re-
serves Mr.. Crosby has cast his for
tunes with the best little minstrel
show that has visited Omaha since
Murray's block was commenced.
At the forty-third musicale of the
Ladies' Musical society of Omaha and
Council Bluffs the following were on
the program: Mrs. Cotton, Miss
Rustin and Mr. wilkins,
Articles of Incorporation were filed
of the Gramercy Park Land and In
vestment association. The incor-
porators are Joseph l.. Langevin, c. +.
Beindorff, j. H. Weist, Simon ODER
fielder, f. Il. Shepard, S, II. Baer, 7.
II. Taylor, Martin Calm and A. il.
Wooley.
Charles NJ. Lynch and Mrs. Carrie
Davis were united in marriage by JUS
tice Berka.
Omaha daily bee., 1916-12-15
Timely Jottings and Reminders.

President Wilson is to be the guest
of honor tonight at dinner to be
given by the Vice President and Mrs.
Marshall.
The lumber Redistribution case is
to come up for oral argument today
before the Interstate Commerce COM
mission in Washington.
Business and civic organizations of
Cleveland are to meet today to launch
a campaign for the adoption of the
managerial form of city government.
Elihu Root Alton b. Parker, James
NJ Beck, and other persons of promi
hence are to speak tonight in Carnegie
hall, New York City, at a mass meet
ing to protest against the deportation
of Belgians to Germany.
Approximately 100000 workers en-
ployed in the offices, mills and mines
of the United States Steel corporation
today begin work under a new scale,
which provides for an increase of 10
per cent in their wages. The advance
will add about s20.000,00O to the an
nual payrolls Of the corporation.
Omaha daily bee., 1916-12-15
The Day We Celebrate.

The Day VIC teieDratc'
John Douglas president of the
Douglas Printing company, was born
December Is, 1868, in Lorton, Eng
land He is printer by trade, learn
ing the business in England and COM
ing to this country at the age of 81.
His first work here was as compositOr
on The Bee in 1884. He established
the Douglas Printing company in
1890.
August w. Wagner, the North Six
teenth street feed man, is celebrating
his fifty-third birthday He was born
in Erie, Pa.
Alfred p. Thorn, who, as counsel for
the Southern railway, has been testi-
flying in the congressional investiga-
ton of railways now under way in
Washington, born in Northampton
county, Virginia, siXty-two years ago
today,
Sir Richard Mcbride, former prem
Ter of British Columbia and later the
agent general for that province in
London. born at New Westminster, d.
c., forty-siX years ago today.
Frank B. Sanborn, one of the last
survivors of the Concord Group" of
philosophers. scholars and patriots.
born at Hampton Falls, n. H., eighty
five years ago today.
Rear Admiral John E. Pillsbury,
L. s N, retired, born at Lowell, Mass.
seventy-one years ago today.
Bishop william F. Oldham of the
Methodist Episcopal church, born at
Bungalore, India, siXty-two years ago
today.
Omaha daily bee., 1916-12-15
I'm SORRY; l WAS WRONG

Chicago Post
There may be virtue in the man
Who's always sure he's right
Who'll never hear another's plan
And seek no further light:
But l like more the chap who sings
A somewhat different song;
Who says. when he has messed up things,
I'm sorry | was wrong
It's hard for any one to say
That failures due TO him
That he has lost the fight way
Because his lights burned dim.
1t takes a man aside TO throw
The vanity that's strong,
Confessing, Twas my fault. l know"
I'm sorry | was wrong
And so. I figure, those who use
This honest, manly phrase.
Hate it too much their way to lose
On many future days,
They'll keep the path and make the fight
Because they do not long
To have to say-when they're not right
I'm sorry; / was wrong"
Omaha daily bee., 1916-12-15

The Sheppard Of the dry focks Of Texas will
not be happy until he makes the District OF CO.
lumbia as dry as the staked plains The expense
Of installing individual lockers piled on high lv-
ing cost mutely pleads for mercy. All in vain
The Texan hears nought but the requiem Of
booze
Omaha daily bee., 1916-12-15
In Omaha Thirty Years Ago.

Harry Lawrie, late of Chicago, who
has done some excellent architectural
work in this city since his arrival, will
become associated with Mr.. Mendels-
sOhn, the architect. Mr.. Lawrie will
succeed Mr.. Fisher, who retires,
Miss Minnie Wood, principal of the
Leavenworth Street school, has just
Omaha daily bee., 1916-12-15
This Day In History.

tS14-Delegates assembled from the
New England states and organized the
Hartford convention as an anti-war
movement, and also to oppose the ad-
ministration of President Madison.
1S31--Hannah Adams, who is said
to have been the first woman in
America to have made literature a
profession, died at Brookline, Mass.
Born at Medfeld. Mass, in 1855.
IS4O-Remain$ of Napoleon ! laid
with great pomp YIN tomb at lnvaides,
Paris.
1S47-General Scott announced his
purpose to occupy the republic of
Mexico until it sued for peace
1S64-General Thomas attacked the
confederate army under General
Hood before Nashville.
1891--A convention for organizing
the state of Oklahoma met at Okla
homa City
1S99-The British under General
Butler were severely defeated by the
Beers while attempting to force the
Tugela river, near Colenso.
1903-The German emperor was
pronounced recovered from his severe
illness.
Omaha daily bee., 1916-12-15
One Year Ago Today in the War.

Greek troops evacuated district be-
tween allied lines and Salonica.
Berlin reported four aeroplanes of
the allies shot down on western front.
General Sir Douglas Haig succeeded
Field Marshal Sir John French in
command Of the British forces in
France and Flanders.
Omaha daily bee., 1916-12-15

Despite his countless oifenses against civili-
zstion and "watchful waiting" Pancho Villa must
be credited with skill as humorist and imitator
His promises and professions carry vein OF SOL
emn humor rivaling the airy assurances Of con-
gressmaS bent on Saving the country"
Omaha daily bee., 1916-12-15

Legal contests with coal dealers over broken
contracts lack the vigor and speed suited to the
times. A hot catch-as- catch-can go" on the
Auditorium mat more closely meets the desires
of consumers, besides providing an expedient for
inserting the punch in the right spot