davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-12-22
Teaching the Young Mind

The cost OF educating pupils in the public
schools of the United States is high, but nobody
doubts that it is worth the price being paid, or
the higher prices which will yet be paid, since
there can be no doubt that expenditures along
this line will increase rather than diminish. The
bureau Of education in the Department OF the
Interior, estimating on the basis of known ex-
penditure of $4,000 900 in 1914, concludes that
the nations educational expenditure during 1916
Has been not less than 81 900 900! If the figure
looks large, one need only contrast it with the
sums we expend annually for drinks, tobacco
and other sources of evanescent JOY, to find how
small it is by comparison, and to realize how
much more it yields in lasting results.
Inspection Of the bureau OF education's bulle-
tin leads to wonder that the annual cost is not
greater. The magnitude OF the work being done
is disclosed in the figures showing attendance and
number of teachers employed. The number of
pupils enrolled in public kindergarten and ele-
mentary schools rose from 100000 in 1910 to
l7,935,O0O in 1914, gain Of more than 100000
in the four years In the same period the num-
from 9ls000 to 10000, and this latter figure
grew to $4,000 in 1915 The increase shown
IN the five years was something in excess Of
100000 Evidently, larger numbers are passing
from the grammar school grades into the high
school grades than formerly. Another encourag-
ing condition is to be found in the fact set out in
the bulletin that approximately 90 per cent Of
the high school students are attending high
schools teaching four-year courses The old
fashioned high school with or two or three-year
course is going out OF date OF the 1914 public
high schools, $40 give full four years training.
There are 100000 teachers. The average
teachers salary is $S2S. The number of male
teachers in the elementary schools has decreased
20 per cent since 1900 and even in the high
schools women teachers are crowding out the
men. In 1900 teaching positions in public high
schools were divided about evenly between the
sexes. At present the women outnumber the
men by 5000, These are figures at which the
anti-feminizatonists will cry out and it may be
wondered indeed, il boys in high schools are to
be trained and inspired for military service
whether the masculine leaven in the teaching
forces OF such institutions should not be increased
rather than diminished
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-12-22
People and Events

Maxine Elliott is back in New York on a
vacation from Belgium relief work. looking her
best and wearing royal decoration conferred by
King Albert of Belgium.
:. Walter. P Smith, the lo-year-od son OF a
Kansas City millionaire, is doing time as floor
walker in Hartford, Conn, store for clipping
with Connecticut belle without giving papa the
high sign. However. he rides to and from the
job in wife's limousine, so that working out
papa's sentence OF years work isn't great
hardship.
The pioneer suffrage state of Colorado har
boris the "meanest man." Divorced from the
woman he promised to "love, honor and sup
port the court holds him to the last pledge BY
requiring an allowance of $45 a month On two
recent occasions the alimony in pennies smoth-
cred with thick moasses, reached its destination.
Sweets for the sweet, eh' Nit.
Four Chicago youths out for plumber stole
automobiles stuck up many persons for coin and
jewelry and did the hghwayman act with the
ardor and recklessness OF youth. Since the police
gathered the kids into Jail sob-squads poured out
their lamentations and are still at it. Even shed
few tears. But the wave of sympathy didn't
reach the victims OF the holdup kids.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-12-22
Dangers Of Electoral System
New York World

Beyond any doubt West Virginia went repub-
lican in the recent election Mr.. Hughes carried
the state by over 200 plurality. Yet FIVE weeks
after the election it is established that President
Wilson will receive one electoral vote against
seven for Mr.. Hughes. This is due solely to
the substitution of Colonel N. S. Scott as a re-
publican elector after the resignation of J. w.
Dawson. 1t was clearly one Of those accidents
Of politics by which the will of the majority of
the voters in West Virginia is defeated and by
which the will Of the majority in the United
States in certain circumstances might have been
defeated
Under the present electoral system situa-
ton might have arisen where this one democratic
elector in West Virginia who slipped through by
chance would have decided the presidential cleo
ton After weeks of suspense and confusion, by
the shift Of few random votes in a republican
state it might prove that democratic president
had been elected; or the case might be reversed
under similar conditions elsewhere
In California there was difference of more
than 1000 votes between the first and last Wilson
electors, and similar discrepancies can be found
in most of the states. Machinery so faulty and
so liable to break down in critical circumstances
should not be longer continued in use The coun-
try has once more had plain warning that the
present electoral system is obsolete and should
be changed before the next national election
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-12-22
Wilson's Plea to the Belligerents.

The note from the president OF the United
States urging the nations OF Europe now at war
to exchange views in hope that basis for peace
may be divulged is not entirely surprise. Many
signs OF its forthcoming have been noted, most
significant being the speech by Senator Stone
at St. Louis last week as the immediate preface
for the presidents actions and the reasons now
given by Secretary Lansing are very similar to
the arguments put forward by the chairman Of
the senate foreign affairs committee maintaining
the right of the United States to intervene.
More interest will attach to the reception Of
the note in Europe than to the reasons for its
being sent 1t is couched in terms that make
plain the desire of the United States to be OF
real assistance to all without prejudicing the
rights or interests Of any. The suggestion does
not involve mediation, although it may lead up
to request for such action.
The propriety Of the presidents action may
we'll be discussed without impugning his motives
The German note, inviting peace proposals, has
not yet had its answer from either Of the gov
ernments addressed although each Of the Entente
Allies has expressed purpose OF exchanging
notes with Germany on the subject So delicate
is the present situation that words uttered with
the best Of intentions by an outsider may sound
presumptuous or obtrusive and be liable to mis-
construction. Interests OF the United States and
other neutrals have been so strained that all
have been close to war for many months, and all
are equally concerned in every proceeding that
may lead to peace. That one neutral nation
should act alone may not serve to quiet ealousies
at this time, more than usual so near the surface
The novelty Of the proceedings, it will be OBJ
served, is in line with Mr.. Wilson's we'll estab-
lished disregard for precedent or form. His
notes express the universal desire OF the world to-
day, but make small allowance for the play OF
opposed interests. This, however is not vital
just now, for conclusions as to the effect OF the
communication must await Developments
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-12-22
Increase In City Population.

The Census bureau has just announced its
estimate Of increase in the population Of cities
Of the country, basing its calculations on the
ratio Of increase between 1900 and 1910 and carry
ing out the totals on that proportion. This gives
Omaha l66.470 which figure is quite 5000 to
10000 below that suggested by other rules for
estimating IS reliable as the one adopted by the
census authorities. While not inclined to make
extravagant claims Of population for the city,
The Bee calls attention to the fact that the reg
istration of voters, the school census, the Water
Boards survey, and other sources that are depend
able, put the total number Of Omaha's residents
at figure much closer to 10000.
Interesting in this connection is the informa-
ton that the trend Of population to the cities
10 undated Nothing surprising nor regrettable
can be found IN this The modern CITY, especially
the American type, offers such conditions of
life As must be attractive to man under normal
influences. Comforts and conveniences increase
every day. and, while the competition for these
may be keen, the Industrious and esterprising are
assured Of reward for their efforts, while the less
successful are assured of advantages that are
only to be found in large cities. These touch
life on all sides and need not be enumerated
Disadvantages also are found, but they are slowly
being overcome, as man is brought more and
more to realization Of his obligation to tighten
the burden Of his fellows.
Back to the land" has failed Of its purpose,
for the reason that the city affords much more
Of opportunity for the man Of small capital OF
no means but his labor capacity than does the
country. Farming is carried on along such lines
today as minimize the hardship. but success
depends on capital beyond the control of the
man who can make his way in the city though
held to work for wages
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-12-22
Again tn. Constitution Between Friends.

Again are we constrained to ask, whats the
constitution between friends, anyway" Here
comes the attorney general with a report to the
governor calling for an additional appropriation
of some $22s,000 for special activities of the
states legal department during the next two
years. The money is to be used, ostensibly, to
hire help to prosecute liquor cases, to follow up
Nebraska's interest in the railroad rate legisla-
ton, to pursue alleged trusts and monopolics, to
prosecute irrigation suits and other minor mat
tiers. Besides distributing this neat sum in the
form of retainers and fees to friendly outside
lawyers, the attorney general would keep his
present force Of FIVE assistants and enlarge it
by the addition Of two more stenographcrs.
All of which reminds Us that the attorney
general is supposed to be the special guardian
Of the sacred document known as the constitu-
ton Of the state which, in turn has several pro-
visions relating to the law department itself.
The constitution, for example, creates the Office
Of attorney general and attaches to it the NUM-
hcent salary Of 5000 year but does not specif-
cally provide for any Office help whatever On
the contrary, it declares, in so many words, not
only that mo other executive Office shall be
created" but also that "there shall be no allow
anee for clerk hire in the Office Of the attorney
general We know that the supreme court long
ago got around this inhibition by sagely decid-
ing that "stenographer' is not "clerk," but
still we do not believe it was the intention of
the constitution trainers to make the attorney
generals position merely funnel through
which fat stipends should be poured into the
pockets Of favored lawyers, hand-picked for pot-
ical considerations TO represent the state in litga
ton that should be conducted by regular and
responsible law officers.
II the constitutional strait-jacket around the
attorney general Office is outgrown, let us
change it in the proper way instead of riding it
down roughshod. regardless of consequences.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-12-22
Circumcision of the Tonsils.

Omaha, Dec. 21.-To the Editor of
The Bee: This new name for the re-
moval of a part of the tonsils, as
announced in The Bee, is another at
tempt to exploit the people, and is
in violation of the fundamental physio-
logical laws for health and right
living.
The massacre of the tonsils by ex-
ploiters who work for pecuniary re-
wards for themselves has been so
thoroughly shown the last four years
that a new method to catch the I'M
wary has now been devised by these
same exploiters, who have never
learned the natural physiological
method of obedience to law. correct
living and a relatively pure blood
stream as the condition of well
being.
During the first twenty-five years of
my experience in my profession ! re-
moved hundreds Of tonsils because
had been taught 1t was the only
thing to do in the case. But study and
close thinking in time caused me to
repudiate my early teachings in many
things. The mania and obsession for
operations has pervaded the profess
sion as well as the laity because 1t is
principle of successful business inter
ests to take advantage Of the simple
minded for personal gain. There is
not the least shadow of truth in the
statement that the tonsils are the gate
way through which germs enter the
body and cause disease. Any physi-
clan that holds to this idea is either
ignorant or dishonest. If he does not
know the latest scientific physiology
cal truths as to right living and right
thinking he is ignorant. II he does
know, and still holds to tonsil re-
moval, then he is dishonest.
Tonsil removal has been held out
to the people as sure cure for rheu-
matism and several other diseases.
Rheumatism originates in a poisoned
blood stream. as is also true in the
great majority of all other diseases.
When people learn that a debili-
tated system, caused by internal pois-
ons produced by improper combina-
tons of foods and the lack Of proper
exercise to remove accumulation of
waste matters is the fundamental fac
tor in nearly all diseases. and when
they learn to lay aside the supersti-
tons and falsities of those who would
work them for personal gains and get
the new scientific and monistic prin-
ciples of right thinking and right liv-
ing, then will the prevailing systems
of medicine, that favor drug and sick
habits. be reformed along modern
thought lines and physicians become
teachers instead Of operators and dope
givers, l.. A. MERRIAM. NJ D.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-12-22

agent, paid by the city. 10 do our
buying and arrange for statesmen To-
wait on the people. Let the pcop'"
come to such a warehouse and nil'r
their purchases. taking the goods with
them, or paying small charge for
delivery of articles too heavy to be
taken home on the street car. In this
way all unnecessary middlemen could
be done away with, also an expensive
investment in fixtures, shelving. hig
glass fronts and display windows, re
ducing investment to actual goods IN
stock, and everything being bought
and stored in bulk, reducing handling
to a minimum.
As for me- | would rather have my
can Of corn or tomatoes handed me
over rough board counter, taken
directly out of the case from among
hundreds of other cases at ware
house, and get the goods at living
price, minus expensive service and
costly display, than to pay two or
three prices with those luxuries.
Let us have a municipal warehouse
established, with a purchasing agent
who will furnish goods at cost. from
our edibles on the table to the clothes
we wear and the coal we burn.
]. B WHITLEY.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-12-22
Life Insurance Alarms
-Nsv York wsrll.

Life insurance officials are accustomed to view
with alarm the physical condition Of Americans;
lii is their trade and they exceeding apt at it.
But not often do they paint so doeful portrait
LOT physical decrepitude as is contained in E. E.
Rittenhousc's diagnosis Of the average citizen, or
per capita person This typical American, il
seems, is bald at 43 from trying to crowd the
Experiences Of two fetimes into one: muscularly
weak and stiff-jointed because he never walks
|whcn he can ride; the health Of his teeth and
|gums is impaired from eating too much soft
Hood; his digestive organs are showing signs OF
rebellion and "he is seriously overstraining his
heart, arteries, kidneys, nerves and digestion"
A doddering and prematurely old young man
;sans teeth, sans taste, sans everything at the
livery time OF life when he should be in his prime
1T is pathetic picture But where do the insur,
lance men find the original! II is to be feared
THAT their typical American their per capita per.
'sop, is an insurance type only--an actuarial and
mot an actual man. &s r
There are. Of course, men Of whom this is a
correct diagnosis. They exist in New York and
lother large cities and they are paying the penalty
lof life OF acknowledgements life Of equal excess
lin the pursuit Of money and 81 pleasure. Ever
they arc finding in golf and motoring a partia
santidote for the processes OF decay. But how
negligible is their number by comparison with
1.-THE tens Of millions of workers in industry anc
agriculture. the vast armies Of toilers who max,
up the population 81 the United States and who
more truly deserve to be considered averag,
Americans They at least are manifesting no con
sspicuous signs Of physical decadencc. There i
IA general impression, indeed, that their relatvel,
good health and length of life is what enable!
ithe insurance companies to show such marked
prosperity.
But an insurance company which did moi
hold the mirror up to physical decay would b
untrue to its traditions. Yet II is hardly neces
sary to set up bogy-man of disease and de.
crepitude as type" of American citizen
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-12-22

Omaha, Dec. 21.--To the Editor of
The Bee: There are several remedies
being prescribed by different persons
ana organizations to reduce the high
cost or living, any of which, if carried
out on large enough scale, might
have the desired effect, but the aver
age business man knows and the
shrewd tradesman would bank" his
fortune on the impossibility of the
dear people holding together long
enough to cause one article of food
70 become 5 per cent cheaper by the
boycott system, much less lowering
food prices in general. and should any
organized body of buyers cause a
small cut In price of an article the
commission man is making 80 per cent
on. up go their hats in the air on the
wonderful victory, when the facts are
Mr.. Butterfat lowers the price of but
ter 5 cents per pound and still holds
his poultry and eggs at the same
price, or vice vera, his business going
merrily on. increasing each month.
some seem to think cooperative
store is the solution, but by the time
you pay your manager, statesmen
bookkeeper and for delivery service
hguring out dividends you are en-
titled to, l am afraid you will have
multiplicity Of figures: they will be
a great deal like the figures the diff
terent home builders loan companies
dispense to US; you would pay in
your money. take out your goods, hire
Philadelphia lawyer to explain how
you have been allowed a dividend on
the earnings Of the store and at the
same time being presented with a due
Dill each month to cover deficiency,
wniie the regular store across the
street is still doing land Office bust
ness at the same old price.
what we need most is a municipal
warehouse, with a city purchasing
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-12-22
05eBees.dA
sleMyBoo4F1


Omaha, Dec. 21.-To the Editor of
The Bee: The legislature will be
asked to pass bill which will put
stop to rabbit coursing in Nebraska.
The January issue of the National
Humane Review will have the follow
ing from DR.. w. T. Hornaday, cura-
tor of the New York Geological park
and founder of the Permanent Wild
Life Protection fund:
Il am profoundly surprised and
shocked that at this date there exists
In the state of Nebraska any men
who can find sport in the rabbit
coursing recently held near Omaha,
and described in your Humane Re-
view for December.
The first instinct of true sports
men Is to give the game at least a
semblance Of square deal; and many
go even so far as to be merciful to
helpless game.
But, with all the talk of mental
and moral uplift apparently there yet
remain in this country very con-
siderable number of men who are not
only anxious but willing to kill breed
ing female deer, slaughter elk that are
half-buried in snow, slaughter mag
nificent bull elk for their two ugly
worthless 'tusks" kill doves in their
nesting season and slaughter nesting
egrets for their plumes Now on top
OF that we have the evolution of the
great and ennobling pastime of rabbit
coursing!
Il fancy that the next session of
the Nebraska legislature will make
mighty short work of the rabbit
coursers. There are plenty of good
people In Nebraska who will look upon
That disgusting pastime with horror,
ana who will take steps to suppress
1t with a stern hand. Let us trust
to Nebraska and await events with
confidence" Fl. s, M.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-12-22

One Of the city planning experts says mil
lions Of dollars have been wasted in foolish "im-
provement" experiments in developing Omaha.
but that millions Of dollars may be saved by exer-
cising common sense and longer vision in future
improvements. This is only another way Of tell
ing us that for cities, as we'll as individuals, expe-
ricnce is the best sehoolmastcr, though the ex-
pense bills come even higher.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-12-22

II practical experience is desirable before the
administration seriously undertakes furthering
international peace, some valuable pointers might
be had by promoting peace conference between
the federalized National Guard and the regular
army.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-12-22

summary Of interest charges on farm loans
in Nebraska shows range Of sh per cent and
commission in the southeast to 10 per cent and
some over in the northwest The latter figure
approaches extortion. The high cost Of money
undoubtedly retards development and presents a
condition which should command Legislative ac-
ton
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-12-22

II In spite OF $4,000 worth Of spiritual uplift
dispensed in Omaha some twelve months ago,
our divorce records for 1916 point suspicionsly
ito an increased percentage Of insists. Possibly
sour improved facilities for matrimonial back
sliding draws bit Of outside business.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-12-22

ner of Fifteenth and Farnam like a
pair of blind mice moving around with
but little knowledge of where they
are going or by what means they are
impelled.
The following children took part in
an entertainment given at the high
school by Mrs Tipton's and Miss FL
der's classes: Misses Flora Adler,
Belle Adler, Lizzie Mitchell, Matte
Polack, Alice Cady; Masters Allan Fal-
coner, Jacob Rosenstein and Henry
Allen.
Miss Elvia Currie. a prominent
young lady Of Schuyler. has spent the
holidays with Miss Bertha Van Camp
on Twentieth.
DIR. Doherty and the other attaches
of Brownell Hall have moved into the
new structure on South Tenth, where
they will be ready to receive pupils
on the 4th Of next month. There will
be at least fifty boarders in attend
ance.
Storz & Her have imported about
fifteen cases of hops from Wurtem-
berg, Germany. II is understood that
these hops will hereafter be regularly
imported by this firm.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-12-22

Premier Lloyd-George emphasizes in spirit
the historic remark of fighting Paul Jones: 81
have Just begun to fight Britain has done its
bit so far but the empire must do vastly greater
bit to achieve visible results.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-12-22

One, Of the n,unition mills down east dec
Grated the stockholders Christmas trees with =
special dividend Of 100 per cent. This style Of
decoration supports the assertion that war 10 .
good thing in spots.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-12-22

Governor Neville's first problem will be to
keep himself free from fatal ENHANCEMENT with
the gang Of political highbindcrs who are trying
to assert their ownership Of him.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-12-22

The egg king OF Chicago gets clear bill Of
health from the federal probers Of the H. c. Of L.
Now let the monarch give a like certificate with
,fhS goods.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-12-22

Under the circumstances the safety first"
rule will require the soldier boys to make the
"trip from tropical Texas to sub-Arctic Nebraska
by easy stages.