davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-28
From an Editorial Article
BY FRANCIS w. HIRST
In the New British Weekly, Common
Sense

II PROPOSE to call private and
public attention TO the giant
form of financial famine whose
darkening shadow is plainly discern
ible by bankers in every land, from
China to Peru. The few economists
who had applied themselves before
1914 TO war finance expected the cost
of the next great war to surpass all
records. 1t could not be otherwise
in view of the increased population
and wealth, the system of conscrip-
ton and the rapid improvement in
all the machinery Of destruction,
whether by land, sea or air. 1t is
computed that in the wars Of the
French Revolution and Of the First
Empire, covering a period of twenty
three years, over two millions of men
persisted. Those wars cost the
British Exchequer over 300 millions
sterling; but the annual drain was
less than one-twentieth Of the pres
ent. The losses of Continental
states cannot be reckoned, because
the destruction and confscation of
private property, the decline OF
trade and the debasement of cur
rencies were vast and incalculable
factors.
The total expenditure caused by
the Crimean War from 1854 TO
1867 has been estimated at $40
millions, to which Russia contributed
$50, Great Britain "a, and France sc
millions sterling. The daily war ex-
penditure of Russia probably aver
aged about one-sixteenth of the daily
average in this war; but in the war
with Japan Russia's daily expendi-
ture rose to above one-fifth Of its
present figure. The war Of France
and Italy against Austria in 1859
cost about 80 millions sterling. In
the American Civil War the North
spent over 500 millions sterling and
put over 21s millions of men into the
field. 1t has been calculated that
the total expenditure of Federals and
Confederates was 1000 millions and
that 1000 millions more must be al
lowed for the destruction of property
and decline of production. The mar
ket value of the poor slaves, in whose
emancipation the war ended, was es-
timated at 100 millions sterling. The
expense of the Danish War in 1864
was about s14,000,000, while the six
weeks campaign Of 1866 cost about
&c millions.
The Franco-German War of 1870
II threw burden of SOC millions on
France, including an indemnity Of
225 millions, which more than COW
cred Germany's budget expenses.
The privations and commercial losses
of the French people have been put
at another 500 millions, though the
hostilities only lasted from July to
January. According to Bloch, Rus
STA spent on the war Of 1S77-'7S 161
millions sterling, and Turkey per-
haps about half that figure. The
Boer War, as officially stated, cost
our Exchequer $50 millions sterling.
The Russo-Japanese War seems to
have cost the two belligerents (who
were largely financed by Paris and
London) about 200 millions apiece
in cash. The financial results of the
Balkans wars left Turkey and all
the small states except Rumania in a
bankrupt or semi-bankrupt condi-
ton.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-28
WAGE REGULATION
ALLURES RAILROADS
A Decision Sustaining the Adamson Act
Would at Least Assure Them of an Inn
partial Review Of All Disputes, and
They Prefer That to Facing
the Brotherhoods' Club

public interest should be dominant.
In declining to allow higher freight
rates, the commission made it clear
that it considered its duty to be the
protection of the public, not only
against unfair and unreasonable
rates, but also against unfair and
unreasonable wages.
On our Eastern roads the great
bulk of the traffic moving to the in
dustrial centres is made up Of low
grade raw materials, carried in
heavy-tonnage trains at the lowest
rates in the world. The Interstate
Commerce Commission has not only
commended the carriers for develop
ing the big train, but it has repeat
edly advised them that the way
out Of their financial troubles was
a further increase in the trainload.
/ When the petition for an increase
in rates was made in 1910 the COM
mission, in refusing it, urged the
carriers TO increase the trainload;
and again in 1914, when the per
cent rate increase was granted, the
commission pointed to the possible
economies in still heavier loading.
But the wage demands of the
freight train employees, presented
last year, were intended TO put a
penalty of $1O0,O0O,O0O a year on
the big train, the very factor in our
railroad development that has made
it possible TO pay big wages. The
chief spokesman for the brotherhoods
frankly told the managers in the
public wage conference in New York
that reduction in the tonnage of
trains and speeding up of the
movement Of freight was the object
of their demands. If we tried to es-
cape the penalty by reducing the
trainload, as suggested, it would
mean the expenditure Of hundreds
of millions of dollars to provide the
facilities necessary to handle the
same amount of traffic with the
greater number of trains.
The Brotherhood prop a d a
against the big unit in the movement
of freight has not been confined to
penalizing it by higher labor cost,
but throughout the country they have
caused to be introduced in state leg
islatures bills arbitrarily limiting the
length of trains to a certain number
of cars. This is a policy Of economic
suicide. 1t is part and parcel of the
whole misguided movement of the
last hundred years to restrict the
output Of industry. All material
prosperity is founded on increased
production of wealth. The greater
the output, the greater is the
amount of useful products to be
distributed. II there is anything
wrong with our modern industrial
system, the fault surely is not in
the acceleration Of output, but in
the inequities resulting in distribu-
ton.
II the decision in the Adamson
act test case makes it clear that
Congress, through a government
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-28
May Revolutionize
Steel Manufacture

Electro-chemistry and electro-met-
allurgy have made easy some of the
most difficult extractions, have pro-
duced several of the metals at a
small fraction of their former cost,
and have put at our disposal in COM
mercial quarters and at practicable
prices metals which were formerly
unknown or else mere curiosities. 1t
has refined many other metals to a
degree Of purity not previously
known. These two new fields Of in
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-28
By ELISHA LEE
Chairman National Conference Com
mittee of Railways

mittee of Railways
From an address delivered yes
terday before the American Academy
of Political and Social Science.)
TIME railroad wage law, enacted
in heat and haste, is now
n before the highest court.
Within few weeks-possibly within
a month"; will be determined
whether Congress exceeded its Con-
stitutional powers in placing on the
statute books an act to regulate
wages in interstate commerce.
| take it that there is no longer
any dispute as to the fact that this is
a wage law. The main force of the
government argument before the
court in defence of the act was di-
rected to sustain the power of Con-
cress to fix wages, and nearly all the
questions from the bench related to
this problem of governmental wage
regulation in privately-owned indus
tries. There is no precedent in our
laws for such an extreme interfer-
ence with the liberty of contract, or
such drastic legislation for the direct
benefit of one group of citizens at
the direct expense of another group.
The commerce power under the
constitution is very far-reaching.
Under the broad interpretations of
the Supreme Court in recent years
the government has taken greater
and greater control of the activities
of the carriers. 1t may be that the
court will declare this railroad wage
law a valid exercise of the commerce
power. With such precedent estab-
lished. a new era would be opened in
the public control Of the transporta-
ton industry; and il is plain that
the way would then be clear for a
broad public oversight Of railroad
wages and working conditions.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-28
Nv WILLIAM wHITTAM

TNORCE applied to turning the
wheels of industry is meas
N ured in terms of horsepower,
and in this country we use about TO-
600 900 of these units in our every
day work.
The full utilization of every nat
ural power resource Us becoming
more and more essential 70 society,
and cheap power is rapidly becoming
one of the greatest advantages in the
endless race of the nations for in
custrial leadership. Let US consider
water power, because neither land
nor any other resource except water
affords any measure whatever OF
the capacity of the country for
production, population, power or per-
petuity."
The French call water power
white coal" while we with pedantic
precision have maltreated two dead
languages to find the name hydro
electric" for 1t.
This power seems to be necessary
TO the nations perpetual life. Coal
used is an asset gone forever, and it
must steadily become dearer, because
that which is most easily and cheaply
mined is brought into use first. That
also applies to petroleum, the sec
ond competitor of water in power
generation.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-28
Performing Marvels
in Industry

Experiment, study and experience
have already demonstrated that large
systems are comparatively the most
efficient. Lower costs of operation,
better and more dependable service
appear to follow the combination of
power plants. The union of a num-
her of water powers differing in
character TO serve many markets
having diversified service require
ments makes possible such an eco
nomic adjustment of supply to de-
mand that the result is tendency to
statewide and often TO interstate
units of operation.
The development of absolutely new
industries by the agency of cheap
electric power is one Of the marvels
Of this marvellous age. Wilson APP
piled the current at high temporal
ure to mixture Of lime and coke
and out came calcium carbide, which
gave to the world acetylene light and
cyyacetylene welding. And out Of
this product came calcium cyanide,
fixing atmospheric nitrogen, to the
inestimable benefit of the agriculture
of the world. Norway has an enor-
nous plant engaged in this kind of
production. Carborundum has taken
the place Of expensive emery as an
abrasive material. Graphite is made
from coal and the culm piles Of our
collieries. Even more resistant cleo
trical terminals which are stronger
and better conductors have come to
US through the same agency. New
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-28
F financial F anime in
Giant Form Casts a
Darkening Shadow
Hopeless Bankruptcy for Some of the Bellg-
erent Nations Will Be the Price of
Fight to Finish, Is Prediction
of an English Economist

| every European country at war, and
also for some of the neutrals, what
may be called the budget cost Of In,
war to date, and their work affords
proof Of painstaking efforts 10 arriy.
1T the truth. On the whole, | con.
clude, after checking some Of the re.
suits. that their estimates Of expen.
diture on the war up 10 January /
1916, were near the mark, and also
their calculations Of the total cost Of
the war If it lasted two years.. e.
if it lasted until August 1, 1916.
The Possibilities Of
Financial Exhaustion
1t is possible, Of course, and in
some eases certain, that the debts
contracted will not be paid. Con.
fiscation will be more or less severe,
according to the condition Of the pub
lie revenue and credit in each Of the
belligerent countries after the war.
The currency may be deprecated or
the interest taxed. But there is an
other war charge which will take
precedence of the debt charge.
mean pensions. For many years TO
come the belligerent states will have
to pay an enormous annual sum in
war pensions to disabled men, TO
widows and orphans. As the war
continues the claims for such pen
sions multiply, while the means Of
paying them dwindles. At first both
sides cherished high hopes Of success
as a result of crushing victories, IN
til military attrition, and finally
financial exhaustion, came TO be dis
cussed. There is now a real danger
that some of the belligerent govern
ments, seeing bankruptcy TO be I'M
avoidable, will prefer to continue the
war, playing on, like Juvenars
gambler, on the desperate chance
that some turn Of fortune may re-
deem a fraction of their losses. OBJ
viously, the richest nation has the
most to lose by what is called fight
to finish.
What is the total cost Of the war
to date? For the first year it has
been put at about $3.50 millions
sterling, involving, at per cent, an
annual lightweight burden Of ls1
millions sterling on the nations en-
gagged. If we raise the cost for the
second year and make it 1000 mill
ions sterling, we shall probably not
be far wrong. That would bring the
annual lightweight charge for in
terest up to near $40 millions sterling
annually. During the last SIX
months, with Rumania added, rap
idly rising prices and higher rates
of interest, the daily cost must have
grown considerably. | venture to
give Professionally the following table;
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-28

latiof, in the pubic interest, Oh ah
these problems Of railroad labor
there will be a guarantee that they
will be determined in the light OF
reason and not in the darkness OF
industrial conflict.
But the immediate problem con-
fronting the nation is what pro-
vision must be made for a decision
adverse to the Adamson act, and to
the power Of Congress to regulate
wages.
The railroad brotherhoods have
determined upon their course OF &C
ton if the law is found invalid.
Their leaders stated in Chicago
few days ago that "it may be neces-
sary on some roads or groups OF
roads TO use the protective feature
of the organization" The "protec-
tive feature" means the strike. IL
is no longer secret that the heads
of the organizations have now IN
their hands full power to tie up the
commerce of the country road by
road, or territory by territory, or on
all the roads simultaneously, If the
/ Supreme Court finds the Adamson
act unconstitutional.
If the Adamson act is found I'M
constitutional, and the brotherhoods
threaten strikes to enforce their
original demands, the country will
face the same situation that it did
the last week in August.
The legislation proposed by the
President has met with the deter
mined opposition, not only OF the
brotherhoods, but of the whole force
Of organized labor. The head of the
American Federation Of Labor told
the members of the House Commit
tee on Interstate Commerce few
DAYS ago that he, for one, would re
fuse to obey such law IL 1t were
enacted.
This is a problem that must be
solved. and in its solution we must
keep clearly in mind the rights and
duties of all the parties at interest.
The problem, it seems to me, is but
another phase of the centuries-old
conflict between private rights and
public duties.
Involuntary
Servitude
The leaders Of the train organiza-
tons assert that any restriction on
their right to strike means "invol-
untary servitude." But unless there
is some such restriction on the right
to strike pending investigation, the
public will be permanently in con-
dition of involuntary servitude to
these organizations.
Several years ago, when we had
to adjust a wage controversy with
the engineers on our Eastern roads,
a very distinguished board of arbi-
tration, in settling our differences,
pointed out the dangers inherent in
attempting to settle railroad dis
putes by resort to the strike. This
board said:
From the point of view OF the
public it is an intolerable situation
when any group of men, whether en-
ployes or employers, whether large
or small, have the power to decide
that a great section of the country
shall undergo a great loss OF life,
unspeakable suffering and loss of
property beyond the power of de-
scription through the stoppage of
necessary public service"
Those words were read to the Su-
preme Court by the government at
torneys in their argument in defence
Of the Adamson act. The govern
ment quoted the opinion of that
board as part of the argument for
the power of Congress to prevent
the throttling of interstate CON-
merce. That situation so wildly
portrayed still confronts us as ma
ton.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-28
Total TO end Of Janu-

Total 10 end OF Janu- -
airy, 1917 ......... 1900 40
Another six Notwithstanding a
three years war-at the rate OF the
last six months, will bring up the
totals to 1880 and s12, respectively
At the beginning of last month the
Mechanics and Metals Bank OF New
York estimated the present dslly
cost of the war at II millions ster'
ling. of which more than one-tourtn'
as we now know, is being subscribed
by the people of the United Kingdom
That gives a total Of 1866 millions
for the year. 1t is theoretically pos
sible, suppose, if we 60 on incress'
ing our subsidies TO our Allies ma'
we can keep on until the whole prop
erty and capital of Great Britain mas
been mortgaged, Germany dong Ike
wise. Nor remembering the Seven
Years War; can we be quite sure
that even then the Knockout woulo
have occurred. States like Turkey
have often fought long after they
had become bankrupt.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-28
A Vision of
Future Possibilities

stranger tnlngS nave ndppeHeu III
the past half century, although we
are told that as yet in this country
the total expense of delivering cleo
trical power generated from our
water courses is comparable in
amount with the cost of energy de-
veloped from coal in a steam station.
1t must be remembered, however, in
considering the future of water
power that because it utilities a non
expendable resource, hydro-electric
energy, unlike coal or oil, needs no
allowance for amortization, but its
price to the consumer can be based
directly on its cost to the producer.
Herein lies the problematical inn
mense value of Americas vast I'M
harnessed river units to her future
position among the manufacturing
nations of the world. Although
American hydro-electric installations
now cost two to four times as much
per unit as a modern steam power
plant, engineers with vision are look
ing for the advent of Marconi to
revolutionize electrical power gener-
alton and transmission. Up to now
large systems have to be sought to
find economy. But the greatest scope
for saving appears TO be along the
line of reducing the loss incurred in
transmission over long distances.
Whenever this serious loss is mate
rally cut down and some method is
discovered by which the high initial
cost of transmission lines can be
overcome the value Of our latent
power streams will be very much en-
/ HANGED.
Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-08-22
DIED OF APPENDICITIS.
Blood Poisoning Set in and Claimed the
Life Of T, D. Wickershhm.

We are in receipt of a clipping from
the San Antonio Light, from which
we learn that the death of I. d Wick
srsham. announced in these columns
last week, was the result of an opera
tion for appendicitis followed by blood
poisoning.
Mr.. Wlckersham was superintendent
of transportation for the Corpus Christ
Railway and Light Company and had
held the position for six years previous
to his death. The remains we're inter-
red at Corpus Christi Wednesday of
last week. The funeral services were
in charge of the Woodmen of the World,
Of which he was member.
He leaves wife and one child. be-
sides his parents. Mr.. and Mrs. ID. c.
Wickersham, two sisters. Mrs. E. b.
Wight and Mrs. J. A. Barnes, and one
brother J. I. Wickersham.
Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-08-22
NEW UNIFORMS.

Last week Company D received their
new uniforms and they now have a
very military appearance. They are q
fine bunch OF men, seem to take much
interest in being soldier and are drill
ing every day with regularity and
attention that can mean nothing short
of crack bunch of Uncle Sans boys
IN the near future.
Persons who have seen several Of
the companies over the state say that
our company here, Company D. Second
Tennessee Infantry, is the finest look
ing company in the state and has an
average of the largest men.
Company D now numbers 103 men
and all recruits that care to enlist will
be accepted until the time the company
10 ordered to its regular cantonment.
It seems that volunteers are not, in all
cases. to be Quartered with the drafted
men from the same state. This com.
pany will 90 to Creenville. s. G,
whereas the drafted men will be sent
to Atlanta, Ga.
Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-08-22
WHERE OUR BOYS WILL GO.
Will Be Fed, Chartered and Drilled for
Active Duty at Atlanta, Ga.

Secretary of War Baker has approved
the disposition of the $4,000 men OF
the draft. Tennessee boys will go to
Atlanta. Ca, tor training. When they
will be ordered to Atlanta is not
known, but 1t has been the custom to
give about ten days notice before they
have to entrain.
Ut the 16 cantonments for the whole
country twelve are located in the
south. Since each cantonment will
have approximately 10000 men 1t will
mean that approximately 500, men
will be quartered. fed and drilled IN
the south during the next few months.
When the second call for drafted men
comes, which some say will be within
the next few months. there is little
likelihood OF the location of the men
being changed: hence the outlook for
booming business IN the south this
winter and thereafter so long as the
war lasts seems very promising.
Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-08-22
TO PARENTS.

From an examination of tbs reports
of some of the teachers for he past
month, It Is evident that someparents
are negiectlng to send, all tie time.
all Of their children that com, within
the limits of the compulsory school
law. The delinQuencies IN many In.
stances are such that action must and
will be taken unless all chilren are
Immediately sent continuously ind reg
ularly to school, barring reasonable
cause for remaining out of scfpol.
n. L. Taybr,
Chairman Board Of Education.
Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-08-22
ABOUT MARKETING POTATOES.
Congressman CordelI Hull Actively
Working in the Interest Of
This Section.

For some time Congressman Cordell
Hull has been actively at work seeking
to open a market with the government
for all or portion of the available
potatoes of this section that may be
seeking a market.
A letter addressed to Congressman
Cordell Hull by Brigadier General A.
L. Smith, Of the Quartermaster's s
corps. Washington, D. c., is before US
and from it We learn:
That such supplies are purchased by
the depot quartermasters of the re-
spective cantonments throughout the
country. The cantonment nearest to
this section IS Atlanta. 1t is the GUS
tom for the Quartermaster of canton
ments to purchase their supplies,
manly, from persons in the large COM
mercial centers OF the country. Moth
ing is said as to the minimum quantity
that would be considered in purchase
Of such food as potatoes. but 1t seems
probable that car lots would receive
consideration.
We find on referring to the Specltica-
ti0ns and Conditions for Subsistence
Supplies for U. s. Army that potatoes
must be of "good varieties, reasonably
large and uniform In size, fully ma
tured, dry, free from dirt, decay and
cuts, and IN all respects OF good quail
ity and condition; in commercial
sacks" In Commercial sacks" means
the regular two and half bushel
heavy sacks, in which potatoes are u.s.
ually packed for shipment. Such sacks
will very likely cost Is cents or more
each now.
Any persons wishing to dispose of
their crop in car lots might be able to
80 arrange by writing to Depot
Quartermaster. Forsythe Building,
Atlanta, Ca"
Since Congressman Hull has been in
correspondence with the department on
the subject Of the potato crop of this
plateau section, our people will stand
q good chance Of disposing of their po-
tatoes through the Atlanta canton
ment. provided they are prepared to
furnish the desired quantity in the
sized packages specified.