davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-19
Preparing for Spring Floods.

Winter conditions throughout the plains states
suggest the need Of preparedness for risks and
damage OF spring foods. This is made clear by
the statement OF Colonel Welsh, government OBJ
server at the Omaha station, regarding the thick
ness Of ice in the rivers and the snowfall in the
Missouri river watershed. Mr.. Welsh reports
forty-two inches Of ice up in North Dakota and
thirty inches OF snow at Sioux City. Doubtless
the ice in connecting streams is correspondingly
thick and capable OF doing great damage Of forced
to move by spring rains, Much depends on spring
weather. The longer moderate temperatures pre-
vail the less is the danger. A sudden and con-
tinued run of warm winds of the chinook variety
would let loose vast amount of surplus water,
lifting and moving ice of great strength, which
usually means trouble along the moving streams.
The greater risk is in ice jams and gorges, with
the resulting back water. 1--WE cannot tell what
will happen" says Colonel Welsh which is all
the more reason why county authorities should
prepare for eventualities. Adequate arrangements
for keeping streams open and preventing jams at
bridges makes for safety and is in line with true
public economy.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-19

invested with power equal to that of
the Russian ruler, so far as Omaha
Is concerned. and is quoted as saying
that those who do not submit to com
pulsory vaccination Will be barred
from the public schools.
Now, Just stop here long enough to
ponder. 1t is my privilege to count
among my best friends several good
physicians, men of high standing in
their different cities, absolutely con-
scientious in their work and doing
their best to alleviate suffering, and
am sure this class of physicians Will
continue to be beneficial to the world
at large for a great many years to
come,
cannot and do not believe, however
that men of their caliber are back of
the many recent attempts to force
parents and their children to accept
medical treatment against their
wishes To me this savors of state"
medicine, and how far from state
medicine to state religion? People
who believe in vaccination certainly
have that privilege, but why force 1t
on people who do not believe in 1t
any more than force man to take
dose of calomel If he prefers a glass
of hot lemonade or something else?
In my humble opinion it is direct
violation of the great American con-
titution-un- American. For good
ness sake, let us remain American.
There are no children of school age
in my family and so l would not be
directly affected by a law of this kind,
but if this thing is encouraged it may
lead to something worse.
This article is not for the purpose
of opposing any person or persons but
simply protest by an American citi-
zen against what I believe to be in
tolerance. LAWRENCE DONALD.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-19

Ors. o. S. Wood, A. W. Hartupee,
arson, Emma j. Davies. Mary j.
Breckenridge, G. w. Williams, c. G..
Sprague, Amelia Burroughs, John
Ahmanson and f. It. Allen.
G. F. Swift of G. F. Swift e. Co, the
beef packers of Chicago. was closeted
for several hours with Hon. ]. A. Nc
Shane, president of the Stock Yards
company Mr.. Swift has requested
the Stock Yards company to make
him a proposition to locate at South
Omaha.
Mr.. Fearon Of the firm Of Fearon &
Cole has returned from months
trip to California.
The Central Improvement company
have filed articles of Incorporation,
the incorporators being M. H. Goble,
J. E. Markell and Thomas Swobe
A musical program was rendered
at the Young Mems Christian associa-
ton social by the following: Profess
sor E. Weihle, Mr.. Castor, DR.. c.
Smith. Mr.. Sperry and Mr.. McCarty.
D. j. Collins, superintendent of the
gas works, has gone east to be mar
ried.
Mr.. Moxon Is q recent acquisition to
Omaha society from Chicago. He has
taken a position in the gas office.
Mrs. Major Brown gave an elegant
dinner to General and Mrs. Crook and
Mrs. Boyle. The other guests were
Mrs. Read, Major and Mrs. McClin-
took.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-19
WHEN DECATUR SAILED THE
SEA.

William Sage. in New York Sun,
In days of old
Some pirate bold
Took toll upon the sea.
The Dey, the Bey and the old Bashaw
From the coast of Barbaree.
England, France and proud CASTLE
All paid their little fee.
Uncle Sam was hopeful lad,
He'd beaten his dear old nurse,
For the Dey, the Bey and the old Bashaw
He didn't care a curse.
He said: I'll be darned
II pay tribute
To sail the ocean free.
This countrys flag Is not rag
To insult with impuntee.'
so Uncle Sam called Decatur in.
And told him what to say
To the Dey, the Bey and the old Basha,
When they asked him for their pas.
great big ship full OF good things.
Is the burden Of their song.
Just load her up with powder and men
And take some shot along"
The Dey. the Bey and the old Bashaw
Spied out the American flag.
ship ahoy!" cried the old Bashaw,
Haul down that striped rag.
Hand over the good things
You have brought into our tollswept sea,
To do this y. d. g." he said.
rs the law Of Barbaree.'
Decatur handed 'em one two-three.
. He gave them shot and shell.
To use term OF euphony,
He gave those PIRATES h-ll.
I do not wish to criticize
Our Uncle Sam today;
To say he is too proud to fight,
Too fat to run away.
But just recall the days Of old
When Decatur sailed the sea,
Our country's flag Mds not a rag
To insult with impunitee
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-19
Prepare for the Harvest

Not only to give a generous acreage this year
10 cereals, but to take what steps they may in
preparedness to garner their crops, are duties
that the farmers OF the spring wheat states owe
TO themselves, to the country and to the world
The best judgment of military experts on both
sides Of the ocean Is that the European war will
not end until late this year. How much longer
it may go on there is no foretelling Both groups
OF begerents have made preparations with
money, materials and men to do desperate fight
ing for at least the next six months
Before the next winter or spring wheat crop
in this country is ready for reaper and thresher
it is probable that virtually all reserves will have
been used up. The situation then will be unusual.
II might be described as extraordinary. II is
carly TO get line" on what the American winter
what harvest may be, but even il it should be
a rccord-breaker in both harvestable area and
yield, it seems entirely safe to forecast that
every bushel OF spring wheat in our northwestern
states and in the western Canadian provinces,
no matter how large the production, will be abb
sorbed at profitable prices
The utmost advance preparedness in the mat
Ter OF field labor. therefore Is OF vial importance.
The percentage Of employment in the cities has
been and still is unusually high At present there
is reason to believe there will be small surplus
OF unemployed men during the coming farm sea-
son. That being true. the farmers OF the north
west may Ind it necessary to increase their usual
wage budgets to procure necessary field help. II
is not too early to get into touch with reputable
employment bureaus and other agencies and TO
make survey OF the prospects. State and local
authorities may be wiser than they know il they
lay plans now against time Of acute need In
respect to its food the world is in an abnormal
condition. II nature should do her part hand
scmey, her bounty must not be permitted to GO
by default.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-19
Surplus Supplies for Europe.

Some interesting information is disclosed by
the report Of theDepartment of Commerce on the
foreign trade Of the United States for the month of
January Exports reached the highest total ever re-
corded for single month in the history Of the
country, amounting to $6l3,S53,693, as compared
with $530036.4l0 for the month of January, 1916.
This shows increase of almost go per cent OF the
total, $l85789,985 was for foodstuffs and fuel
oils, which compares with $l066lS,732 for the
same month in 1916, an increase OF over Is per
cent. The share Of the belligerents in this enor-
nous volume OF foreign trade is overwhelming.
Exports to Germany and Austria have fallen away
to nothing, but the countries allied against them
during last January bought from the United
States goods to the amount of:
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-19
People and Euents

Once more the patriotic pride Of Philadelphia
Is humbied to the dust. Right on the heels OF
an official showing that the Betsy Ross story
hadn't bit of bunting to hang on. comes another
official report impeaching the integrity Of patriot
portraits in Independence hall. The report made
BY Curator Jordan and an art jury asserted that
the collection contains six fake portraits of sign
ers of the Declaration of Independence, six fakes
of other famous men of Revolutionary times and
FIVE portraits Of questionable authenticity. An
alleged portrait of Patrick Henry is really that
Of Captain Cook, the English navigator. Another
purports to be that of Armand Louis de Gontaut
Lauzan, French officer who fought under Wash
ington, copied from the original in the Yer
saies gallery" Officers Of the Versailles gallery
state that no such portrait exists general over
hauling Of the collection is promised: At present
the hall is adulterated with portraits, many OF
them from the brushes OF political favortes, one
local artist having painted lis OF them
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-19
%Aee5M
&Aw9eN


Omaha, March 17.-To the Editor
of The Bee: What glorious strides to-
ward democracy we are making these
days.
Who would have hoped that the
car could so easily have been forced
down and out? True they have only
rid themselves Of a person, retaining
the form, but that form will never
again be the absolute that 1t was.
Russia has shown us what 1t means
to have a nation ruled by its intel
ligent classes" Such governments
are always failures
Let us hope that the words OF the
German chancellor are truly ominous
of what shall occur there. too. He
shows himself true prophet when
he cries: Woe to the statesman who
thinks that after this war is over gov
eminent can resume its work where
it was at the time of Interruption
The German people will yet hear the
call of Woodrow Wilson in his appeal
"over the heads of rulers to the peo-
pie of all nations
Rulers and their secret councils are
a thing of the past They all shall
GO That means that Wilhelm shall
follow the czar, part of his own
flesh and blood. But in Germany the
democratic spirit has made more head
way than in Russia, and its work will
be even more complete.
So in England. Long ago the ruler
there ceased to be a monarch. He
has become pitiable form merely.
The English people will soon see the
absurdity' Of retaining the form after
discarding the substance. Then
George might become useful citizen,
performing some productive labor for
the good of his health and the welfare
of his family.
Thomas Paine, century ago, pre-
dicted that in another century every
crowned head Of Europe would disap-
pear. Hail to Paine. the prophet.
L. J. QUINBY.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-19

Omaha, March Ito the Editor
of The Bee: 1t becomes so monotonous
to be eternally complaining that one
begins to get Disguised. Here comes
the same old cry once more, short
age of cars One writer was five
weeks in getting two cars, had three
ordered and was furnished two. Our
farmer friend got Disguised by further
waiting and drbbled out to his neigh
bors the third car in small lots. This
waiting act became intolerable.
Now, Mr.. Editor, what we wish to
say: Our duty calls us through these
yards every day and In a fair measure
keep caps on this car question.
/ find cars that l have paid demur-
rage on after twenty-four hours
standing in the yards as long as three
days empty. that I was given to un-
derstand were in such great demand
that ! must unload and release, even
threatening a double demurrage if
carried one day over. 1t was our
privilege yesterday to see party
turned back on cars that said he had
order in for over three weeks, with
same old threadbare reply: "Impos-
sile, we need 400 cars this very min
ute" The party got no satisfaction
and If it was not the Righteousness
of the matter, and knowing the mu-
steal turn of the average railroad man,
1 would have it set to music
I would invite one to go with me
to the Twenty-fourth street viaduct
and take glance east and west. He
will find nearly 150 loaded cars and
many have not been moved fifty feet
In week. OF course, some have been
taken away In conclusion, would
ask where would the little man be if
demurrage was facing him with this
many cars n week at time? l must
wind up this effusion by saying there
is something radically wrong. The
great public is the goat.
JAMES HALE.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-19
Russia as a Republic.

However high hopes of humanitarians may be
raised as result OF the happenings in Russia,
it is wise to consider what lies in the path the
proposed republic must travel The Russian en-
pre occupies one-sixth OF the land surface of the
globe; from the Baltic on the west to the Pacific
on the east, and from the Arctic to the Caspian,
it is the mightiest realm ever held under single
dominion. Its population is given variously at
from 130,0000O0 to 150000000. OF these 10000,
600 live in Russia in Europe. The chronological
completely is commensurate with the empires
geographical extent, while the governmental sys-
TEN, built up through centuries Of autocracy un-
der which exigency has been met with expedent,
is perhaps the most complicated now known to
man. Moreover, the great mass of the Russian
people is sodden in ignorance and stepped in
superstition.
To readjust the relations Of the government to
the people, to establish liberty as proposed by the
Dumas program, and to give orderly administra-
ton to the extensive and varied affairs of the
nation is task OF stupendous magnitude. 1t is
conceivable that a group OF able and intelligent
men may preserve the form OF republic, while
actually maintaining an oligarchy, for the govern
ment Of Russia, but the actual participation Of the
people on basis approximating republican forms
as understood in the United States or France or
the limited monarchy of England, is scarcely
within the range Of possibilities yet The work
to which they have set themselves is worthy
undertaking, and their progress will be watched
with the closest attention and deepest interest by
the world.
For the Romanofs little OF sympathy will be
felt. During 400 years this family has been a
retarding influence. 1t has shown strength at
times, but that strength has always been exerted
in the interest OF autocracy. Mostly the cars of
the line have been despots, devoid OF ability and
of negative force. Their place in history is fixed,
and the passing OF the house as a controlling fac
tor in the worlds affairs, if it may be it really has
gone out, will occasion little regret.
To the courageous band of leaders who have
struck this tremendous blow for freedom, human
ity will give credit and support. II they succeed,
it will be triumph almost unrivaled-if they
fail, it will be because Russia is not yet fully ripe
for real liberty.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-19
es goods to the amount of:

This shows that 77.S per cent OF the total ex-
port trade Of the United States was with the en-
tente allies and that that trade had nearly doubled
within year. The total volume of exports for
the seven months ending with January shows the
same story. For the last seven months the ex-
ports, OF the United States amounted to $36l4,-
1858 as compared with $2,l82SoS,7s2 for the
same time year ago. To the belligerents in this
time goods were sold to the amount of $780,
653,O72 and Sl6O2,s12ssO. Thus the sales to the
allies for the second period amount to more than
the total sales of the country for the first
The sales of foodstuffs to these countries is
not separated in the total, but il the same proper
ton holds good the food supplies sent the allies
in January amounted to $l4l sos, and for the
seven-month period of $s77,l72,4ls These fig
ures are cited at this time to give an idea OF the
immense quantities Of supplies the countries war
ring against the Germans have been accommodating.
1t is hard to believe, in face OF this showing that
any of them is facing immediate want or that
the cessation OF transportation for month would
bring either to starvation.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-19
Self COMPUTING Arguments.

Omaha, March Ito the Editor
of The Bee: Some good friend. evil
IDENTIFY thinking he is doing me favor.
is sending me Bryan's Commoner.
/ find, too, that he is doing me a
favor. When one knows that promi-
nent man Is going about the country
doing his best to hinder the country
in its feeble efforts toward asserting
some of its rights, it is comforting
to know that his best" is at best
silly and carries its own refutation on
its face. Read this:
"As we understand it. the argu-
ment is that the United States should
go to war to sustain the doctrine that
a merchant ship has q right to arm
against submarine but that subma-
rine has no right to sink an armed
ship. This reads more like lawsuit
and cause Of action than an interna-
tional question and a cause of war"
This quotation Is not from the jour-
nal of an imbecile asylum, nor is 1t
intended as joke. 1t is a serious
quotation from the Commoner for
March. 1t surely is comforting to
know that the paper is plentifully
sprinkled with gems Of argument like
that. If there are many people who
are taken In by that sort of stuff, they
are hopeless, and the paper is full of
others just as silly. 1t doesn't occur
to Mr.. Bryan that it makes any diff
ference who starts the thing, that the
merchant ship wouldn't have to ARM
wouldn't be thinking of arming If the
submarine had not already sunk lot
| of unarmed vessels and had not an
nounced the deliberate intention to
sink them all. Here's another:
"a man who denounces as cowardly
all who argue in favor of peace ought
to have the courage to state to his
| readers whether, in advocating war.
he is influenced by the sordid hope Of
| financial profit, or is simply giving ex-
preston to his brute instincts"
There's a choice for you. This was
directed at Frank A. Munsey, but it
catches George Washington, Patrick
| Henry. Ben Franklin. Thomas Jeffer-
son, Abraham Lincoln and Woodrow
Wilson as well. Financial profits or
brute misunderstood pay your money
and take your choice. hate to give
aid and comfort to the enemy, but
surely feel that l must advise any,
one who has any doubts as to the duty
of this country to get at least one copy
| of the Commoner. You probably
| won't need more than one If 1t bub-
bles over with logic and fact like the
March number
| H. W. MORROW.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-19

Missouri and Illinois constitute the main cases
bordering on the expanded dry belt Of the middle
west. The former is booked for the third cleo
toral tusse with the demon, while the latter hest
tates on the brink In both states wet salvation
depends on the votes OF Chicago and ST. Louis.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-19

After years of legal skirmishing the govern
ment at last succeeded in bringing the Shoe Ma
chinery trust to the bar OF the supreme court in
defense Of its existence, OF all the combines
brought into court since the trust war began none
surpassed the Bay State Shoemakers in resources
and fighting ability.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-19

Official notice has been served on the anthra-
cite coal barons that refusal to grant the usual
spring reductions to the trade will bring down on
them the weight of official displeasure. If the
barons will consult the pulp dukes they will get
pointer on the wisdom Of needing bunch from
the federal trade commission.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-19

Correspondents returning from Berlin ex-
press surprise because Germans manifested little
interest in the news Of the break with the United
States. Remember, though, that people distracted
by war and struggling with short rations are in
no condition to respond to new thrills.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-19
-IODNY
Health Hint for the Day.

The growing pains which children
complain of are a mild sort Of rheu-
matism and the child should be
treated as IL he had rheumatic fever,
as many cases of heart trouble fol-
low "just growing pains"
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-19
One Year Ago Today In the War.

French attacks checked on Dead
Mans Hill at Verdun.
Russian troops entered Ispahan, the
old capital Of Persia.
British aviator brought down one
of four German seaplanes engaged in
a raid on the southeast coast of Eng
land.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-19
This Day In History.

1734-Thomas Mexican, signer of
the Declaration of Independence, born
at Londonderry, Pa. Died in Phila-
delphia June "a. 1917.
1S17-Seth Green, the father of ar
tif1cial fish culture in the United
States, born at Rochester, N. Y. Died
there Aug. 20, 1883.
1S36-Battle near Goliad, Tex, be-
tween Mexicans and Texans.
1S65-The Confederates under Gen.
eral Joseph E. Johnston attacked a
part Of Sherman's army at Benton
vile. N. C.
1S67-General Sheridan was ap-
pointed commander of the Fifth mill
tary district, comprising Texas and
Louisiana.
1S73--San Salvador was nearly de-
stroyed by an earthquake.
1S93-Tremont Temple, Boston, was
destroyed by fire.
1S9S-Battleship Oregon started on
her famous trip around Cape Horn in
anticipation of Spanish war
l899-Patrick Walsh, journalist and
former United States senator, died at
Augusta, Ga. Born in County Linn
erick, Ireland, Jan. /, 1870.
1902-Edward Green, husband of
Hetty Green, died at Bellows Falls,
vt.
1sO3-United States senate ratified
the Cuban reciprocity treaty.
1907-Thomas Bailey Aldrich, IA
nous author, died in Boston. Born
at Portsmouth, N. H., Nov, II, 1886.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-19

No doubt the national weather man means
well and is doing the best he can. Twenty-four
state legislatures in active eruption is hard COM
bination to buck
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-19

II the people could stand aside and escape the
blows, the spectacle of the Big Six and the Big
Four on the mat for finish bout would be worth
all kinds OF small change
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-19

Street car horses were put out OF business
long ago and now the fire engine and hose cart
horses are booked to disappear. Rumor has it
even that the circus parade OF the future is to be
motor driven. The life of the small boy will never
again embrace the thrills it used to give.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-19

II should be understood in advance that spring
poets seeking the customary courtesies must sub
nit packages of spring as guarantee OF good
faith. Allowing imagination to get too gay in
times OF stress involves too much risk to escape
restraint
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-19

1t is fair to assume however, that Mrs. Gait
will want more cprroboratve evidence before she
repeats again the charge that the suffrage amend
ment was counted out" in Nebraska in 1914.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-19

Our Puzzle Picture contest for this week calls
for answers to the question: What is Nicholas
sayins'" Paraphrased What would you say if
you were in the shoes OF the deposed Russian
ruler?"
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-19

Positive assurance comes from the lawyers Of
the company that United States Steel IS "a good
trust" Why then seek for other proof?
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-19

Secretary Daniels zeal for news censorship
strikes an underhanded blow at the policy OF
"pitiless publicity"
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-19

Great bodies move slowly, but when they do
as in Petrograd, the efficiency Of the road roller
sends chortle around the world.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-19

Grand Island, Neb., March Ito
the Editor of The Bee: / read the ar
ticle in The Bee on compulsory medi-
cal treatment in the Omaha schools,
where the city physician seems to be
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-19
In Omaha Thirty Years Ago.

The Omaha Homeopathic Medical
society met in the Office Of DR.. E. T..
lien, the following being present.:
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-19

Postofice economy that piles up mountains of
full mail sacks at transfer points and delays their
transmission for days is hardly the kind of
economy to make hit with postofice patrons