davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-05
Distinctly . Backward Step.

According to the record Of legislative proceed
ings, 4 bill has passed both houses Of the lesis-
lature and has. gone to the governor for approval
providing that county commissioners In Douglas
county be hereafter elected by districts instead
of, as now, nominated by the district but elected
BY the voters Of the entire county.
This proposed change 10 distinctly backward
step, presumably dictated solely by political con.
alterations, with the idea that It will help keep
the democrats in control Of the Douglas county
court house.
II embodies the same bad principle as the bill
that would make US elect our school board MEM
bers by wards So far as accomplishing this
object 10 concerned, we have no apprehensions;
for we do not believe election by districts will be
more to the disadvantage Of the republicans than
election BY the county at large. 1ts tendency.
however, will be to keep the county board made
up Of men Of limited experience and caliber who
can cuddle small constituency, but who would
not 20 easily fsn the gauntlet Of the entire cleo
torate Of the county. If members Of county
boards served in representative capacity we
should favor district selection but II 10 an ad-
illustrative board charged with the management
Of the affairs Of the whole county and every
voter In the county should have voice as to
its makeup
The governor would do his own party, as wei
no well a. the public, service, il he were free tc
kill this bill with veto and courageous enough
to do IT,
Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-05
HERE AND THERE

An electrically driven machine wraps
lump sugar In individual papers at q speed
Of 1900 humps an hour.
A substitute for cement used In some
parts Of Turkey consists OF a mixture Of
linseed oil, slaked lime and cotton fiber.
Madagascar fishermen sprinkle substance
on rivers and lakes which paralyses the flsh
and causes their bodies to rise, when they
are caught by hand.
According to their latest statements
Canadian banks had on deposit something
more than $500, ooo.o 900. Last years In.
crease was s2sa.ooo,ooo.
Experiments are under way In England
with driving motor omnibuses with ordinary
coal gas. which Ia carried at low pressure
In bags strapped to their roofs.
30 that electric light pull switches can be
found In dark rooms there has been In.
vented q glass pendant Allied with . SUBJ
stance absorbing light In the day time and
becoming luminous Of night
A Pennsylvania has invented a portable
developing cabinet for photoeraphers which
folds fat for carrying and into which q
man can insert his arms through light.
tight sleeves.
II has been shown that hersdity In wheat
seed 10 not so important as good soil and
cultural methods. Good seed. good soil and
good farming count for more In crop-pro.
duetion than fancy variety.
Since the war has cut OF the importations
from Germany there 10 q great increase In
the manufacture Of wooden toys in the
United States. The largest toy-producinr
center In this country Ia the town Of Win.
ehendon. Mass.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-05
The Up-to-Date "Realtor'

"Lying like land agent" used to be familiar
expression. The old-tne land agent, especially
the man who had far-away property to sell, had
the Imagination Of Jules Verne and the principles
Of Captain Kidd. Many, and often amusing were
the tales told Of his prowess as a liar and his
success as a salesman. Often he sold land on
mountainsides, describing the salubriousness OF
the climate the magnihcencc Of the view, the
beauty of the trees, and emitting to mention TO
the prospective purchaser that the land he be-
lieyed to lie horizontally stood up perpendicu-
lariy. Swamp lands gowingly described as being
as level as floor" were sold without reference
to the fact that they were under water three
foufths or four-fourths, Of the year.
Nowadays the man who advertises is expected
to deliver the goods. The man who orally guar
antees" is under the same obligation. The old
time land agent has been succeeded by the mod
crn rcaltor, who is business man.
Once upon time there was man who had
farmed the life out of his soil and allowed his
buildings and fences to become dilapidated. He
inherited money. He wanted better farm. He
put his place in the hands of "land agent" for
sale and described the sort Of place ne desired
to buy. One day he dropped in upon the LAND
agent" and heard him describing his ideal, to an
interested prospective purchaser. Alarmed lest
the man to whom the place was being described
should snap up the bargain, he begged. to inter
rupt, saying that he wished a n1oment's private
conversation with the agent.
-That's the farm want" he declared. II an,
ready to write check for 1t. Why on earth ara
you wasting time trying to sell 1t to some one
clse"
"you COMPOUNDED idiot" replied the agent II
was describing your place, almost had II sold
and now you have broken the spell and perhaps
lost customer.
Times have changed, at sacrifice Of pictures.
queness in the world OF trading, but with net
gain to all parties concerned as a result of con
sentative representations and square dealing.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-05
The A B C's of Military LaaO

Alien The legal term for resident Of the United
States Of foreign birth and ,innaturalized.
Armistice: An interval Of time agreed upon be.
tween belligerents for temporary cessation OF
hostilitcs.
Base of operations The point from which an
army begins its expedition.
Billetng: A legal process by which armed troops
may be quartered in the houses OF private
persons
Blockade: A means taken by navy to prevent
vessels reaching OF leaving port in war time
without permission
Bombardnent. An attack by artillery or naval
guns upon place fortified or unfortifed.
Capitulation An agreement entered into between
begerents relating to the surrender Of troops
or fortresses
Cartel: An agreement between Selliserents to
allow certain kinds OF nonhostile intercourse,
such as postal service, etc.
Code: A method used In giving signals and trans
hitting messages In the army and navy to pre-
vent their Interpretation by an enemy.
Commssariat: The department OF an army re-
sponsible for the supply and transport of food
and forage.
Contraband of war: A term applied to various
articles which are regarded as being Of sufficient
help to an enemy to prolong war that the trans
portaton Of such articles to him, especially BY
ships, is prohibited.
Council OF war: elaboration OF staff officers in
charge OF campaign.
Espionage: The act Of spying Upon an enemy
Expedtionary force: A military unit consisting Of
definite number Of men, as organized In times
Of peace, which is ready for sending to foreign
parts on the declaration Of war.
Honors Of war. A term used in capituation, by
which surrendered troops are allowed to march
out with colors displayed, drums beating,
bayonets fixed and swords drawn.
Levee en- masse, The spontaneous rising and arm
ing of otherwise nonbelgerent inhabitants
against the enemy.
Martial law: code OF procedure by which all
the ordinary functions OF police and magistrates
are exercised by military authorities.
Mobilization: The process by which an army or
navy is converted from a peace to war footing.
Objective; In strategy the town, fortress other
object aimed at, the occupation Of which is
deemed to have decisive effect
Reconnaissance An advance Of a body Of troops
detached from main army with view Of dis.
covering the enemy's position, or to mslead him.
Reconnoiterins; The military technical term for
scouting,
Safe conduct: A document issued by military
commander authorizing Its holder to pass
through zone Of military operations.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-05
&AeeSNm
&Asr9eN
Standing by the President.

Omaha, April 2.-To the Editor of
The Bee: In sending to senator
Hitchcock the letter. copy of which
is given below, / trust that l nave
not misrepresented the feeling OF a
large majority Of the men Of Ne
braska:
Hon. @. M. Hitchcock, United States
Senator: Less than q month ago
great many of us out here. sent you
letters and kilograms saying how
proud we were of the splendid way II,
which you had supported the president
in the matter of the armed neutrality
bill. Are you going to make us re-
gret sending those letters and tele-
grams?
To-day we see your name linked
with Senator Stones, and your own
paper asserts that II the president con-
siders a declaration Of war unavoid-
able you intend to vote against any
action being taken because the west
does not want war Who knows what
the west wants-now? There has been
a great shift in public sentiment out
here during the last three or four
weeks; there is growing feeling that
Germany has no intention Of letting
up on us, and a growing disinclination
to take any more lying down..
"Your paper has been urging us
frequently to stand by the president;
1t has told US that we could trust
him in any crisis. We are trusting
him today, and we are with him--re-
publicans and democrats alike-more
of us are with him than ever before,
and we should be very sorry, Mr..
Senator. to see you desert him in this
latest and gravest Of his trials"
GEO. e. HYDE.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-05
Financing the War Operations.

First Of all requisites to engaging In warfare
on a modern scale Is eommodious and well
filled exchequer, supported by inexhaustible re-
serves from which steady supply Of funds may
b drawn. The United States has wealth beyond
that ever accumulated BY another people, three
years ago the national wealth was estimated at
us billions Of dollars and II has not suffered
any shrinkage since then. None Of the Euro.
pean countries approached this within half way.
II 10 not likely that participation in the war will
exhaust our resources or subject us to the strain
that has been endured BY the other nations en-
gagged,
While plans for financing Our operations have
not been completed, the presidents address con-
tains suggestions that may be accepted as sign
that a considerable increase Il taxation impends.
The increase may be levied In any one Of several
ways, added imposts on incomes and profits be-
ing among the sources most readily reached.
Much Of the enormous sum required will be Sc
cured by borrowing, although Il Is fair to con-
clude that the president sincerely favors taxing
incomes and profits to the uttefrnost that loans
may be kept al low az possible. Congress will
have to deal with this whole question, and will
surely try to distribute the burden Of war cost
that it will fall on no class with undue weight.
The strength Of the stock market under the
shock Of the war news shows how well financially
the country Is prepared for the step taken. Nc
nation in all the worlds history was ever so well
fortified in It's financial power as the United
States is today. and financing the war ought "a
be one OF the lesser problems the country MUS,
solve
Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-05

and then leaving them to get back
home as best they can.
Silver Creek is live town OF 500
inhabitants on the main line OF the
Union Pacific and has some of as good
citizens as are to be found In any
community. l have been a resident
of the town for the last twelve years
and am forced to admit that q few
thieves and thugs of Omaha occa-
sionally run out and do quite little
deyilment before we get onto" them
and chase them away. But II the en-
tire police force of Omaha cannot
apprehend these toughs who spend
most Of their lives there, how Is 1t
possible for the town marshal Of our
little village to stop their nefarious
traffic.
The claim that forty stolen auto
mobiles were found here is perfectly
absurd, as Sherlock Pipkin would
claim that he had found a stolen
automobile and the number had been
tempered with when the same auto
mobile could easily be proven to have
table garage and easily traced through
all persons who had owned 1t.
The man who was arrested and
claimed to have paints, brushes, auto
mobile tires, etc., in his possession is
a resident of Genoa and l know moth
ing at all about the merits or de-
merits of his case.
This whole hubbub about stolen
automobiles started from the arrest
here of man by some York parties
whom the majority Of the citizens Of
silver Creek believe to be innocent,
but who unfortunately purchased an
automobile which the York party
claimed. was stolen from York, but
which, Sherlock says, was stolen from
Omaha. 1t seems that neither party
can positively identify the property.
and as the man arrested has grown
up in the community Is well known
and believed to be innocent, the peo-
pie are standing by him and will con-
tinue to do so until he Is proven guilty.
Notwithstanding Sherlock Pipkin's
wonderful claim Of great accomplish
ments as paid detective who must
do something to hold his job, pre-
sumo. l charge that he was derelict
in his duty and overlooked his best
chance own Ford. don't know
where got 1t or whom l got 1t of
or what I paid for 1t, and yet so far
as / know he never even looked at
IL VI hucW L ileiu IL. hyb Whos O Nv
tective!
Silver Creek, like all other villages
as well as cities, has its undesirables.
Also, it no doubt has been imposed on
and purchased automobiles which may
have been stolen, as no doubt many
others communities have, but that
should not condemn the entire COM
munity and cast reproach on an aver
age progressive, respectable, enter
prising little village, and IL the sanity
Pipkin or anybody else will honestly
try to apprehend any criminals that
may be in or about Silver Creek the
authorities here, backed by the good
citizens of the town, will lend all the
aid possible. but such write-ups as
we have recently had for the purpose
of aggrandizing some particular indi-
vidual will be just as strenuously re-
scented. w. G. ROBINSON, M, D.
A device used N the Philippines in place
Of glass for window panes 10 the translucent
shell Of an indigenous oyster.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-05
Berlin Hugs ! Deluslons

Dispatches sent from Berlin, purporting to
give the attitude OF the German imperial govern
ment toward Americans, unquestionably aim at
dividing popular sentiment in the United States.
This is quite to be expected. for it is to the ad-
vantage of the kaiser right now to split the forces
Of his opponents If possible not only here, but in
all the ally countries a. we'll Commenting on
the address Of the president, one Berlin paper ex-
presses doubt as to whether Mr.. Wilson will have
the support Of his own people. II the German
Junkers hug the delusion that the United States
IS approaching the war with divided ranks, they
are making bad bunder worse. From the be-
ginning, the German policy in relation to the
United States has rested on mistaken notion. 1t
is not easy for foreigners to grasp the fact that
Americans may dispute and even wrangle over
matters Of public concern. or questions Of public
policy; our own people do not always comprehend
the meaning Of this phase 81 our liberty but once
q determination is reached to meet national
danger, factional differences quickly disappear and
4 thoroughly united country presents an unbroken
front to its foes. Hope that rests on the foun.
dation Of serious division among the people Of
the United States as to defense Of our rights and
honor is foredoomed to disappointment.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-05
When the Call to Arms Comes.

Half million soldiers to be prepared mme-
diately for service Is the requisition drawn by
the president. In itself this call. when it comes
will reflect the expansion Of the country since
that day, ffty-six years ago this month, when
Lincoln asked for $4,000 volunteers, or, nineteen
years ago, when Mckinley called for 100000 men,
Lncoln's army finally mounted to an aggregate
Of two and half millions, the mightiest force
ever assembled up to that time; McKinley's first
cali, not entirely filled, was more than sufficient
to answer the demand and many regiments were
mustered out without having heard a shot fired,
or even leaving the mobilization camps. But
Lincoln was forced to resort to the draft to Sc
cure men needed, and Mckinley had to recall
the National Guard and substitute the United
States volunteers to avoid the embarrassment Of
the obsolete system Of raising an army. Presi-
dent Wilson will be relieved Of this embarrass-
ment only II new and better plans are carried out
Plainly more equitable and more effective
methods Of enrolling recruits must be adopted,
though it will take time to pass new legislation.
In the meanwhile volunteers are responding in
goodly numbers throughout the country Efforts
to discourage volunteering, such, for example as
the cunning suggestion Of . certain Omaha
newspaper that the proposed army Is to be used
to put down strikes, come close to the borderland
Of treason. CONSUMPTION by lot Is said to be
the plan favored by the president and to be early
considered by congress, though, perhaps. not re-
sorted to Il volunteers fll the ranks Whatever
the method, the main thing is that the burden
Of self-sacriice be fairly distributed among all
our citizenship without discriminating favoritisnn.
To this much all can agree, that whatever part
In the war America is to bear must be honorably
borne and shared in by all patriotic Americans.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-05
No Odium on Silver Creek.

Silver Creek. Neb., April 4.--To the
Editor Of The Bee: Silver Creek
seems to have obtained considerable
notoriety recently in connection with
the universal wholesale theft of auto
mobiles. Reading the articles in the
papers Of today, 1t would be inferred
that the entire population of Silver
Creek engaged in no other occupation
than that of stealing and disposing of
stolen automobiles. No doubt these
articles are inspired by the ego Of
Sherlock Pipkin, so-called detec-
tive Of Omaha, whose principal bust
ness seems to be to declare every Ford
automobile he sees to be a stolen one
and beating up ana abusing old men
after pretending to arrest them and
carrying them out into the country
where there is no one to Interfere
Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-05
The Day We Celebrate.

william M. Wood, the foremost fig-
tire In the American wooden nlanufao-
turing industry. born at Martha's Vine
yard, Mass. flfty-six years ago today.
A. Lincoln Felene, prominent Bos-
ton merchant and civic leader, born
in Boston fifty-two years ago today.
John @. Tilson, Connecticut con-
gresham, who accompanied his COM
mand in the National Guard to the
Mexican border. born at Clear Branch,
Tenn, flfty-one years ago today.
william H. Deneen, former we'll
known base bail player and umpire,
born at Syracuse, N. Y, forty-one
years ago today.
Joseph Stecher, leading claimant to
the worlds heavyweight wrestling
championship, born at Dodge, Neb.,
twenty-four years ago today.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-05
No Politics in Prairie Park Club.

Omaha, April 4.-To the Editor of
The Bee: / wish to correct an inn
preston that has grown out Of the
controversy of the vaccination troubles
at Saratoga school and the so-called
recall petition with reference to Com
missioner Kugel as originating with
the Prairie Park club.
This club Is social club and does
not now and never has taken any part
in controversies Of this kind, and does
not sanction the use of the Prairie
Park club in any manner other than
a social nature. LOUIS NELSON,
President Prairie Park Club.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-05

II 10 Ill up with the senate banking committee.
Critcising banking board methods smacks OF
iese majestic and sounds the political death knell
Of the members National Committeeman Mullen
will name the pallbearers
Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-05

For the public good and the personal safety
Of all concerned it Is our fervcnt wish and prayer
that nothing happens to cause Postmaster Fan
ming to explode while transacting official bust.
ness Il Washington.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-05

Chasing the nimbe Turk through the hot and
holy lands Of Palestine 10 not attractive as
summary occupation. British Tommies and
Egyptian fellahs, II at all sentimental, may con.
sole with the thought that the wolop Is worth
the perspiration.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-05

So long as Il was 'toothache" that kept one
Nebraska senator from being recorded In the roll
call on the dry" law, the explanation will be
accepted. But had this happened In bysone SEES
sions, corroboratve testimony might have been
required
Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-05

Like the king Of France and his ten thousand
men, our Nebraska legislature resoluted up the
hill and then down again.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-05

For soil preparedness, April SHOWS are just
as good Is April showers. If only the Their
mometer does not drop too far
Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-05

individuals wire congressman that Nebraskans
do not want war" That 10 true statement No
one wants war. But when war is forced on u.s.
individual desires are submerged by the demands
OF national honor and duty.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-05

With both Of our ex.presidents approving and
commencing the presidents war address, there
can be nothing more to say.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-05

Despite the serious aspect Of public affairs
sufffagists persist in sentineling the White House.
Real friends OF the cause would do the sentinels
a good service BY limiting that the silly season
is over.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-05

OF course you are having your backyard
vegetable garden plot laid out and cleared up II
not, why notf
Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-05

Municipal elections supplement other signs OF
the times in clearly pointing to popular anxiety
for public service.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-05

Why prod the democrats In the legislature
about the platform pledges on the strength OF
which they appealed to Nebraska voters last
falll Those pledges were merely made, ~ usual,
to yet in on, but not to stand on
Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-05

One Year Ago Today I'm the War.
British reported severe defeat for
the Turks below Kut-el-Amara.
In fierce fighting at verdun the Ger
mans stormed and captured the viii
lage of Hancourt.
General Zupelli, italian minister Of
war. resigned and was succeeded by
General Paola Morone.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-05

The "drys" have bassed two more capital
Springfield ILL.,, and Madison, Wis. Lin
coin and Topeka are not as lonesome as they
pretend.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-05

Strange as it may appear, April's switch to
the wet side increases Its popularity.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-05

II 10 minated that there have been spies in
the State department giving tips on inside secrets
to interested parties. The impression is wrong
then, that oil the leaks" were in the treasury.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-05
Timely Jottings and Reminders.

Annual meeting Of the missouri,
Kansas & Texas Railway company at
Parsons, Kan.
Founders day will be observed at
Tuskogee institute today in honor Of
Fifty-year 4 per cent gold bonds to
the amount Of s25,000,000 are to be
place on public sale today by the state
Of New York.
Many educators of national promli
nence are on the program of the an
nual convention Of the Alabama Edu-
oational association, which begins Its
sessions today at Montgomery.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-05

The hour is nearing for Colonel Bryan TO
make good his prophecy Of millions rallyins to
the colors. Is the colonel watchfully waitngi
Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-05

If Bryan were still in the cabinet would thu
senator--Oh, pshawl
Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-05

Gentlemen Of the legislature, the spring plow'
inc season Is on. Hike for home and get busy.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-05
In Omaha Thirty Years Ago.

In Omaha Thirty Years Ago.
Contracts were let for William A.
Paxton's magnificent new residence.
which is to be erected on the block
bounded by Twenty-sixth street, TWEEN
ty-sixth avenue and Douglas and Far
nam, to cost 100000. His lot is now
being brought to grade.
In the prospective reorganization of
the city schools under the new charter,