Omaha daily bee., 1921-04-29
Women On Guard.

The walls OF the city OF Jericho, it is written
fell down at the sound OF trumpet. Not &C
with the buwarks OF Omaha, though much noise
| is now being relied upon to effect the capture oi
the city. Injustice, loose morals. hatred and the
corruption Of riches were the weak barriers on
which that ancient town OF Palestine relied, and
the blast OF truth demolished them.
The walls of Omaha are its homes, and the
clean hearts and honest lives found in them.
Fully awakened to their responsibility, the wives
and mothers are alert at the parapets. Armed
| now with the vote, they are taking active
| and important part in all good movements and
at this time especially in the matter OF choosing
the commissioners who are to rule the city.
In countless ways the administration of the
municipality affects the welfare of the home.
One OF the more apparent points OF contact has
lately been seen in the ordinance reducing the
costs OF electric lights to domestic consumers.
This was brought about by a readjusttnent OF
rates which had given few large industrial con-
Germs the electric power to run their plants at
less than the actual cost OF producing the cur
rent. Under old contracts about score OF mills
and factories had enjoyed the privilege OF
rdieulously low charges for electricity, while
the cost was apportioned among the small con-
surners. Nor all Of them had the same rate
some Of the business houses, indeed, will profit
by the readjustment, for they have been paying
more than was just. What the city commission
did wa. to put them all on the same basis, and
to insure that none would have the undue ad-
vantage OF loading the home consumer with
portion Of the charges that should have been
paid by it,
This is eyen-handcd justice. No industry
that can not afford TO pay living wages to its
employees or can not run without levying toll on
the people answers any purpose. These plants
are all substantial, all able to pay as they go,
needing no subsidies or special favors In ruling
that they must not be allowed to saddle part OF
their running expenses on the homes of Omaha
the city council has shown the same regard for
the rights OF the whole people that has charac-
terized its entire administration.
No one In Omaha needs any special privi-
,lcgcs. In tie enforcement OF the law against
crime and misdemeanors that same standard has
been upheld BY the city hall. Undoubtedly there
are political interests, whose secret source OF
strength lies in the hope extended to some%that
justice viii wink now and then at special privl-
'leges 81 one kind or another. One political fac
ton just now is attacking the present city coun-
ell for It's equitable readustnent OF electric rates.
The same interests are likewise hinting that the
police department has been over-strct in its,
dealings with undesirables. These elements seek
to create the impression that il the adrninistra-
ton can Be overturned, a general loosening up
will follow.
The trumpet calls of mistaken and mis-
guided liberalism are being heard. Some ex-
cellent people may have mistaken the sound Tor
harmony, when in fact it is nothing more than
the signal ior collapse But the walls OF Omaha
will stand firm as long as the women are aroused.