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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 28, 1894)
tHE OMAHA DAILY BEE : SUNDAY , JANUARY 28 , 189J.-SIXTEEX PAGES. 13 LOOKING INTO THE PAST tnYOfltigaUon of Corporate Abuses by a Special Oomrnittoo of the Senate. THE RAILROADS AND THE PEOPLE favoritism In I'ntiengnr Toll , 1'reo I'nties nnd Other livUs IVdcrnl Ucstrlrtlun n Itemudr for Grass unit llur- ilcnsome Atitiics. IV. [ Fourth Installment of testimony of Mr. E. Itosewntor buforo the select committee nf the United States senate InUmnlm , Juno 22,1885. ) Senator Platt 1 am told tliat the Now York Central railroad carries passengers from Now York to Albany for ft. 10 , which is less than n cent n mile. Mr. Hosowater Yes. sir ; nnd if nil the dead-heads and nil the drummers were cut off they could carry passengers hero for B cents a mile. Drdmmcrs nnd commercial travelers should bo put on the same basis ns all other travelers. H Is maintained by the railroad men , nnd some of them , I sup pose , would Insist upon It , that It Is to the advantage of the railroads to reduce the passenger rate for n commercial traveler , because It Increases the traftlc on a railroad. That is the only ground they could over plvo ino for sending n commercial traveler at n lower rate than they charge a farmer or mechanic. Senator Platt Do they make a lower rate to commercial travelers ? Mr. Itosewatcr They sell them n [ 1,000- milo ticket at S3 cents a mlle In IowaI think , and In this .state at U cents. Senator Harris Do they not sell that ticket to anybody nt the same rate ? Mr. Uostjwnter No , sir. There nro 200,000 commercial travelers m the United States who enjoy this privilege. As I claim , there is not rmo pound moro earned over any rail road by reason of thcso commercial travelers going over it than would bo carried without them , excepting alone the samples which the commcruUri men carry in their grip sacks or baggage. The Thnusnnd-Mllo Tlclcor. Senator Platt I think tlio eastern roads do not make nny difference as to the person to whom the tickets are sold. Mr. Kosewatcr Wo will admit that there is a much heavier population In the east , but they treat all people ullue. They sell at a minimum or very low rate to anybody who can pay the money. Hero a largo percentage of the people pay nothing. The Chairman If they did sell to all alike there are n great many men who do not want n 1.000-milo ticket nnd who would not ride 1,000 miles in very many years. They would have to pay the regular rate , so that you nre discriminating against the poor man or the man whp occa'sionnllv travels. Senator Platt Very likely , but that is riot qulto so bad as to sell a 1,000-milo ttcltet to ono man and not let another mnn have ono who travels just as much. The Chairman-Is it right to sell a 1,000- mlle ticket at all at less than the ordinary faro which everybody pays ? Jtllleaire TicknlH t Fixed Hates. Mr. Kosewater The proper way would bo to sell to everybody such n mileage as they need nt the regular fixed price , just ns wo buy postage stumps at the postoffluo. There in ono of the causes of discrimination und also of favoritism , because in this very matter there are these who are favored nnd these who are not. The retail dealer who way go out of this city has to pay the full price. " Ho Is to some extent a shipper , but is not n commercial traveler. Me does not ship enough to warrant him in making an application in the proper form. They have to show that they nro heavy shippers over the road. The result is that these who have heavy trafllc have the advantage. Senator Pla'tt You touch on the system of issuing pusses ; to what extent is it done hero ? Under I'nss Sy tom lOI'crCent Trnvol Free. Mr. Kosowatcr-Tho system of issuing passes on the Union Pacific up to the change in Mr. Adams' administration has been very extensive. I have talked wilt the conduc tors and they have said that at least 10 per cent of the travel is free. Since Air. Calla- wny has como In a large army of political followers who had passes all over the state to travel at leisure has been disbanded. The Burlington road still transports , in my opinion , not less than 10 per cent of all Its passengers free. Senator Platt Do you not think If the pass s.vstcm wcro absolutely abolished by the roads It would bo better for them and that ono great cause of Irritation of the people - plo would bo done uway with ? Mr. Kosowater Certainly ; because when men travel who nro paying , and they 'see largo numbers of people who do not pay , they feel that there is some imposition upon them , or that there are people who are favored. The Chairman It is n source of irritation to these who do not get the favora ? Mr. Rosewater Yes , sir ; and it ought to bo abolished. I ocllovo If they had cut down tholr pass system in this state entirely flvo , six or seven years ago and had adopted then a 3-ccnt mileage rate. Insteadof keeping it nt 5 cents up to within two years nnd 4 cents since , they would have had a larger incomn in the aggregate from the passenger earn ings than they got at the 4 und 5-ccrrt charge. Communion for Sullln ? Tickets. The Chairman What do you say as to the commission allowed to agents for selling tickets ? Mr. Kosewater Thnt is a subject I have not Investigated. That Is nu internal ar rangement nmong railroads that I have heard no complaint of. Senator Harris You have scalpers ? Mr. Uosowater We have scalpers everywhere - where , but I do not think these scalpers are employed by the railroads. They are parties who buy through lionets from parties whoso destination is to a certain point and who have bought tickets through , and when they reach that point sell the balance of the ticket. Senator Platt Every city has a ticket oRUo for every principal road. How are these ticket ofllces supported ? Mr. Hoscvvatcr lu thu largo cities it is qulto nn outlay on the part of the railroads. The scalpers are not employed by the rail roads. There is another thing about tbo scalpers' oHIces. The scalpers are a sort of detective system , in my opinion. They are used by thu railroad companies to detect frauds upon the pjss system. Parties who want to soil their free transportation to some scalper nro generally Immediately spotted , and nolico is served and they nro usually arrested. I thlulc that is onoof the causes for doing that. If the pass system was ( lout ) n way with the scalpers would soon follow. Senator Platt Do you understand that it is the practice of the railroad companies to allow n commission to the ticket agents who have tholr ofllces In the different cities for dolnr business ? Mr. Uosowater They mny Uo so. I should not be surprised if that wcro truo. Instead of salaries they may ba paying commissions. The Chairman Ono road may pay a sal ary and another road pay commissions , ns I understand it. There mny bo a ticket agent in this town or iu r.nothcr town , nud a man comes into his olllce nnd wants to buy a ticket to Pittsburg or to Boston. It is a question ns to what rend bo will go by , as there , nro several ho can goon after ho loaves thU town uysouio given road. The ticket ngont uses his Influence to got him to go on a line from which , if ho sells a ticket over that line , ho will bo paid a commission. Air. Kosowatcr 1 think that is douo here also. also.Tho The Chairman What do you think of that ! Apply Coinmliman to Itmluutlnn of fares. Mr. Kosowater I should think that was an Imposition In part , because It causes Just thnt much moro outlay to the railroad com pany , nnd consequently prevents u from re ducing the fares. An tar as I can see , the object should ba to give the publto the lowest possible ralo for which a railroad can af ford to carry passengers. Senator Platt It has been testified before us that very largo commissions were allowed In some instances by the roads to agencies Iu distant cities for selling tickets. If the pass system should bo cut off nnd the com mission system could bo cut off , ami all the savings thLS affected could bo deducted from the prlroof tickets , U would bo a consider able Item In the way of reduction. Mr. llosowater I have covered that \ branch. I presume. I have shown , no far as the people In this stuto are concerned , that they will sllll contluuo to uciUto the enuot- ment of laws that will establish a maximum rate , or at least a limit to the charpcv nnd they will undoubtedly continue to agitate until 1'ioy got a moro stringent penalty for violations of the law with regard to dis criminations and have It defined much moro clearly than at present. Jurliillailnn nf tlin Nxtlonnl Government. Senator Platt I understand you to say , with reference to all these roads that have been chartered by the government In the territories which have alnco become states or which arc still In a territorial condition , that the Bovornmcnt has full power to deal with all passenger and freight rates ? Mr. Itosewatcr I think the charters of these roads nro all drawn pretty much after the Julv. 1803 , charter of the Union Pacific railroad. They are nil about on the same model. They all state that congress reserves to itself that right only after 10 per cent of dividend Is earned upon the stock. That Is , whcu the road can earn rnoro than 10 per cent upon Its Investment , then congress mny step In. Out I think it has been generally construed and held that congress can at any time legUlato upon that question. Senator Harris Congress reserves ! the right to alter , amend or repeal the charter ? Mr. llosowater Yessir ; there l nodoubt that congress could reguliito the tolls so far as passengers and freights nro concerned , over the main lines on thcso two great rail roads In Nebraska. Senator Platt Because that is Interstate business ? But Is there anything , now that Nebraska has bscoms a state , by which it makes It any moro difllcult for the govern ment to say what passenger rates shall bo charged from point to point within the state than it was boforc Nebraska became a state , wltti reference to the government roads ? Mr. Uosewater I do not bellcvo that on these land-grant railroads there Is any qdes- tlon but that congress can regulate both freight and passenger tariff ? in Nebraska. On their branches i suppose It would ibo dinic.ilt. Senator Platt They have been built under the laws of Nebraska ? . Mr. Ilosewator They have been built under our general laws. They can bo regu lated , of course , by the state proper , because by accepting the right of eminent domain they have placed themselves directly under the regulating power of the slate. A Local I'ool. Senator Platt Have you a local pool of the railroads which compete for business cast of Nebraska ? Mr. Ilosewater Yes , sir ; I think there has been a local pool hero all the tlmi or most of tno tlmo. The only thing I wish to speak of further Is as to the questions you have put in your circular. With regard to the remedies to bo applied by congress my idea would bo in the first place , that the primary remedy to bo applied Is , If possible , to wring the water out of all the land grantrailroads. . That may bo a confusing statement. The Chairman Would you not wring it out of some others , also ? Mr. llosowater If congress had the power I would have it wrung out of all of thorn. Senator Platt If congress is going to fix rates on interstate commerce of course it can fix the rates with reference to what is the real honest capital of the railroads. Mr. Ilosewater Parties who operate the railroads for gambling purposes do not seem to bo. satisfied , no matter how much wring ing out there Is , and will not be satisfied un til there Is congressional regulation that will limit stocks.Vo should have n law tnat will say how much stock a railroad company shall issue above its indebtedness. Present Itatlrunil liureaa Sulllclont. Right hero I will siy that the United States bureau of railroads which is already established , for some six or eight years , is amply competent to handle the mutter , as far as its jurisdiction can go. It already has jurisdiction over the land-grant railroads , and in my opinion all the railroads should bo required to report to that bureau. But there should bo a limit to the Issuance of stocks and also of bonds for railroad purposes. When that Is done , the first step will be taken so far as excessive incomes of railroad investors are concerned. The real investors in these railroads have probably had nothing to do with their construction. A great deal has been said about the orphans. Wo are admonished that congress should consider the rights of the poor widows and orphans in Massachusetts and in Now England gen erally. I say , if anybody who is an adminis trator for orphans and widows would invest their money in stocks that are crambled in on Wall street , ho should be branded ana sent to the penitentiary. No person should invest orphans' funds m such securities. If ho does it would make no difference whether ho invested it in the Union Pacific or Wabash. If he had invested it in Wabash ho would have been wrung out en tirely. A receiver has been appointed for the Wnbash and other railroads have had receivers appointed. It seems to mo con gress should not look to the few widows in Massachusetts but to the millions who nro residing in tills western country who arc all subjected to this perpetual tax. The tax should bo made uniform nnd reasonable , and thn tax should bo icado with a view to their interest instead of in the interest of these who have put their money into railroad stocks that are liable to bo up or down from day to day. Unllroad Stocks Not Sitflerlujr Unduly. I do not think the railroad stocks have been suffering so much. I received this table n day or two ago from Boll & Hatch , bankers and brokers. 48Vnll street , showing the nverago value of eighteen lead ing stocks between September , 1S83 , nnd Juno , ISM. I will not bo sure about the other roads , but I refer to these wo arc in terested in. Wo will tnko the first , the Burllneton & Quincy. In September. 1S33 , its stock was quoted at 1)0 ) ; in May , 1SS4 , at 103 ; on the 10th of June , 18S3 , 123. So that the orphans in that direction are not very , much injured or very badly off , oven with the terrible squeezing the roads have been subjected to. In 1873 the Chicago & Northwestern was 40 , in 18S4 it had gene up to 03 , and now it stands at 90. I suppose that road has been pretty well Inflated , too , by its watered stock. Still it is held at 00. Rock island is also iu the same category In this stato. Wo deal with that road. Wo find that In 187U Its stock was 80 , in May , 1884 , it was 108 , and now it is 114 on the 10th of June. The Union Pacific was 45 in 1873 , 33 in May , 1S3I , and on the 10th of Juno , lbS5 , it was fin. I do not know what it is today. On what ? That was the price ot the stock , not only of the "Union Pacific ns It was quoted iu 1873 , but of bomo twenty odd millions addi tional stock that has been merged into it , all now called , in general , the Union Pacific railway. Still , its stock is 53. Widow * mid Orphin * > ot nully OX Certainly the widows and orphans in Massachusetts nro not so bad off , nf tor all , ns I thought they were. So far as concrross is concerned , it certainly could legislate with regard to these railroads without actually impovcrisning thcso widows , and ut the same tlmo do justice to our people. I think the fixing of n mavlmuiu tate tttat would be rational and reasonably per ton per mlle and the establishment of two units , 100 pounds tor broken car lots nnd n carload ns the unit for each carload lot , would bo very essential for this section of the country. Senator Platt If you have thought on the question , lot us hear what you think the effect of it reduction of rates would boon the aggregate or net earnings of the road. What would bo the effect of the ' . ' 5 per cent reduc tion all around ? Mr. llosowaler I do not think a cut of 23 per cent would bo admissible. I do not think the tariff of the road would increase proportionately to make up that amount. I would not want to bollovo that. There is , of course , a limited amount of traffic , now that four or flvo other Pacific roads are com- potlng with this road. litTeot ot 33 per ( 'rut Hmluotlon In Kutrs. Senator Platt The cost of n ticket from Now York to San Francisco , 1 think , Is $125. Suppose that ticket was reduced to $100 , which would not be a reduction of quito 85 per cent. Tbat would have some effect to incrcaso business over the road , would it not ? Mr. Rosewater I think that with regard to passengers the 25 per coni reduction could bo made very safely , because in that case there would bo an Incentive to travel that would increase the number of passengers very materially. Senator Platt U would incrcaso the amount of Immigration , toowould it not ? Mr , Hose wo tor And immigration also. Senator Platt And whcu immigration eaino that would Increase the freight busi ness ? Mr. Rosewater On the other hand the freight traffic is not to bo increased by- any incentive of that character. That is. in my opinion , a reduction on freight would not create now freight. Senator Platt Not Immediately , but II it I stimulated Immigration nnd the settlement of the country U would eventually stimulate frcluht , Mr. llosowater That would bo at some distance off. There Is no doubt n reduction ought to bo made , not n horizontal reduction going through the traffic Indiscriminately. Senator Platt I speak of that only for il lustration. Mr. Iloiowater I think there should bo moro than that ou some classes of freight , ns I find the traffic now. I think there should be flO per cent on some classes , accord ing to the rates now exacted by the road , because - cause they are not uniform , considering dis tance and service. Senator Platt In the case of R.IS compa nies , when any reduction In the price of gas has been made In nn.v city , the result has been that the receipts for gas have kept up to whnt they were nt'tho former price. Would not the same principle operate ai to railroads to some extent ? < Mr. Ilosowutcr The gas receipts depend on the meters a ( rood deal. They can prob ably regulate the meters so as to make the Income keep up. But I do not think the rail roads have moterj enough , or rather they have not the machinery to do It. Senator Platt In other words , the freight business is limited by the capacity of the company ? Mr. llosowater Yns , sir. Senator Platt And the production ? Mr. llosowater And production , com merce and manufactures. JHUA'I JtSOH Tlmt U'nn Where the anmblcm Tripped In Tlielr Ilnncn Oninn. "It was while I was stationed at Fort Omaha , " said Colonel fJeorgo Barry nt the Lotos club , Now York , in hearing of a Sun reporter , "that I first heard this story about Bierbower. Ulerbower was the United States marshal for the Nebraska district , and. judging from ail I heard , ho was a mighty good ono , too. That was a lone tlmo ago , though , nud It has boon years since I saw or heard of him. Why , It was before Colorada was admitted to the union , and that was In ' 70. "Well , as I was saying , Bierbower got after some follows who were counterfeiting gold. He worked a long time before ho got the right trail nni ho got some good men to help him. But ho finally located his men somewhere up in Colorado territory and went after them. They got the counterfeiters all right , and with them a gripsack full of bogus gold. You can understand that the party started back for Omaha feeling pretty good. ' Trains didn't run so fast in these days as thov do now , or anywnore near it , nnd the boys , of course , enllvenuJ the trip in any way they could. It was after they loft Sid ney , I think , or maybe it might have been North Platte , but anyway it was up in that bunchgrass part of the state that a pretty smooth-looking chap , who said he was a traveling man , and who evidently didn't know who Bierbower was , came up to the marshal and proposed a little game of cards. ' Bierbower joined the smooth-looking traveler , who-got a couple of other fellows , and the game began. It happened that the counterfeiters wore asleep and the mar shal's deputies were watching them , so that the men who wcro in the game with Bler- bower had no opportunity to find out who ho was. was."Well , the game went ou with varying success for some time , until finally the traveling man said he had had enough. He had lost all he cared to lose at ono sitting , ho said , and ho made it a rule never to go beyond his limit in any game. While they were settling up with the banker the travel ing man picked up the declr nnd running them over in his hands selected three cards , the two red jacks ar.d the ace of clubs. As the board was cleared of the poker chips ho said : " 'I don't want to play any moro poker nt this time , gentlemen , but I'll tell you what 1 will do. 1'vo got a little trick hero that I'll bet any gentleman ho can't do. I don't want to bet any money , but I'll bet you the cigars or I'll bet you a bottle of wine. Now , see here. ' "Ho raised his right hand and showed the three cards held between the thumb and tbo first , middle and third fingers respectively. " 'You see , gentlemen , ' he said , 'the ace of clubs is in the middle. You see I make a slow , easy , swinging motion the ace is in the middle remember and I follow that motion with n sharp , quick swing , and have thrown the throe cards on the table. There they are , gentlemen. You saw how easily and plainly it was done , and you remember that the ace was in tbo middle. Now does any gentleman want to bet mo the cigars for the party or a bottle of wino that ho can pick out the ace ? ' " 'Three-card monte , or I'm n goat.1 said Bierbower to himself ; 'I wonder if I can't have some fun hero. ' "Ho leaned bacK in his seat and watched the sharper , who began to banter the crowd in the effort to got a bet ; Nearly aU the. men in the car crowded around the card manipulator later , but no one seemed anxious to pick the ace. " 'What has become of your sporting blood , gentlemen ! ' he asKed. 'Where in the world is your sand ! Won't anybody bet the cigars or the wine ? Pshaw ! I'm surprised. ' "Ho went on hectoring the crowd in thnt manner for several minutes , frequently picking up tbo cards and throwing them again , nnd always careful to call attention to the fact that the ace was In the middle. At last , when it was evident that no one would try him on the bet for cigars or wine , his capper reached out his hand to ward the cards , and said : " Til bet you twenty I can pick the aco.1 "Tho gambler just looked at the capper and laughed. 'My dear fellow , ' ho said , didn't you just hear mo say that I did not want to bet any money ? 1 simuly show you this little trick for the sake of the amuse ment it offers. ' "Ho threw the cards once moro nnd looked up for the bet , but there was none. Then ho started to gather them up , but just ns ho was about to rise the capper said again : " Til make you a bet. I'll bet you twenty I can pick the aco.1 " 'I've ' told you several times what I'd do nnd what I won't ' do , ' replied the gambler , sharply , 'I won't bet any money , and there's the end of it. ' " 'Oh , well , ' said the capper , 'if twenty's too much I'll scale it down to suit. I'll'bet you ten I can pick the ace.1 "Tho gambler turned to the crowd. 'Gen- tloir.cn ' ho said ' for , , 'you see yourselves that this man , whom I have never seen be fore , forces mo to bet with him under the implication that I am afraid. Now you , ' ho said hotly , turning sharply und facing the capper , 'you imuly that I am afraid to bet with you. I'll tell you what I'll do. Since you are so anxious to hot I'll bet you $100 and not a cent less that you cannot piclrout the aco. ' "Well , It was the call down fair and square , and of course the capper put up the hundred. Of course ho chose the card that everybody thought ho would choose , and of course It was the right ono. Of course , also , that nettled the gambler , nnd ho declared that ho must have satisfaction. Well , that started the betting , nnd in n few minutes the suckers were biting pretty well. Then Biorbowcr took n hand. Ho had some of the 'queer' gold in his pocket and ho wont to the gripsack and got u lot moro. In the regulation way the gamblers let him win a good bit at the start for bait. Biorbower know the game from A to / und the way ho pluyod these fellows was beautiful. All the money ho won from them nt the start was good. That ho shoved deep down in his pocket. But when ho began to lese ho fished up tbo 'queer' ho had taken from the coun terfeiters and paid with that. The gamblers were too busy with the game to notice what was golne on , and the marshal kept at it until ho had won quite a nice llttla pile. Several suckers had been lured into the game and had dropped a peed bit of money , nnd Biorbower was sure of all the ovldcnco ho wanted. "So when ho thought the thing had gene far enough ho tipped the wink to ono of his deputies to step over to where ho sat. The deputy came and then Blcrbowor said to the gambler nnd his capper : " Tvo been looking for you gentlemen for sorao tlino nnd I'm very glad , indeed , to have met you today. I am the United States marshal for the district of Nebraska nnd. it is with the greatest pleasure that I place you both under arrest. I think you will agree with mo that I have secured qulto enough evidence this afternoon to wan-ant my doing so. ' "Well , they didn't say a word , you see. Blorbowor bad caught them rod-handed and they gave up and went along. They real. Ized that there was no use In trying to get out of U , so they both pleaded guilty and received the full penalty nf the Inw , which was very strict against bunco gambling. IJIeroower was gene when 1 was at Omaha , but that story is ono of tne old itaadbvs of thefort. " TRYING TO C.EI TOGETHER Effort to Unite All I bpr Organlzationi in Ono National Body. HOW THE SCHEMA IS PROGRESSING I.ondor * Without Exception 1'nror the Orent Id A 1'rrtent'Voar May Witness 111 Kciillziillon-UIHIciillUs In the Way I. lpr { Notes , Indications arc that the year 1891 will wit ness the union in ono solid body of all labor organizations in America. For the past three or four years there has been n general clamor nil over the country in both the American Fodoratlou of Labor and the Knights of Labor for the two great organiz ations to unite in ono body instead of having separate existence , as nt present , which has In many cases caused no small amount of bickering and trouble. The differences now existing between the United Garment , Workers and the Knights of Labor Is said to bo a good illustration of the past difficulties in reach In ? a proper settlement of labor troubles und it is claimed by the labor leaders that if the two could bo united In one , hereafter the trouble often experienced In labor circles would bo entirely avoided. U was argued that ns long as Powderly remained nt the head of the Knights of Labor and Gompers at the head of the Fed eration uo union of forces could bo secured , and this general belief was the cause of several delegates to the general assembly receiving Instructions to vote to displace Powderly. It will also be noticed that Gompers' scalp was sought at the last moot- lug of the Federation , as out of about 2.COO delegates ho only bent McBrtde 82 votes. President Gompers accordingly made an in vestigation to learn , if he could , whnt the main objection to him was , and It did not take him long to ascertain that the principal cause of the falling off of his supporters was their instructions to vote for n now man in order that the proposed union of the two or ganizations might bo accomplished. Mr. Gompers has , therefore , in the language of Jesse Blake , "taken a tumble to himself" aim hastens to place himself on record m laver of the proposed union. In an inter view n few days after the meeting of the Federation iu Chicago ho is quoted as fol lows : "Tno workingmcn of the United States have been forced to consider and'act upon this contemplated alliance , I believe that it will bo a success , that it will bring har mony , redress many wrongs and load to the ultimate emancipation of labor. " What Caused tno Chmsc. : Ono of the causes that brought about this change in the president of the American Federation was the action taken at the last general assembly of the Kulglits of I abor. At that meeting a strong resolution was passed declaring in favor of the two organ izations uniting , and , { 3 , committee was ap pointed to bring the matter before the Fed eration and ask tharor anizatlon to elect a conference committee to act with the Knights of Labor and.U'y ; to agree upon some basis which would bo , satisfactory fo all to unite upon. * The delegates to theiFederatlon meeting vote-l almost unanimously for the proposi tion to elect the committee , which proved conclusively that thd''members ' of both or ganizations realized , .the necessity of union and favored it. The Joint committee has now taken up the matter and is giving it careful consideration. Its headquarters are at the office of JohntW. . Hayes of Philadel phia. The first action of the committee waste to address several letters to prominent labor leaders of the country , and in this may find out wnat the geueralteentimont really was. Already many answers have been received and all go to show thaHho proposed union is the united ; demand of labon IK-V James K. Buchanan in his reply says : "Tho forces of labor must be'unitod by some form of federation into ono great American union. It can bo done and will bo dono. If the men who arc at the front now are not willing to take the necessary stop ? others must lead off. It is iu the air. " P. J. McGuire , who Is one of the leaders in the National Carpenters union , says : "Do I favor it ? Yes , with all my heart and every power I possess. " John McBride.a noted leadcrof the United Mine workers , finishes his reply as follows : "Tho practical aud most speedy way to bring about a unification of our forces will uo to hold a convention made up of a limited num ber of delegates from all organized labor in the country , who would provide a sound , safe and comprehensive basis for a newer , grander and more serviceable labor organiza tion than the world over know. " John W. Hayes of the Knights of Labor is reported as follows : "I bcllovo the time is hero when workinemen of all classes must got together to bring about utfity of action on measures for the benefit of humanity. " Letters approving the proposition have also been received from Robert Bandlow of Cleveland , George F. Murray of New York , Samuel L. LeQIngwoll of Indianapolis , Chris Evans of New York , Ilobert Schilling of Milwaukee , John B. Lenuou of Now York , Frank 1C. Kastor of Boston , Joseph A. Laba- dlo of Detroit , Eugene V. Deobs of Terre Haute , Ilobert Pynbof Hartford and many other noted labor leaders. In uo instance , it IB said , has a letter been received by the committee opposing the proposition. Where the Diniculty Iled. The main stumbling block that will bo encountered - countered in this movement will be the trouble in agreeing upon a basis that will give general satisfaction. Several of the Federation have declared that the Knights should simply drop out of existence und como into tbo American Federation , while there nro Knights to be found who would agree to unite , provided the American Federation - oration members dropped the Federation and joined tbo Knights. It is not to bo be lieved , though , that , this class of men will control the action of the national meeting that is likely to soon bo called. From the latest advices received it is quito probable that the proposition of John McBrldo of the United Mine Workers will bo the principle upon which the union will bo affected. Ho proposes that the national convention of both of the organizations bo called at the same time in the same city nnd that , as a basis for uniting , the Knights of Labor give up their present cxlstnnco as trades assem blies and that hereafter all new organiza tions of mixed trades bo given charters as mixed assemblies and all trades organiza tions bo given charters as trades unions , and that In consideration of the Knights , in part , giving up their oxistpoco the Federation of Labor is to adopt the principal planks of the Knights of Labor preamble. This proposi tion seems to bo recolved with moro favor than any suggestions that hnvo thus fur been made , und it is claimed by the ft lends of this basis for uniting thnt it would give satisfaction to all concerned in organuid labor. Several of the local labor leaders have carefully considered the McBride proposi tion and pronounce it. to bo about the only basis upou which America's labor forces could bo solidly united. It is generally thought that the extra ; expense of calling and holding u national conference for the purpose of carrying out the pro | > ositloii is not necessary , but that both organizations meeting ut the same ( imo nnd place would bo desirable instead. , By this moans it is claimed that the union would then bo sure to bo accomplished by thai real representatives of labor and that this would tend to give better satisfaction than negotiations at a special called meeting. Then the fact that nil of the organizations linvo recently berne the expense of sending delegates to the na tional meetings leads many of the members to oppoio any moro expense at this time , especially during the present dull times. It is reported that the committee having the matter in charge is having some trouble in agreeing upon > just how many , and what planks of the Knights of Labor preamble shall be Inserted In the preamble of the pro posed organization. The propositions to do away with child labor , establish eight hours as a day's work and to abolish the contract system on all oublla works , have been easy to agree upon , but the plank in the Knights of Labor preamble demanding the govern- men t ownership of railroads Is causing some delay. The Federation is willing to accept the plank demanding government ownership of telegraph lined , but hesitates about the railroad question , The plank regarding money was soon agreed upon by slightly modifying the demands of the Knights. It Is said there was no chance made in the incanlncr of the plank , but the languatco was somewhat changed and Is sMd to bo satis factory to Doth sides. The plank regarding the land question srems to bo causing the most trouble and mny not ho nurocd'upon until the general meeting is called. This meeting will probably take place before the year IS'Jt is ended , ftrnolutlon * ol Tliankn. The following resolutions were adopted bv the Bricklayers union No. 1 of Omaha nt the last regular meeting : Whereas , Omaha ha < bocn honored by ono of tlio most sucoi-Mful conventions over hold within her lltiiiw , namely , that of the Ilrlclf- layers nr.d Mason * IntTnatlonnl Union ot tin ) United Haiti's and U itmUa. nnd Whereas , The manner In which the dole- Kates to nald convL'iitlon hnvo buon enter tained rcllccn great rrctllt. on our city and her hospitality , nnd will IK > known through out thu lrn I ted Slates and Canada , now there * fora bo it Unsolved , That wo , the mcmlx'M of No. 1 of Oinnhii. do horoliy lender our.sincere I limits to ( Governor I'rounsp , and the cltlrcns of Omaha nnd Huiith Onuiha who si ) kindly aided tH In our entertainments , nnd wo ul o tender our thanks to UK * press ot the city for the liberal spai-o ultoted to us for thu IHU of the conven tion , and bo It further . Itu.solveil , That u copy of llic.so resolutions bo glvon to the press ot thoolty for publica tion , lly order of thu union. JOHN II. Titttvr.x , Secretary. Iil > or No lex. The maltsters at Newark have won tholr strike. The file an-1 rasp workers have organized nt Olneyvlllo. A Pittsburg coal company has voluntarily advanced wages. . A rolling mill nt McKcesport , Pa. , has re sumed operations. Blrdsboro , Pa. , nail factories have closed down until Apiil 1. The Ute and Ulay mines , Lake City , arc now employing 175 men. The Arkansas valley smelter , Lcadville , is to start up with 200 men. Factories at Passalc , N. J. , have reduced their working force Ii5 per cent. Mayor Brown of Pateraon , N. J. , says thnt 15,000 are idle In that city. Nearly f503OOQ were spent in improve ments nt Farloault , Minn. , in l&K ) . Mahoulng valley , Ohio , coal minors will strike against a 10 per cent reduction. It is estimated that four-fifths of the cloth- ins operatives in Boston nro unemployed. A largo portion of the spinning machinery in the Grmnell mill , Now Bedford , Is Idle. The New York State Federation of Labor endorses AHi'eld for pardoning the anarch ists. ists.Tho The Pomeroy mills , Pittsflold , Mass. , will suspend for two months unless business im proves. The Pullman Palace Car company is re ducing its force of employes all over the country. The union of window glass workers in cludes all men working at that trade in the country. Chicago business men are meeting great success in their efforts to assist iu relieving the poor. A Pittsburg cork firm declares its factory will bo removed to Europe if the Wilson bill is passed. Three eastern railroads report that the worst effects of the depressiou have passed for nil lines. Edward Atkinson says that wages are going up , while capital is gaining less for its investment. Several larec tie contracts have been lot at Del Norfe , Col. , and the camps have started up again. . A Johnstown , Pa. , steel works is two months behind on orders and 1,000 men are working overtime. Union men must be employed on all mu nicipal works in London , and the union scale must bo paid. The spinners employed by the Meridon. Conn. , woolen mill have had a reduction of 23 per cent id wages. The trouble between the Knihts of Labor andUnited Garment workers at Boston has not yet been settled. The Knights of Labor at Nebraska City have asked Congressman Bryan to oppose the proposed bond issue. The Llppitt , 11. I. , Woolen company is run ning five days a week , eight hours a day , with about half of a force. Five hundred miners have pone out on a strike at Mercer , Pa. , rather thun accept a cut in wages of So oer cent. Several mill girls were injured at Norris- town , Pa. , in trying to get out of the mill on , account of a falso.iirc alarm. Two hundred glass workers have lost po sitions on account of the reduction of force at a factory av Bridgston , Pa. The employes at the Enterprise glass works of Beaver Falls , Pa. , have struck rather than accept , a reduction. All the Australian settlers in Paraguay were offered free passage back homo by the government , but none returned. A bicycle * factory at Toledo , O. , has reduced - ducod its working force from 709 to 800. Ten thousand are idle in the city. Throe thousand people assembled in Cooper Union hall , New York , and pnjtested against the passage of the tariff bill. The men employed in the mines of Forbes , Cormichael & Co. . Wollsburg , W. Va. , will strike against a 10 per cent reduction. The labor unions of New York have boon Investigating the convict labor system , and report tnat all convicts are working on full time. time.Mayor Mayor Kankln of Elizabeth , N. J. , an nounced last week that one-fourth of the laborers in that town were unable to got work. Several labor leaders of Europe , including John Burns , will visit America soon. They will give u series of free lectures in the principal cities. Their expenses will be paid by the labor organizations of England. The American Nettie mine at Ouray , Colo. , closed last week because the men demanded a raise of 25 cents a day , the management having contracted to board them 15 cents cheaper. The mines will start up soon with n now force. The Miners union of Cripple Crook Is becoming - coming dissatisfied with the nine-hour schedule and has made a demand on all of the most prominent mine owners for a re duction of time tocight hours , but to still re tain the nine-hour scale of wages. Reports from the 'different mining camps near Pittsburg indicate that the minors have failed to obey the general strike order and the greater number of pits are working. At the offices of the Hackott Coal company and the Pittsburg and Chicago Gas company the mines superintendent reported the mines in operation. The Australian papers brought by the Wnrrimoo are full of accounts of great dis tress In Australia. Among the unemployed murders , suicides nnd burglaries are occurr ing with alarming frequency. Co-operative settlements nro being formed nnd nldnd by the government , which is granting land. In the 'different colonies monster processions parade the streets with banners bearing in- scrlntions. "Work. Not Chantv. " etc. Minis ters of all denominations are joining In the big cities to ralso a poor fund. A Foil on or of tlio Grip. The persistent cough which usually fol lows nn attack of the grip can be perma nently cured by taking Chamberlain's Cough Hemedy. W. A. McGuire of McKay , O. , says : "La Grippe left mo with a severe cough. After using several different medi cines without relief , I tried Chamberlain's Cough Remedy , which effected a permanent cure. I have also fouud it to bo without an equal for children , when troubled with oold or croup. Qo and CO-cont bottles for sale by druggists. A glance over the contents of Work and Play for December shows an interesting variety of topics embraced in its talks to littlu ones. The teachers' supplement is n valuable feature. Work and Play company , Chicago. DoWltt's > VltchHazol siivo cures plloi. The Salvation army has been in existence twenty-eight years and has 4,807 mission stations , seventy-four homes of rest where officers go whoso health is broken down , sixty-six training schools for the training of officers , sixty-four slum lasts , forty-nine rescue homes for fallen women , twelve prison-gate homes , fifty-two food and shelter depots , thirty-four factories and employment offices aud live farm colonies. BAD MILK IS BEING SOLD Bcanlta of Teats JTudo by Board of Health mid by The Beo. HOW THE ORDINANCE IS BEING VIOLATED latent to M'hlcli I'eoplo Are Imptneil enl l > y Dcalcru Siitnplrs that t'nll lleluw Grade To the delay ot thn council in confirming the appointments of the mayor nnd the con sequent uncertainty of the personnel of the Board of Health for the coming two years is attributed the delay In entering upon the enforcement of the now milk ordinance , which was to have gene Into effect the first of the year. Milk Inspector Holmes say that he is not certain that ho Is to remain in his present position , nnd it Is regarded as quite sure that Health Commissioner Somor * will not , nnd to this U due the continuation of the old state of affairs. The milk inspector § ays that the milk now being sold In the city comes nearer reaching the two extremes than has over before been the case ; that is , the better class of dealers are selling much better milk and the leas reliable dealers much poorer milk than over before. The ordinance prohibits the selling of milk which contains loss than ! ! per cent of butter fat , but there Is n irrcat deal of milk now being sold in the city that will not stan 1 a test of that kind. The following figures are taken from the annual report of the Inspector for the last seven months of 1S03 : Sample * No. He- Average Inspected. lowrudo. Te < t , .Tune Ull 'JO 2-J-5 July If. ) 7 3 August 03 13 8 Sepfinbur 70 15 3 October..i 110 23 3 Novumlicr H'J C 51-10 December 72 0 31-5 The highest test in thn seven months was 4 2-5 and the lowest 1 U-5 , the avcrago being Just3 percent. During this time SJ7 dairies were inspected and Oi'.i milk inspections and tests made. The dairies Inspected handled the milk of 3.U77 cows , an increase of 421 over 18UJ. Six animals were condemned nnd were killed or taken away from the herd , although ut that tiuio the inspector had no authority to back up his orders in that respect. Ho found 140 dairies running wagons , and in none of the figures piven nro included the small dairies keeping from two to five cows , the milk of which is peddled by hand. Ilrsult of The Ilcu'ft Jmpccttons. So much complaint was made regarding the quality of milk peddled In the.city thnt THE BEE temporarily went into the milk in specting business on its own account , the fluid being procured from various parties , and the test made with the standard Instru ments in the office ot the milk inspector , nn < t their correctness certified to by that indi vidual. In tne selection of samples of milk for In spection no partiality was shown. Kach member of Tun BEE force was requested to furnish the office one pint of milk , purchased from his milkman , in a clean bottle. Ihe sample was given a number and sent for In spection without the name of the milkman being given to the official making the test. In this way twenty-two samples of milk were secured and tested with the result herewith given : Per cent of Dealer butter f&t. John H. lllchol 3 Windsor Hotel 1 Jnbull. Illchel 22-5 Kox& Honsiimn 32-5 Louis Uttlefleld 23-5 I. Haldorf 4 H. Nollson 33-5 N. O. Clirlsteim'ti 42-5 J.C. McLean 3 1-5 Wiishlngtoti County creamery 3 2-5 .Toliii Kolin 34-5 George KUdy's cow 4 2-5 S. Jorenson 4 John llunscn 3 O. Wlnthor 3 Fox A : llt'nsimui 24-5 O. Johnson 23-5 Mndscn . . .4 HcnlRsen 24-5 Hum i'utersou 3 1-5 Hclmlck 3 1-5 " These inspections show conclusively that milk is being sold in the city directly In violation of the ordinance and the health department says that it will probably con tinue until the reorganization of the Board of Health Is effected. Fond Hope Shattered. One of the samples brought to Tni : BEE office for inspection was labeled as having boon nrocured ut "Plamviow Dairv. " and when the result of the test was known there was a scramble for the address of the dairyman. Then It was discovered that an enterprismf member of the force had scoured , n pint of milk from his frlentj , George Eddy , who keeps a cow , and the hopes of the force for n better grade of milk wont glimmering , owing to tbo limited supply. These tests wore made in December. That mouth , so tuoso posted claim , is a fair cftio in wnich to make n teat. Tbo demand for cream is much lighter than during the fruit season and there is accordingly less tempta tion for the milk dealer to furnish his patrons with skimmed milk. Inspectors also admit that the law's requirement that milk shall contain 3 per cant of butter fat is very low and that iniltt which dons not reach that requirement has certainly been diluted. nrewery-l'ert Cows. An unhealthy condition thnt the now or dlnance seeks to remedy Is the feeding of slops from distilleries , breworlesand vinegar factories , which is now carried on to a very great extent by the dairymen selling rnilk In the city. The ordinance distinctly specifies that uo milk from such stock shall bo offered for sale within the city.yet never before has this practice reached the extent to which it prevails today. Inspector Holmes , in speaking on this point , said : "Tho milk from cows fed on distillery or vinegar slops Is uol fit for the use of any human being , and oven that from brewers' slops is not fit for the use of chil dren if the cows are fed very largely on it , although if mixed freely with good , whole some food , I do not know that there is any thing wrong with the brewery feed. Still , the ordinance prohibits all of it , and its use will not bo tolerated after the enforcement of the ordinance is begun. People nro im posed upon to n summing extent by milk dealers. You can go into any of these creamery agencies and ask for cream and they will almost certainly ask if you want it for whipping purposes. The person who know * his business will say that ho does want'it to whip , for only In that way will ho get good cream. The ordinance provides that no cream shall bo offered for sala thnt does not contain 1(1 ( per cent of butter fat , and cream that is poorer than that will not whip satisfactorily. The dealer knows thnt as well ns I do , nnd ho knows that if ho sells the poor cream for whipping purposes it will bo detected by the cook , so that if it is for whipping ho wil furnish good cream , but if otherwise l.o will soil some stuff that Is nothing but filrly good milk , " f llouto Cure lu Qrlppe. About a year uxo I tnok a violent attack of la grippe. I coughed day and night for about 'six weeks ; my wife then suggested that I try Chamberlain's Cough IlemeJy. At first I could see no difference , uut still kept taking it , and soon found that it was what I needoJ. If I got no relief from ono dose I took another , and It was only a few days until I was free from the cough , I think people In general ought to know the value of this remedy , and I take pleasure In acknowl edging the benefit I have received from it. Madison Mustard , Otway , O. 25 and SO- cent bottles for sale by druggists. An Interesting paper on aerial navigation from the pen of Prof. I-angloy of the Smith sonian Institute appears in the January Aeronautics. This fascinating subject Is now attracting popular attention , and this jour nal , so ably conducted ; furnishes the best and latest scientific results of aerial experi ment and study. M , N. Forney , 47 Cedar street , Now York. DoWltt's Witch Hazel Salve cures sores. Do Witt's Witch Hazel Halve cure * ulcer * . Tllli ALOK & PKNFOLD CO. nrj now located at 1408 Fnrnnm St. , opposite 1'axton Hotel. Prescrip tion Druggists , Snrglcnl Instru ments , Optical Goods , .Mathemati cal Instruments , Physicians' and Hospital Supplies , Rubber ( > oods , Large slock. Low prices. THU ALOK & 1'KNFOLI ) CO. For Successful Photos of BABIES HIGH-CLASS PHOTO&R , 313,316,317 , S ) . 15U St. , Oni'n , Take Elovntar. Between Faniani and Ilarnoy. This extraordinary Rejuvenator is the most wonderful discovery of the ace. It has been endorsed by tbeleadlngBClcntltlcmunofKuiope _ and America. y * r > _ H u A y a ii u purely vege table. llinljnn stops Prematureness oCtlio discharge In 'JO days. Cures BEFORE 3L/O631 * At'TEE Constipation , Dizziness , Falling Ecncatlons , Nervous Twitching of the eyes nnd other parts. Strengthens , Invigorates and tones the entlio Bystein. Iludyau cures Debility , Ncrrousncti , Knilsslons , aud envelopes aud restores wcnlt organs. 1'ftlns In the back , losses by day 01 night nro stopped quickly. Over 2,000 private endorsements. , Prematuroness means Impotenry In the first stage. ItlsafyrnptoinofeemlnnlwiJikncfsand barrenness. It can be stopped lu 20 days by the uioofHudyan. , j The new discovery was made by the Special- Istsof thoold famous Ilndnuii Medical Insti tute. It is the strongest vltallzer made. Ills you buy six boxes and are not entirely cured , sir more will bo Bent to you free of all charges. Send for circulars and testimonial * . Addresa HUDSON MEDICAL INSTITUTE , 1032 MARKET ST. , SAN FEANCISCO , CALIFORNIA. SEARLES & SEARLES , SPECIALISTS TltliATMISNf IIIf .MAI1 < Consultation I'roe. AND DISEASES Call on or a-1-.lrcm with ntvn ; > fore roil an book , roc < ! l ) > tHuiiil Hymntom blank * . Dr , Searles and Searles , U8Sjnlho,3Atll ! | M First stairway Routli of postortlco , room 7. HOME INDUSTRIES AWNTNQS , I OmabaTaat-Awnlaj COMl'ANV. H si , nntnmoclci , oil nit rubber' ulotlitiu. yenil forftttilotfue. Ill ) KarnamiU BBEWEKS. Fred Kmg COMPANY. Oar bottliil Ctblnat Outran' ] ) ! la ni l lrr doltrero4 to mir . ouiillu Urn u . part I * r the city , luj ; I oxi > art bo Hi I \ it ii- Jackion iU lUur H lu f t IU it. lltON WORKJ. Paxton & Ylerllnj lodauriil Im WOMI mo.y Mniinfturlnz ail ri Wouutil and c l Iron pairluj ut all Hindi uf wulldluK work , uoiilaa * , ( uacliluerr. 7ll it. llu bra.t w it , rolophont * IIP. PMNTIN& . SOAP. Reed Job Printing Pa3 | C9 , COUl'ANV. Manufacturoriot Union Dee Jjuliaiaj oai > . IIJ Hiciv/rjr ib