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
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endorsed by tbeleadlngBClcntltlcmunofKuiope
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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
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