^_
OmaKa-'IDhere the IDest is at its Best
ERA OF BIG THINGS.
Senator Howell's resolution for an investigation
of certain railroad mergers brings to the front a
question that must he given a definite answer. Is
the proper and desirable development of industry in
America to be controlled by the natural lawF, or
will statutory enactment continue to hamper the
growth and limit the usefulness of institutions of
service?
Specifically, the inquiry is aimed at the so-called
van Swearingen mergers. This combination may
not he in accord with the letter of the transporta
tion act as it exists, but certainly is in harmony
with its spirit. The law calls for the grouping of
railroads into systems for both service and adminis
tration. That is all the van Swearingens have done.
Their achievement has taken on some of the ele
ments of the spectacular, because it brought together
into a unified organization a number of railroads
that were laying around loose, of little benefit to
anybody. United they make a factor in the great
general problem of transportation that will he help
ful to the entire country.
Why should this he regarded as inimical to public
interests? The day has long since passed when
Americans need to he frightened at the sudden ap
pearance of a giant among industries. We note the
presents of giants on all sides. We have become
familiar with giants. More giants must be born.
Our well-known Sherman anti-trust law is a relic of
a day when people did not so well understand or
appreciate the possibilities of America.
Big concerns serve the public in every way. In
the 35 years since the Sherman anti-trust law was
enacted the population of of the United States has
been increased by more than two-thirds. Industry
has multiplied many times. Much of this growth
has been in spite of the restrictions laid down by^
that all but obsolete statute. Demands have in
creased, as well as production to supply them. We
are at the dawn of an era of still bigger things,
when the work of giants must be done with the tools
of giants.
Investigate the merger engineered by the van
Swearingens. It will but emphasize the need for
such proceedings. But do not try to fit America
of today to the lines of 1890. We have grown be
yond what looked ample in. that far-away period.
AN AMERICAN CITIZEN.
“By reason of strength,’’ Klihu Root has reached
the age of four-score. Standing at the point in
years beyond thp span allotted to man’s age, this
leader of thought and doer of deeds can look back
on a record unsurpassed in its service.
fie served as secretary of war in President Mc
Kinley's cabinet, and as secretary of state under
President Roosevelt. He was chairman of the New
York • constitutional convention, senator of the !
United States from New York, temporary chairman
of a republican national convention, member of the
permanent Court of Arbitration of The Hague from
19IT) on, member of the commission that established
the! Permanent Court of International Justice, and#
active in so many other ways that a catalogue
woilld be too lengthy.
Secretary Hughes, summing uti the service* of this
distinguished American, says his greatest triumph
was the establishment of the Permanent Court of
International Justice. That is a service to humanity.
As in the case of Henry Cabot Lodge, Klihu Root
might have pursued a life of ease, or at least hnvc
devoted himself to pursuit of private interests. He
preferred to give his talent to his country, and
through his country to the world.
At 80 he asks to he allowed to withdraw. Rome
yearj ago he made a similar request, saying he
wished to pass a short time at his home. He hns
earned his furlough. He may take it feeling that
it is not grudged. His strength has not been "labor
and sorrow," but useful to a world that sorely need
ed the solid sense of Klihu Root.
SMILE WITH THE LAWMAKERS.
Sometimes old John Q. Public wonders what his
ultitnate end will be. That is on occasion when the
mass of laws enacted for his control snd regulation
looms up before him. Juit now he is circumscribed
by law in his downsittings and uprisings, his out
goings and his incomings. He is told whnt to do on
any occasion, with meticulous precision ns to detail.
What to eat, to drink, to wear, to rend, to play at,
and in his work. And the lawmakers arp busily at
work adding to the list.
In Missouri the legislature seriously considers
malting defaulting bank officials subject to the death
penalty. In Connecticut a hill to license eats, and
provide for a state cat warden, gets attention from
the legislature. At Lincoln a member confessed he
had not put in a bill, and so when one was offered
him on the last day, he dumped it into the hopper.
It turned out to be so freakish that he admitted his
humiliation at being duped.
No idol of old ever was worshiped with the fervor
and devotion as is the fetish, "Re It Enacted," adored
by the American people. A government of laws and
not of men is our boast. And so many laws that no
iudfe on the bench, from the rhief justice down to
the humblest magistrate, no practicing lawyer, how
I
ever deeply versed, can at any given moment say
just what the law is.
Yet readers of the “Letters From Our Readers”
daily are told how easy it is to enforce any particu
lar law, or all the laws in general. Some day an
other Theseus may solve the riddle of the labyrinth
of law we are building for ourselves. Until then we
will have to content ourselves by laughing with and
i at the lawmakers.
STORY OF THE PRISONER'S FOOD.
We are in receipt of a letter from a citizen who
asks that his name be not published, hut who takes
occasion to say:
"I would like (n ask the people of Douglas county
If they have ever, in the history of this state, seen
all the newspapers as antagonistic to an officer of
Ihe law as (he papers of Omaha are at the present
time to our sheriff. "Why? Js it because the only
paper which was against the gang has lieen muzzled
by the gangsters? .... The. hidden power that
prevents justice to our sheriff through the loess Is
the same that lias presented Ihe legislative feeding
Dill in the legislature at Lincoln. Mr. Mike Clark
had six years of feeding privileges and it can he
proven that lie charged a much higher mileage
rate than the present sheriff, and not a word from
this same source.”
The letter contains much more language than that
quoted. However, enough is here given to show its
import. Assuming that by “legislature feeding bill”
the writer means the bill to regulate charges for
feeding prisoners, we can go ahead.
Beginning with the days when “Billy” Coburn
was sheriff, and coming down to the present, there
has not been a time when the fees of the sheriff’s
office have not been under debate. Principally
the outrageous charges for feeding prisoners has
been the subject of attack. Boyd, Bennett, Power,
McDonald, Brailey, McShane, Clark, and pow En
dres, all have had their turn at the profits of the
boarding house. Omaha papers have been active
all the time in denouncing the practice. This fact
is easily established by a little investigation.
Because the practice has gone on for so long does
not make it immune. A wrong can never garn’Hhe
color of right by reason of continuance. Many
other abuses of the office have been cleared away,
and now a determined effort is being made to re
move the greatest. If any “gang” is helping, what
ever its other activities may be, it is doing a patriotic
service in this. The fight is not on End res as sher
iff, hut on the custom that allows a sheriff to enrich
himself by feeding prisoners.
WHO OWNS THE NATION'S WEALTH?
A news item challenges the mind. It tells that
Omaha employes of the Western LTnion Telegraph
company will share to the extent of $30,000 in the
distribution of the company's parnings for last year.
These are only a few of the workers of the city who
will get dividends from \he compairic on whose pay
roll their names appear. Telephone stock, electric
light stock, packing house stock, smelter stock, rail
road stock, all manner of such investments have
been made by the workers within the last few years.
In general terms, the estimated number of stock
holders in the great concerns of the United States
has increased from 4,000,000 in 1900 to more than
14,000,000 in 1923, and it is confidently expected
that the figures for 1924, when available, will show
a still greater increase. Another aspect of the case
is equally encouraging. The average number of
shares per holder has gone down from 140.1 per
shareholder in 1900 to 49.7 in 1923. Mor$ Ameri
can securities are in the hands of small investors
than ever.
Only one conclusion can he drawn from this.
Workers have taken advantage of good wages and
made investment in the prosperity of the land. They
have a stake in industry that goes beyond the job.
Other proof of this interest is provided by the estab
lishment of so-called “labor” hanks. ( apital pro
vided by workers, for the carrying on of the busi
ness in which hanks engage. Handling money, aid
ing in the employment of money', and that money
largely the accumulated savings of workers.
Here is the realization of the phrase coined by
Albert J. Beveridge. “Pass prosperity around!” It
is being passed around. Also, an answer to the revo
lutionists. Orderly processes of evolution are mak
ing absolutely secure the material future of Ameri
:ca. The people own the wealth of the nation. In
their hands, also, is the solution of the cultural prob
lems that confront us. From them will come the
solution.
A Chicago youih who whs welcomed ns a prince
at Hollywood is back home looking for a job in a
Heel mill. Up says he is cured. It must be tough
life in Hollywood if that of a steel worker is prefer
able.
The kingdom of Hedjax is reported to lie in ruins
as a result of war that has been going on there for
years. Simply continuing the record begun at least
125 centuries ago.
• - - »- ■
A boy just sent to the reformatory blames pool
halls and not dance halls. A lot of other hoys
have escaped all three by just behaving themselves.
The “rnmickers" of congress may have a lot of
fun with the president’s method of taking exercise,
but they respect the results of his daily do7.en.
The president got pretty close to the dirt farmers
when he took the president of the Kansas Agricul
tural college to be secretary of agriculture.
It might help some if the air enthusiasts W’ere to
stick to demonstrated facts and not lay so much
stress on future speculations.
Nebraska could have supplied a man to take the
vacant portfolio in the cabinet, but congratulates
Kansas on getting the honor.
“Hob" Simmons does not say much on the floor of
the house, but be said a mouthful when he accused
his colleagues of wasting time.
Well, here’s to the I.nngworth baby!
'--—s
Homespun Verse
By Omaha’. Own Po«t—
Robert If or thin ill on Davie
V-:-/
PROSPERITY.
].
J’roaperlty Ixn’t wo mtirh what It taken
From earth ax the brief vearx fade;
If merely depend* to n certain extent
On the dollar* through honeatv ninde.
II.
If lx flint portion of gain whh li la garnered,
And prudently left to expand.
And faxhlnn nnd *trrngih*n the llthold found,Hl-m*
On which the net rxxitIrx xtHnd.
III.
It lx (hr thrift that lx constantly p noticed
My thoM# who me planning ahead,
Ami bringing about inn many will ahout)
A family fight When the\ rr dead.
IV.
It lx the power of will to plme yearning
After « nmpulxlnii nnd pi l« «\
It ia the enuruge that fm ex with pleaaure
, Crlais and ancrifl* c. ^
+ - -
If They'd Both Keep Still Awhile We’d Soon Have It Settled
L ---- -—
(WEUrf PERHAPS It
___ ,__ ) BETTER WAIT
f )' WHAT WE SHOULD A-WHILE LONGER.
WHY DON'T WE ^CANCEL '
^/1AKE EUROPE V^HOLE TWIN^f
PAY US WHAT they CANT RAY
SHE OWES US \ ANYWAY. *
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* t? ■ * ',*> v/| y;y
•Ay l/,\V^K’ £X
v ■_^ v i i'M aKw'
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) £ ^
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/*- "
Letters From Our Readers
All letters must be signed, but name will be withheld upon request.
Communications of 200 words and less, will be given preference.
k_'
Against the Amendment.
Hammond, Neb,—To the Kdltor of
The Omaha Bee: According to the
1920* census, there were ]2,502,5H2
children in the Knited States from 10
to 15 years of age. Of this number
1.06O.H58, or approximately only one
in every 12. were reported to be en
gaged in gainful occupation, working
either for their parents, an outside
employer or for themselves. Three
fifths of these workers under 16 were
engaged in farming, ami more than
half of these worked on home farms.
The ramailing two fifths were in man
ufacturing and mechanical industries,
trades, etc. There remain only five
s»at*s but what have some law re
garding the employment of children,
.••nd certainly there are enough good
people In those states that will s^e
to it that the rights of their children
will he well looked after, so there Is
no need of any such an amendment
to the constitution.
Children should he encouraged to
work rather than discouraged, and
there is no question but what mote
children's lives are injured and wasted
by being raised without enough work
to do than by having too much.
Friends of the amendment argue
that children should let older men
and women fill their places, and yet
many children are working to ^etp a
Widowed mother to support her fain
IK It Is encouraging that farmers
organizations are de« lacing against
the child labor amendment. Tr does
not seem right that the Knited States
constitution would deny what few'
< hlldren that went to work the priv
ilege of doing so except under such
conditions as the Knited States con
press should promise. We farmers
think that the best place in the world
to raise children so that they will
grow tip to he good, useful men and
women is on the farm, and there is
where we need more of them.
The adoption of the amendment
would reqtlire the appointment of a
large number of officers, with bead
quarters at Washington, fo look after
the enforcement of the law.
Let us hope that our Nebraska leg
Mature will refuse to approve the
amendment, and by so doing leave
each state free to look after the wel
fare of their own children without the
Knited States congress telling, them
who may work anti when.
.1. It. AMMON.
Helping1 the Fanner Farm.
Waterloo, la To ihe Kdltor of The
Omaha. Bee: The rnrtOon entitled.
'Hot the Whole Family Stumped."
found in The Omaha Bee. Is extreme
ly suggestive. Note the question: Who
inn propose legislation that will help
the farmer, and who can suggest
Abe Martin
Th' member* o' lb’ Colonial
llridge rluli have kindly consented
C do without ciRaret* fee one whole
dnv an' (five whm they xave C have
a cataract operation performed on
little Kileen Kile. \nother feller
we haln'l y d time t' li*ten to i* lb'
orator who k it a a *alary an' cx
prune* t' *i end xunahit.e
d 011*111. I j
something that the farmers them*
selves can agree upon?
The answer to these queries Is not
so formidable n<* It at first look*, and
can be completely solved by adopting
a few elementary changes and recog
nizing those ethical and moral rela
tionship* which God has ordained
-hall hold in our economic and in
dustrial life.
If we formulate the channels of
procedure sm h that an untutored, un
'ig.inlzed mass of humanity drifter!
into an organized co-operative unit
for production and civilization, the
questions are answered.
Is there a farmer that would not
•igtee to a plan that gives him the
light to set the price of his own com*
! modifies under a svstem where no
man can abuse the privilege? Is
there a legislator that does not know
how to formulate those channels by
applying the mandates of God and the
principles of .lesus t'hrist? I know
that our trouble is not the knowledge
of bow to do If. but I believe the
whole trouble lies in tbe willingness
to applv what we know
'Hie farm problem, like unemploy*
ment. prohibition enforcement, finan
cial ami tax problems, are all **as||y
•olved if approached In the spirit of;
fairness. Hut to solve them and atj
the same time retain attributes that,
portend Inequality, injustice and fa
voritism. i* as impossible as to make!
;i force that can move an immovable
o!»Jei t. Are our legislators and in vs* j
tigator* trying to solve the problem?
Bulging from known entitles \e*- are
ready to sav not. How ling will the
people be blindfolded with this bunco
game and when will the press of the
country speak nut like the liberator
of old and unfold the process of doing
those things which seem to baffle
our statesmen?
L. E. EirKEI.RERG.
Wants Streets fixed.
Omaha -To the Editor of The
Omaha Bee: Reading In your paper
that the city commissioners are going
*o clean the streets for the anticipated
guests this summer. I would like to
• nil your attention to n part of Omaha
badly neglected, that Is the streets.
Emm Twenty eighth and Twenty
ninth and F to .1 on Twenty-eighth,
and Twenty fifth to T: no sidewalks,
no pavement. If vnu ran And any
streets in Omaha that are more of a
disgrace to our rltv than these, name
'hem And. to cap the climax, leav
AIO f It I PtMKH
Food Bogies
Get the K. 0.
A Bom of Stuart', Dyiyop.ia T»U«U
Maka, a Mytk of tko ON Tiaao
Lirt of ImfcfuM.M,,.
Tr»ln* »o m»k» a horn of a
human hv feeding him bran and
water won't go after he has dis
covered thal Stuart's Dyspepsia
Tablets enable him to taJte to tha
ronghage of mince pie. baked beans.
rick lea. corned beef and cabbage,
rled eggs and so on with tmpnnltv
In thja war he gets all th* mineral
salts, the vitamins, the Iron, lodina
tnd other elements of food from a
wide range and what is of ef|uaj
Important* h# a.Mb the mental
satisfaction of a good appetite, good
rnmpanv and a fearless stomach
Hv giving the stomach the alkaline
effect as In Health theaa tablets pre
vent as well as relieve heartburn.
• rid efnmarh. raeatneas and othet
such familiar distresses due to Indt
Sration Get a cent box todav of
tuarf a Dvapepaia Tablets and thus
read tha tnsnu card with saw found
delight
NEBR1N
The safe remedy for
colds-headaches
rheumatism - pains.
Does not de
pict* the hurt
like Aspirin
o f; Dmjt Stores
ing these nine blocks out. streets on
the east and west, south and north,
ere all paved and have sidewalks. I
drove my ear and had a friend with
me to Twenty-ninth and G. and work
ed three hours to get out of that rnud
hole. Some one should attend to
tliis that is in authority, bee a use it
is a disgrace to a city the size of
Omaha and so close in.
FRANK KLLTS.
PA IN FI L MW K
oh etching love, how cruel you are.
Like daggers driven in afar.
You pierce and stab and prick and
gnaw.
You < ling and scratch like cleaving
claw.
What deep Incisions you do make,
And hearts you tear and gash and
break: *
You do not care for suffering soul,
You're linked with gony and dole.
You pain and sting and weaken one.
You cease not when the day is done:
Through sleepless night you're mani
fest :
You tattle, si niggle and contest.
Oh. painful love, how you depress,
In ft leting misery—dist ress
Oh. \ ou shall only when you wane.
Abate exertn biting pain.
Gertrude Perils.
NET AVERAGE
PAID CIRCULATION
For JANUARY, 1925
THE OMAHA BEE
Daily .74,002
Sunday .77,234
Doea not Include return*. left
over*. umpki or paper* spoiled in
printing and includes no special li
•ale* or free circulation of any kind
V. A. BRIDGE, Cir. Mfr.
__
Subscribed and «wom to before me
tbi* 2d day of February, 1925.
W. H QU1VEY.
(Seal) Notary Public
^ SUNNY SIDE UP
lake Com fort, nor forget.
^hat Sunrise ne^erfailed us^et^
V-------'
r-- X
What a alv ol.l fux la Will Hmlt-y. Here he haa been fnolin<
lia fur the lai>t HO veara. Pinking ii|> Ihlnk he was a nine box,
u iirii lie was, an-oriliiiK to 1 hn-al . onleiniiurary a lii year old
drummer hoy In a civil war regiment. For years he has been
making us believe that we were approaching middle aye 1<>
Kettier, gracefully and contentedly, when in fact he might to
he depending on a cane, wearing a bronze button and think
ing seriously a bout what 1« likely to happen to him This is
a sort of deception which we ale going to cure by the I’a-sage
of H Lnw.
I Provident e, and the Big <'hlef. permit tiny, "e will attend
lire week end at Lincoln. foregathering with the brethren and
sMeru of the Nebraska press. This i- an annual event to
which we look forward with plea sura hie anticipation for 11
months and 25 days. But one regret attaches to tlose meet
ings. Karh succeeding year finds some familiar fare missing,
the face of one of the old-timers with whom we have been
associating since 1X86, hut who has gone on ahead. But it 1*
a mighty fine lot of youngsters who are coming along.
Nebraska Limerick.
A rather passe girl in <’hadron
«if real steady beaus never had one. J
Admitting fading wares
j-the now loudly declares
She'll take any kind, e'en a bad one.
Bin’.- What did your wife sav when you got in so lata
last night *
• .links—T don't know yet. She hadn't finished when I left
tills morning
A man I like
Is Hubert Hhone.
"When tie sees J'm busy
Jit; lets me alone.
In 1x73 the Boston city council enacted an ordinance for
bidding the smoking of cigars on the public streets. The or
dinaiice Imposed a fine. Some of the cigars smoked on Omaha
streets ere a felony, and the pipe Ole Ruck smokes at meetings
of tire Nebraska Press association is a capital offense.
Amusement Note.
"Was that a good picture you saw' last nigh*?”
"Didn't see it. Went to sleep before they finished run
ning the animated advertisements ami didn't wake lip until the
orchestra blared into the exit march."
The Pittsburgh Chronicle Telegraph informs us that fhe
president of a great industrial concern, recently deceased, left
$ 1,300,000. We have a faint suspicion that he left everything
else, too.
We are asked to celebrate next week because it is the 95th
anniversary of the invention of the stiff detachable collar.
But we shall do nothing of the kind. For us it will l*e a week
of mourning. If you want us to celebrate anything In con
nection with the stiff detachable collar, give us the date of
the demise of the Inventor.
WILL M. MAI 'PIN.
'
\ .- ■■■■—■ ■
RADIANT COAL
Smokeless Semi-Anthracite
LUMP $13.50 MINE RUN $11.50 SLACK $8.50
Phone WA lnut 0300
UPDIKE feSSf'c'c*
See Samples of This Coal at Hayden’s Grocery Dept.
For Constipation. Biliousness. Headache
A