The Omaha Bee
MO RNIN G—E VENIN G—S U N D A Y
THE BEE PUBLISHING CO . Publisher
N. B. UPDIKE, President
BALLARD DUNN. JOY M. HACKLER,
Editor in Chief Business Manager
*" MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Associated Press, of which The Bee is a member.
Is exclusively entitled to tha use for republication of all
Ttaws dispatchea credited to it or not otherwise credPad
in this paper, and also the local news published herein.
All rights of republication of our special dispatchea ara
also reserved.
The Omaha Be# is a member of tha Audit Bureau of
Circulations, tha recognised authority on circulation audits,
and Tha Omaha Bce'a circulation ia regularly audited by
their organizations.
Entered as second-class matter May 28, 1908. at
Omaha postoffioe. under act of March 3, 1879.
BEE TELEPHONE? ‘
Prlvata Branch Exchange. Ark for ATlunfir 10OA
the Department or Per.on Wanled. A 1 ‘»ntlc lwu
OFFICES
Main Office—17th and Farnam
Chicago—Stager Bid, Boston—Globe Bid,.
Loa An,elea—Fred L. Hall, Sun Fernando Bldg.
■an F'rnneiaro—Fred L. Hall. Sharon Bldg.
New York City—270 Madinon Avenua
Seattle—A. L. Nietx, 514 I.eary Bldg.
MAIL SUBSCRIPTION RATES
DAILY AND SUNDAY
1 year II .00, 8 months $3 00, 3 month* $L75. 1 month 78c I
I DAILY ONLY
1 year $4.B0, $ months $2.75, 3 months $1.50, 1 mouth 75c
SUNDAY ONLY
1 year $8.00, 8 months $1.75, 3 months $1.00, 1 month 50c
Subscriptions outside the Fourth postal zone, or 600
miles from Omaha: Daily and Sunday. $1.00 per month;
daily only, 76c per month; Sunday only. 50c per month.
CITY SUBSCRIPTION FATES
Morning and Sunday .1 month 85c, 1 week 20e
Evening and Sunday .I month 65c, 1 week J5«
Sunday Only .1 month ?0c, 1 week 6c
V ■ .. ■ -----/
Omaha* Where the West is at its Best
"INTANGIBLE” TAX LAW A FAILURE.
One thing the "intangible” lax la\v, passed in
1921, has done to the complete satisfaction of every
body-. It has failed to accomplish what was prom
ised for it. On the other hand, it has justified all
the arguments that were made against it.
Designed to bring out large amounts of property
alleged to be escaping taxes, it has mainly served to
encourage further hiding of such property. The
definition of an “intangible” made by the law in the
attempt to set up a classification of property subject
to taxation includes money, stocks and bonds, evi
dences of indebtedness, choses in action, contracts
for labor, and other similar forms of wealth. Under
the Smith law farm mortgages are not taxable in
Nebraska, and this form of security is specifically
exempted under the intangible provision of the rev
enue law. Building and loan corporations also come
in for special treatment.
• * *
Several bills have been prepared to deal with
problems arising out of the law. One proposes the
repeal of the intangible law outright, while two
others contemplate an increase in the rate of taxa
tion on so-called intangibles: Neither of these*meas
ures touches the problem squarely. The question
is, Should money, stocks, bonds, and similar evi
dences of wealth, be taxed? Answering this question
in the affirmative, then we must decide on what
basis. Clearly the answer to this would be not on
face value, but on earning power.
Here is one of the weaknesses of the law as it
exists. J. A. C. Kennedy of Omaha has prepared a
brief for submission to the legislature, in which the
whole subject is carefully examined. He shows that
the law now strictly applied practically confiscates
the major part of the earning* of capital Invested in
- ordinary securities. This necessarily compels invest
ment in such forms of security as can not he reached
by the law. Also, that a large proportion of the "in
tangibles” consist* of stocks and bonds already
taxed elsewhere, so the additional levy on intangi
bles is really double taxation. This is contrary to
the principle that is employed in the Smith law deal
ing with mortgages.
• • a
Other sound arguments Ire cogenll; urged by
Mr. Kennedy against th* law which has so many
absurdities that it is tedious to undertake to recount
them all. His conclusion Is that a specified low mill
levy on actual value of the forms of wealth now
listed as "intangible” will produce far better re
sults. He shows by the experience of other state*
that such a form of taxation actually increase* the
amount of such property included in the tax roll as
to far exceed what might be gained under the prac
tice that prevails in Nebraska. In Iowa, for exam
ple, with a flat levy of 4 mills the "intangible" total
has risen frpm $36,000,000 in 1912 to $686,000,000
in 1924. In Minnesota the amount has gone up
from $14,000,000 in 1910 to $405,000,000 in 1924,
under a 3-mill flat tax. In Nebraska in 1921, when
the general property tax applied, the amount listed
was $85,000,000. Under the law of 19,21, the
amount returned for 1924 was hut $128,00.',000, a
figure almost ridiculous when compared with Iowa or
Minnesota. Experience in eastern states show simi
lar result*.
• • •
It would seem that the legislature would act
Wisely were it to adopt a provision that will levy a
flat low mill rate on all forms of wealth now classi
fied as "intangibles.” Such a plan has worked well
in other states, and surely will be better for Ne
braska than the law now on the book, which Is ad
mittedly of little service and the source of much per
plexity and vexation to taxpayers.
MR. DAVIS SHOULD CHEER UP.
A. J. Davis is stats superintendent of New York
for the Anti-Saloon league. Evidently he takes him
self, his job and his organization more seriously than
most folk. Mr. Davis says New York seceded from
the Union when it repealed the Mullins-Gage law,
and he fears that the federal government will have
to step in and by force of arms enforce the consti
tution. Mr. Davis actually sees another civil war in
the offing, with liberals on one side fighting and
dying for their cause, and prohibitionists on tho
other fighting and dying for their cause.
Brother Davie should take something for It.
’‘When I think of the terrible priee we had to pay
for the abolition of slavery, I pray the time may
never come when the United States will he moved
to use force of arms to enforce the constitution,”
wails Brother Davis.
We hope the good brother will cheer up, for yt*
tan assure him that he is worrying over nothing at
all. There is about as much likelihood of civil war
over prohibition as there is that the time will come
when crack-brained enthusiasts like Brother Davis
are no more. Prohibition is making progress, not be
cause of its Davises, but, in spite of them.
Intemperance has been the curse of all genera
tion*. Not alone intemperance in the use of intoxi
cants, but intemperance in language. An unbridled
tongue hacked by a fanatical mind can cause more
trouble than an army can quell. One Davis turned
loos# esn arouse Intolerance that can not be subdued
by r**aon.
y Superintendent Pavla la doing the cause no good
<
by his direful predictions. On the contrary, fanatics
like him are doing the cause of temperance infinite
harm. He should be muzzled, just as the fanatical
advocates of "personal liberty’’ need to be muzzled.
Reason and common sense will eventually solve the
prohibition question in a manner satisfactory to the
great majority.
PERPETUATING AN INJUSTICE.
We record it with regret that the senate has
decided to keep the voters of Douglas county in a
separate class. Dividing them from the voters of
Nebraska by a special provision of the election law.
We have many times pointed out the injustice of
such a provision. It has not added any security to
the purity of elections in Omaha, nor has it achieved
anything but hardship on the voters who are affected
by its application.
We resent, as we have always resented, the im
putation contained in the law. We do not believe
that the results of election in this city and county
have been achieved by the machinations of a group
of unscrupulous politicians, manipulating a body of
venal voters. Such an allegation is a gratuitous in
sult to the electorate. We do know, however, that
the faction which worked most strenuously to
achieve the result now attained has only been oc
casionally successful in obtaining control.
This i« neither here nor there. The Omaha Bee
does not and will not appear as mouthpiece or cham
pion for a factional group in or out of the party.
We do believe, however, that the law is unfair to a
large number of voters, who may reasonably be di
vided amongst several parties. On their behalf, and
on that alone, have we appealed to the legislature
to put Douglas county under the same law that is
applied to the rest of Nebraska. A voter should not.
be handicapped because his home is in Omaha. ^ et
certain Omahq citizens think, he should, Rod the leg
islature agrees with them.
The matter will doubtless be taken up two years
hence, and perhaps a different spirit will then pre
vail. Until the law is changed it will be observed
heqe as it has always been. For Omaha is law
abiding.
ACID TEST ON LIBERTY.
New York police were called upon to disperse a
meeting which had heen railed in the interest of
'iherty and free speech. Norman Hapgood, rham
pion of the down-trodden, wherever they may be
found, presided at the meeting. So thoroughly
aroused were those in attendance that, the greatest
confusion prevailed, because each of the 1,100
present had a speech to make and insisted on mak
ing it.
No greater proof of the freedom that exists in
this land could he asked. But an Italian communist
declared with vehemence that in Russia greater
freedom prevails. He was pleading for what he calla
the "political prisoners.” Of course there are no
such in Russia. One American newspaper corre
spondent spent fourteen months in Russia, ten of
them In prison, solely because the gentle soviet au
thorities regarded her with suspicion. She might
have been in jail over thpre yet, had it not been for
the intercession of an American business man with
whom the soviets were dealing.
If our Italian communist will only present him
self in public in Moscow and denounce the govern
ment as he did in New York, he will he quickly given
a demonstration of the difference between the free
dom of speech in the 1 nited Btates and that pre
vailing in Russia. The fart that the 1 nited States
only interferes when the reds make themselves a
public nuisance by disturbing the peace with their
unruly meeting* supports them in their charge of
oppression. As a matter of practice, they can shout
themselves hoarse in Omaha nr anywhere else. No
body pays any attention to them. The acid test is
shown by the holding of meeting* her# to denounce
‘he governmebt, while in soviet Russia they do not
dare even to think, much less express, objection to
authority.
A scientific expedition is headed for the Gobi
desert to discover, if possible, the starting plare of
the race. A few insurgents in congress know where
ihe race is going to finish if it doesn't follow their
advice. /
In hi* opening remark* the speaker of the In
diana legislature said, “Make your Chautauqua ad
dresses somewhere else.” It is to be hoped that he
meant somewhere else in Indian*.
Franklin P. Roosevelt, is making plans to rebuild
the democratic party. This is calculated to bring ol’
Poc Rryan rampaging up from Florida with a roll of
blue prints under his arm.
A Chicago university professor say* if we'd quit
wearing clothes vfe'd get over blushing inside of a
week. Rut how about goose pimples at. this time of
year?
The lay jury about to undertake the job of clean
ing up the New Yofk stage would do well to con
tract for formaldehyde by the carload.
The proposition to make London barroom* more
attractive ha* a reminiscent aound to a lot of people
on this side of the pond.
Pown Lincoln way » number of beam-hearing
eyes are looking for motes in Omaha'* optic*.
Speaking of a gas tax, is there any possible way
of levying one on the senate output?
Old King Ak Is about ready to send out his but
tons again. You all know what that means.
Nothing like a congressional salary boo*t hill to
obliterate party lines.
Unveiling the windows was some ceremony,
!------1
Homespun Verse
By Omaha’* Own Poal—•
Robert W'orlhington Davie
l_*
THOUGHTS.
The anti rorr.e# up «o brlghtlt
The toocoinr #kle# are #et
\\ i i!i lovellnesa of lewela,
With tone of coronet
A lillie and blithesome r al ien
Sleep# sweetly through the day.
Where th# ukulele# play.
oh. #lng the #ong of .lazxland
That prescienra fade# befor*!
oh, chant the lilting lyric
That tilt# Convention # door;
For If th# eon I I# goln*.
The henrf ntttat lend the way;
Hut there I# aweeter niu»io
Th«n ukulele# play, . . .
The #un come# up *o brightly.
The morning akler are «et
With lovcltr.ee# of e«el»,
With tone of coronet
\ lithe end blithesome maiden
Sleep# aweetly through the day,
And wander# forth nt rupee*.
W here th# ukultlee play.
^----- 'I
The Hawk and the Sparrows
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i r -- " ‘a
I Letters From Our Readers
AM letters must be signed, but name will be withheld upon request.
Communications of 200 words and less, will be given preference.
th* flood* of ths Old Missouri. Open
[the heads of the great chamber and
cienn^e them thoroughly. Thu* we
can assist Andy Gump by making
Omaha the greatest city in the world.
We can do so because of Its geographi
cal lmation.
All together—lets go. First, let *
cater to such men as our Mayor Jim.
and forget about the business and
their class. As it has been said by
one of our great theologians, "An hon
est man is the noblest wotk of God. ’
I think at present they are scar* e,
so let us get together and boost for
Omaha and an honest man.
As Omaha is hounded on four sides
by the best soil in the world, and we
don’t bar the soil near the Nile river,
which has the deepest soil. But we
have the most productive.
N'fluaska, J««*a und Missouri has
soil whir it will grow anything that
« ornes out of ditt. Even if Missouri
does have some places where the land
is sr^ poor it takes 1«» men and a gal
Ion of moonshine to rnise a disturb
.j
\n\ r BTUtEMtM
What is your
Cell Number•?
Frankly. I have put the
question this way to flag
your attention, as your eye
scans this big page. I refer,
of course, to the number of
the battery which fits your
flashlight.
The longest - lasting,
brightest - burning batteries,
of course, are Eveready. The
small cell is No. 935. and the
large one is No. 950. Look
on the side of your Ever
eady flashlight to find your
cell number. Th-n you won't
have to tote your flashlight
along when you buy new
batteries. Keep your flash
lights loaded with long-lived
Eveready batteries!
■ — . '' ---
Boosting for Omaha.
Omaha.—To the Editor of The
Omaha Bee: In The Omaha Sunday
Bee I observed an article by W. A
Fraser, president of the Woodmen of
the World bife Insurance company,
entitled, “What Omaha Really feed's. "
I consider hia advice logical and full
of pep, and I hope that no render of
The Omaha Bee will miss it. I believe
in boosting, but it must be for the
welfare of all the people of Omaha
and not for the special privilege of a
few; the social welfare as well ns the
industrial must be Included in the
boost. bet us not forget that citizens
from other 'states know Omaha, and
they can also boost or criticize our
city. There is one way to boost, to
cooperate with our street commis
sioner, Mr. Noyes, by keeping nur
streets afnd allevs clean. It is envy
to criticize, but let us not forget that
our street commissioner does nil he
mn with the street implements he has
on hand. I think a few more such
implements would be a boost for our
street department.
When I came nut from the Empre*<;
theater Saturday night T was sur
prised to see the sidewalk covered
with a blanket of dirty newspapers,
and thi« was on Sixteenth and Doug
las. The city council should pa«s an
ordinance forbidding throwing or
having any newspapers or other rub
bish on the street under a $•'» fine.
The newsboys should be taught to
help keep the city clean.
Many grocery stores are also guilty
of throwing rtrbbish on the streets
and blockading the sidewalks with
their wares and boxes. Some citl**s
would not tolerate such violation.
I believe the greatest boost to the
Queen of the Blaine Is cleanliness. We
have a good street commlssionec. el
wavs on the job, and he Is a man who
knows how to treat his men under
him. so I hope the city fathers will
stand by him and his work, bet its
boost for factories, smh ns tanneries,
woolen mills, rnnnol gbods rnanufac
tories and corn starch mills and nth
ers We have the raw' material,
bet’s go. .1 ESSE M A FIT Kb,
Ml North Sixteenth.
Enforcing the Uw.
Wsusa. Neb, To the Editor of The
Omaha Bee Permit me to sav a
word 1n reply to the letter of Jam'''
Berk of Omaha, referring to law en
forcement and the eighteenth amend
ment, In which he railed at Mr. Ed
P. Smith, former mayor of your re
nowned city, because he tries to do his
aworn duty bv enforcing the law* of
our land.
Mr. Beck does not like the
eighteenth amendment, but for the
good of society it is the law of the
land and must he enforced. Time was
when the Constitution of the Irnlte«l
States was held sacred. The Const I
tut ton of th# I’nlted States Is a (Sod
--- «s
Abe Martin
V_i
inspired document, which stands for
freedom (to do right), purchased by
the* blood of our forefather*, and, of
course, we cannot spit or trample
upon any part thereof without mar
ring the whole of the same.
Mr. fleck throws out a challenge
to every honorable citizen of your fair
city; be says that bootleggers and
their patrons are the backbone of
Omaha’s business men. I believe that
no greater untruth has -ever Teen
uttered against the metropolis of Ne
braska, and he continues by jeeringly
> saying that -Mr. Smith can make his
Hible class believe that the eighteenth
amendment can be enforced, but no
on© else. I have not the honor of
being a member of Mr. Smith's ftlble
• •lass, but by the grace of fSod, ;*•< h
member of the church council and a
Sunday school teacher. I say there
must !»e more respect for the law of
**iir land if this nation under Hod is
to survive.
ft does my soul good to know that
there are men in public office like
Mr. Kd P. Smith who will confess
! ("hrist as their Savior, who died on
! Calvary's oro««. and arose again from
j * he dead that we. believing on Him.
I might live eternally wuth Him. for
: • herein lies the hope of the Individual
and the nation.
C. R. ANDERSON.
Salvation for Omaha. 4
Omaha To the Editor of The
Omaha Pee: A few reasons why 1 am
for t>maha:
After many years of suppression,
depression and praying thusly: * Oh
Lord Cod. bless me and my wife, my
son John and his wife, us four and
no more, amen,*’ the Chamber of
Commerce has about exhausted their
endurance. Therefore if we as citi
zens of (Uriah*. even in our humble
position, will place our shoulders to
the wheel «*f industry we can release
f "THE CONSERVATIVE”
i The Best Place to Save Your Money
I The Best Place to Borrow Money
The CONSERVATIVE
I \m
J sVo;*y Savings & Loan Association ,7:rB,
II S.Titif* 1614 HARNEY Horn**
AIM r.RTIAFMTVr. AnVEKTI^EMKN'f1.
HARMLESS LAXATIVE
All Children Lot* Itt
Pleasant Tastt
A.
Mother!
Your Sick, Constipated Child
Needs “California Fig Syrup”
Hurry Mother! !•> en n feverish
hi ho us or constipated child loses the
pMtsnnt t«Kte of ‘T'ltlifornt* Klfc
S\ rup." This gentle, hnrnit«'"R Uxn
live never fulls to sweeten the stout
;*< h nnd open the bowels. A te*spoon
ful todey nmv present n sick child to
inenow. It Uoeiift't crump in ovsrsct
t'ontain* no nen'otlc* or toothing
(Iriigj.
A*l» your druggie! for genuine “<>11
fnrnla Kk Sxrup' which ha* direr
iInna for baMee and children of ell
hwo* printed on bottle Mother' Ton
niuat mix "t'allfornla” oi you max
get nil imitation fig ex mu.
1
Our idoo o' norvo 15 • nmoluiddy
• ryin’ •' (fit 11 p'litirnl inh 'cnu ■<
• hoy voted for ConlldKo. Thor's
j lomolhin' th’ mutter with mndorr
I (Unrin’ when ovon 11 oiroinylo i-. it
ih’ w*y.
II;..)
P
rSUNNY SIDE UP ,
Hake Comfort.nor forget
tJhatSunrise ne\Jerfailed
l ---—---' I
/---- '
Yesterday morning a friend called our attention to what lie
railed the ‘ smoke nuisance,” and proceeded to complain bit
terly. ilk aroused no answering response in our soul. Per
sonally we'd not complain If a thousand more smokestacks
were irouring smoke heavenward*. AYe'd prefer tort much smoke
to a lack of it. of course it is a wicked waste of fuel to send
It up the chimney needlessly, but better that cricked waste
than no smoke because of cold hollers. For some time to come
our rallying cry is More Smoke Frrilti More Factory i himners.
Our acquaintance with Pol. Torn Dennison Is very flight,
hut we have heard quite a hit about him during the last 3o
or sti tears. The other day, while sauntering down the siieet,
we saw t’olonel Dennison and another man in earnest conversa
tion near the corner. “Aha.” thinks we. "here's where we
eavesdrop anti hear some dark, nefarious scheme being put
up.” So, pretending to ire looking at the strop windows, we
etlged up and listened In. Dennison and his companion were
talking about 'anna bulbs and lelling how* many kinds of birds
flocked around their little bird baths last summer.
It has b»en many years since we were Interested In TJncoln
politics, hence we are out of touch. But noting the tremendous
inter eat of a I.tncoln morning new spaper in Omaha * politic al
affairs, we wonder who Is blamed for everything down there
sho e Kd Bignell retired. \Ve r an remember the time when Kd
Bignell was the Toni Dennison of Klnroln, Just as Tom Dennt
son is now* charged with being'tbe Kd Bignell of Omaha.
Providence permitting, anti tire board of education not
‘changing its collective mind, we will Journey down to Craig.
Mo., in a couple of months and address the graduating class of
the high school of the old home town. It was in Craig that We
made mu* Initial plunge Into the newspaper publishing business.
That was a bit more than 40 years ago. In the graduating class
will be children of the young fellows and gills with whom we
user} to churn around. In lire meanwhile we are depending
upon lire fathers and mothers uf those graduates keeping pfett v
atin about some rtf the things t ha ^transpired Ip those nerer-to
Ire-forgotten days. Belf-iiiterest should Impel :lr-*ro to do that ^
very tiling.
The Invitation to make that address calls up a host of
memor ies. Thei e wa* the time of the big floral, in 'S3, if we
remember correctly, when the Missoni 1 came from eight miles
away and water was six feet deep in the streets of Craig. Then
there was the building of the big dyke around the town Im
mediately after that flood. And the dub dances in Heaton's
hall, and the horse tares southeast of town, and the amateur
dramatic* entertainments, and the nutting and berry parties in
tire bluffs, and catching bullheads in the Tarkto. But th<
occasion will be tinged with sadness. Many of the familiar
fares will be missing.
Nebraska IJmeriek. v
There was an old man in Yutan
Who made some brew In a can.
, The ran was corrode*}.
And quickly explode*!.
And they never found the old man.
Brain Leaks.
Dollars spent before they Are earned are always doubly
eai iied.
lyive flies out of the window when suspicion peeks In St
I he door.
Did you ever live In a town that wouldn't he helped by a
few obsequies?
The more you know about the other fellow's job the better
you will like vour own, #
What some men esteem to tie life s greatest success la
merely life's greatest failure. WILL M. MAUPIN.
inre, she has f eared lots of good men
and raised plenty of bell.
Getting back to the subject, we. as
people of Omaha and vicinity, bave^
iccem, to the two greatest sources of
production, as opr own real sources
• f production are froru the soil and
the mi mis of men. _ \
As we have the resources. lofs t.f
energy, and as much Integrity as any
city in the world—let a go.
Boost f, r omaha. and even quief
for Andy Gump, as he promises to
muke Omaha the capital city of the
world within the next 100 rears.
\V. X. Y.
Experience
and Automatic
Heating
Service
The experience of Nokol — the pioneer
automatic oil heater for homes — is un
rivalled. Nokol has stood the test of time.
It is the oil burner upon which the suc
cess of the oil burning industry’ was built.
For 7 winters Nokol has given its owners
unequalled heating comfort. Today mors *
than 21,000 homes are Nokol heated.
Nokol is the simplest and most econom
ical oil burner on the market. Its fuel
cost is less than that of hard coal, and to
the best of our knowledge, less than that
of any other oil burner. Its saving in fuel
cokt, janitors’ wages, cleaners’ and deco- ^
rators’ bills will practically pay for it. Buy
it now, and have it during the variable
weather of Spring, when you need it most.
An installation can be made without in
terrupting your heating service.
Nicholas Oil Corporation
See a Nokol in operation at our ihow room
1803 St. Mary* Ave. At. 4040.
AMERICAN NOKOl COMPANY,(1.^.
j Nichols* Oil Corporation " *•••••••••••••••••••••••
• 1Atk and $t Mata* Avt.,
• Owihi, Nrk Vomi _ _
• 0*at»#tn*n t n««*« *•*.! m0m
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J •»■»•*** ^ H**««^ [»%]
! n*a» e«*^.
.. . ■■ — i'i 7* il I' " V’1
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