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About The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19?? | View Entire Issue (March 19, 1909)
TIIU NORhlOLK WEEKLY NKWS-.IOllllNAL FRIDAY MARCH 11) ) 1909. Session Ends With Danquet. ' ThO llflh annual"convention" of the Nebraska AHRUclntlon of Conunurclnl cluliH cainu to cloHu In Norfolk Tucs- day night lit n liniuinut served In Mar- < | tmr < lt hull to tnoru tliuii 100. ! Spunk- urn of I ho evening wore ( lovornor Hnnllonhorgor , ( lonorul Manner Mob- ler of the Union Pacific railroad , Prof , limit of the NolmiBkn state unlvurHlty and 13. 13. Clark of Washington , I ) . C. , a inuinhur of the InturHtalu coinniurcu commission. The banquet was a success from nvory viewpoint. H WIIH served by the ladles of Trinity guild and that the efforts of iho Indies were appre- elated \VIIH apparent from roniarkH made hy varloim speakers during the evening. President Uuslinoll of the iiHMOclation , who presided as toast- imiHlor , complimented thorn and Oov- ornor Shnllenborgor added to the words of praise1. Orchestral music throughout the evening was a pleasant feature. Governor Shallenberger Spcnks. Ciovornor Shallonhorgor was the llrst speaker o.i the program. Ho In dulged In a bit of pleasantry and then paid an eloquent tribute to the pro gress that has been madu by the statu of Nebraska. He told of u number of gKd ( ) stories which were now , and added luster to his already established reputation for oratory. Ho told of the wealth of the state and the vnluo of Its agriculture. Ho went hack to the very beginning of this region as ter ritory of the United States , relating how $15,000,000 was pnld for the Louisiana territory , Instead of $10- 000,000 as had been planned by the president. And since that time the government has sold over $500,000,000 worth of land out of this tract , making It Into cloven states , which now com prise the granary of the world. Nebraska produces $ 50,000,000 In surplus wealth each year , said the speaker , and that surplus production shows the foundation for this state's prosperity. The farmer came in for his share of tribute. "Tho farmer Is the founda tion of all our prosperity , " said the governor. "lie Is the Atlas of old , supporting the world. " In conclusion the governor painted a pretty word picture of the American Hag , expressing the hope that the star Iti that Hag representing Nebraska might bo made the brightest of them all. Mr. Mohler's Speech. A. U Mohler , vice president and gen eral manager of the Union Pacific rail road , spoke brietly of the railroad situation. Ho said In part : 1 have met the Nebraska governor tonight for the llrst time. With him on one side and an Interstate com merce commissioner on the other , I fool somewhat like William Toll's son , with the apple on his head.and I feel inlto sure that somebody wilt want to shoot it off. Railroad men have occupied a pecu liar and sensitive position during the past few years. Our mothers haven't always been proud of us and some liuvo shied at us but tonight I feel re stored to the ranks of respect ability The Union Pacltle once receiiod a valuable land grant consisting mainly of coyotes , jack rabbits and buffalo. There have been times when It was necessary to apply pitch on people's anatomy to keep them in the region / \ of that land grant. The railroads need people In their territory. Wo need you. We want to Hvo In respect ability with you and to eo-operato with you. We want to be proud of your prosperity and wo want you to be proud of our prosperity. A railroad making money is never a border. In this respect It Is mill UP the government or the banks. The railroads put money in elrculatlo : ) The Union Paeltlc will be glad to extend tend a good many thousands of mllesi and they can when we receive pro per recognition and asslstanco fron you. you.Who Is there here , receiving 7 pel ' cent or 10 per cent on his money , who would be willing to loan to the Unloi Pacific for -1 per cent ? There arc no such philanthropists. The value of the country's traffic the prosperity of its people , the fur ther liberal expenditures upon the Union Pacific , will bo actively stimu luted by mutual co-operation and sup port and not In the enforcement o laws that arc deterrent , that are pro ventlvc , that frighten capital , thn check Improvements and limit facill ties and reduce physical condition of the property and equipment from necessity. I hope the time Is not far distant when you will see four Instead of two tracks' between Omaha and North Platto. Prof. Hunt's Plea. His plea for the "conservation ol Nebraska's resources , " Prof. 13. W. Hunt from the state' university de llvered a scathing Indictment of the wasteful methods of Nebraska farm Ing. Ho said In part : Interstate Commissioner Speaks. Interstate Commerce Commissions E. E. Clark spoke in part as follows : And what of the future ? If there Is anv one thing that stands out prominently and unchallenged It Is the fact that In some way , from some source wo must have greatly increases transportation facilities. Insofar as these additional facilities are to be In the form of railroad they shouU come more In the shape of additions to and Improvements In the systems alrondy established than in the shape of additional systems. The progresi and prosperity of the country cannot will not and must not be rotnr.dec through lack of transportation facill ties. If they are provided by exlstlnf companies the people will ho content If they are not so provided the pee po ! will turn to the alternative. t < which 1 hope they will not bo obligee to resort , of providing them for them selves as public enterprises. A railroad , taken as a transporta tlon proposition , has only ono com modlty to sell , to wit , transportation Locomotives and cars earn nothlni while standing still , except as can accumulate demurrage , which It wouli be better for all concerned If wo couli get along without and keep the car moving. The edict of the law tha all charges for transportation goi vices shall bo reasonable and Just , means that they shall bo reasonable anil Just to both the carrier and the patron. And there we come to the question of what IB reasonable and just n question most dlfllcult to an swer In the present condition of things. Much Is said about ovcrcnpl- allzatlon of railways and of efforts o earn dividends upon water. Much ms occurred to cause and to Invite hose crltlclHins. It Is said that the allronds of our country , taken as a vhole , could not he reproduced for sum equal to their entire cupltall/.n- Ion. I am IM prepared to challenge hat estimate , especially when the aluo of terminals Is considered. Of ourse that capitalisation and those nlui'B arc not evenly distributed , but his Is a big question and It cannot 10 de-alt with In any but a broad vay. The railroads have done some vroni ? , have worked some evil , and uive done much good for our land. , for one , would bo perfectly willing 0 take their present capitalization at ts face value and forego any effort to ml any of It thmugh the wringer , irovlded we could have a law which vould prevent the Issuance by them ) f any more securities except under he seal of approval of a federal an- horlty , high enough and hedged iround with conditions to Insure lonesty and perfect fairness. I would ncludo In such supervision the re organization of those railroads that Ind their way Into federal receiver ships. I would In this way dispose of this question by a new start , feei ng sure Unit the development of busl- less would bring full value to the securities that have not too heavily Uncounted the future and the possl- illltlos , and that those which have llsconnted too heavily the future would lind adjustment In the bank- up I c-y courts. I would have a railroad expend Ibonil sums from Income for main- enaiice , lenewals and betterments , nit I would positively and unqualllled- y prohibit the subsequent cnpltallzn- lou of sums so spent. Much discussion Is Indulged in over the question of whether or not a rail way hn : > a right to earn returns upon eal estate values that have greatly ncreased. Here again I would set stakes for a new beginning. Those normously valuable terminals are ledlcated to a puulic use. They have contributed to the Increased real estate values in their Immediate vicinities as well as to those of the cities in which they are located. They represent In part the enterprise of the promoters , and upon that they are In fall ness entitled to liberal returns. 1 would , therefore , by careful and com petent experts , appraise the value of Mich terminals after they had been used for a certain term of years , and upon that appraisement " 1 would Ilx a maximum value , beyond which the railroad might not go In figuring them as assets upon which returns should be earned , and by one which those properties might not be taxed. It Is not possible for the railroads to provide facilities that will meet the maximum demand without providing much that will not be needed at cer tain seasons. Their revenues should be liberal enemgh so that they can af ford to provide the best of service , approximate the maximum demand for service , keep the properties in good and up to elate condition , pro vide betterments and renewals as needed , pay liberal wages to em ployes , promptly meet all legal liabili ties and pay fair returns on fair and liberal capitalization. In return for this revenue they should afford the highest grade of service to all the localities and people served by them , with entire freedom from unjust dis crimination. And when that kind of service Is provided and furnished the people will be willing to pay what is right for it. Neither the act to regulate com merce nor the Interstate commerce commission were created for the especial purpose of reducing rates. The prime purpose is to see that charges are reasonable and just and that unjust discrimination Is not in dulged in. The fact that there la distrust and Important difference be tween discrimination and unjust dis crimination should be kept In mind. The circumstances and conditions under which transportation Is per formed must be considered. A dis tance tariff may be all right for a limited area of local trafllc hut a wide bylt in the middle of our continent would be in a sorry plight if rates inbound - bound and outbound therefrom were made strictly on a mileage basis from the Atlantic ports on the one side and the Pacific gateways on the other side. Our traffic with other countries must come and go through the ocean ports. Competition between localities is keen and Intense. The ability of one place to fairly compete with another place depends almost entirely upon the adjustment of freight charges. The power to confer artificial advant ages upon one place and to take away from another place natural ad vantages , to make one place languish and another place thrive , to deal out weal to one and woe to another , to award favors to one and hand out dis criminations to another , to promote the prosperity of one and Insure the financial and commercial destruction of another is too great and involves too much In the line of national wel fare to be lightly delegated , free from healthy restraint , upon the traffic of ficer of n railroad upon which large communities depend entirely for trans portation. And who , under our form of government , should exercise that restraint except the government itself ? And that is "the work of the Intel-estate commerce commission. " Not all the railroad men are bail and all the bad men are not connected with the railroads. The railroads have contributed their full share tc the difficulties that now confront us They have sown their share of the wind and have reaped somewlntt ol the whirlwind. Hut they have not been and are not now the only transgres sors. Every unfair advantage that n railroad has given has been eagerlj slezed upon by some beneficiary there from. Every rebate paid by a mil way officer has gone Into the willing hands of some recipient thereof. The banquet was opened with pray cr by Rev. Edwin Booth , jr. , pastor ol the First Congregational church ol Norfolk. Among the guests at the banqnei were : General Manager Frank Wai tera of the Northwestern , Omaha ; At torney U. T. White of the Northwestern , Omaha ; Ooncrnl Freight Agent S. V. Miller of the Northwestern , Omaha ; former State ) Railway Commissioner J. J. Williams , Plorco ; Hon. W. W. Young , Stanton. In the afternoon Governor Shiillon- berger visited the state Insane hospi tal for a short time. THE CITY OF AIN8WORTH. Response of John M. Cotton of the Alnsworth Star-Journal. At the session of the stale commer cial clubs Tuesday afternoon , the fol lowing response \\IIH miule by John M. Cotton , editor of the Alnsworth Star- Journal , to the call of "Alnsworth : " Mr. President and ( iontloinep the Convention : This morning , after be ing Introduced to a gentleman In this city , ho asked where 1 lived. On be ing told that I was from Alnsworth , be said : "Alnswoith ! Oh , Alnsworth ; that's away out west In the sand hills. I see. I see. " The trouble with him was that ho didn't see. I beg your Indulgence while I pre sent a few facts to correct this erion- eous impression. In the first place we are east of the center of the state and cannot fairly bo classed as "away out west. " Second : While there are sand hills In Brown county , Alnsworth is not In the sand bills , but In the midst of as tine and fertile an agricultural region as can bo found anywhere in the west. It may seem Incredltablo to you , but I tell yem now , and can demonstrate what 1 say , that any farmer who un derstands his business can get an average of $100 an aero each year from his farm lands In the vicinity of Alns- worth by raising potatoes. We are In the potato bolt and the potatoes of this section are the finest In the world. Our "spuds" have acquired a national reputation. As to our sand hills : They grow the finest and most nutritious of grasses upon which thousands of cattle feed , and abound In numerous lakes , In the placid waters of which .swim the fin est and gamiest of black bass , and on their waters In season , swim millions of ducks and geese a veritable sportsman's paradise. As an evidence of our prosperity I will mention that In I'.IOS ' we shipped out from Alnsworth 124 cars of cattle , Hi ! ) cars of hogs , 104 cars of potatoes , 227 cars of grain and fifteen cars of horses. There wore raised In Urown county last year about 1-10,000 bushels of as fine potatoes as over grow , and these wore sold at an average price of about -in cents per bushel. This year we promise to double that crop. Ono man In the vicinity of Long Pine , about ten miles east of Alnswortb , Is arranging to plant HOD acres in pota toes this year. Our commercial club was organized three years ago. While it does not make much noise It has acquired the habit of getting there just the same. There is not a grouch among our busi ness men. They all work together , act together , pull together harmony prevails. These are essential ele ments in town building. Last year we put down as much good cement sidewalks as any town of our size anywhere. This year we will exceed the work of last year 50 per cent. The coming year promised much in the building lino. A spirit of har mony and good fellowship prevaeles the entire town and Is the moving power in ail the activities of our com mercial club. I had not thought to mention our aspirations for a state normal school , not deeming this the proper place to bring up that subject. Uut , inasmuch as our good friends from Alliance and Chadron have told you of their de sires and asked your support , I will add that Alnsworth is. after a state normal school. Our bill has passed the house and Is now on the way to a successful passage through the senate. Wo would appreciate any help you can give It in pushing It along. Wo are over 300 miles from any state normal school. Our people pay their share of the taxes and believe that we should have something to show for our loyalty to the state. Commercial Men Welcomed. Mayor J. D. Sturgeon and President A. L. Kllllan of the Norfolk Commer cial club united in welcoming to the city the visiting business men of the state at the open session of the Ne braska State Association of Commer cial clubs at the city hall last even ing. The hall was filled with delegates and local business men. The prin cipal feature of the Initial meeting was the recommendation of President Hushncll for the reorganization of the state association Into a body which would have further functions than the annual meeting. Committees Appointed. At the close of the meeting Presi dent Uushnell announced the appoint ment of the following commltttees : Committee on recommendations made In officers' reports and on the proposed amendment of the articles of association : J. W. Thomas , Alli ance ; A. R. Perry , Auburn ; L. W. Gorton , Chadron ; W. A. Prince , Grand Island ; W. A. Selllck , Lincoln ; F. S , Thompson. Albion ; P. Pill , Randolph. Committee on resolutions : E. R. Gurney , Fremont ; E. J. McVann , Omaha ; W. S. Whltten. Lincoln ; C. L. Mnclay , Wahoo ; George R. Wycoff , Madison. Committee on the location of the next meeting : J. E. McCIary , Auburn ; B. E. Hart , Central City ; John /Am- merer , Seward ; Adolph Held , Hold rego ; David Cole , Omaha ; A. D Christian , York ; W. S. Gillam , Chad ron. Mayor Sturgeon's Address. H. M. Uushnell of Lincoln , state president , on calling the convention to order , Introduced Mayor Sturgeon who spoke as follows : Mr. President and Commercial Men of Nebraska : On occaslems of thb kind where a delegation or conven tlon of strangers are called together It a body , either religiously , fraternally or commercially , It has become n cus torn , and I bellevo It eminently proper for some citizen to say a few words of welcome , that the delegates mas feel more at home while transacting their business. I have the honor to stand before you today as a representative of oui people , and on behalf of the cltizem of Norfolk , I extend to the commer cial men of Nebraska n very hearty welcome. Norfolk Is proud to call the commercial men their guests. We want you to accept of our hospitality and feel at home while with us. I I have said , and I do not repeat It with Idle Mattery , that this will bo the best and most profitable convention I ever held In Norfolk and I hope our people will take advantage of the op- portunlty of listening to the exchange ' of Ideas by the different speakers dur ing this session. We have made preparations for I I your entertainment and wo expect to treat you with such courtesy that you j will remember Norfolk with kindly I feelings. We want you to visit our business houses and become acquaint- led with our merchants. I Norfolk not only wants to extend her Interest commercially , but also 1 socially. I am a strong believer In good fellowship between cities. We are Individually Interested In our own community. Wo are , or snould bo , collectively Interested In the entire state. I hope that this convention will not only bo a profitable one , but a pleasant one , and when you have finished your labors and turned your faces homeward , It will bo with that fond recollection that the 1009 con vention of commercial clubs was held In Norfolk , the best little city on the face of the globe , and now Mr. Presi dent and gentlemen of the convention , I thank you. President Kllllan Speaks. The mayor was followed by A. L. Kllllan , who welcomed the visitors to Norfolk on behalf of the Commercial club. Mr. Kllllan said : In behalf of the Norfolk Commercial club I welcome you to emr city. Wo are proud to have you with us. Wo had a two fold purpose In Inviting the state commercial clubs to meet In Norfolk. The first pmposo was to show the rest of the state our little city and the second a still more selfish purpose' that of getting Ideas that we are confident will prove profitable to us. We hope that you will derive as much benefit as wo and when you return to your own homes you will feel that your time In Norfolk has lieen pleasantly and profitably spent. In the last few years commercial clubs over Nebraska have accom plished many good things. They have been Instrumental In building roads and bridges , they have paved * troots , Installed water works and light plants , and built public buildings. They have Influenced legislation that is proving beneficial to thousands. These are only a few of their many accomplish ments and there are yet hundreds of things to do. Every town or city needs some or ganization that will take hold of things and push them ; without those organi zations nothing can bo done. Wo can only wish that this or that might bo done but there Is no one to go ahead. Commercial clubs have filled this want and have been a great boon to every community that Is fortunate enough to have such an organization. . There is a lot of hard work mid unpleasantness connected with com mercial club work , yet mos * . of us are glad that wo arc able to do some thing for the benefit of the city or town in which wo live. Ther-3 a-o many things to contend with that should not be and perhaps we our selves are blocking the way for some other fellow who has a good Idea but which does not meet our approval and we are not broad enough to sec that his opinion is better than our own. own.The other day I read something in the funny column that perhaps Illus- : rates pretty well our position in ' these things'at times. A man traveling said to the porter on the train , "Sam , is mis train safe ? " 'Safe as any , sah , " assured the per ter. "Well. Is there a block system on his road ? " "Block system , boss ? Why , ' wo hab the greatest block sys tem in the world. Ten miles back icah we were blocked by a load of lay , six miles back wo were blocked > y a mule , just now we are blocked jy a cow , and I reckon when wo gets further souf we'll be blocked by an alligator. LJlock system , boss ? Well , : ih guess. " I wonder if many of our clubs are blessed with this sort of a block sys- : em. Outwardly everything Is run- ilng smoothly but perhaps there arc ilndrances that we know nothing ibout. I wonder If I myself or some other fellow is not the load of hay that Is blocking some of the good things we might do. There Is a necessity of harmony In those organizations. Lack of har mony does not mean open outbreaks. If there were that sort we would know better how to deal with them. If some other fellow has something to offer give it due consideration , and if It Is a good Idea buckle in and push It along. A man once said , "I can buy brains for $25 n week but I am will ing to pay $100 for Ideas. " There's a lot of meaning in the line of distinction which he drew. Every day Intelligence is not so rare , the ca pacity to execute Is not so difficult to find. Brains are pretty evenly dis tributed and modern educational ad vantages are doing much to shape them up. But the idea man , the man who Is capable of creating not from the materials given him ready to put together but out of the blue ether original result producing Ideas , ho Is almost as rare as a robin at Christ mas time. When some fellow pro poses something new don't squelch him because you are afraid he'll get a little moro credit than you. If you have a better idea than bis and can prove it then you arc entitled to con sideration. Rivalry Is productive of the best ideas. But there is a world of differ ence between rivalry and jealousy , One Is healthy and productive , the other a festering sore , destructive. Again I bid you welcome and when we have heard the good things that are to come , tonight , tomorrow and tomorrow night I am sure that we shall receive untold benefits from thia convention. I thank you. Alliance Man Replies. John W. Thomas , editor of the A11I ance Herald , In responding to the ad dresses of welcome , explained that he was ono of the youngest members irene one of the newest additions to the as soclated clubs. He speke Informall ) and with humor. In closing ho said : "We appreciate these words of wol come. Speaking for nil , I say thai one of the several points of excellence is the evident sincerity of the wol come. Wo will enjoy stopping here I am not altogether a stranger in Nor folk , Nortolk has u reputation for generosity and hospitality. The words of welcome arc hut a reflection of that reputation which Is state wide. " The Annual Address. President Bushnell , In bla annual address , presented nn argument for a more definite state organl/atlou with other work than the annual meeting. Secretar.v's Report. A. F. Buechlei of Grand Island , stale secretary , folioweil with his an nual report. Ho had sought Informa tion from all the clubs of the state and had received replies from about nne-thlrd. These thirty-seven clubs had a membership of li.OOS members , or eighty three to each club. In the list was Lincoln with Its (100 ( mem bers. The average club had only had a life of three and a half years despite tlie fact tha' the state association was live years old. The average atten dance at nu'otlngs was twenty , with the strongest clubs , such as Lincoln , Central City. Nebraska City and Fre mont , meeting only annually. Fremont had the pioneer club , dating back to 1SSO. The secretary urged local evangelistic we > rk , the bringing e > f moro clubs Into the association and the making of a campaign for a greater Nebraska and advance the as yet undeveloped state. Consider Reorganization , President Bushnell's address re sulted in a movement for reorganiza tion. J. W. Thomas of Alliance moved that a committee bo appointed to draft a now constitution. Before being adopted the motion was changed on the suggestion of E. J. McVann of Omaha and others , to provide for a committee of seven to consider the eif- flcers' reports and to suggest amend ments to enlarge the form or organiza tion. E. R. Gurney of Fremont was opposed to a decisive departure. Presi dent Bushnell thought that there was need of better financial support and a demand for something more than an annual discussion. Otherwise ho thought the association was at the apex. Location Committee. A location committee of one man from each congressional district with a member at large was named. C. F. Homer Talks. The evening session closed with a short and highly interesting talk on "The Business Value of Summer Cliautauquas" by Charles F. Horner , manager of the Western Redpath Chautauqua system. PRESIDENT BUSHNEIL'S ' ADDRESS Radical Recommendations Made by State Association President. President H. B. Bushnell , In his an nual address before the state asso ciation , said : Gentlemen : I believe that this , our fifth annual session , is opening with every promise of being the success which has been hoped for It. The work of preparation has been accom plished under no small difficulties , illustrating in this state organization , that conditions prevail FO customary in local clubs , that this work falls to few hands and the enthusiasm of one year is with difficulty stretched to the next. When the executive board was called by personal letter to meet to arrange the dates for this meeting , the response on the part of the mem bers of the committee was unanimous. That Is , not n member came to the meeting and the problem of working out the details of this session was left to me. I have done the best that I could to assemble a list of topics and speakers of moro than local repu tation to handle them. Having done this through Individual main strength and awkwardness I feel entirely at liberty to congratulate myself , that left alone to work out the salvation of this session , I have done better than I dared to hope or expect when forced to face the proposition. In the work of preparation for this session , In carrying out the details of publicity and promotion , Secretary Bucchler has boon untiring in his work , taking the program as rapidly as worked out and putting It before the clubs of the state In a way to command their at tention and support. And the Norfolk committee on local arrangements , headed by Mr. Sturgeon , has been aggressively at work ever since the ; lates for this meeting were fixed. So , from a discouraging outlook two months ago , wo arc getting together an enthusiastic body of business men , and I feel confident that when the events of this session close with the speeches from men of both state and national reputation tomorrow evening , the state association of commercial clubs will have set a new high mark for a session of Interest and Informa tion and the city of Norfolk will have won new laurels as host at a most eventful meeting. You will pardon me If I speak with more than ordinary directness upon the work of this association and some thing of the future , as It appeals to me , after serving for three years as your president. We have been build- Ing' In these years ; moving in an ascending climax to each of these annual meetings , but everything has centered In the annual meeting. The question Is , ought we to be satisfied with working up to enthusiastic con ditions once a year or Is there to bo a larger and moro permanent field of practical usefulness for this associa tion. Commercial clubs are growing In numbers , growing In permanence , growing In Individual work accom plished In dlfllcult localities. Since the organization of this state asso ciation we know more of each other and the legitimate" work of commer cial clubs through our mutual ac quaintances and the publicity that has been given club work. I am of the opinion that wo have reached the point when wo are to either bo satis ? fled with present work , satisfied to hold that which we have and confine ourselves to the work of making these annual meetings equal their prede cessors or else we have reached the point of embarkation Into new and more vigorous activities along lines heretofore untouched. In my opinion the time has arrived at this session tc settle this question. Two years age Mr. F. A. Ucnn of the Hohlrcge Com mercial club said that this association ought to bo at work through the months of the year as well as once a year. Along this Hue the thought lias come home often to mo that the as sociation of commercial clubs ought to bo so organized as to become a clearing house In a twofold \va\ . First , as a central point In which tlio business needs and opportunities of every city and town represented by a commercial organl/atlon , could bo centered and classified for public In formation and dissemination , so that theiv would be a central office In an accesHlble oily where Information .if this character could lie found hy all Inquirers at homo anil abroad "over Iho nation. A bureau of business In formation for theiHu seeking locations or Invest nenls , carrying with H a gen eral advertising of the cities and towns of this state and Incidentally of the slate Itself. Second , this associa tion .should be organized as a clearing house of public oplonlon on the part of ( lie commoiclal clubs of the state on public questions strictly affecting business. A clearing house In which could be gathered a referendum ex pression on business propositions af feetiiiK all clubs , their membership and their localities generally. Expres sions that could he put In the hands of public officials , slate and national , for their Information and guidance. Strictly business legislation , state or national , of Interest to all localities and Individuals could bo advanced or checked by and assembling of public opinion , that could be of the highest value in the Hue of Information for the guidance of those who may not know. It Is not necessary to cite illustrations In tills line ; they will suggest themselves to each ono of you. The value of the business opinion of business men on many questions e > f common Interest , It would be difficult to measure. To establish this association on a basis for work along such lines of enlarged under takings Is as big with labor as it Is big with possibilities. The problem Is more what would lie done than what could be done. Would the clubs eif the state be willing to pay Into a fund to maintain a central office and com pensate a man in charge of Ihe same ? It would require a man possessing both the confidence of the clubs and witli the ability to do things and , above all , possessing fairness and judgment. So along with an appre ciation of the possibilities for larger work I feel as though every momb'M' of this association ought to ask the question of himself. Ought tills as sociation to be contented with its present standard of work so precari ous that one Individual officer at Ills own private expense of time and money , stands between its continu ance or its lapsing from even an an nual session ; or ought it to enter Into a mote definite organization with fixed and practical work that will make every club directly responsible for its perpetuity and for a larger ns < - fulness. If the question is too large for immediate settlement cannot this annual meeting head olT in plans which shall take shape and be worked out in the near future ? Gentlemen , In the three years thai I have served as the president of this association , the work has been pleasant , the associations highly en joyable and the friendships found delightful. Do not think because I have talked plainly of conditions as they have arisen in the past and will in the future , that there is a thought of complaint on my part. . You each and all have come to this association at the personal sacrifice of business that you may take homo something not just for yourselves but for the good of your community. My only request is that as your president I have not been able to do more to show the appreciation I have of the kindness of representatives of the commercial clubs of the state , In honoring me as they have done In the past three years. I believe at this meeting we have a program as keen and Invigorating as a March wind in Nebraska and that wo will lake home with us thoughts and Ideas that will stir us to broader activity in our ef forts for the common good. How He Died Still Mystry. Plainvlew , Neb. , Marcli 17. Special to The News : A number of Plain- view people visited the scene of the alleged murder near Copenhagen yes terday. Opinions differ regarding the manner in which the stranger met his death. The body was found in a rail road cut on the Burlington railway where the road passes through the D. P. Miller farm , one mile east of Copenhagen and four miles west of Plainvlew. Parties who arrived be fore thesn ow thawed found that the light of way near where the engine struck the body was covered with Mood and that the struggle In the snow made the snow red with blood for a space of ten or twelve , feet square. The man must have bled several gallons lens of blood In the snow on the right of way about three feet above the track and ten feet from the south rail. The entire train passed over the body which was dragged about a block after the engine struck It. One arm was found about thirty rods from where the body lay and clothing am ; pieces of the body was scattered al ! this distance. The head was crushed and the legs mangled but the rest ol the body was free from wounds. A pocket memorandum book was picked up near the body. In It was found a hunter's license Issued by the county clerk of Price count ) , Whs. , at Wor cester. It gave his ago as twenty-two years , height live feet seven inches , weight 170 pounds , color of eyes gray , color of hair dark , distinctive marks none. License Issued October 30 , 190S , by W. H. Lappels , county clerk. Issued to Tobias Jasok. A tax receipt was also found In the same book Issued - sued to Tobias Jasok , by deputy coun ty clerk of Prlco county , Wls. , for lot 5 , section 38 , lot 38 , Range 1 east , valu ation $290 , amount $ G.9G , Interest M cents , total taxes $7.10. His own ac count of his wages with firms In Wis consin that ho had evidently been working for was written in a legible hand and proved that ho was fairly well educated , also the addresses of persona written la the book. Corner W. F. Conwell of Noifeli nn- rived shortly nftoinOnn and suminoiinS a Jury. After hearing the ovldonro and examining thu body and mirrouml- IngH , the jury brought In the following verdict : "Wo , ( ho undersigned Jureiio. Iltul ( hat Tobias Jasek canto to his death by being run over by n Burlington train this Kith day of .March , tilt ) ! ) . "J. A. Hurls , E. Nurnborg. S I * Feislor , J. Wolgaud , W. P. Van Glider , . P. II. Trego. " Many Still Think It Murder. Although the coroner's jury placed ( ho blame for his death on the rail road company there are iiuin\ per sons who still believe that TotilUR lasek was Ihe vlcllm of a cruel mur- ler. The fact that not nno con I wnw found on the body would Indicate Hint such was the manner of bin death. The struggle In Ihe snow proveiliuft 10 either struggled In agony or fhufc 10 fought to the last with a do.sp nili > foe who finally overcame' him nruU ) lnced his body on the track to liWo he crime. The News correspondent : s llrmly convinced that there WIIR 'oul ' play. Tim corner ordered Iho lody hurled and the Plainvlew undert aker will Inter the remains In the emelery at this place today unle'Htr. elatlvos are heard from mioiior. M licit egret Is expressed em account of the naniier of his death being loft lit loubt and II will probably remain HI nyslory. The train men do not rev nembvr such a man riding on thelr ralns ami no one has been found \vlie > lalms to have over seen a man of bis lescrlptlon walking the track or boliij ; n the' neighborhood. Koine who VK- ted the scene of Iho killing are fu- llned to tli ( . theory that Iho man was slugged In a box car and Ihroivii out > n the right of way wlillo the train was running. Thieves Git Forty Horses. Valentine , Noli. , Marcli Ki. Spe'Clul ' o The News : A telephone message * irrlved today stating that about forty lead of horses had been stolen from jlose to Morlmnn some time during list night and Sheriff Rosseter left at ciose to MoiTlman some time during try and trail the horse thieves. Thorei las been a gang of horse thieves iperatlng in the west end of the county for some time and so far have eluded the authorities , but tills is tbes jlggesl raid they have made and It la loped the > y will be caught. $111(1 ( lli\VAH ; | > yi ( | | ) . The rcaili'i'H of thin pnpur will ! > ploiiHfcI to luiiin that thort ) IH at li-uat mo ilrciiiliMl illHcusc Unit scloni t IIIIK liL'on able to cine In all Its HtiiKfs ancf' ' that IM e'ntarrh. Hall's Catarrh CurtIsv Linrmly | > nsllvi. ! rim- now known lo tlm iiii'tlli-ul fniti-nilty. Catarrh ln-lnjr 1 ccillslltuUiliiiil ill.sea.se , ri'ililrts | : i , nil htltiilloiml trcilineiil. Hull's Cutarrlt Cure Is tnltcn liilerniilly , iicllntf dlr < i lly upon the Mood nnd mucoim miiTae.s of lluHy.sleni , thereby tle.stroylini till * foundation of the dl.son.sc and KI\nifc the patient HtreiiKth liy hiiildhiK up thn constitution and a.sslstlnK natiii * lie iloliiK Its work. Thu proprietor * iiavr * no much faith In Its curative noworu. that they offer Ono Hundred hollars for any eano that it fallH to euro Send for llHt of leHtlmoiihilK. Address : K. J. CJIH.VHV CO , . . , . . . , Toledo , Ohio. Sold liy nriiKKlHtn , 7fic. Take Hall's Kainlly 1'lll.s for constipa tion. Sensations Are Promised. Nollgli , Noli. , March i7. Special io The News : Court has been n > si-ssion this week with the grand and petit jurors on duty. The case of the state vs. Ilaynes for 'issault and battery brought about by Hie grand jury was found guilty on the charge rendered. The judge will pass sentence within the next twenty- four hours. Startling sensations are looke-d for during this week by the grand jury which will Implicate some of th - most prominent people of Antelope county. Snowbound on Short Line. Royal , Neb. , March 1C. Special to The News : The westbound passen ger and two freight trains were tied up at this place until Sunday morning by snow , the snow being badly drifted nn the track ono mile west of Royal. A gang of inc-n was rushed to Iho scones and shoveled all night. 'ibis manes seven or eight tiniCK the track has been drifted full this winter. CHANDLER KILLS ENGLISH MAN. Brother of Louis Stuyvesant Chandler a Murderer. Charlotteville , Va. , March 1C.-John Armstrong Chandler , a brother of Louis Stuyvesant Chandler of New York , killed an Englishman named Millard last night. Mlllard is alleged to have abused his wife , who ran to the Chandler home for protection. Mlllard followed her there and was killed. Road Notice to Land Owners. To All Whom It May Concern : The commissioner appointed to lei cate a road commencing at the m rth- west corner of section in , Township 22 North , of Range n West , in School- craft precinct , Madison county , Ne braska , running thence east one mlle and terminating at the northeast cor ner of said section , has reported In favor of the opening thereof. Said commissioner has also reported in favor of the closing of the follow ing road , to-wlt : Commencing at lha southwest corner of the northwest quarter of section 13. Township 'J2 North , of Range 3 West , in Madison county. Nebraska , and running thence east one mile and terminating at the southeast corner of the northeast quar ter of said section III. and all objec tions to opening of said proposed now road or to the closing or vacation of said old road or claims for damages on account of either of said roads must be flle > d In thn county clerk's of fice on or before noon of the 25th day of May A. D. 1009. or said roads will bo opened or vacated without refer ence thereto. Gco , E. Hlcharduon , County Clerk.