THE OMAIIA DAILY BEE: WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1907.
Tiie Omaha Daily Bee
founded by edward robkwater.
victor rose water, editor.
Rntsred at Omaha postoffloe aa second
class matter.
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f'nlly Ree (without Sunday) on year.
Jly Dm and Sunday, ona year
Sunday Bee, ona year...
Saturday Hw, ona veer
14 00
no
IN
l.M
DELIVERED BT CARRIER.
Dally R (Including Sunday), rer week.. IBs
Dally Dee (without Sunday, per week...lto
Kvanlng Bee (without Sunday), per wm. M
livening Bee (with Sunday), r"' week.,..10o
Address complaints of Irregularities In de
livery to City Circulating; Department.
OFFICES.
Omaha The Bee Building.
South Omaha City Hal
ty Hall Hulldlng.
Council Bluffs 1 Pearl Street.
hloago1fi- Unity Building.
New York lEU Home LJfe In. Building".
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, CORRESPONDENCE.
Comtnunlcatlona relating to newa and edi
torial master ahould he addreaaed: Omaha
Bee, Editorial Department.
REMITTANCES.
Remit by draft, expreaa or postal order,
ryable to The Roe Publishing Company.
Only 2-rent' stamps received In payment of
mall accounts. Personal checks, except on
Omaha or eastern exchanges, not accepted.
THE BEE PUBLISHING COMPANY.
STATEMENT OF CIRCULATION.
Stale of Nebraska, Douglas County, ss!
Charles C. Rosewster, general manager
of The Bee Publishing .company, being duly
swhrn, says that tht actual number of full
and complete copies of The Dally, Morning,
Evening and Sunday Pee printed during the
montn or December, l!M, was as iuw.
1 31,870
I......... 30,850
1 31,610
4 31.T10
1 31,700
.-........ 31,S0'
7 31,880
17 33,870
II...,..:.. 31.780
If 31,780
10 38,670
21 31,630
J2 31.800
21 30,860
24 31,710
26 31.0
16 .. 38,180
17 81,770
it 81,610
it 31,880
SO 30,800
11 31,810
a 33,080
1 30,630
10. ...w.i. 31,760
11 38,160
12 33,060
II 31,680
14 31,690
If 38,170
II 30,400
Total. 888,380
Less unsold and returned copies., 8,341
Net total 873,149
Dally average 81,381
CHARLES C. ROSEWATER,
General Manager.
Subscribed In my presence and sworn to
before ma this 81st day of December, 1904.
(Beat) M. B. H UNGATE,
Notary Public
WHEN OCT OF TOW.
Sabecrlbers learlaar tha eltr tern
porarlly should have The Baa
mailed to them Addrasa Trill be
changed aa oftea aa requested.
If John D. Rockefeller Is really the
type of the coming American, barbers
can see their finish.
At last William Randolph Hearst Is
to have the "vindication" he was
clamoring for In the hope he would
not get It
President Dias would probably be
better pleased to receive from St.
Louis a number of agitators rather
than a medal.
That pos toffies at Avery threatens to
become famous. It is the only place
in this vicinity where Uncle Sam has
to advertise fori some one to serve as
.postmaster.
" In deciding to be Inaugurated In a
church the governor of Colorado is
making a good start, but his reputa
tion will depend upon the road he
travels afterward.
Oklahoma's desire to purchase all
coal and oil lands In the state shows
that the new Commonwealth's ambi
tion to be the "Pennsylvania of the
West" has some qualifications.
If congress insists, the new barge
company, which is to , reinstate river
traffic on the Missouri river at Omaha,
can easily arrange to put its boats on
Ice runners for winter business.
' William T. 8tead says he Is travel
ing around the world In the interest
of peace; but as M efforts wUh the
csar did not prevent war with Japan,
he may be mistaken in his mission.
Reciprocal demurrage Is opposed by
railroads on the ground that It will
open up an opportunity for rebating.
If they really believed it would do so
their opposition might not be so stren
uous. V
. With wires breaking from the
weight of snow and Ice upon them, the
advantages of the underground tele
phone and telegraph conduits required
In the city streets are strikingly re
enforced. A law compelling railroads to run
their trains on schedule time or pay a
forfeit might have the effect of rear
ranging time cards, but It would also
do much to relieve the shortage of
cars and perhaps to prevent accidents.
, While New Orleans celebrates the
anniversary of the battle that made
Jackson famous, democrats elsewhere
honor the memory of the man aa the
most successful patronage dispenser
their party ever put in the White
House," r
E. H. Harriman mlmlmUes reports
of his illness, but kept quiet about it
until he secured ten days to prepare
for his examination on the stand.'. Mr.
Harriman should be more careful to
protect his lawyers' reputation for
veracity. .
A general impression prevails that
party platforms last year were not de
signed entirely as a vehicle to office,
though some successful candidates
seemed still to be surprised to learn
that people - really expect campaign
promises to be redeemed.
A Jolut legislative caucus of repub
lican members of the legislature In
Idaho has formally accepted the candi
date nominated b) the state conven
tion for United States senator. The
pros;ects arc that it will not even
take a caucus in Nebiala,
COMBQ TO TRJJ VITAL POIST- !
With the trial of shippers' com
plaints against rates the Interstate
Commerce commission Is now proceed
ing to the vital purpose of the amended
commerce law and must bring on the
crucial test of Its authority. The true
center of the battle In the last session
of congress was the question whether
the commission should be invested
with power to establish rates, and the
new law confers such power, though
subject to Judicial review.
The criticism that the commission
has been dilatory In proceeding under
Its rate-making power neither ema
nates from quarters friendly to pub
lic control, nor Is In fact warranted.
On the contrary, the commission has
acted with extraordinary energy In
strict performance of its duties, having
accomplished far more during the four
months since the law went into effect
than was reasonably to be expected.
The ' mass of initial work was im
mense, including such matters as a
uniform system of bookkeeping and
reports, Joint and through rates, and
rulings on free passes and many other
important subjects whose considera
tion could not be postponed. More
over, although the . two - members
added to the commission could not
take their places before fall, congress
imposed an enormous burden through
orders for Investigations which like
wise permitted no delay. The com
mission accordingly has had to con
duct exhaustive inquiries into the coal
and oil industries, into the grain and
elevator. situation, into the consolida
tions of competing lines in Harriman
and Hill combinations, into safety sig
nals and wrecks. These great labors
have been not only imperative under
the law, but also of the utmost value.
The commission deserves well of the
country that it should have accom
plished so much in a short time, so
that it may now, in pursuance of its
paramount duty, take up Jtbe cases
brought before it requiring decision of
what are reasonable rates. Some of
these, like the first one to be heard
Involving the Chicago terminal charges
on live stock and affecting the whole
west, are cases which the commission
has heretofore decided, but under the
old. law was powerless to enforce Its
decisions, while others involve great
questions like discrimination under
pretense of water competition. But
now the commission, when it finds a
rate unreasonable, will also dectde
what rate as a maximum Is reason
able and order it to be forthwith en
forced. Thus the work upon which the com
mission is now entering must raise
conclusively the issue between public
and corporate power over transporta
tion In the vital point of charge for
service, for it is known that at pre
cisely this point h,e constitutionality
of the power of congress will be chal
longed In the courts. Furthermore, if
the supreme court, shall broadly bus
tain the power of congress, the door
ill be opened tor root and branch
treatment of the whole question, of
railroad capitalization and valuation
as a basis for . determining what con
stitutes "a Just and reasonable rate,"
cost of service, Investor's profit, etc.
If by a narrow and reactionary Judl
clal construction the commission Is
paralysed, then all the agitation that
we have had will be the merest pre
liminary to the universal uprising for
more sweeping relief from carrier cor
poration abuses.-
"TRAVD ORDER" PROTKCTIoy.
The bill which baa passed the house
providing for appeal to the courts
against executive orders excluding
fraudulent matter from the malls
should be carefully scrutinized before
final enactment. It Is not alleged
that fraud orders are wrongfully Is
sued by the postmaster general, but
only that there might conceivably be
error some time. But. if the 'oppor
tunlty for prompt action through dis
cretionary power Is to be -withdrawn
altogether because of possible mis
take, executive efficiency may be seri
ously impaired.
Exclusion from the malls under the
form of a fraud ordar was the wea) jn
with which, after ten years of arduous
contest, the government finally wiped
the notorious Louisiana lottery out of
existence and has since protected the
public against like lottery conspiracies.
But it may well be doubted If the
Louisiana lottery in its palmiest days
took from the susceptible public a
tithe of the plunder since been realized
from other schemes which, though not
lotteries, were equally fraudulent, all
dependent upon the malls for success
ful operation, and are under the lot
tery act liable to effectual attack
through fraud orders excluding them
from the malls.
An outright lottery Is itself a warn
ing to .the. public, but the myriad
frauds to which access to the malls Is
vital are more dangerous, because
they operate In the guise of legitimate
business. Prompt action, too, is in
most cases essential to public protec
tion, and in fact a fraud order gener
ally accompanies criminal prosecution,
after thorough review, both by postof
flce inspectors and the Department of
Justice. It Is, Indeed, possible to pro
vide for Judicial review which would
not Interfere with effective executive
action, but as a matter of experience
It Is little. If at all. needed, while any
thing short of most scrupulous restric
tion of court review might be disas
trous. I
The police board has dismissed ln
disgrace a patrolman who was found
at home drunk when, he, was supposed
to be walking his bat. A week ago
the board imposed merely a fine and
adiuiuuie.ea a geutie rebuke to an
other patrolman who was picked up
out of the gutter to p&raiyzed with
drink that he had to be hauled to the
police station In the patrol wagon,
where he created a rough house before
he was fit to be released. This shows
the difference between the policeman
with a pull and the policeman without
a pull.
Hit HARRIMAK COMB1KK-
It Is not surprising that the ex
posure of the methods of the group
of financial grand dukes controlling
the so-called Harriman roads should
take the breath away from Wall street
and from stock speculators and gam
blers generally. Whatever else may
have been uncovered, the facts dem
onstrate the existence of a concen
trated financial power which so far as
the speculative market is concerned is
practically irresistible and the manner
of whose employment cannot be fore
seen.
Proof Is at hand that this combine
has within six months purchased in
the name of the Union Pacific alone
stocks of other railroads to the value
of over $120,000,000, having for such
transactions .'absolute control over
the vast resources wielded as a unit
of half a dozen of the greatest and
richest railroad and steamship cor
porations in the world. But even
these forces are but a fraction of the
stupendous Influence of this unprece
dented cabal, whose members domi
nate the copper, oil and other indus
tries, as well as great banks and trust
companies and the funds of some of
the life insurance concerns. How the
Illinois Central, Itself one of the big
historic transportation systems of the
country, succumbed to this power Is a
matter of recent record.
But here is a factor whose purposes
are undlscoverable except in retrospect
that is capable at any moment of con
trolling the stock market, and, indeed,
all markets and industries to no small
extent. In concentration of power
and secrecy of counsel and action, it is
ominous to every interest, but most
of all to the great body of stock gam
blers who usually imagine they are
placing their stakes with at least a
chance to make a winning.
OAS.
The supreme court has decided that
the Omaha city council has no author
ity by ordinance to prohibit the erec
tion of a gas holder within the city
limits, except with the written consent
of the owners of every foot of ground
within a radius of one thousand feet
of the site. The parties who have
been opposing the enlargement of the
gas plant, however, do not appear to
be willing to stop with this, but are
seeking new means to block the gas
company's plans for providing addi
tional storage capacity.
The Bee is not the spokesman of
the gas company. It wants the city
to exercise all its powers of regulation
in a proper way. The obligations of
the gas company to the city should be
strictly enforced, every cent of royalty
due it should be collected, every gas
meter should be made to test stand
ard, the gas sold should be required to
produce the minimum number of light
and heat units. In opening streets to
lay mains the gas company should be
held down to every requirement of the
ordinances. But mere factious inter
ference with its building Improve
ments, especially when they serve to
keep the city continuously exposed to
tha danenr of a Bras ahnrtae-o in ca of
tne danger oi a gas snortage in case oi
accident, serves no useful purpose. A
small gas holder, or a large gas holder,
or two ga's holders, on the present site
can make no material difference to the
neighborhood if there must be a gas
holder there anyway, but It makes a
great deal of difference to the people
of Omaha whether they have a gas
plant adequate to their needs. This
must have been more forcibly Im
pressed during the last few weeks,
when the electric lighting plant has
been partially incapacitated. Were
the efficiency of the electric lighting
plant and the gas works both impaired
at the rame time Omaha would be In a
very serious dilemma.
At a still different point Omaha Is
Interested in having the gas company
in position to do a maximum of busi
ness. The city gets a royalty on every
one thousand cubic feet of gas sold
and proportionately Injures Itself to
the extent that it prevents the company
from having an equipment equal to
supply every possible demand.
j
Representatives of the Order of
Railway Conductors insist that the let
ters which have been sent by railway
trainmen urging senators at Washing
ton to oppose the law limiting service
of operating employes to sixteen hours
a day have been ln no way inspired by
the sentiment molders at railway head
quarters, but that the uniform appear
auce of the letters is due to the fact
that they wore gotten up by the offi
cers of their association and sent out
by them to members for their signa
tures. The railway trainmen are enti
tled to their version of the affair. The
exposure of previous efforts of the rail
way publicity agents to use employes
along the line to bolster up the fight j
against the rate bill and other legisla
tion n the public interest naturally
casts suspicion on any similarly con
certed move against ether proposed
legislation apparently for the benefit
of the employes.
The figures for the outdoor relief
work of . the county for the . last year
as compared with preceding years are
gratifying in several respects. They
show that the cost to the taxpayers of
assisting indigent poor outside of the
county poor farm has been cut almost
In half. One reason for this is evi
dently the decrease in the number of
poor people requiring assistance. No
able-bodied man willing to work hss
bad to suffer eufvvccd ldleuesj toe any
length of time In Omaha during the
last year and most of those overcome
by sickness or other misfortune have
had enough saved up to carry them
over a short period or have credit to
pull along by themselves. A more
business-like administration of the re
lief work may also have had some
thing to do in holding down the expenditures.
The statement of the attorney gen
eral of Texas that he has "original
documents" showing the relations be
tween Senator Bailey and the "oil
trust" means either that the docu
ments are not as. damaging as Im
agined, or that the state official Is as
anxious to mjx political medicine as
to enforce the law.
It is now officially determined that
Robert Cowell may take his oath of
office as state railway commissioner
any time he chooses. Inasmuch as no
salary nor duties yet attach to the po
sition, delay of a few days will Injure
the public no more than it does him.
Congressman-elect Hitchcock Is the
only speaker on the Jacksonian pro
gram left to select his own subject.
We would suggest that he dilate on
"How I can be on both sides on the
publlc-ownership-of-rallroads question
at the same time."
Opea for More Entries.
New York Post.
Now that both Bryan and Taft have de
clared that a nomination for the presidency
should be declined by no American citlsen,
the new year should see many more come
forward to protest that they, too, will not
consent to have the next presidential elec
tion called off for lack of entries.
Seek the Guilty HlRher
Cincinnati Enquirer.
rp.
Lt us welcome all Inventions that con
tribute to safety, but the first Immediate
requirement Is to make the best use of the
means already at railroad command. The
authorities ahould go higher than the sub
ordinates In locating the blame. Get after
the men who employ tha "plugs" and
amateurs.
Relief In Foraretfulneaa.
Springfield Republican.
There is no race discrimination In
this
growlngly ghastly record of American rail
road fatalities. Here within less than a
week are two accidents each among the
worst ever known for destruction of life;
yet they will be forgotten In a day or two,
so surfeited with such horrors have the
American people become.
Philanthropic Ideals.
Pittsburg Dispatch.
Perhaps the Influence which prompts the
friendship of some of our trust magnates
for King Leopold Is not the petty consider
ation of some millions of acres of rubber
concessions. They may entertain the senti
ment that his operations in the Congo make
theirs In tha United States look like philan
thropy and therefore believe that he ought
to be encouraged.
Omaha Marriages dad Divorces.
Springfield (Mass.) Republican.
During the first eleven months of 1906 the
city of Omaha, Neb., Issued 1,648 marriage
licenses, while during the same period 484
divorce applications were filed In the local
courts establishing a ratio 'of about one
divorce suit for every three marriages.
But it Is claimed that a large percentage
of the divorce applications "are from the
eastern states." This seems to be an at
tempt to show that divorce Is more sought
for by easterners living under stricter laws
than by westerners who provide easier laws,
but It Is not a very conclusive effort.
Benevolence la lOOO.
Philadelphia Ledger.
The total amount contributed by cltlsens
Of the United States for philanthropic pur
poses during 1906 falls far below the record
of some other years. Those who look for
a progressive annual increase In charity
-""" -" - umnnou. uunn,
th0 Uat yeap a tota, 0( ln ,arffe
contributions was given to educational es
tablishments, art galleries, ' hospitals ' 'and
asvlums. The benefactions for these ob-
jjects reached the great total' of $107,360,000
ln 1901. The variability of such statistics
Is shown by the statement that the contri
butions In 1900 aggregated $47,500,000. It la
estimated that the small contributions to
charitable uses ln 1906 would aggregate not
less than 110.000,000, swelling the total phil
anthropic offerings to $61,230,394.
PROGRESS OK THE Idl'ARB DRAT
President Roosevelt's Policies Ocar
ina Substantial Fruit.
Kansas City Tlmea.
Encouraging progress In reform has been
made in the year 1906. In the nation, In.
states and In cities the 'general movement
that began with the advent of President
Roosevelt has borne substantial fruit in tho
twelve months now ending. Whllo much
remains to be done, proper consideration
of the Inevitable slowness of civic refor
mation must be shown and a due appreci
ation of what has been accomplished should
be manifested.
The greatest steps In the year were taken
by congress ln the enactment of the rate
law, the pure food law and the meat In
spection law. The scope and character of
this legislation are not yet fully understood
by the country at large. Assuming that It
Is all sound enough to withstand the scru
tiny of the United States supreme court,
this legislation Is the best ever enacted
for the enforcement of fnlr dealing ln Inter
state commerce and for the protection of
the public against lnpurlties In the food
supplies. Incidentally the graft that lies
in rebating has been almost wholly elim
inating and that of food adulterntlcn has
been greatly lessened. It la not cnouch
that the people should have a sounre deal,
but It Is Important thut business should be
cleansed of crime, even for the sake of
those who have wittlnsly cr unwittingly
fallen Into criminal practices.
The work of prosecuting the trusts has
moved' forward during the year. Stand
ard oil has been vlgorou.-ly and effectively
assaulted and Is being brought to terms
by degrees. The Sugar trusi has been
prosecuted and ' flii'-d. The movement
against the Paper trust hr been success
ful so far. The prim-ipal Packing tiust
eases were never tried on their merits,
thanks to Judge Humphreys, who threw
them out of court on a demurrer. A
number of railway men and trust men have
been convicted, seme of them unUer the
old conspiracy act. which was unenrthel
by Attorney General Moody and now serves
to supplement the general regulative laws
with a criminal statute that is hard to
fitulre The enormous land frauds. thn ex-
I .lit Af -hirh 1. tint vet known, ore unier
Investlsattnn. The Bleel trut Is prepar
ing to defend Itself. Discrimination?) by
railroads through oillcUds owning gratuitous
Stocks ln mining companies or other
shipping concerns have been checked.
And at the clou of the year Prrs dnt
Ro. seven, ln addressing congress, has out
lined a reform program of vast rrJeh
and Importance. The retrospect Is gratify
ing and the cnlouk is eiiLOiu using. The
doctilne of the s-juaie de.tl lias glut"
srssllas ln l&ui.
MR. SPEAKER.
Tekamah Herald: The election of D. M.
Nettleton of Clay county for presiding of
Ocer of the house of representatives was the
best selection that could have been made.
Sioux City Tribune: The speaker of tha
Nebraska house of representatives Is not
much of a Beau Brummel, but he la there
with the goods when it comes to honesty
and sincerity.
Leigh World: Dan M. Nettleton, of Clay
copnty. Is the speaker of the house of rep
resentative, lie was elected on the third
ballot In the house caucus, and by this
election gave tha corporations a blow that
will cripple their forces throughout the en
tire session.
York Times: The election of Dnn Nettle
ton to the speakership of the house la In
many respects a wise and proper move. He
Is an old member and deserves the honor,
lie Is well -posted, strictly honest and Im
partial and will be an excellent presiding
officer. In every way It Is a wine choice.
Newman Grove Reporter: The house or
ganized with the election of Dan Nettleton
for speaker. Mr.: Nettleton la 63 years of
age, a farmer, and he waa a member of the
legislature some twenty years ago. He
seems to have an excellent record and to be
free from corporate Influence. The pro
gressives scored In the first round.
Kearney Hub: The selection of D. M.
Nettleton for speaker of the Nebraska
house of representatives Is a good start In
the right direction, and no matter how
much might be aald ln favor of any of the
other candidates .for that position, the peo
ple of Nebraska do not doubt or need to
doubt that Dan Nettleton will be the right
man In the right place.
Beatrice Sun: Dan Nettleton does not
take a very pretty picture, but he la quite
a forceful man. He has lived upon the
prairies of Nebraska for the past thirty
five years, where he has successfully
farmed. He was a member of the legisla
ture in 1883 and 1S85, and was a presidential
elector in 1892. He Is 66 years of age, an
Irishman by birth, and a keen, shrewd poli
tician. Wood Run Sunbeam: The railroad man
ipulators received their first blow In the
legislature of the. state of Nebraska this
week when Nettleton was elected speaker
over McMullen. The latter was backed by
the railroad forces and they were utterly
put to rout. However, they are rallying
and their hand will be shown on every bill
that comes up. that affects the railways in
any manner whatever.
Fairfield Herald: For the second time
In the history of the state Clay county
furnishes the speaker for the Nebraska
legislature, this time In the person of Hon.
D. M. Nettleton of this city. No better
choice could have been made, we doubt
very much whether ln the present emer
gency one could have been found In all
points as well qualified to serve in this re
sponsible and important place.
Crelghton Newa:' 'Nan Nettleton of Clay
county, the new speaker of the Nebraska
legislature, Is a man 66 years old, a vet
eran of the civil war with a good record,
having been wounded In the sorvlce, and
has served ln two previous sessions of the
legislature, in 1883 and 1886. He Is decidedly
In favor of the regulation of corporations
by law and the execution of the railway
transportation laws by the state railway
commission.
Friend Telegraph: The Nebraska legisla
ture assembled on January 1. Senator
Saunders of Omaha was elected president
pro tern, of the senate and Dan Nettleton
of Clay county, speaker of the house. It Is
conceded that. the people have succeeded In
organizing; both branches of the legislature
and that the corporations got nothing. We
may now reasonably expect that the people
of Nebraska may for the first time within
the history of this state have an opportun
ity for real wholesome legislation.
Norfolk Press: The legislature made a
good start In electing D. M. Nettleton
speaker. The ' result of the caucus and
subsequent election showed that the ma
jority party was less under direct control
of the railroad lobby than at any previous
session in the history of the state, and
this augurs well for legislation on lines
that the people and the platform of the
republican party demand. Party success
in the future depends on the redemption of
the pledges made during the late campaign,
and' the republican members of the leg
islature show' that they appreciate this
fact. Their course, however, is not all
smooth sailing for the railroad lobby will
Interpose every conceivable obstacle In the
way of wholesome reform legislation. A
good start Is half the battle, and the leg
islature has that much to its credit
PERSONAL,. KOTE3.
Southern spirit has reached an uncommon
level when an alderman who sailed the re
tiring mayor of Atlanta a liar and a
flunkey survived the vocal effort.
A few days ago Miss Madeline Ives
Goddard was married to Marie Alexander
Leon Rene, Marquis d'Andigne, Compte
de Saints Gemmes, Baron de Legre. One
can hardly blame him for standing In mor
tal terror of the autograph fiends.
President Roosevelt will deliver an ad
dress on Memorial day at Indianapolis
at the unveiling of a monument to General
Henry W. Lawton who was killed in tha
Philippines. President Roosevelt considers
General Lawton one of the greatest soldiers
this country has produced.
"So this Is the House of Representatives."
an elderly man aald with awe as he walked
up to the main door of the house In Wash
ington. "This Is the place we are rep
resented. This ain't any House of Rep
resentatives." a psge boy aald. "This Is
Undo Joe Cannon's office. Thre ain't no
House of Representatives no mora."
The collective soclaj eye of Pittsburg now
directs Its gaze Parisward, whither a pillar
of the steel world hiked to bask la the
smiles of a chorus girl of more or less
repute. The . affair Is" dellciously upper
crusty the gay old duffer of 60, the put
away wife ut less prosperous days and tha
frisky maid of the footlights with a kicking
reach of six feet. A fool at 60 is the real
thing.
As a rule Canadians have shown some
fondness for being knights, but "the pinch
beck title" has no attractions for Wil
liam S. Fielding, minister of finance for the
dominion, who hat refused it more than
once. "Fact Is," says Mr. Fielding
quaintly, "when I receive a bill from my
tailor now 1 can take a little delay la
paying It, but if It came addressed to 'Sir
William Kleldlng I should feel that I
could not allow any delay under the altered
circumstances."
The king of Italy has decorated P. A.
Ferret of Brooklyn, well known aclentlfie
circles. With the Cress of Cavallere OiYlclale
for his conduct and Bervices to humanity
and science at the time of the eruption of
Mount Vesuvius observatory of tha Uni
versity of Naples, when the eruption oc
curred, and remained with the Italian
isolated on a ridge of rock between streams
cf burning lava until the mountain was
I again quiet. Many lives were saved through
the wurr.lngs sent out by the two courage
ous self ntuis. .
Joseph H. Choute, the lawyer and diplo
mat, said at a lawyers' dmnvr: "We
lawyers couldn't do better than to resolva
In the new yeor to bo gentler In our cros
examinations. Rudeness In rroas-examlns-tlon
never, never pays, ll.lt Is a truih
that I once saw proved In a damage suit.
I la this suit a cross-examining lawyer
I shouted at a wltne.ts in overalls: 'You,
j there. In the overalls; how much are you
paid for telling untruths?' 'I-en than
jou are,' the witness retorted, 'or you'd
i So la overalls too.' "
EfaTC lays
In Which You Can Purchase High
Grade, New and Used
PIANOS
From the) Lot of 50 Planoa Set Out in tho
LEFT OVER PIANO SALE
For in inventory, goes lnt effect the evening of January 10th.
Kvery piano we turn Into lease paper, reduces our stock,
- taking lust so much.
And to further reduce this lot of left over pianos by January
10th, we offer the musically Inclined puhllo High Grade New
Pianos with the best guarantee, ann Used Pianos In perfect
order at the most remarkable low prices made In Omaha.
We place In this sale some beautiful, new, up-to-date Planoa
already reduced by our competitors by $140 just to see them sell
and to give you the best ever, we cut the price another $36.
This will give you the opportunity of your life time, and you
can nave It for $10 down and $6 per month. Think of It.
$10 SENDS ONE HOME
Other new pianos for $14R, $190, all on IS payments.
Tou pay nothing evsr aoO fr the best 15 a month pianos.
This Is not equalled anywhere on top of earth.
In this sale you will find, Knabes, Chlckerlnga, Weser Bros.,
Kimball. Hnllet Davis. Cramers Gilberts and Hiddle Pianos
new and used, from $90 up. Kasy payments. No extra charges
for stool and scarf.
A few Piano Players cheap, less than H price; also some
good Cabinet Organs, $18 and up, on BOo weekly payments. You
have but two days to get these bargains ln.
As our prices are plainly marked on the tags suspended to the
instrument, you fully realise what we advertise. One Frloe Only
A child can select as easily aa a man.
A. MOSPE CO.,
1513 Douglas Street.
Ws pay so commissions. '
THE COLOSSI'S OF ROADS.
Chips In a Gamble.
New Tork World.
In ten years of unprecedented railroad
prosperity the control of three-quarters of
the mileage has passed Into the hands of
six or eight groups. The lines themselves
have been merely chips; In a Wall street
poker game. The functions of tha common
carrier have been subordinated to the busi
ness of Wall street exploitation. The ope
ration of the roads haa been an Incident
and not the main business of the men ln
control.
Mighty and Dungrerous Power.
8pringfield (Mass.) Republican.
The government of the United States has
none too soon assumed a control over rail
road rate charges as well as other matters
affecting interstate transportation. And
such a control will never be relinquished;
rather it will be extended. It involves
the exercise of a mighty and dangerous
power, to be sure, but who will have the
boldness now to repeat, as was so often
urged during the rate bill controversy, that
It Is a power more dangerous to the people
In the hands of the government than In the
hands of K. l. Harriman T
What Are the Bounds?
Washington Herald.
With Mr. Harriman ln unchecked con
trol of practically " the entire transconti
nental railway transportation system west
of Chicago, Including the Illinois Central,
and owning immense blocks of stock in
eastern railroads. It is not difficult to be
lieve the newspaper statement that - "he
Is the most Important power ln railroad
circles the country has,- ever had." And
what, are the bounds ; ,of this . powerT
There are no bounds, apparently, save
those which may be set by the federal
government, through actions ln the courts
and the enforcement of the anti-trust and
rate laws; against uncontrolled one-man
power ln railway finances the authority of
the president of the United Sttaes, acting
through tha Instrumentalities at his dis
posal ln behalf of the whole people. That
Is the significant contest we now see be
ginning. The People and Corporate Wealth.
St. Louis Globe-Democrat.
The government has a long Una of vic
tories against combinations of different
sorts. Involving, ln some cases, many hun
dreds of millions of dollars. It upset Hill's
and Morgan's Northern Securities company.
It brought the meat packers under control.
Dosens of smaller combines have been
overthrown or have been compelled to re
organise under forms which make a pre
tense at least to conform to the law. Under
the decision Just rendered by United States
District Judge Landls in Chicago, a line of
successful assault on the Standard Oil
company has apparently been opened. In
the end the government will triumph even
over Harrbnan, although this may Involve
the enactment of new laws. But In the
meantime the fight will be hard, and It Is
possible that at the outset the government
may be beaten, through the law's loopholes
of technicalities. The belligerents are
evenly matched. Back of President Roose
velt stands the wealth and the might of
85,000,000 of people, but Harriman also Is
one of the world's great powers.
False Premise, Wronar Conclusion.
Baltimore American.
The doughty legislators of Nebraska are
on the warpnrth against the railroads that
have failed to send the customs ry state
passes. The ultimatum has practically gone
forth thRt either the legislators or antl
leglslatlon must be passed.
Reduction Sale
AVING finished
a great many
and overcoats,
children's and
spring goods
big reductions
profitable for you to purchase, tven if you
do not need them now you can afford to
carry them for next fall ,
Our Big Shirt Sale is Still On
We have taken all our broken linos of fanoy
vests und and put them in
at one price
. S2.50 all sizes 34 to 50
rowning,
E. S. WILCOX, Manager.
FOISTED PLEASANTRIES.
"Your 'woman's lunch club' proved to ba
a failure. How did that happen?"
"No er men ever came to lunch there.
Chicago Tribune.
Party Chief (sneerlng-What do you
think will become of all these fatuous re.
format
Ward Boss (aadly)-I don't think the
fat'a with us; I think the fat's ln the
fire. Baltimore American.
Teas If Miss Falrey doesn't get mar
ried soon she'll be a laughing stock for
everyone.
Jess Why, she's quite young yet. Isn't
she?
Tess Yes, but she's outgrowing her
name. She's becoming ridiculously stout.
Philadelphia Press.
"Why didn't you vote to Increase your
salary?"
"i was afraid It might become a habit,"
answered the statesman, "and I'm one of
those people who enjoy pointing to the
pecuniary sacrifice they make ln serving
their country." Washington Star.
The Apollo Belvedere had Just been com
pleted. "Yes," proudly boasted Calamls, "several
department stores have wanted him for a
floorwalker."
I hiiS Indeed, the sculptor realised he hud
produced the perfect type of manly beauty.
New York Sun.
"You should lay up something for a
rainy day," said the able adviser.
"A rainy day doesn't bother me," an
swered the Intensely literal person. "What
I want Is enough surplus to enable me to
face a few cold waves." Washington Star.
"Now that you've gone to housekeeping,
which rules, you or your witeT"
"Neither of us. We have a provisional
government."
"What la that?"
"The cook's." Baltimore American.
"What has kept you out so late?" sternly
asked Mrs. Gayman. "
"Been s-slttlng up with a dying friend,
m' dear," answered her affectionate con
sort. ' i. , .
"That won't do this time," she rejoined.
"The old year has been dead two or three
days, ta my certain knowledge." Chicago
Tribune. .
"Boss," said the fat begger, "I ain't had
no food fur more'n twenty-four hours."
"Well, well!" remarked Kidder.
"Dat's de truth, boss, an' when I t'lnk
how well fixed 1 wus onct it make a lump
come ln me t'roat dat "
"Why don't you swallow the lump? That
might help soioe." Catholic Standard and
Times.
MAMMA AT THE 'PHONE.
New York Sun.
Our phone Is on a party wire,
Our letter it Is L,
And when some one would speak to us
The central rings the bell;
-And mamma, when she hears it ring,
Unless she Is alone,
Calls out to all the family:
"Somebody 'tend the phonal"
When some one calls up J or R,
Or B upon the line,
Our telepnone it does not ring, ,
But flutters faint and fine;
And when she hears within the boa
That call for those unknown, .
Whatever else she has on hand
Then mamma's at the phone.
Anon she hears the genUa purr "
Within the wooden box
She's darning sister's stockings
Or little brother's socks
But these she quickly lays aside:
" 'Three pounds and plenty boas'
' She's getting soup for dinner,"
Buys mamma at the phone.
Another flutter in the box
Brings mamma to her feetl
"fin! 'This Is Mrs. Jones.'" she says,
"Of Umpty-umptleth street;
'One ticket for the gallery'
"She must be going aluns;
'Oh, yes; it's for the mutlnea,' "
Adds mamma at the phone.
Sometimes when mamma hears the purr,
Say once or twice a week.
She lingers at the telephone
And smiles but does not speak.
And when we ask, "What's doing nowf
In an impatient tone,
"Go on and play and never mind'
Says mamma at the phone.
our inventory we find
broken lines of suits
in men's, boys' and
to make room for our
we are making some
which will make it
Ming & Co
