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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 12, 1917)
THE BEE: OMAHA, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1917, 4 The Omaha Bee DAILY fllOENlNO-EVENINC SUNDAT FOUNDED BY EDWARD ROSEWATEIL VICTOR ROSEWATER, EDITOR THE BEE PUBLISHING COM P ANY, PROPRIETOR. Bnterod at Omha poitoffico m weond-eUgi mmttgf. TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION. , , b ctim a? um Mir 9ma IHlly wlttewu Kirad&f " o Kvntat wid Soadu o Vronlni altaoat BuiuUy .. " SSo wU7 Boo only " Tl.il. urf aandjtf Boo. thno pom ti aotoaoo... And noUM or chant of addHM or ImsaUfttr Bl Boo, CUeulrtlua DopwtateK. l.M I. IM " l.W n.w Man k Oak) emtt W ML I twynoat of anon i REMITTANCE. only i OFFICES. Hm... Tka Km VMfMlM. Hilii... flMHilo, Oo Counoll Bloffo-14 N. MOM BX L UB-Ko Bt of ClBIIMIIIO, Ltooolo 1.U1. BMMkw. WuOJnfto-TJS lltt Bt. R. W. CORRESPONDENCE. Iddnai uiJimn nlotlo, u am m4 oAMrltl wttar I Offuho Bo. Xdllono DmrtMI. JANUARY CIRCULATION 54,320 Daily Sunday 49,878 Areruo atfralotlao for th nonth .BfaoeTlbeA Hd Krai tt fcj -WilUooM. Clfcalailoa Monogar. Saaacrikara ! taa cHr aM km TV nM to OW. AaUraM cluaiod aa mttmm m l.aaoafal The Bee repeats: "While hoping for the best, prepare for the worst." So the kaiser is not so eager to get into the war with Uncle Sam, after alll There, is yet time for those who pretend to know to tell it to the grand jury. Unless all signs fanVthe Hon. Henry C. Rich mond wins the niche in the new capitol's hall of fame. . That brutal child-murder out in west Nebraska is bad enough without making it worse with mob-murder. iteaa tne me-siory oi Aoranam Lincoln ana your little trials and tribulations win sink to insignificance. vvitn tne constantly cnanging umana scnooi boards, a pay-roll job as school official is hardly a perpetual bed of roses. Prices of meat on the hoof or the hook mock the subsea embargo. Confidence in the home appetite remains unshaken. Since it develops that some congressmen are regular aviators on the market, the annoyance of the "leak" is fully explained. , The mobilization of Red Cross nurses, it now appeara, has no relation to the coming flock of ,"lame ducks" at Washington. '..."Put none but Americans on guard P exclaims the Washington Post Thus encouraged the Ute Indians promptly tendered their services. A policy of subsea (rightfulness which keeps ships in safe ports accomplishes the end aimed at and also effect a distinct saving in torpedoes. Whafs the matter with all those gold-lace colonels on the staff of our Nebraska governor? Why are they so backward about coming for ward? - - ' ' ', The official organ of the suffragists heads an editorial: "Bryan in Ohio, Talks for Votes." That's the colonel's long suit You can't teach an old campaigner new tricks. Another eminent Britisher sees the finish of war by "the end of summer." Owing to the ab sence of rules governing the contest there is no limit to the number of guesses or guesscra. There is no occasion for Bellevue feeling slighted. Two youngsters crowd available accom modations in Omaha's tent, but later on the can vas may be stretched to cover the patriarchal suburb, It is understood, of course, that the famous porcine troubadours of congress will have the honor of dedicating Nebraska's projected hog palace. The occasion merits the company, and the company merits the honor. The admitted need of a new and modern countv infirmary has no necessarv connection with the proposed sale of the present county poor farm which is highly debatable. Let each proposition stand or fall on its own merits. The State department's astonishment over the interview of German Under Secretary von Sturmm seems ungracious. - Half-baked sentiments and hasty conclusions are regretable from any source. The Sturmm outburst is on par with Lansing's peace or war break, and calls for like forget fulness. Postmaster Fanning says he is glad the effort to perpetuate his job under civil service rules has (ailed because he believes in the good old rule, "To the victors belong the spoils." Even if he is not in favor with the Jacksonian club, our Omaha postmaster is about the only Andrew Jackson democrat left I How Large an Army -Now Yarfc WarU From an analysis of census statistics aad by the application of a system of Derceutaees. the mayor's committee on national defense concludes mat oi tne Ji,ui,uo males in the United State between the ages of 18 and 45 years. 4.778.050 arc " ivailable for military service as both unmarried iiid physically fit And of the 1,500,000 men wanted by the war college at the outbreak o war, 1,350,000 are available between the age of 19 and 20. The committee finds also that on the basis of eligibility of the French military claaa of iyiu, ow.wu young men nt tor service reach mili tary age every year. As far as creating an army on paper goes, this is an encouraging showing of preparedness. With a lighting force of 4,500,000 only needing to be equipped and drilled, and more than 500,000 more :!igibie every year, we could become a military power offhand. If regular army standards are ap plied it is conceivable that the estimated number of available troops would be diminished. On the other hand, under the relaxed conditions of eligi bility obtaining among the European belligerent the number might be trebled. Th gist of the committee's report may be said to lie in iU recognition of "hisrhlv elastic factors" in any estimate of the potential size of an Ameri can army and in its conclusion that ."upon the seriousness of the emergency which faces a nation must depend in a great degree the proportion of exemptions from military jlaty." Our army of defense, if we need one, will be as large as the conditions demand, and any present estimate of its numbers is purely speculative.' Abraham Lincoln. No name of mortal man commands more of reference than that of Abraham Lincoln, the anniversary of whose birth is observed today. The language has been ransacked in search of words to embody encomiums for. him, and many a chaplet of glowing eloquence has been woven by gifued orator or inspired writer in praise of his memory and achievements. Yet Lincoln was a plain man, simple and just moving always, as he himself expressed it to "the right as God gives us to see the right" In this simplicity of thought and art, in speech and manner, dwelt the majesty of the living Lincoln, and from it springs the grandeur of his memory. It is welt for Americans to pause today, not only to honor this great American, but to con sider well the quiet dignity and steadfastness of his course. Soberness in counsel, deliberation in judgment, and calm determination in action char acterized Lincoln, and his example is the greatest heritage of his countrymen. Let us recall and adopt the advice he gave at Gettysburg, and dedi cate ourselves as he did then to the never finished work of building up the republic, "that govern ment of the people, for the people, and by the people, shall not perish from the earth." To build on principles of eternal justice a stronger and a more serviceable government that should be an inspiration to all the ages, was Lincoln's destiny, fit is our duty to set the mark still higher, and in working to that end we are in some sense approaching the greatness of Abraham Lincoln. What of Physical Valuation of Railways? The New York Journal of Commerce goes into a quite lengthy analysis and discussion of what it calls "the raiway fiasco," the pith and point be ing that if congress, as a representative body, would cancel legislation which experience has demonstrated to be both worthless and useless, one of the firs act repealed would be that pro viding for the physical valuation of railroads. The Journal of Commerce refers to the money appro priated for thas purpose as perhaps the most glaring" of recent instances of "utterly useless" legislation, "enormously costly" and "criminally wasteful of public money." When the original law was passed four years ago, it' tells us, the cost of carrying out its pro visions was estimated at from $1,250,000 to $5,- 000,000 and the tjmt needed at from one to five years, but now, after a lapse of nearly four years, less than a third of the work has been finished and the best prospect held out is for completion at the end of four years more at a total cost of not less than $60;000,000. The question to be asked is: ' "What have we to show for this ex penditure andiwhat returns are we getting, or can we get, on the invesamentr The idea back of the physical valuation move ment certainly was that ascertainment of the re placement cost of the railroads would show a startling overcapitalization and at least lay the foundation for rate revision downward. The facts are, however, that nearly all the rate changes approved by the Interstate Commerce commis sion have been increases and, if the valuation figures have been taken into' consideration at all, r?y have not offset the other exhibits and reasons urged for rate-raising. It the adversion of the Journal of Commerce to the federal valuation is welt founded the same thing must be in a measure true of the physical valuation of railways undertaken by state authori ties, among them Nebraska. -IrW have not the cost figure before usj but many thousands of dollar were appropriated by our Nebraska legis lature for physical valuation work under direction of the State Railway commission and the valua tions were made, but to what extent utilized docs not appear on the surface. The property ap praised by the state is included in the property to be valued by the Interstate Commerce commis sion, o unless the federal government accepts the state government's reports the work will have been duplicated. At best, the difference in time, producing widely divergent material and labor costs, makes it difficult now to use. figures ar rived at a few years ago. So, looking at the whple situation both back ward and forward, the question seems very per tinent: "What has been gained? And are any other gains still to comer" Heroic Treatment of Idlers. Every wide-awake city learn something from it wide-awake neighbor. Each in their way seek to solve various problems of municipal life. A multitude of minds and energies are brought to bear upon them, and the results make for general betterment Just now Baltimore is grip ping the problem of idleness without gloves. Work at reasonable wages is provided for alt desiring work. Those who will not work and cumber the. sunny side of the street! are given the option of the workhcasse and compulsory work or "move on." Similar treatment for chronic loafing ha been tried in many communities where idler congregate and found to work satiafactor ily. Little actual work accrues from the treat meat The gain ia in good riddance. The com munity profit by the absence of undesirables and petty crime are reduced in the same ratio. Hon city, industry and thrift advance in proportion to the vigor and persistence of the treatment A liberal dose of the Baltimore medicine is much desired fn Omaha. The need of it is evident in loaferdom. Nothing short of compulsory work will relieve the congestion of idlers in certain quarters and promote public safety, health and higher community life. The Bee' remark about poatofnee inefficiency, due to the false economy practiced by the depart ment at Washington, has evoked approving echoes from all tide. We also have intimation I that conditions similarly bad, if not worse, pre vail m outer chks. a concerned movement ,oy the commercial interests of the country to. make the postmaster general "jar loose7' with sufficient clerical and carrier service to handle the growing postal business would seem to be the next thing in order. . According to latest advice, Canranza has gone into seclusion for several days to take the min eral bath at a place near Queretaro. Here is a performance by the Mexican first chief which all of us can applaud! For the highest dignitary of the country to set the example to all Mexican to take bath is at once an act of patriotism and self- sacrifice. The question is asked: "Why should the legis latere .submit proposed constitutional amend' raents at the tame time that they set in motion the machinery for a constitutional convention?" We don't know, unless it is a doubt whether a new constitution framed by a con vent ion is likely to be ratified, "''v-v Lincoln -Robert C lngoraoll Lincoln was an immense personality firm, but not obstinate. Obstinacy is egotism firmness, heroism. He influenced others, without effort, un consciously; and they submitted to him, as men submit to nature, unconsciously. He was severe with himself, and for that reason lenient with others. He appeared to apologize for being kinder than his fellows. He did merciful things as steadfastly as others committed crimes. Almost ashamed of tenderness, he said and did the noblest words and deeds with that charming confusion, that awkwardness, that is the perfect grace of modesty. As a noble man, wishing to pay a small debt to a poor neighbor, reluctantly offers a hundred dollar bill and asks for change, fearing that he may be suspected either of making a display ot wealth or a pretense of payment, so Lincoln hesi tated to show his wealth of eoodness. even to the best he knew. A great man stooping, not wishing to make his fellows feel that they were small or mean. He knew others, because perfectly ac quainted with himself. He cared nothing for peace, but everything for principle; nothing for money, but everything for independence. Where no principle was involved, easily swayed willing to go slowly if in the right direction sometimes willing to stop; but he would not go back, and he would not go wrong. He was willing to wait He knew that the event was not waiting, and that fate was not the fool of chance. He knew that slavery had defenders, but no defense, and that they who attacked the right must wound them selves. He was neither tyrant nor slave. He neither knelt nor scorned. With him men were neither great nor small they were right or wrong. Through manners, clothes, titles, rags and race he saw the real that which is. Beyond accident, policy, compromise and war he saw the end. He was patient as destiny, whose unde cipherable hieroglyphs were so deeply graven on his sad and tragic face. Nothing discloses real character like the use of power. It is easy for the weak to be gentle. Most people can bear adversity. But it you wish to know what a man really is, give him power. This is the supreme test It is the glory of Lin coln that having almost absolute power, he never abused it, except upon the side of mercy. Wealth could not purchase, power could not awe this divine, this loving man. He knew no fear except the fear of doing wrong. Hating slavery, pitying the master seeking to conquer, not persons, but prejudices he was the embodiment of the self denial, the courage, the hope and the nobility of a nation. He spoke not to inflame, not to upbraid, but to convince. He raised his hands, not to strike, but in benediction. He longed to pardon. He loved to see the pearls of joy on the cheeks of a wife whose husband he had rescued from death. Lincoln was the grandest figure of the civil war. He is the gentlest memory of our world. Do You Know Your Boy -Kaaaas City Timoi Mr. Father, permit me to introduce Master Son. Son, this is Father. Shake. Yes, indeed. An introduction wilt actually be necessary in a great many cases, if the father is to become acquainted with his own son, and if the boy is to know his father. To become really acquainted, that is. Oh, of course, every father knows his boy, by sight and every boy knows his father: but in too many homes the relation exist ing between father and son recalls the old joke of the vaudevilles: A boy is showing the family photographs to a visitor and comes to one of his father. "Who is that?" asks the visitor. "Oh, that's the man who sleeps at our house nights, answers the boy. rather is too busy downtown in the daytime. and too tired when he gets home at night to get acquainted with his boy. The boy, his heart yearn ing tor father love and companionship, is sent on to bed if he bothers too much, and so a gulf widens between them, and first thing you know the boy is away beyond parental control The church and other organizations are to gether in a big campaign to correct that condi tion, and they have set apart this week as "Father-and-Son Week," and in nearly sixty churches to night there will be dinners especially for fathers and sons; and next Sunday special services for them; and every man who has a young son is expected to take him tonight, and Sunday, too. It s a good thing to encourage close compan- ionshio between father and son. The church is doing part of its real work in that move. Every lather ought to be the chum ot his boy, ought to tell him stories when he is little, and play with him. Then, if the companionship is kept up and they read together and go on hikes together, as the boy grows older and the mysteries of life be- ?;in to unfold and perplex him, he will go to his ather for light and advice, instead of to some fellow on the corner. Shafts Aimed at Omaha Tekamah Herald: The Nebraska legislature should respond at once to the appeal from the Omaha Board of Education to repeal the law requiring foreign languages be taught in the grade schools of the state. It would be wise to strike every foreign language from the course of study in every school in tne state. , Beatrice Express: Nebraska is eraduallv climbing into its place of importance, various de velopments aiding, just the other day the Omaha stock yards led every other place in the world on receipts of cattle and hogs, Chicago standing sec ond and Kansas City third. The receints for the day were 51,000 cattle and 31,000 hogs. For Ne braska sake, we wish they were all the product ot iMeDraska tarms. Franklin-News: The Omaha police judge who stated "that most women lead a life of shame be cause they prefer h" probably came nearer, the truth than most people would admit. But it is a fact that a Vhole lot of the "sob-stuff" appearing in the magazines and daily papers is more for the effect it will have on the circulation than it is an honest opinion of the writer who prepares the story. It is written to till a demand of the public. Nebraska Citv Press: Omaha's debt ia 11.. 000,000 and taxes in the metropolis increased just 31 per cent last year over the previous twelve months. Omaha is prosperous, at least its news papers continually harp on the subject, and busi ness looks good trom this distance. There is something wrong with a city that owes so much money, however, and increases the rate of taxa tion 31 per cent in a year. Perhaps Irving in the provinces, a bar to some sorts of intellectuality, we are told, is better than dwelling in the metropolis ot Nebraska. People and Events Chicago aliens are crowding the courts, seek' ing naturalization papers. The rush proportion ately is as great in Omaha. Fear of war prompts tne run to cover. The best of us make mistakes now and then. Ed Harriman once sold 640 acres of California land for $2.50 an acre. It was oil land and is worth millions today. The worm turns. Would you believe it? A Lynn, Mass., fruit peddler sent the city a bill for $23 for fruit and peanuta eaten from his stand by policemen, its rwenty-uiree tor tne peddler. Young Vincent Astor, a member of the New York naval militia, is doing his little bit as one of the bridge guards in the big citv. There is nothing about him to distinguish the multi-mil lionaire from any other private in the battalion ,War, like politics makes strange bedfellows. In a recent parade in Ireland the oranse and green were carried side by side in a regiment of Canadian rangers, largely composed of orange- 1 -. I l ; - 1 : i TL-. : , ' incu inq uiiuuik irisu. i ut rivals a reunion of the blue and the gray, only more so. I TODAY Ijfl us have faith that right makex might and In that faith let uh to the end dare to do our duty as we un derstand It ABRAHAM LINCOLN. Health Hint for the Day. If your little boy or Ktrl complains of headache, has frequent colds and you notice low of energy and back wardness, dullness and stupidity at school, It may be that either adenoids or diseased tonsils are to blame and an examination should be made with out delay. One Year Ago Today fn th Wir. Russians took Garbounova on northern front. Germans forced French back at Navarin in Champagne. Lusltania settlement held up pend ing consideration of effect of Ger many's declared intention to sink armed merchantmen without warning. In Omaha Thirty Years Ago. The start for a street railway to Lake Maria wa was made by the organ isation of a company to be known- as the Lake Manawa railway organiza tion. The incorporators are Samuel Hatw, J. J. Brown, George A. Keeiine, D. W. Archer, George Metcalf, D. J. Rockwell, William Moore, G. F. Wright Spencer Smith, Erastus A. Benson, Charles T. Officer, T. J. Evans, E. H. Merriam, W. W. Loomis and N. Merriam. The rebuilt European hotel on South Tenth, which was burned sev eral months ago, is again being run by its old proprietor, Leo Kopald. The Anheuser-Busch Brewing com pany purchased the lot on the south east corner of Thirteenth and Jones for 141,000. The sale was negotiated through Mr. Krug and the company will erect a large depot from which the trade In this section will be sup plied. The old house on Capitol ave nue will be abandoned. Joseph Michaels, the letter carrier, was married by Judge Berka to Miss Mary Rosicky, sister of John Roslcky, editor of the Pokrok Zapadu. The fourth annual ball of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, Lodge 183, was held at Masonic hall and the floor committee consisted of Messrs. Johnson, Parr, Clarke, Fonda, Ayrea, Decker, Symonds, Meyers, Liv ingston, Barnham, Hill and Fisher. Fireman Delaney of No. 8 has been granted leave of absence for ten days and will be married to Mary Shea, who resides on Twenty-first and Cum ing. Dunton, editor of Dunton's Spirit of the Turf, of Chicago, was entertained at Richard Wilde's by a host of Omaha horsemen, among whom were J. H. McShane. D. T. Mount P. Mc Evoy, E. B. Wood, Nat Brown, Ed Reed, Tom Grey and Ed Culver. This Day In History. 1791 Peter Cooper, eminent mer chant and- philanthropist founder of Cooper Union, born in New York City. Died there April 4, 1883. 1804 Ellxur Wright who was the first to establish the life Insurance business In America on a sound basis, born at South Canaan, Conn. Died at Medford, Mass., November 21, 1885. 1809 Abraham Lincoln, sixteenth president of the United States, born near Hodgensvtlle, Ky. Died In Wash ington, D. C, April 15, 1865. 1833 Henry Clay introduced In the senate a compromise bill providing for a gradual reduction of the tariff. 1857 George Peabody donated $300,000 to establish a free literary and scientific Institute at Baltimore. 1871 Alice Cary, noted author, died in New York City. Born near Cincin nati, April 20, 1820. 1888 After a long struggle in the legislature, John Sherman was re elected United States senator from Ohio. 1899 Duke of Connaught laid the foundation stone for the Assouan Dam in Egypt. 1902 British-Japanese alliance to preserve the Integrity of China and Korea was announced. ' 1913 The republic was established in China by the abdication of the em peror and the retirement of the Manchu dynasty. The Day Ve Celebrate. H. G. Strelght, the well known mer chandise broker, was born February 12, 1862 at Poughkeepate, N. Y. Mr. Strelght has been In Omaha since 1886 and In the brokerage and commission business most of the time. Alice Roosevelt Longworth, daugh ter of former President Theodore Roosevelt born thirty-three years ago today. Sir William Patrick Byrne, new Under-Secretary to the lord lieutenant of Ireland, born fifty-eight years ago to day. William Faversham, one of the prominent actors of the American stage, born In London forty-nine years ago today. A. Ptatt Andrew, former assistant secretary ot the treasury and now chief inspector of the American am bulance field service In France, born at La Porte, InL, forty-four years ago today. Judson C. Clements, member of the Interstate Commerce commission, born in Walker county, Georgia, seventy- one years ago today. Clarence H. Rowland, manager of the Chicago American league base ball club, born at Plattsville, Wis., thirty- eight years ago today. Jerry Right on the Job. Lincoln. Feb. 10. To the Editor of The Bee: The press is the watchdog of civilization and a terror to evil doers. Therefore, it may be appro priate to state to the public that cer tain articles that appear in the press are not relished. To illustrate, in a recent issne of your great paper appeared an article headed, "Five Hundred Women Ask Frisco Pastor What About Us? Mem bers of City's Underworld Throng Church of Preacher Who Tries to Sup press Vice District One of Them in the Pulpit Say ,Low Wages the Cause." There being some bills relative to the wages of working women in the house and senate, therefore, for the purpose of calling my colleagues' at tention to the way society is neglecting the mothers of the American race, l endeavored to have said article with a little comment on it made a part of the public record of last Thursday's session of the house. However, try Again is a useful maxim. Thiggin-thu. JERRY HOWARD. Timely dot tings and Reminders. Lincoln's birthday will be observed as a local holiday today in twenty-four states. Georgia will hold its customary celebration of Georgia day today, commemorating the first permanent settlement in the state by Oglethorpe. Lincoln Memorial university, sit uated at Cumberland Gap, Tenn., Is to celebrate its twentieth anniversary today, with exercises in honor of Abra ham Lincoln, which will include ad dresses by governors and other men of national prominence. The South American republics- of Chile and Argentina have arranged for an elaborate celebration today in honor of the centennial anniversary of the battle of Chaeabuco, where the allied Chilean and Argentina forces won. a victory that enabled the two countries to throw off the yoke of spam. Storyette of the Day. They were looking at the Sargent decorations In the public library. "The figure ot Jonah," remarked the elder ly gentleman, "reminds me of Phillips Brooks' explanation to a skeptic who said he doubted whether a whale's throat was large enough to swallow Jonah. " There was no difficulty, Bishop Brooks assured him. 'Jonah was one ot the minor prophets, you know." Hoping for the Best. Omaha, Feb. 10. To the Editor of The Bee: I appreciate the tone of your editorial "Do the American People Want War?" Fundamentally opposed to the "preparedness" hysteria, and an uncompromising foe of "universal military training, still, when the foe Is dangerously at our doors, I can ap plaud your statement "while hoping for the best, let us .prepare for the worst." The militarist would have said "Let us prepare for the worst, though we hone for the best" There is a psy etiological difference in the way the statement is made. All the energies of our people ought still to be bent in the direction, even now, of preventing war with Germany. In that way we also will "stand by the president, for he, above every other man in this land, is still trying every means of averting war. He is main taining his sanity and his great pa tience (God bless him for it), refusing to fly off the handle at the least provo cation. His attitude ought to win the hearty support and thankfulness of our people. Having done this, it snail also win their boundless confidence, so that should he eventually be com pelled to resort to the most drastic means, he will have with him every man fit to call himself an American. Then we shall find, too, that though the American people oppose war, when finally there is no escape we can tight with a desperation inspired by a genius and a devotion that shall as tound the world. And this because we shall have something to fight for. However, the important thing is to talk peace. For this reason I am proud of Bryan's utterances. Never think of war until the last final hope for peace is fled. Then only strike in defense of liberty. I still maintain that the most potent element in the settlement or interna tional crises is not physical force. No nation could withstand the united power of the world in an economic sense. If a nation becomes Incapable of reason, let the other nations of the world simply ostracize it Let them refuse to make treaties with it. Let them withdraw their representatives and in every way refuse longer to treat It as a civilized power. This is the strength of the president's position. In a word he has notified Germany that in her present attitude of frenzy she is not possessed of a clear mind, and until she returns to calmness we shall not deal with her. That attitude should make for peace, L. J. QUINBY. may plan, and the council carry out. the establishment of any park or boulevard, straightening or widening nf n.nv strppt nr allev: any Improve ments no matter how extensive or cost ly in any year. It veals in the city council, first, unrestricted power of condemnation of any privately owned property; second, unlimited power to tax any property benefited (the coun cil having the sole power to determine whether "property specially bene fited" is the property abutting on the improvement or ten blocks from it), and, third, unrestricted power to issue bonds to make good any deficit m the cost of such improvements, and all this without a vote of the people, or consulting their wishes in any way. A modest proposal this, for certain, under these circumstances the plan ning board and council could in one year saddle bonds upon the city that four generations could not pay. And, again, the bill proposes to re verse the usual course of procedure and throw the whole burden of protest and vigilance upon the property own er. It provides, not that a majority of property owners shall petition for the improvement, but unless 60 per cent of property owners protest within twenty days, their rights are gone. The only notice provided is three pub lications in the official newspaper, a short paragraph of fine print never noticed or read by anyone. This law would cause a man's right to protest the taking of his property to hang on this slender thread. Another charter amendment pro poses to place under civil service reg ulations all city employes, with cer tain small exceptions. Here is a pro posal to perpetuate in office and make removal next to impossible of a host of persons, some competent, but more grossly incompetent mere time-serving hangers-on the city payroll, a mill stone to hang about the neck of the future administrations which might desire to fulfill the purpose for which they were elected, but find the way blocked by this obstacle. The amendments now before the legislature, when analyzed, are start ling enough, and yet are only charac teristic of the source from which they have come. The people of Omaha who do not wish meekly to submit to these outrages must respond quickly, and protest vigorously. A majority of the legislature, while the task is left to them, wish to do for Omaha only what its people want but cannot know they do not want these thing's unless that knowledge Is conveyed to them in a forcible manner. The protest should be directed against any further charter tinkering whatever in Lincoln, as we have the right to do that ourselves and should exercise it. T. R JfURRAY. THE MAN OF THE PEOPLE. Objectionable Charter Amendments. Omaha, Feb. 11. To the Editor of The Bee: Although there is nothing unprecedented in the fact that the leg islature at Lincoln is now engaged in its biennial task of charter tinkering for Omaha, despite the unquestioned constitutional right of the city to at tend to such matters itself, there are various proposals pending to which all citizens of Omaha should effectually protest Foremost among these are some provisions of House Roll No. 73, which originated In the city hall, being drawn by City Attorney Rine, which are nothing short of vicious in char acter and are framed in complete dis regard of the rights and interests of the taxpayers of modest means, who pay the bills. Section 3 Is cleverly worded, but not sufficiently so to con ceal the motive underlying it It pro vides that the man or men who, at no matter what cost plats, grades and gutters, and generally improves a new residence addition within three miles of the city, before getting his plat on record or placing his property on the market must first make his peace with the city hall. It is not difficult for one familiar with municipal pol itics and its operation to see wonderful possibilities for the future in this. The only wonder is it has been overlooked so long. The contention that it is de signed to insure uniformity of streets and alleys is too cheap a subterfuge to merit attention. Section 4 seeks to remove all re straints upon the council In carrying out the recommendation of the City Planning board. Under it the board Edward Markham. When the Nora Mother saw the Whirlwind Hour Gre&tentng and darkening aa It hturtftd on. She left the Heaven of Heroes and cmroe down To make a man to meet the mortal need. She, took the tried clay of the common road. Clay warm yet with the genial heat of Earth, Dashed through H all a strum of prophecy: Tempered the heap with thrill of human tears; Then mixed a laughter with the serious stuff. Into the shape she breathed a flame to light That tender, tragic, ever-changing face. Here was a man to hold against the world, A man to match the mountains and the aea. The color of the ground was In him, the rod earth; The smack and tang of elemental things; The rectitude and patience of the cliff; The good-will of the rain that loves an leaves; The friendly welcome of the wayside well; The courage of the bird that dares the sea; The gladness of the wind that shakes the rorn; The pity of the snow that hides all scam: The secrecy of the streams that make their way Beneath the mountain to the rifted rock; The tolerance and equity of light That gives as freely to the shrinking flower As to the great oak flaring to the wind To the grave's low hill as to the Uatterhorn That shoulders out the akj. Sprung From the West The strength of virgin forests braeed his mind. The hush of spacious prairies stilled his sovt. Up from log cabin to the Capitol, One fire was on his spirit, one resolve To send the keen ax to the root of wrong. Clearing a free way for the feet of God, And evermore he burned to do his deed With the fine stroke and gesture of a king; He built the rail pile as he built the state. Pouring the splendid strength through every blow. The conscience of him testing every stroke. To make hl deed the measure of a man. So came the Captain with the mighty heart; And when the judgment thunders split the house. Wrenching the rafters from their ancient rest. He held the ridgepole up, and spiked again The rafters of the Home. He held his place Held the long purpose like a growing tree Held on through blame and faltered not at praise. And when he fell hi whirlwind, ha went down Aa when a lordly eedar, green with boughs, Ooes down with a great shout upon the hills. And leaves a lonesome place against the sky. Bell-ans Absolutely Removes Indigestion. One package proves it25cat all druggists.,1 rvT m m aJaKaja)ji All-Steel Through Train The trip in this train to America's winter playground makes a fitting preface for vacation pleasures. Leaves Chicago 11.55 PM PfiSYLVfNiA Lines Via Cincinnati and L. & N. R. R. through Knoxville and Atlanta Arrives Jacksonville 830 second morning. Compartment and Drawing-Room Sltepinf Can, Observaiioi Car, Gob Car, Restaurant Car sod Coaches. txal Tiearf ApnU will turwuk partialm, ate itfriel tart Tkttrtit 7tA At flmlaamdlkeSimlk it wmitidvta aiafotrntUft THE SOUTJLAMD. war tr c 1 tin . irM "r (- n . . i3 CitJ Nmtmmal Bant Bldr .. Plum Dontltu MO, OMAJA,AE. Boston Transcript