THE BEE: OMAHA, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1917,
4
The Omaha Bee
DAILY fllOENlNO-EVENINC SUNDAT
FOUNDED BY EDWARD ROSEWATEIL
VICTOR ROSEWATER, EDITOR
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JANUARY CIRCULATION
54,320 Daily Sunday 49,878
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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
