The Omaha Bee
DAILY IMORNINGl-E VEXING SUNDAY
FUUNPfc.P BY EDWARD JOSEWATgR
VICTOR ROSEWATER, EDITOR
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CORRESPONDENCE
Address wmnnMUnn. rel.nni w i.e.. and editorial Batter
wall. Pe. m'wi." "v1
apnll. CIRCULATION
56,260 Daily Sunday, 51,144
arTclrcul.llnn for to. menial subscribed d nroro to to DirliM
Williams. Circulation M10tf- -
SubacrlW. lea.m, . ltr hoy'J B-IM
to them. Addrase changed " o'' ,
Every peace feeler coming out of central
Europe seems foredoomed to "hitc granite."
Besides other material advantages immunity
from draft speeds the rush back to the farm.
Safety first
Patriotism, like charily, may express itself in
the home garden or any other cultivated plot.
Don't be a slacker.
Nov suppose congregations take seriously the
fairy tale about ministerial fat purses, what would
happen to the contribution box?
Secretary Vrooman's STtillery is working fine,
but he would get more in the way of results if
he would concentrate on i definite target.
No matter what befalls other monarchs, so
long as he delivers the goods King Corn's throne
is secure. Delivering the goods is his specialty.
No doubt Senator Thomas meant what he
said about food gamblers. Still he sticks around
Washington and ignores tempting oportunities to
test his rope.
Just as Berlin shows a disposition to forget
war indemnities Paris jumps into the ting with
tall demands. The detail of enforcing payment
remains a future gamble.
Help for the farmer's wife is also quite es
sential, if the full measure of efficiency it to be at
tained. Here's a good field for the women folks
who are eager to do a bit
While the country at, large responds to appeals
against waste, congress persists in squandering
time. Come to think of it, congress never could
work up a reputation for economy.'
In its onwara marcn oemo-racy pi.ii.a !-
post here and there. The khan of Khiva grants
his people a modern constitution. Celerity in
reading the sign averted the khanning. '
"Plant corn!" shouts the east to the farmers,
and all over the west the check-rower and the
lister are clicking in unison, as the, foundation for
a fonr-billion bushel corn crop is being laid.
Report, from the fields of Nebraska are far
more encouraging since the rain has had a chance
to revive the drooping grain. Give nt a normal
season, and the crops will surprise even the native,
"Settlement day" it no longer a nightmare for
the shorts in the wheat pit, but will they learn the
lesson? "Stabilizing" pricet by gambling in
futures may have its attraction, but it also hat Its
drawbacks. '
The executive department now competes
with the legislative in publishing a daily vehicle
of official news. In both caset the editors radi
ate tfficial gossip unvexed by the problems of in
come and outgo.
, Food and fuel speculators will save consider
able worry or worse by quickly gripping the fact
that profiteering on public necessities will not
be tolerated. The road roller of public indigna
tion it equipped for effective work where needed.
Boston, Philadelphia and New York presented
to the French commissioner's substantial purses
for the orphans of war. These remembrances,
like many that have gone before, lend life and
light to innocents and ennobles the souls of the
donors. '
-l--5 ,
"Old Hutch" and "Charley" Partridge will
rest more quietly for knowing that the shearing
of the shortt didn't cease when they did. But
what would those famous figures have done if
they had had present day aid in running their un
forgettable "corners?" ,
Canada Forgives Us
-Th. Nov Rtpublk-
Participation by the United States in the war
will have one result in which all good Americans
can rejoice without misgivings and without quali
fications. 1 It will help enormously to remove mis
understanding between the Canadian and the
American nations and to lay an indispensable
foundation for their future co-operation.
If the United States had refused to come in,
our Canadian neighbors would, rightly or
wrongly, have always Considered us recreant to
the ideals which underlie their institutions at well
as ours, and they would(have cherished a resent
ment which would have interfered with the future
ability of the two countries to act and think along
common lines. We have been saved from such
a calamity. Of all the disasters which could have
overtaken the foreign relationship of the United
States permanent or radical estrangement from
Canada would have been the worst.
Of all the positive needs of American foreign
poljey the working out of tome basis of common
action with Canada is the most essential. The
facts of geography, the circumstances of a com
mon experience and similarity of institution! and
ideals all help to make Canada the nearest rela
tive and the most fruitful ally of the American
republic. At the present time Canada and the
United States are the only two nations partici
pating in the war which have nothing to gain
, from their labors and sacrifices except political
goods which will benefit all free and democratic
nations no less than themselves.
It should consequently be the deliberate pol
icy of the American government to use ever; op
portunity afforded by the participation of Can
ada and the United States in the same war to
convert that common participation into the most
immediate atvd many sided practical co-operation.
Advice Good, But Application Poor.
Cabinet officers arc giving Americans good ad
vice as to how to conduct themselves inder the
striin of ilic present situation. The trouble is
that the application-these officials make of their
own suggestions is decidedly poor. For example,
take the verbal pyrotechnics emanating from Carl
Vrooman, assistant secretary of agriculture. For
many months charges of manipulation of food
prices have been made. . The government is fully
possessed of the power to investigate these, and
this is backed up by the greatest of corrective
forces, that of publicity. If the officials will tell
where the stored-up quantities of food are hidden
and give the names of those who are holding hack
supplies to extort higher prices, the remedy
quickly will be supplied by an indignant public.
If Mr. Vrooman knows that speculators are
crowding the capital to influence legislation so
that their hold on the food of the world will be
perpetuated, why doesn't he give their names?
Pitiless publicity will apply here is anywhere, and
the people certainly would like to know who these
men are. A steady stream of scolding is of no
good unless supported by some action. The pub
lic needs reassurance rather than a scare, and gov
ernment officials should provide something be
sides sensational charges.
Reviving Traffic on the Rivers.
The conference at St. Louis of men represent
ing the bodies interested in revival of traffic on
the rivers was productive of the usual resolutions,
prospective plans for barge lines and similar un
dertakings, but of nothing definite as to the future.
All talk of inland waterway usage in the great
central valley for years has been coupled with
expenditure of public money. Appropriations to
pay for magnificent improvements have filled the
imaginations, and dazzled the public, but very
little practical good has come from any of these
discussions.
The question is one of economics, purely.
Water flows in the rivers just as it has through
the ages, and just as it did in the days when the
screech of the steamboat whistle disturbed the
silence of the primeval forests that have 'gone in
their turn to join the steamboats. All these
streams are as susceptible of navigation today
as ever they were, but the railroad has taken the
business, because it can give better service. Ad
just commerce so that the risers may bear their
share of the work, and the steamboats will float
again.
One of the greatest obstacles in the way of the
proposed revival is that the main trade route is
from east to west, while the rivers run from north
to south. If the course of trade can be modified
to meet this factor, the problem wilt be greatly
simplified. Railroads just now are hampered by
the greatly advanced cost of operation, and might
welcome some relief, even the competition of
water-borne freight, but so long as promoters
hesitate about the establishment of a line of steam
ers between St. Louis and New Orleans,
the outlook for the tipper Missouri is not encouraging.
Death Rate from Tuberculosis.
Death from tuberculosis is on the decline in
the United States, at least that is the statement
matte by the medical officer of one of the largest
of the insurance companies, who has just com
pleted an exhaustive analysis of statistics on the
point. This will be gratifying to all, for the cam
paign so. energetically conducted against the
"great white plague" has been participated in by
the people of the whole -count. y. In thirty-five
American cities in 190fHh rago of deaths from
tuberculosis to each 100,000 population was 195,
a figure that had fallen 1916 to 146.8. In other
wordt, forty-eight fewer people out of each 100,
000 die from tuberculosis now than did ten years
ago. This appreciable gain will encourage the
workers, to the end that in time the rate may be
brought to a point where the scourge may be said
to be under control.
Some interesting conclusions are drawn by the
doctor from his survey of the figures. One of
these it that religion has a direct influence on
the prevalence of tuberculosis. He cites records
of a study made at Buda-Pesth, which show the
lowest death rate among the Jews, 20 per 10,000,
as against 38.3 for Protestants and 45.4 for Cath
olics. Racial conditions as well as employment
influence the disease; fewer Italian males die from
tuberculosis than any of the races concerning
which figures have been segregated; Russia, Austria-Hungary,
Germany, United States and Ire
land following in the order named. Among the
females the lowest rate is among those born in
Russia, with Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy,
United States and Ireland following. '
The figures for Omaha are not so encouraging
as for the country tit large, for while far below
the average the local rate shows an increase in
deaths from tuberculosis, having risen from an
average of 94.4 for the 1911-15 period to 102.1 for
1916. This may be due to the fact that the proper
allowance for the increase in Omaha's population
has not been made.
Painful Plea of Innocence.
The light. of "pitiless publicity" recently turned
on the looting of the Pere Marquette and the
Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad com
panies draws from the inner conscioutnest of
Wall street a plea of "not guilty," tinged with
pain. Wall street was not mentioned in the of
ficial indictment, but the street feared the worst
and hastened to ward off the finger of suspicion,
and for good and sufficient reasons. Wall street
is the victim, not the perpetrator, of the job. If
the case was reversed the street would remain
discreetly silent, smothering criticism with the
booty. As it stands silence is .impossible while
the pain of extraction lingers.
Ground floor details of the wrecking, supplied
by the New York Financial World, shows' that
Cincinnati's coterie of railroad sharps unloaded
the property on the house of Morgan for a bonus
of $12,000,000. Subsequently the Baltimore &
Ohio system worked its pulmotor on the exploited
properties and wasted several millions in the ex
periment Precious few of Wall street's experts
take in the Morgans and get away with the goods.
Cincinnati turned the trick handily and got away
with the loot.. The barb of provincial superiority
thus found the Wall street quick and fashioned
the scream of innocence. A $12,000,000 alibi
leaves no room for challenges.
One branch of the Illinois legislature un
animously adopted a resolution favoring self-government
for Ireland and Poland. Meanwhile
Chicago appeal for home- rule gathers dust in
legislative pigeonholes.
Von Bethmann-Hollweg is paying the penalty
of failure to make good. A real victory for the
German people doesn't lie in the direction of
changing chancellors. V '
Guarding Washington
By Frederic J. Hatkin
Washington, May 11. This is probably the
only city in the United States where the war has
worked a striking change in the appearance of
things. The White House grounds, which have
long been a public park, now are barred and are
closely guarded, while to the White House itself,
formerly hospitable to sightseers, none but the
president's family and their accredited guests are
admitted. Executive departments, which formerly
hung out signs "no visitors admitted after 2 p.
m.", now admit no visitors at all, while armed
guards meet all comers at the door, and question
them closely. Very different are these war time
department guards from the sleepy doormen of a
few months ago.
The greatest change of all has come over the
War department. Formerly almost anyone could
enter, and visitors and newspaper men strayed
through the halls in droves. Now a written pass
is necessary and every visitor is led to the official
he wants to interview by a messenger, while sen
tries with rifles stand at intervals in the halls.
Within the offices, there is such a rush of business
and clatter of typing as never before, and the win
dows blaze with lights until early morning.
Nearly a thousand troops are engaged in the
guarding of public works in and about Washing
ton. The center of the system of guarding Wash
ington is the metropolitan police department,
under Major Raymond W. Pullman. With it are
co-operating the District National Guard units,
which have been mustered into government serv
ice, the investigating service of the Department
of Justice, with its 400 trained operatives, the se
cret service, and the office of naval intelligence,
which is a sort of naval detective force. A full
quota of rifles is stored in every police precinct,
and the department has 100,000 rounds of am
munition. A citizen home guard, similar to that
in New York has been organized to take over
the ordinary patrol work in case the police are
called to other duty. Every point that could pos
sibly be considered vulnerable is closely guarded,
while the three government detective services,
which have their headquarters in Washington,
make it possible immediately to follow any line
of investigation which may suggest itself.
The greatest responsibility which falls upon
Washington police is that of guarding the White
House. While it is true that the secret service
is charged with guarding the body of the presi
dent, a large part of the responsibility for his safe
ty devolves upon the police; for the secret service
has only a few men in his immediate presence,
while the police department now has fifty-eight
men in the White House and about its grounds.
They are picked members of the force and some
of thein are invaluable for this particular work be
cause of their wide acquaintance among public
men. Being able to identify cabinet officers and
other government officials by sight, they save a
great deal of delay in admitting these.
In addition to the policemen inside the White
House and those that guard all the entrances to
the grounds, a cordon of police is thrown around
the high iron fence which separates the back of
the White House grounds from Potomac park.
These men are not visible to the public, and do
not control the gates; they are there solely to
prevent anyone from entering the White House
grounds unseen.
In order to make the metropolitan police ade
quate for its increased duties congress has granted
it an increase of 100 men. So far, fifty of these
have been employed. In order to maintain the
high' standard necessary for the capital city police
force, 500 applicants were examined. Eighty-five
of these were found eligible, and from this num
ber the fifty men were chosen.
Washington police receive higher salaries than
those of any except a few of the largest cities in
the country, and this high rate of pay is neces
sary in order to secure the right type of men. For
a Washington policeman has the most varied and
unusual duties. The handling of sightseers, dis
tinguished visitors, and cranks are all difficult de
tails of the day't police work in Washington.
There is probably no city in the country where it
Is more difficult to tell who is who. Senators who
look like tramps, foreign diplomats who resemble
strays from some of New York't foreign quarters,
strangers of impressive bearing who turn out to
be lunatics at large, are among the pitfalls in the
path of the Washington policeman. He avoids
them in part by being very polite to everyone, re
gardless of age, sex, color, or state of intoxication.
A Washington drunk may be just a drunk, or he
may be someone of importance relaxing from the
cares of official life.
t Again the Washington policeman must tpecial
ire in giving directions. He will tell you exactly
how to get where you want to go, and if he does
not know he will look the matter up in a little
book which he carries. This service is absolutely
necessary, for while the plan of Washington is
simple after yon get used to it, the Mayday visitor
from a small town finds it extremely confusing.
In guarding the numerous government bu
reaus, the police department has been supple
mented by a special tietaii of the clerks of each
bureau. These men have been put in uniform,
given rifles, and placed under the direction of the
police. There is no branch of the government
service, no matter how unmilitary its character,
which you may enter without encountering an
armed man and a close questioning about your
business. Nothing alarming has happened in
Washington, and if caution and thoroughness can
prevent it, nothing is going to happen.
Fighting Sons of Noted Sires
A recent recruit in the navy is Wallace Leonce
Farragut, great-grandson of Admiral Farragut.
Quinton Roosevelt, youngest son of Colonel
Theodore Roosevelt, has enlisted in the signal
officers' reserve corps.
Josephus Daniels, jr., the 23-year-old son of
the secretary of the navy, has been accepted for
service in the marine "corps.
Franklin K. Lane, jr., son of the secretary of
the interior, is a student at the United States
army aviation school at Newport News.
Grant T. Stephenson, son of former United
States Senator Isaac Stephenson of Wisconsin, is
second officer of the torpedo boat destroyer Cas
sin. Junius Spencer Morgan and Adrian Iselin, jr..
sons of two of America's greatest capitalists and
financiers, have enlisted in the naval coast defense
reserves.
Richard M. Fairbanks, son of former Vice
President Fairbanks, is among those enlisted for
the officers training camp soon to be established
at Fort Benjamin Harrison.
Two sons of Carter Glass, the "fighting" mem
ber of the Virginia congressional delegation, have
passed examinations for commissions as captain
in the officers' reserve corps.
Richard L. Hargraves, son-in-law of William
J. Bryan, former secretary of state, has tendered
his services to President Wilson in any capacity
in which he may be able to serve.
Marshall Field, 3d, grandson of the famous
Chicago merchant and rated as one of the richest
young men in America, hat taken steps to enlist
as a private in the First Illinois cavalry.
Three sons of former Mayor Hempstead
Washhurne of Chicago and grandsons of Elihu B.
Washburnc, secretary of state in President
Grant's first cabinet, have joined the colors.
Ulysses S. Grant, 3d, son of General Frederick
D. Grant and grandson of President Grant, is a
major of engineers in the regular army, and Ulys
ses S. Grant, 4th, son of Ulysses S. Grant, jr.,
and therefore also a grandson of President Grant,
has enlisted as a private in a New York National
Guard regiment. And among others who are like
ly "to carry the salute" to France are men bear
ing the names of Fitzhugh Lee. Philip H. Sher
idan and Joseph Wheeler, as well as numerous
other descendants of civil war soldiers on both
sides.
ptrastsr-Msv st m
Proverb for the Day.
The better the day, the better the
deed.
One Year Ago Today In the War.
Another Zeppelin reported destroyed
off the coast of Norway.
Preliminary trial of Sir Roger Case
ment for high treason was begun In
London. . -
President PoJncare of France de
clared Germany must ask peace and
submit to terms of allies before war
could end.
In Omahit Thirty Years Ago.
A photograph has been received
by George Canfteld of a pair of boots
made by John Neary, a shoemaker, of
North Platte, for Hon. William F.
Cody. The feet are of the finest
French patent leather. The design on
the lower part of the leg la an oak
and acorn. The lining Is of orange
silk and the legs of Spanish Morocco.
All the fancy stitching is filled In with
different eolofs of silk and satin. The
American and English flags are set In
relief upon a thistle at the top of the
leg.
The fire laddies of No. 3 have se
cured a substitute for the lamented
"Keno" and have put him in active
, 71
training. The dojr was given to the
company by "Dutch Henry," the well
known expressman.
The celebrated Patrick farm, north
west of the city was sold, the purchas
ers being Kansas City gentlemen. The
deed read: "Eliza W. Patrick and
John N. H. Patrick to Nathan V. Allen
and S. L. Underwood." The area sold
covers 615 acres and the consideration
Is $615,000. It Is announced that the
purchafiers intend to make of the farm
a splendid addition to the city, plat
ting a large portion of It out and mak
ing five streets.
J. A. Hannan of the B. & M. head
quarters force has left for Rockford,
111., where he will be united in mar
riage with Miss Josephine Pendergast.
Ed Mullen will follow Hannan and ar
rive In time to do the "best man" act
G. F. Swift, the great Chicago
packer, has arrived In the city with
his assistants and architects, - Messrs.
E. Welles, S. Vankirk and H. C.
Gardner, to look over the ground
preparatory to erecting his large pack
ing house.
7&&
This Day in History.
1761 Samuel Dexter, secretary of
war in the cabinet of President Adams,
born In Boston. Died at Athens, N. 1'.,
May 8, 1816.
1849 Insurrection in Baden, and
flight of the grand duke from Carls
rune. 1862 Federals under McPherson
occupied Jackson, Miss. ,
1866 Diplomatic correspondence
between Austria and Prussia ceased
and both powers prepared for war.
1884 Fourteen persons killed In a
railroad collision near Connellsville,
Pa.
1886 German government Issued a
decree prohibiting political meetings
being held without permission.
1888 North Dakota elected dele
gates to a convention to frame a state
constitution.
1892 John S. Barbour, United
States senator from Virginia, died sud
denly in Washington. Born In Cul
pepper county, Virginia,.December 29,
1820.
The Day We Celebrate.
Michael ft. Murphy was born in
Elgin, 111., May 14 1860. He is now
general manager of all the Cudahy
plants and also a colonel on the gov
ernor's staff.
Ross B. Towle, president of D. J.
O'Brien company, is celebrating his
forty-second birthday. He is an
Omaha born boy, educated in our
public schools and graduated from
Williams college. He Is also interested
in the Nebraska Fuel company which
his father founded.
Jay A. Russell, manager of the
Credit Clearing House collection
agency, was born May 14, 1879 at
Glenwood, la. He is a lawyer by pro
fession. Judge Alton B. Parker, democratic
nominee for president in 1904, born
at Cortland, N. Y sixty-five years ago
today.
Hall Calne, famous novelist and
playwright, born on the Isle of Man,
sixty-four years ago today.
J. Donald Cameron, former
Pennsylvania senator and secretary of
war under Grant, born at Mlddletown,
Pa., eighty-four years ago today.
William Hale Thompson, the pres
ent mayor of Chicago, born in Bos
ton, forty-eight years ago today.
Bishop Theodore 8. Henderson of
the Methodist Episcopal church, born
at Milburn, N. J., forty-nine years ago
today.
Hlla Spong, one of the well known
actresses of the American stage, born
in London, forty-two years ago today.
Timely Jottings and Reminders.
Industrial problems arising from the
war are to form the chief topic at the
annual convention of the National As
sociation of Manufacturers, opening
today in New York.
The annual convention of the
Natural Gas Association of America Is
to open today at Buffalo and will con
tinue In session through the greater
part of the week.
To prove the fitness of the Jefferson
Highway for military purposes, a relay
run, in which several thousand auto
mobiles will participate, is scheduled
to start from Winnipeg today for New
Orleans.
The distinctive feature of the eighth
annual Journalism week to open today
at the University of Missouri will be
a made-in-Japan banquet, planned by
the School of Journalism of the uni
versity with a view of promoting bet
ter relations between the United States
and Japan.
Pursuant to the call of Governor
Cornwell. the West Virginia legisla
ture is to meet in special session to
day for the consideration of war meas
ures, questions arising from the Vir
ginia debt suit, legalizing the transfer
of more than 200 acres of land in
Charleston to the federal government
for an armor plate plant, and the pas
sage of appropriation bills that failed
through deadlock in the regular ses
sion. Storyetto of the Day.
The young k-nut. unfit for general
service, volunteered for work on the
land. He went down to his father's
"place" and began "farming." A
friend passing that way spied him in
leggms and Norfolk Jacket striding
across a wide stretch of moorland.
He hailed him.
"Hallo, Smutty!" he cried as he
came up. '(What are you doing in
this forsaken land?
"Farming, I've gone back to the
land."
"Any good at It?" grinned the
friend.
"I should think so! 8ee this piece
of moorland? Before I came it was
going to waste no use at all: but
with a lot of work I've turned it into
a rlppln' golf links. New York
Globe.
Ak-Sar-Ben and the War.
Omaha, May 11. To the Editor of
The Bee: I notice in your columns
a letter advocating the discontinuance
of the Ak-Sar-Ben initiations and
festivities this year, because of the
war. I do not agree with the writer.
We are entering on what will prove
to be a most trying time for our peo
ple. Our merchants and business men
generally, are confronting problems
that are most distracting. No one
knowB what a day will bring forth
Men fear to make contracts for the
future, every one is living as if on the
brink of a volcano. Shall we add to
this unsettled feeling, this feeling of
dread as we look to the future, by
closing all avenues of pleasure, among
them the Ak-Sar-Ben, which furnishes
an outlet for the pent up feelings of
our nervous, distracted citizens. It
would be the worst policy imaginable.
There never was a time in our his
tory when men needed "a time to
laugh and a time to play" as they do
today.
We who stay at hame have a work
to do equally as Important as those
who go to the front. Our business
men must furnish the sinews of war.
Our women must contribute their
share to the glorious work. To do so
effectually they must keep a sound
mind In a healthy body. They must
play golf, take all the outdoor pleasure
possible. Relax their energies when
work is over by attending Ak-Sar-Ben
Initiations and having a hearty laugh,
remembering that "all work and no
play, makes Jack a dull boy."
Keep your heads up men and wo
men, and face the future with a smile.
Be natural, be cheerful, and repeat
frequently to yourself every day, "God
is my hope and strength, and a very
present help in time of trouble."
God bless our business men and give
them strength to face the unknown
future. T. J. MACKAY..
the best means of maintaining a high
standard of efficiency. I fear that wa
Americans have In fact been too
much engrossed with the work ajul
worry of life and have allowed our
selves too little respite from the
strenuous duties of our calling. We
consume our vital forces in our daily
pursuits, from which almost all re
laxation has been unwisely excluded:
and when the solemn summons of the
country comes to us in a national
emergency like the present, our
energies -re gone, if indeed we have
not, by the over-exertion of years,
brought ourselves to an Intlmely
grave. If we could learn this lesson
of patriotism men like Herman
Bucholz could be saved to the
country.
The basis of this criticism of our
club, it seems to me, is that falsa
standard of patriotism, which flaunts
the flag In all kinds of incongruous
places. Now, I believe in displaying
the national banner; It Is a tine and
fitting expression of our sentiments,
a proper display of that Just pririo
that we feel in all that is represented
by that matchless ensign. But I do
not believe that It should be degraded
to Ignoble uses, as, to decorate hos
iery or adorn shirt collars, etc. Sucll
use does not comport with that rcver
anco and respect that is due to tha
Hag; It is not consonant with the
sacred character of the noble em
blem; It Is In fact a desecration,
which should not be tolerated, and of
which no one with a correct concep
tion of patriotism, will be guilty.
BERTHA GETZSCHMANN.
Note Mrs. Getzschmann recently
presented a twenty-foot flag to
Brownell Hall and during the last
eight years has given three flags to
the Omaha Guards. She also recently
presented a battalion flag to the
Fourth Nebraska.
God In the War.
Hancock, la.. May 8. To the Editor
of The Hee: I almost despair of the
human family ever coming out of this
war. The vague conception by
orthodoxy of God Is most Intolerable,
and yet not so had they charity, for
many other writers I see take an op
posite view and loftier conception of
God. By evolution we certainly ad
vance if we do advance and not by
any voluntary act of God. No good
reason exists as proof of a voluntary
act of God ever being performed.
His creations are perfect, running
without gas, oil, or repair. Man's in
ventions are imperfect, his auto need
ing gas, oil and repair. Had God ever
voluntarily acted through man, we
would long ere this have had perpetual
motion. And they who believe must
continue along the line of auto In
ventions.
Prussian militarism has its Mars
and should be crushed. The rest of
the world Is duty-bound to helD. and
not wait for Jupiter or Zeus to do It for
us. Then evolution will be advancing
in the right direction. Everything
that is, always has been and always
wm De. Jiverytning that has been
created, was made from that which
was. This is the only fundamental
basis from which the human family
can reason. Any other basis is with
out reason, hence orthodox-slaves have
been freed without war. Men have
slew men and never became great.
Prophecy becomes true only to the be
liever. Men Judge the future by the
past and not by any divine revelation.
The God that Is In this war Is the God
that is In man. The charity, love,
truth and righteousness that is de
termined eventually to right the
wrongs culminating In the golden rule
and salvation for man.
DR. J. F. STEVENS.
Exterminate the English Sparrow.
Omaha, May 8. To the Editor of
The Bee: There has been a great
deal of complaint within the last few
days of the destruction wrought by
English sparrows on gardens. They
are not only accused of having eaten
up lettuce and radishes, but have
even destroyed tomato and cabbage
plants that had been set out recently.
They have not hurt my radishes any,
but have eaten a part of my lettuce
and peas. Then I had a large show
ing of carrots yesterday morning, but
by evening not a carrot could be seen.
As the sparrow is a wholly worth
less bird and very destructive, as well
as filthy around porches, it is time
they were exterminated. They not
only destroy, but they also bring lice
and mites to little chickens and cause
the death of countless chicks every
year, for they always make themselves
welcome with poultry and in poultry
yards. I would suggest that the boys
of Omaha form sling shot squads and
make a systematic effort to extermi
nate the sparrow. Many of them
would soon become expert with a sling
shot and would get a bird every time.
It would be a lot of sport for the boys
and they would be doing a service to
people who want to raise gardens this
year. But I would advise them to be
careful and not kill any useful birds,
like the robin, the blue bird, the wren,
the thrush, the swallow. Sparrows
seem unusually plentiful this year and
boys with sling shots could And plenty
of them to kill for some time tj come
Whenever I find any nests of the
sparrow, I destroy them as well as
their eggs and their young. It is
rather discouraging to make gardens,
then have worthless birds like the
sparrow destroy them. It is hoped
that something will be done to destroy
large numbers of the sparrow this
year. FRANK A. AGNEW.
Correction and Declaration.
Omaha, May 11. To the Editor of
The Bee: I desire to correct a state,
ment that appeared recently, to the
effect that the Deborah Franklin club
had passed a resolution at one of Its
recent meetings, barring flowers from
their bridge luncheons. It has also
been remarked that the passing of
such a resolution was wrong, because
it works a hardship on the florists.
In answer to the second remark It is
sufficient to say that there Is no form
of human wants, whether of necessar
ies or luxuries, which, if they cease
to be satisfied, will not work to the
detriment of those who supply those
wants. But a conclusive reply to both
statments Is that neither of them is
apropos, for the simple reason that
never in all its history did the 'De
borah Franklin club give a bridge
luncheon. Hence there could be no
occasion for such a resolution.
The members of the club have
been further criticized on the score
of patriotism, because they, "while
away" the afternoon at their meetings,
according to the critic's idea, when
we curtail our amusements we are
making a patriotic sacrifice. This ie
indeed far from being correct. The
true patriot conserves his energies so
that they may be available in time
of need. Innocent amusement in due
proportion to the duties of the day.
is not only not wrong, but positively
"How Would the Kaiser Vote?"
Omaha, Mav 12. To the Editor of
. ' 11,1 MAmKAn n V.a
I rne ree: wneu . mcuiuc,
A.Ai...,n Mn.rau la In dmiht an In
how he should vote on a pending
measure it might be well for him to
ask the question, "How would the
kaiser vote if he were a member of
this body?"
Had the kaiser been a member nt
congress since the outbreak of the
war the record would undoubtedly ap
pear as follows:
Shall we stop the selling of war mu
nitions to the allies? Kaiser Wllhelm
voles "Yes."
Shall the armed neutrality bill
pass? Kaiser Wilhelm votes "No."
Shall war be declared against Ger
many? Kaiser Wllhelm votes "No."
Shall Colonel Roosevelt or some
other fighting American who could
raise a half million American volun
teers in ten days be permitted to lead
them to France? Kaiser Wilhelm
votes "No."
It Is very much to be regretted that
a number of Nebraska representatives
in congress, including Senator Norris,
Representatives Sloan, Klnkaid and
Reavis, have at times been found voi
ing as the kaiser would vote, and it
may be well for the voters of Ne
braska to remember this when elec
tion day arrives.
The same rule might be used as
guidance in smaller legislative bodies.
If the kaiser had been a member of
the late Nebraska legislature he would
have voted against the repeal of the
law requiring that German be taught
in the public schools.
Were the kaiser a citizen of Omaha,
he would appear before the Omaha
School board with a petition to con
tinue the teaching of German in the
Omaha grade schools during the pres
ent year In violation of the law.
If any citizen has any doubt as to
his loyalty as an American he should
ask himself the question whether he
stands with or against the kaiser. No
citizen of any country at war can re
main neutral. He is either loyal to
his country or he Is a traitor, If not in
action he is at least in thought. If he
is elated when victory appears to be
on the side of the Germans or not
elated when the allies are winning
then he is not a true citizen of Amer
ica. .
Measure yourself up and decide on
which side of the Atlantic you rightly
belong. c. F. McGREW.
.MIRTHFUL REMARKS.
Wife I used to like the smell of cigar
smoke before we were married, but I don't
now.
Hub Well, ynu see, my dear, I could af
ford to buy quite a different brand before
wa were married. Boston Transcript.
He She doesn't manage her husband verv
well.
She Tan you blame the poor girl? Tou
see. he's his mother's son and she's her
father's daughter. Judge.
"Why do you encourage that Incessant
talker. Mrs. Gaddy. to come here?"
"Well, I save that much on subscription
to a dally newspaper." naltlmore American.
"Hello. Bub," said the Blranger to tha
small boy sitting on the steps of the house.
"Is the boss home?"
"Yes." replied the small hoy. "She's la
the back yard." Cincinnati Enquirer.
"Then you reject me?"
"Yes."
"It la tough to bo rejected by the girl you
love.
"Try the recruiting officer," suggested tha
patriotic mlse. "He probably won't reject
you." Louisville Courler-Journal.
"But. my dear, why did you refuss to
dine with the Mortons, whom we like, and
accept this Invitation o the Follets, whom
we detest?
"It's nerfnctlv .In.,. . .... .
..T ' ,e, aiorion naa
I . . .. eown be'" and Mrs. Follet
''And how do you find school. Harold?"
Rather Hlfffnxi. Tt . , .
consistent. In Kng'llsh composition we are
.Ti .. arithmetic wo are
all expected lo get the same answer."
"The doctor has Just told me." said tha
friendly neighbor, "that you husband can
not recover."
'Oh!" shrieked the troubled wife
Now, my dear, the question Is: Shall
we break the news to him i.
come as a surprise to him?" rw,t it
Press.
.'Hiiiiiiihiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiii .
p5lg
: Locomotive Auto Oil
The licit o . u) know
The L V. KSholas Oil Company
PruMW
Grain Exchange Bldg,
Omaha, Neb. S
-4llllinilllllMIIMUIHIIIIimillllllllllMII.il?
THE OMAHA BEE INFORMATION BUREAU
Washington, D. G.
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