Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, January 14, 1894, Page 13

Investigation of Corporato Abuses by a Gom- mittes of the Senate. AND THE PEOPLE THE RAILROADS The Tax on Coal, Graly, Wool and Other Necessaries -Fedoral Regalation by Statute Proferable to Comm) . Instructive Faote PART IL [Second Installment of testimony of Mr. E n-nuw'fltrhv-fnrn the seleet committee of the Tted States sonute in Onaha, June 22, 1885.) Senator Platt—You can make known the cause for complaint for Mr. Adams will be here tomorrow, and it will be of some inter- est to us to ascertuin _whetlier he can jus tify what the road is dofne, Mr. Roscwater—I would like to give you a few poruts with regard to the genaral causes of complaiut. Of course thisis a prairie state, and tho greatest product hero is naturally corn and other grain. Th thing the people here must have more than any other commodity outside of clothing is fuel. Now in the matter of fuc! and of grain the system inaugurated has created such monopoly that 1t alone would be causo enough for a great deal of dissatisfaction Elevators Owned by Ruilrond Manngors. In the fivst piace, the grain elevators are substantially owned and controiled by the railr d managers. The grain elevator here fn Omaha started out with the Union Pacific railroad owning 0 per cent. L would not say the Union Pacifie road, but Mr. Diilon and others controlled it absolutely. The ¢ vator on the other side of the river is owned and controlled entirely by the railrond peo- ple, the managers who have put in their pro ratn. And the etovatorsialong the line of the Union Pacific are in the main under the con trol and owne the same parties. For that reason the pecial fa- cilities for shipping g1 the rate on grain, They may w advance which may take place in the east ern market at their pleasure, and tiey may grow rich at their pleasure to the detriment of the farmers and of the small dealers out In the country. A farmer has no show whatever: evena man who is a merchant has no show whatever 1 competition with these people in the shipping of grain. The farmer or the merchant cannot got an empty car when he wants it. Neither can he get a rebate. Of course, rebates are prohibited here under the statute, but it has been a dead Jetter to some extent, High Rutes on Coal. Now Iwill come to the question of coal. The coal that is used along the line of the Union Pacific railroad for tne most part, robably 05 per cent of it, is brought from Hock Springs, Wyo. The company has taken forcible possession of the mines, and it owns them. Thé Chairman—Do you say the coal is brought from Wyoming? Mr. Rosewater—Yes, sir: Roek Springs is 830 miles west of Omaha. That coal is brought here aud 1s used all along the road at differenc towns. The company's agents or the men who are employed the com- pany’s agents sell coal. In the eity of Omaha only one person is allowed to sell the conl, and he 1s the agent of the company We have been buying that coal here at $7 per ton and that is very reasonable for the class of coal. It is very excellent coal of its variety. Itis soft coal. But they come in competition nere with Towa ‘coal and coal from the east and from Fort Scott. They have brought it here and sold it for $7. They carry it from Rock Springs to Omaha, 880 miles.* Tne cost of the conl mined and loaded on the cars is $1.25 at Rock Springs, leaving them £5.75 for the transportation of the coal to Omaha. At Sidney, 414 miles west. they scll that cosl for $7.50. In other words they carry coal the whole 830 miles to Omaha for #5.75, and charge for the 400 miles carriage $0.50. And so it is from Sid- ney down. At North Platte, which is 290 miles from here, and all along the lino, oxcept at Grand Island, the same price prevails; that is, they charge a higher rate than thoy do right here at Omaha. At Grand Island they charge from $0.50 to 87 for the reason that it 18 in competition with some coal that is brought in from Denver, Colo., by the Bur- lington & Missouri. ‘I'his is one of the sources of complaint. The people must have the coul, and they see no reason, if the roads can afford to carry it for five-eighths of a cent per ton per mile from Reck Springs to Omaha, why they should charge 11§ cents per mile at Sidney, and at North Platto 11, cents a ton per mile. This is very serious cause for complaint. It is discrimi- nation that is very palpable. Extortionate Kates on Wool. 1 have a letter from a party with regard to the transportation of wool, which is also one of the staples of the west. The wool rate, for instance, from Evanston and Wasatch to Omaha is $L41 per 100. From Cheyeune to Omaha, which is only 500 miles and is 400 miles less than kvanston, they charge §1.50, and from Sidney to Lodge Pole, this side of Cheyenne, they charge $1.60. So that acfually, ‘as you come on nearer to Omaha, .\u rates get higher. This is, of course, an exhibition of discrimination that I regard as serious. From what I can learn, the same irregularities in the tariff obtain on the Burlington system and on its branches. The grain trafiic stands in about the same way. Of course, in the earlier days wo had long contests over this Union Pacific bridge here. v is still o greav source of complaint, al- though not as bad as it used to be. T omitted one point which 1 forgot in refer- ence to this coal matter. Hard or anthra- cite conl sells here at #0.50, and at Siduey, 414 miles farther west, at $20. In fact the price is cutirely prohibitory The tariff from Omaha ta Sidney 18 made so high that it c.lmumls these people to buy Rock Springs coal. “The Chawrman—Their own cdal? Mr. Roscwater—Yes, sir; and that same coal, which sells at $7 per ton here, sells at 7.50 at Sidney, 400 miles further vest. Senator Platt—How far is this anthracite conl brousht? Mr. Rosewater—Over 1,000 miles, and it is laid down hore for 0.50. Senator Platt—Pr: ¢ they charge $11 per ton for currying it 400 miles? Mr. Rosewatér—Yes, sir; that is the polnt Lam geuting at. Gene hhold the Kates of Transportution, Wilh regard to our general rates of trans- portation | wish to show that we have good reason for complaint. The rate from New York to Omana on first-class freight was formerly £1.50, and is now $1.50. Of this the rate from New York to Chicago, 900 miles, is 40 cents, and from Chicago to Omaha, 500 wmiles, it i3 90 conts, The second-class rate is 93 cents from New York. 63 cents of that is from Chicago to Omaha, and 30 from New York to Chicago. The distance from Chicago to New York is over 900 miles; the distance from Chicago to Omalia 15 only 500 miles. ‘The rate on third-class fr from New York, of which 40 Chicago to Omaha, and 85 cents from Now York to Chicago. Let us compare those rates with the rates charged from hero west. The first class rato from Omaba to Chey- enne, 510 wiles, is $1.90 per hundred. In other words, when you can carry from Oainha to New York, 1,400 milos, freight classed as first-class, for §1.30, the Union Pacific churged to Cheyenne, a distance of 616 miles west of Omaha, $1.9), and to 500 wiles west of lere, the first- class rate is $2.40 from Omaha, Senator Platt—Fifty cents more than to Cheyenne? Mr. Rosowater— Yes only fifty-three mile distance of 1,032 miles from Omaha, the elass rate is 8. ‘l'o Evanston which is this sido of Ogden, a distance 02 955 miles from Omaha, the fivst-class race 1s # 25, There Is an exhibit of what I call railway classifi- cation. 1t is about on & plane with what wo used 1o chargo in the telegraph busivess. That may bo s digression from the point, but when I first took charge of the wires in Omaha we used to charge from Omaha to New York #5.65 for a ten-word message, and from Omaha to Chicago $5.55. From Conn- cil Bluffs 1o New York we could send a_mes- sago for §3.65, und from Council Blufts to Chicago wo could send & message for $1.55, T have known men to travel across the river ina stage coach and pay their fave of 75 cents to Council Bluffs and 75 cents back again to send a ten-word mes: sago and save 50 conts by the operation. ht is 71 cents cents is irom sir; Denver being further. To Ogde: | this 1o | to point to the fact that tw THE Thore is about the same consistency in this railroad elassification as in this instance of teiographing. Proprioty of Regniating Raiiroads Tetegraphs. Right here I will say that there is the ame necessity for and same propriety in regulating the railroads as thore is in regu- Iating the telegraphs from time to time. When the Pacific telegraph was chartered congress provided in that charter that in con- sideration of the subsidy of $40,000 per annum for ten years in succossion no message of ten words should cost more than $3 from the Missourt river to the Pacific ocean, and no more than 20 cents should be charged for cach additional word, From that time to this there nover has been a higher But wo have charged Hight from Oma Salt Laia as high as and ws that I‘l'vlllelf\ 1 by very good offect. It provents extortion gen- erally und provents discriminatigh against Flaces The Charrman Mr. Rosewater- Senator Platt 1 ality? Mr. Rosewater -Yes, wo have stock yards on this side of the river, established, I should s about nine months ago. ator Platt—Who are these stock yards owned by Mr. Rosewater—They are owned by a syn- dicate of eitizens of Omaha and Chicago. Senator Platt—And not by railrond men? Mr. Rosewater—No, the railroad men have nothing to do with that as far as [ know. enator Platt—\What about the propo tate commission, And batween persons? And botween persons. ve you stock yards in int A Commission Not Approved. Mr. Rosewater—I doubt the effici commissions. 1 consider restrictive bettor than commissions, There is graph law, for instance, inour state that prohivits discriminations, rebates and ail that sort of thing. I will use that as an illustration to show that Laws can be en- forced and that the proper remedy is not with commissions. As far as [am concerned, I do not believe in commissions, be i think a citizen who is injured redress, if the statates will provide prover remedy, Senator Platt—If he will make the effort? Mr. Rosewater—-1f he will mako the effort. This telegravh law is con our statute books, and provides exactly the same thing with rogard to short and long distance transmis- sion. I found last Janua inga great deal move for special dispatches than the other papers were paying who were in the Associated press, as was our paper. 1 mquired into it and was told it [ would sign u certain paper —which [ had refused to sign—which bound me, or Tie Bee Publi ing company, not to patronize competing tele: graph companies for a number of years, 1 would have this reduction; I would ‘have a lawer rate. I refused to sign that paper, and finally, when thoy kept 1t up, I notitied the telegraph peopie that | would sue them and would recover every overcharge they had made. 1 insisted ol their giving me exactly the same rate that anybody else received After [ had served notice on them I saw their general manager at Chicago. thought I ought to sign that paper. I s Tt 18 against my principies to sign su paper; I thinic 1t is contrary to public policy, and I will novsign it.” 1 had not approved of signing papers of the sumo characcer in California, and 1 said: * I certainly will pros- ceute you under our statute if you do not refund to me the overcharge.” ““Well," he said, I do not like threats from anybody. We don’t generaily accede to any threats.” Said I: *“As far as [ am concerned, T do not propose to make any threats; I have simply given you notice. 1 have stated the fuct. They appealed to General Eckert, at New York, and presently the order was issued. What we had overpaia was refunded to us, and we are getting the same rates now that anybody eise gets. Correcting Abuses. Senator Platt—May I ask if you think that Mr. Adams in his management of the Union Pacific intends to remedy all abuses as fast as it can be done? Mr. Rosewater—I suppose that he does. As far as his talk goes it is very satis tory. Ihave had a conversation with Mr. Adams and have given him an outline of the complaints here. Hesaid that he would do what he could to bring about a better state rs and a better stute of feeling be- 1 the people and the railvoud company. Still [ believe we need the protection of the law. The former manager of the Burling- ton system, Mr. E. A. Touzalin, said to me one day: “Why do you persist in this ant] monopoly agitation, and in forcing this rai road legisiation? We are doing everything we can to develop the state; we are encour- aging the settlement of the state, and you know it nas increased in population and wealth thirough our efforts,” I admitted tha! his railroad company had done a good deal to bring about that state of facts, but I said: oI simply hken it to tho people of Great Britain. They had good kings. Their kings built highways and harbors and aqueducts and bridges and all sorts of im- provements for the public with the peopie's money. Having done so they were gener- ally regarded as good kings, but in ovder to protect themsclves against the bad kings that were likely to come, the people of Great Britain enacted certain limitations. These limitations were put into the shape of parlia- mentary usage and enactment, and they pr vented the kings from overstepping the boundary lines and tyranniziog over the people. It is the same thing with the rail- roads,” I said, “‘you do not_know today buy what your head may be off tomorrow. Jay Gould” or some other man may be neve in charge of your road. What we want is pro- tection aguinst abuses, and we cannot get it except by law.” Senator Platt—You do not think, then, that you have corrected all of tho abuses ot? : Mr. Rosewater—I think not. T think there is a vast amount of improvement nceded yet that can be 1 eventually. When we are told, for instance, with regard to the cost of s out here, as compared with rail- Iowa and Illinows, I simply answer s: “We have nothing whatever to do with that. It does not matter how much the railroads cost when they are built, or how much the men who built them fraudulently divided among their own partners. ‘Lt question is simply this: What can o rail- road of equal capacity, with the best equip- ment, be laid down for at this day in this country, and to what extent would that bear any relation to the income and the charges of this road It does not seem to me, if 1 were going to rent a house, that it would be the province of the man who owned the building enty-five years ago bricks cost $20 per 1,000 in Omaha-—-aud [ remember that I used to pay §20 a cord for wood here and $100 4 1,000 for flooring lum- ber. If that man should say: “That build- ing cost me $100,000 and I must get reut enough for 1t to pay the interest on that sum.' my reply would by *What can such a house be built for today?” Omaha Roads Fractically Noncompeting. Senator Platt—Are these two roads, the Burlington & Missouriand the Union Pacutic, competing rouds here? Mr. Rosewater—To some extent, but not very much. I question whether they com- pete very much at this time. Senator Platt- Supposo they are nov com- peting, It is the case where & great many roads have been built in many parts of tho country that one railroad could do ail the business properly and with proper dispatch, and serve tho public as fully as is requisite, Suppose three railroads haye been built and all builv on honest capital. You have then threo times as much capital invested in rail roads between these points as is nocessary What are you going to do! The transporta- tion charges aro really a tax upon the public, Are you goiug to tax the public enough to let 3l ilirea Of thoso. rallvands. jive an & fale basis ot honest capital or enough only to let one rmilroad live! ‘Thero is a problem I would like to have your views about. Limit Kallway Construction. Mr. Rosewater—I have thought of all of that. In my judgment the En) has come when wo must limit e construction of rail- roads. [ believe that \pefore any railroad is chartered by cither the state or national government there should be some wmquir, a8 to the policy of building more vailroads, and as to the condition of the country through which the projected railroads pass, and the facilities for travel alr existing. 1admit that when three railr live on oue section of the country, whers only one railroad can miake a respectable living ou the money expended, 1t is a ve serious problem. Butit is no worse than whore three newspajors start in a town where ouly oue 1s needed, and only one could pay. But when newspapers start, and they Hiud theve are oo many, they can do one of two things—they can consolidate or the; can die—or Lhey cau all starve, as they see the fit. But_the newspapers cannot tax tno public. There is the beauty about that. They can only tax the owner: Senator Platt—On the other hand the rail- road is thero. Mr. Rosewater—The railrond is there, and a ratlroad toll is in & certain sense o tax. Honco the question arises to what extent can a community be subjected to the op- pressive taxing power of the railroad? An other company might build another lino from hore to the Puoifie, although there is no noed whatever for it, and it might then pool with theso other' roads. These rail- roads must either fight to the death or they must pool. One of these two things is in- evitable. Basis for Rate Making. Senate Platt—Suppose another company should parallel the Union Pacific railroad to San Francisco, with an honest investment of property i each one, 8o far as constru tlon is concerned. If the government is go- ng to fix rates, should it fix rates on which voth roads can live, based on the honest capitalization, or should it leave it to them to divide what should be sufficient for one to live upon? Mr. Rosewater—In fixing rates it seems to mo the question should simply bo to what extent can the publio be taxed for the traffic they are obliged to carry over the public highways. If there are more public high- ways than are absolutely noeded, the men who invested in those highways must take the conscquences. They ought to have brains enough not to put money into rail- roads where they can se there must be o loss sooner or later. There the two problems, Are you going to allow an un- limited number of railroads to be con- structed, and then. just as rapidly as they are completed, allow them to compel the people to pay increased rates! It does not seem to me that would be gooa policy. The policy of the government should bé to pro- tect the people against all these needless cn- croachments. ————— IN LOCAL MUSICAL CIKCLES. The annual meeting of the hoard of direc- tors of the Omaha Opera Festival school for the purpose of electing a board of divec tors and officers for the ensuing year was held at the rooms of the Omaha Festival school, city hall, on Wednesday, January 10, 1804, at which time the following officers and board of directors were uuanimously clecte Marotzels snnant Clary s P Beinis * Pouttie - Musleal Director " First Vieo l' esid Second Viee Presid Max \lu‘m' Mrs. Millar Mrs. T. L. Kimb .ree Max Maretzek, C. . Goodman, W. J. Con- nell, Rev. Dr. Joseph T Duryea, Hon. J. M. Woolworth, . T. Kirkendall, Edward Rose- water, J. R. Buchanan, N. M. Hubbard, jr., Rev. Eewton Mann, Thomas Kilpatr Clement Chase, Dr. O. S. Wood. It unanipously decided to nlace the entire management of tho Omiha Opera Festival school and opera festival season, to be given in April next. iz charge of Miss C. C. Tennant Clary, president of the school and the Western Opera association. Miss Clary therefore will have control and entire management,of the season in all its depart- ments, As president of the association Miss Clary makes tho following announcement for the season of 1804: The season 95, 26, 37 will cover April 23° 24, 27, 28 and 29, witnh a change of opera each night. The company will consist of forty people, meluding principals, chorus and orchestra, as follows: Prima douna sopranos, Mme. Marie Tva- Miss Carlotta Maconda; prima donna contralto, Miss Helen von Donhoff; first tenors, Mr. Payne Clarke, Baron Berthold ; baritones, Percy Averell, S. Dudley; tirst basso, Conrad Berends. A large chorus augmented by local talent will materially assist in the productions as well as an augmented orchestra, the whole being under the direction of the veteran director, Max Maretzek. The repertoire will be chosen from the following operas: " “Trovatore,” *Carmen,” “Ernani,” a,” “Traviata,” *‘Rigoletto,” “Martha,” lleria Rusticana.” of admission have veen decided upon as follows: Single reserve seat and admission, $1.50: 100 choice seats in the parquet, ad- mitting one person to six performances, will be sold for $8: subscription to rest of the house, admitting oue person with selected seat to six performances, $. The sale of subscription tickets will be closed on_and after April 1, and the regular prices will be strictly adhered to. All money 1s to be de- posited at the Merchants National bank to the credit of the opera fund. he Western Opera ussociation,” says Miss Clavy in her prospects, ‘18 an as- sociation of western cities tor the purpose of giving annuallya scason of legitima: opera under local managemen?, with a lo guaranty fundand is now an establisted fact. It is no longer a theory. Omaha, where the first season was given last November, is now associated with Denver, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Lincoln and’ probably Sioux . Inthe larger cities one week each is given—in the smaller three days. The pos- sibilities of the plan are recognized by the best musicians and musical journals of the cast, and the general pressof the country have accorded the movement much favorable notice, all of which en- courages me to persevere in making my plan an established practical fact. To accomplish this I have devoted all my time and energies under all conditions and circumstances—always keepiag the end to be obtained in view. The trial season given last November in Omaha made my subsequent work in other cities a possibil- ity. Lastyear tho amount subscribed ren- dered it possible for me to bring only five principals and a smail chorus, while the orchestra was local, and consequently lim- ited innumber. Again, only two operas were promised by my ' prospectus, after which I arranged for a third, This year, in consequence of a longer season, made pos- sible by the associated cities, the company will consist of twelve princ uuls full chorus and orchestra, augmented by an auxiliary local chorus and orchestra, anda the repe toire will include six standard operas. To this 1s adaed the fact that the eminent director, Max Maretzek, who has been a res- ident of this city, and director of the Omaha Opera school, will have charge of all the performances. I also wish to note the fact that with this larger company and repertoire, which in most cases would increase the price of ad- mission, the management is able to lower the price of that charzed last year by $1 for all soats in the house with the exception of 100 seats in the parquet, the price by sub- scription being $ for six nights, tickots transferable. These prices are unprece- dented for grand opera, and bring it within the means of the most limited income; at the sume time the company cousists of artists who have won their spurs in FEuro- pean musical centers, whose reputation as singers have been acknowledged by tho mosy expert of American critics. This lower price of admission is made possible by the association of cities und the increased salo of subscription tickets. It Is, therefore, with confidence that, as representative of our board of directors, I present our sub- scription list for the sale of subscription tickets. According to an article it the articles of incorporation of the Omaha Operatic Fest val scuool the season of opera can be given under tho munageéwent of the school. 1t is, therefore, oven more than last year, a mat- ter of local mterest, as the board of di rectors of our school includes some of the mast prominent eitizens of Omaha. “Ihe school is the resultof the first season of opera, although a new institution is meet- ing its financial obligations even under the present depressed financial condition, and is instructing some fifty pupils +I wish also to call attention to the fact that the classes of other local teachers have not, if [ am correctly informed, becu affected by the establishment of the school, also that older existing musical socioties are still in a flouristing condition and huve uot, as some of the wewmbers anticipated, been destroyed by tho advent of the Opera association, proving what I claimed from the beginniog thut Owaba with ber population of 140,000, the state of [owa and Nebraska trioutar. has loug since passed a pioneer and provin- cial condition and is suficiently intelloctual, musical aud literary to support more than one musical instivution. “I'be full possibilities of this plan for operas will only be realized after sevel veurs of organization, when our local assoc tions are well formed, our local choruses well established and our subscription list targe, and when our western cities shall have attained the social conditions, the musical culture and wealth of older eastern ofties—uutil then it is only practical to OMAHA DAILY BEF.: bring a fine compamy that annually will mako the idea of cpera possible in time. A Talk with the Awthor of “Phonix. “Is 1t not strange,’’,.said Milton Nobles at the Paxton Tu ¥ Afternoon, “‘that the public's estimate of a fterary production, or of the work of an actor, 1s so often widely dissimilar to that oFthe author or artist? What he may consifer his very besten- deavor the public refuse to recognize ns such and are far better pleased with what he regards as much.inferior. Nasby, for Instance; few people know that he produced some very fine literary work and it was tho grief of his life that he would not be remem- bered by what he knew represented his bes offorts, but by his peculiar humor and illiterate style of spelling. “So with many actors. Here I am now playing ‘Phosnix’—seventeen years old —and it nover fails to drsw. But I have really done much better work in numerous other plays, the best play I ever wrote beiug *From Sire to Son.' “I'wes grumbling to Jefferson one day about the public's preference for ‘Phoenix,’ when he unswerod, ‘That is nothing. My playing of ‘Rip Van Winkle'is o father to your ‘Phanix,’ yet I must play it.'" Ar. Noble, what is the attraction in ‘Phoenix’ that makes it so popular!" “Well, [ have always thought it wus tho play-writing episode whero ‘the villain still pursues her.' There is nothing like it in any other play, and that is what ‘caught on’ to the popular favor. There is something funny about that, too. Whaen I wrote it 1 thought it full of humor. But it is hard to feel the public pulse. 1 was not certain of 1y ground. At reheavsal [ often said I may ‘cut that out.’ When we went on for t last rehenrsal before the ‘first night’ I had the ‘cues’ so arranged that at the last mo- ment [ eould_eut ‘the villain still pursues her' story. But I did not, and that proved to bo the very thing the public wanted. After all these years it never seems to pall upon the taste."” Then the conversation deaa prince of actors, Kdwin Booth, with whom Nobles traveled when a boy. e re- lated in an interesting manner tne way in which the Booth und Barrett combination was formed, giving it almost in Barrett's own words. ‘l'hiec latter had just returned to New York city, after filling a successful en- gagement, and mecting Booth on the street ted him with: “Hello! Teddy ! (for be them it was always ‘“l'eddy” and “you look t What is the drifted to that “Oh, [ am all worn out with this constant rohearsing,” answered Booth. I have a great mind to rotire from the stago and never sec my foot upon it again.' ‘Why do you not let me manage your busi- ness for you?" asied Barret “Why'! will you?” eagerly inquired Booth. “Yes, gladly,” was the reply. Aud then both retired to the elub room and the wholo artangoment was made in thirty minutes, and not a scrap of written contract was ever drawn up, and never was there more har- monious worlk between two people of su opposite naturcs. Barrett, exacting of his wholo com at_relicarsals, Booth seem- ingly indifferent but ablo to command. atten- tion by a glare of his eye. It was easy to see that cherished most loving memories of E Booth, as he continued: *‘Theater-gocrs of the last fiftcen yoars could not fairly judge Booth by his _actg, though it was always good. —But the nervous tension, that once marked his work. of lato years ap- peared only now and. then. 1t might have been seen and felt in one act of the play— not more. Why, the’ man could not have lived and played as he once did. The mund would have worn out the body. T saw him av ius best, when, by his powerful magnet- ism, he swayed his ‘andience to smiles or tears, and after carrying them to the climax of emotional intensity, they would sink baclk into their seats exhausted like him." “Booth and Barrett6ould not be compared. The first was a genius, the latter an artist.” “Ttis o fact,” ssid Mr. Noble, “‘that the dramaticstago is notw overcrowded by in- forior people. Many society ladies of New York city. Boston. Philadelphia and other eastern citics become ‘stage steuck, and haviag money are willing to furnish’ their own wardrobe and oven pay expenses in order to be allowod to ‘ack.’ Some have tatent and are pushed into_‘leads.” Thos: haying no talent are given minor roles. Thus. itis becoming harder for a person with talont and 1o money to obtain a_foothold, though it cannot be doubted that real artis: tic ability once given a hearing is bound to come to the front.” “When I come to Omaha T meet many old friends. Y ago I played in tho old Academy of Music, which is now ‘Rescue Hull> The old Boyd was a neat listle house to play in. But it was.a good thing it burned. Being upstairs, it was a firetrap. Grace HINEs. Milton Nobles Dramatical and Musieal Entertalnmont. One of the most enjoyable and instructive events which has occurred this season was the initial number of a course of lectures and entertainments given under the auspices of the Benson Epworth league at Benson town hall last Friday evening by Mr. and Mus, Lyman Searl, assisted by Mrs. John Isen- hart. Aftera bric® address by Mr. J. R. Barr the following program was rendered : PART I The Feast Ancn yman Searl, 7 The Better Land al solo.... i by Plaged 1T Searl: How Ruby Played. ... . Lyman Searl. ycal solo.. Kiss and Lot's Muke 1"p—V .Marrls Mrs. Seu Selected., S PAR Spartacus (Improved) Ly Auntie—Voeal solo Mrs S The Blacksmlth's Story 111 Se A Dy Bill Nye Behrend ..Frank Olive Ly mof Love” m.mn,m Solo......Spenser Selected ........ Ly Apple Blossoms-— Y hisching solo. Mrs. Sear. Green Mountain Justice ... oo, Mr. Soarl. Mrs. Searl has mastered the subtle mys- tery of the school boy's whistle and can send out a thrill of melody that would make a mocking bird envious, as was evinced on this occasion. Mr. Searl's recitations were given in a very pleasing manner, which displayed to o good advantage the talent and dramatic abilities which he possesses. Mrs, John Isenhart's playing won every heart. Her touch and harmonic effects wore exquisite and her strength and purity’ of tone unusually fine. Mrs. Frances Moeller, who will leave shortly for Sacramento, Cal., on account of the scrious illness of her young son, will be tendered a farewell benefit by the leading musicians of the city Thursday evening, January 18, at Mewropolitan hall. Mrs. Moeller has been part of the musical life of Omaha for a number of years, her ability as a contralto beiug un- questioned. She taken part in many entertainments given for charitable purposes, believing that the true artist should always bo found willing to aid in any movement having fopits object the better- ment of social conditions. Now that Mrs Moeller is to leave Omaha her benefit should be made a complote s 3 will be artistically, the program which fol- lows warranting an_sudience that will vest the capacity of the house PROGIAM. arantellp, Moszkowski Muentoforing ind Mr. Calin 0, Ruddiet Whan the Chorry > 1aper ~Handel Me, 1 Yeunell Alto solo-Dost Thou Kuow that Swoeet and (M o) Thomas . Moeller. A Violet in Her Mr. W. B Wilkins. (@) Borenatu. (h) Hugartan Piano duet Mume. Bass solo Tenor solo ovely Halr Camplon Moszkowsk! Dance, No. b Hrabins Joachim Gllehrist Donizetti Violin solo Soprano solo | (i 1 ,,.4.”,‘» Girl Mrs., Cotton. Bass solo—Thy Senti Watson Quartet Mrs. Cotton, Mrs. Moollor, M kins, Me. Lumbard Mr. J. E. sutler has volunteered to play all the accompaniments on this occasion, a by 00 means small task Wil DeWitt's Witch Hazol suive cures piles. Cleveland union carpenters who h work are paying 25 ceuts a week to distressed, ve aid the QI'NDAY !JM\UARY 'll 1‘!‘“ ‘H(TFI"N PAGES. NEBRASKA LABOR CONGRESS | Convenes in Omaha Today with Important Business Before It. QUESTIONS THAT WILL BE CONSIDERED What 14 Satd New U in Labor Circtes About the on Depot schemo—Ploa for Gnforcement of Labor Notes. Awn— The meeting of the Nebraska State Labor cougress, which convones in Patterson's hall in this city today at n o'clock, has been looked forward to as one of the important events in labor circles of tho state. Several of the visiting delegates arrived In tho city yesterday and more are coming on today’s trains. The constitution of the cougress provides that all industrial organizations in the state shall be entitled to representation in tho conventions of the congress, and at this meeting there will be several delegates from various sub-ulliances throughout the state. The farmers have never taken any part in the deliberations of the congress herotofore, as tho constitution did not provide for thew admission until it was amended at the gen- eral meeting held last July in Lincoln. Several live subjects will como up for con- sideration today, chief among which will be the question just how far tho congress shall act politically as o body. Some difference of opinion exists among the delegates as to the proper method to be adopted to bring about various reforms which are being demanded in the interest of labor. Many of the delegates are of the opinion thav all the flabor forces should be centered on only two or three of the leading questious, and that among these should bo the proposition to abolish the contract sy tem on public works and substitute whav is known as the day labor system. On this question all labor organizations seem to bo clearly united, and all can work together that ~ far without the least fric- Another subject that s to receive considerable attention at this meeting is the proposition to lish organizations in all the small towns of the state. It 1s argued that if th congress would issue charters to what might be called local Nebraska unions they would result in at good to all labor organiza- tions through the education that could in this way be given to the at present unory ized workers. ‘The proposition is to elec organizer to cover the state during the y and in small towns wh there are only w0 or three persons to cach trade the plan is to get them all together and form a mixed union. In this way the workers in the small towns would be in touch with their fetlow workers in the large cities and would not, it is claimed, go to the large cities in times of labor troubles to compete with ormanized men. The Knights of Labor delegates will prob- ably insist that in cases whore thel not enough of oue trade to organize a tr: union, a mixed assembly of their organiza- tion should be established instead of the provosed Nebraska union. There seems to be a generai opinion among the delegates that one or the other of these methods should be odopted in order to reach the un- organized people in the small towns, Unlon Depot Talk. The proposition to build a new union depot in Omaha is one of the chief topics of dis- cussion in labor circles. It is noticeable that the building trades, as a rule, favor the proposition, while many of the other trades oppose the issue of bonds on general princi- ples. It is thought bysomeof the labor leaders that the city should vote bonds and build the structure itself, while others do not think it practicable at this time for the city to build and own the depot. The dif- ference of opinion in regard to this matter is pretty well divided at this time. “The members of the building trades urions are very anxious to have the building started 4s soon as possible and maintain that 1f the new depot was started there would be several other buildings started at the same time. which would furnish an abundunce of work for the men who are now idle and wishing for work The amount of building, paving and other work that would be furnished by the start- ing of the new union depot, ivis claimed would afford employment for all of Omaha's workers for the coming year, which is a boon very much desived justat this time by every- body. ‘Wants Labor Laws Enforced. J. R. Simpson, a prominent labor leader of Tenuessee, has written an article which was published 1 one of the Nashville labor papers, advocating that the working people all over the country make an attempt during the present year to establish funds with which to employ able lasvyers to prosccute all violations of lubor laws. He argues that there are enough good laws now if they were only all enforced, and does not consider it advisable to spend any more timo and money in trying to get new laws passed until the present one arc made effective. He gives as his opmion that if the work- ing people would stick together and embloy able logal counsel and pay them well for their work the luwyers so employed would worle as faithfully for the laboring people as they do when employed by corporations. Lahor Notes, Over 400 men are idle and destitute at Almy, Wyo. The organized cooks trades assembly. A Central Labor unior: has been organized at Nashvile, Tenn. Work has been resumed at the mines near pple Crecl, Colo, The El Maro. Colo., coke ovens ‘are now runuing on fall time, The Wauket mills at Providence, have started up again, Prof. Richart T. Kly 1s prevaring a history of the labor movement. The employes of the Santa F ceived all their back pay “'he Empire woolen mill at Clayville,N. Y., has closed down wdefinitely. B. Vincent of Pittsburg has written a boolk on the late Homestead trouble. Tywo thousand are idle and 3,000 are work- ing on short time at Harrisburg, I’a. Andrew Carnegie has ordered his mills to be kept running during the present year. Over 800 men were put to work last woek in tho kaitting mills at Amsterdam, N. Y, Coolie labor in San Francisco has greatly injured the Cigarmakers union in that city John Magee, member of Kuights of Labor assembly, No. 2462, av Wardner, Ldaho, is dead Th decide union. “The Clinton rolling mill at given notice of & reduction in per cent The siwuation of the unomployed was dis cussed last weelc in the British House of Commons It is reported that have lately been put rock mines. 0 per cent reduction is what now faces smployes of the Unicorn Sitk works at Colasauqua, Pa. A large shos factory will reopen tomorrow ae Tarrytown, N. Y. This will give 400 per- iploynient. lavge furniture factories at Galliapolis, O., have started up again after a three mouths shut down A reduction of 10 per cent has beezx made at the Hunter Machine company’s works of North Adams, Mass. District Assombly No. 80 of the Knights of Labor is still at war with the Plymouth Rock Pants company. Tho Umted Garment Workers nave adopted a label that will be fouud on all the products of their labor. Pifteen hundred men work by the resumption steel mills at Martin's 1 The machine wood will form a national R L have re- convention of miners at Dubois, Pa., to Join the United Mine Workers Pittsburg has wages of 10 ninety miners at the Glen- about to work have been given of the iron and y, O. workers of Omaha complain that work that proporly belongs in 1 is being done in othor citios. nteal Trados and Labor assembly at Dayton, O.,passed resolutions denouncing the action of Judge Jeukins of Milwaukee. Some of the nat manufacturers at Dan- buey, Conn., are goitg to move their cstab lishnients to got away from the labor Hght. A co-operative manufacturing company at St. Louts has declared a dividend of 7 por cont and will restore the wages roduced some time ago. Tho Plate (Glass company at Creighton, Pa., has od operations after arranging with its omployes to accept a reduction of 15 por cont in wages. The New York State Labor which “mot in Albany last \Wedn adopted resoiutions favoring the eaforce- ment of all labor laws The women in the ewploy of the American Watch company have signed a potition to tho manager of the company asking that no further cut be made in wages. The trouble between National Trades A sembly No. 216 and the Plant Shoe compar has not yet been settled. Auother attempt at a sottlement will be made this week An articlo fn the Journal of the Knights of Labor announces that nearly all of the fac- tories that have resumed business have dono 80 aftor reducing the former wages of em ploy Tho employes of Saler, T shoe factory at Philadelphia on a strike against a reduc The employes were formerly £ per weck, A. portrait of J. M. Kenny of Omaha ap- pears in iast woeek's issue of the Jouraal of the Knights of Labor. Mr. Kenny is_now a membor of the general executive board and is filling the position of traveling organizer for the board, Laramie City, Wyo., has resumed its offer to Denver capitalists to build glass works at Lavamio. It offers 1,000 acres of land and $15,000 in cash, the works to give employ- ment to not less than 300 persous. The plant may be established. Grand Master Workman Sovereign says “The great trouble with this country lies in the fact that the verage American states- 1 has a soft hand, a hard heart, a ship- v 10, « rough soul, a tubful of stom ach anda thimbleful of brains. And the votes of working people clect them.’ The wage seale made by the colco tors of Connellsville in 1800 will expir ruary 1. The workers are now tryin the operators to renew tho old agrecment when it expires. They are said to be will mg to accept a slight reduction, but will strongly oppose any reduction exceeding 5 or 10 per cent. Knizhts of Labor assembly at Philadelphia, ofticially de that it has boen losing ‘members on a of the defeat of Powderly. Ihe denial closes as foilows: “This assembly has the utmost confidence in the recently elccted general officers and will accord them its nearty support, 1n speaking of the order served upon him at the instance of the Northern Pacific rail- General Master Workman Sovereign he document would _put to shame ven the czar of Russia. It places the United States government witn the army and nayy in the defense of the Northern Pa- cific railroad and its officers and _receivers as against the working people, without re- gard as to what their claims or cause might be. It is another strike at civil liberty 1n this country that will meet with universal inaignation on the part of all fair-minded people.” win & Co.'s have gone out fon_of wages. making § to to get No. 1. located ies tho report sount e DeWitt's WitchHazel saive cures piles. e e 1% MUSICAL AND DEAMATIC NOTES, Jacob Schaeffor is to play billiards in a va- riety farce next season. Louis James will part company with Fred- erick Warde at the end of the season, and thereafter devote himself to comedy. “Americans Abroad,” which Sardou wroto expressly for Danicl Frohman, is said to have netted the author $40.000 1n royalties. Mile. Zelie de Lussan's success as the Nedda of ““Paglineci ted a great impression in the operatic circles of the cities included in the Carl Rosa company’s tour in Lingland. Miss Lillian Russell has bought a now opera, entitled “Cleopatra.” The libretto is by Phillip and is being translated into Eng- lish by Alexander Noumann, Gus Kerker is doing the music for it. William Winter is writing a_biography of Joseph Jefferson that can hardly fail to be roplete with interesting facts felicitously presented, judging by the same author's re- cent book about Edwin Booth. Patti will give two concerts ir the Auditorium, on Thursday cvening. ary 18, and_Saturday afternoon, Janu . Considoring the attraction the prices ure fixed at a reasonable stundard, Jonn Drew begins a three weeks engage- ment in Chicago on Monday. opening in his new comedy, “The Butterflios,” which had its first stugo production throe weeks ago in Boston, wwhere it scored an instantansous Lit. William F. Lavin, tenor, and his handsomo wife, Mary Howe, who have remaincd abroad two years, having just concludea a series of concerts in Berlm, sail for America Fobruary ivand inauguraté a concert season early in March. Benjamin Jarecki, a young American pranist, made his_professional debut at Chickering hall, New York, Weanesday. He is a native of Denver, and when only 7 years old appeared in New York as a musi cal prodig, It is reported that Daniel Frohman has just accepted @ new andas yet unnamed three-nct comedy by Arthur Wing Pine whose play, *“T'he Second Mrs. Tauqy has vlaced him at the head of Lnglish dramatists. Eustern press roports say . that Heury Irving's eignt weeks’ engagemont at Abbey's theater in New York, which consisted of fifty-four performances, yielded him in gross amount $185,000, which is greater by ucurly 50 por cent than Mr. Irving ever received in New York. The trustoos of a church and a colloge are opposing the erection of a theater closo Lo tnem in Washington, nouwithstauding the play house is designed to beof the bost grade, but_the first_developments in court indicate that tne objections havo no legal weight. William J. Scanlan, the Irish comedian, was visited by several friends and relatives at Bloomingdale Insane asylum on Christ- mas -day. Mrs. Scanian was among tho visitors, and her greeting appearea to brighten Scanlan. He is puysically strong, but wentally prostrated, and he will not probaoly live more than a few months. Rolund Reed having completoly recoverod from the severe iilness which obliged him to interrupt his season several woeks ago, last Mouday resumed his tour in Buffalo, where he produced for the first time a comedy lled “Dakota.” The piay, which was originally written for William H. Crane, is u satirc on the divorce laws of the two Da- kotus, and is said to have very funny scenes and situations, “Tho recent coutroversy between Walter Damrosch’s Symphony orchostra and the New York Musical union and the consequent publicity of the affair in the papers have caused n great demand for the scrvices of Mr. Anton Hegner, the imported 'cellist, who has been the “boneof contention” in tho whole affair, for concerts and privato musi cales. Ho has received calls from all parts of the country and has just returned 1o New York from a trip to Canada. overal weeks ago." says tho Philadelphia Record, “when Mr. Jefferson was playing ‘Rip Van Winkle' at the Walnut Street theater, he found amoug his mail one morn- ing a letter from a furniture man. Tho epistle, which was written on a letter head adorued with a large cut of a folding bed, ‘olosed’ and ‘opened,’ read as follows: "Mr. Jefferson—Sir: 1 saw you piay “Rip Van Winklo" last nigh., and { have proposition to make to yow, When the curtain goes up on the third act, and you rise all stiff and soro after your long sléep, you might say o w words. something like this: “On, how suff Lam! If1 had only slopt last night on one of Blank's patent folding beds, warraated safe, durablo and comfortable, how much bettér I would feel this morn ing!" 1 think it would bring down the house. Now, I am willing to pay you well for this, of course. Le know what you think of it." The owner of Blank's folding bed has not yet heard from Mr. Jofforson.” il Tha Best Fiuster. For pain in the chest there is nothing bet terthau o flannel cloth saturated with Cham berlsin's Pain Balm and bouud over the seat of pain, For sale by druggists, 13 AMONG THE INSURANCE MEN Statistios of Fires During the Year in America and Canada. BLAZES THAT TERZORIZED UNDERWRITERS Inspection fn Omaha Improved -Life Une derwriters Rustling In the Ruaral DI triots for Iusiness ~Week of Loeal Evonts—News Notes. The Board of Fire and Police Commiss ors of this city has adopted the suggestion ccontly made by Mr. Hartman and the |‘-mmm».‘m‘-ms.uu‘l improved the systom of inspection. Chief Galligan and his assiste ants with a detail from the polico depart. ment have boen busily engaged in provents ing fires by a vigorous crusado azainst care: less dumping of and inculcating caution among property owners, tonants and merchants throughout the city, Th sult has been a gratifying one. This system of inspection and mamtenance of vieilance, to- gother with the anticipated arvival of a now fire engine, has somewhat paciiied tho firo underwriters, and it 18 saia upon exeollont authority that the throatened 20 per cont advance has been sholved for the prosont Rates in gen. L have been raised all ovoer the state with the exception of Omaha, but the business men of this city are not in dulging in any congratulatory embraces for foar that the muct dreadod raise will bob up in the near future Some Decomber Loswes. Tho fire losses for the last two woeks ot mber in Omaha woro as follows orge Siseman, saloon building. $1,200; $600 cach in Citizens and Awor Boston. Not adjusted S. Brodkey, stock Loss, #47 Loss to companpies; Granite State, $12.15; American of New York, &1.60; Milwaukee Mochanics, 1 Not adjusted Carey & Co., saloon, stock Insured in New Hampshire, 3 $800. nos, Loss, nof ana fixturos, 00 ; adjusted It Was u Yoar of Blazes. The fire lossos in the United States and Canada during 1303, as compiled from daily records, show total of 81364 The December losses amounted to 105,475, The toeal for 1503 exceeds that of 1803 by $23,700,000 and that of 1501 by §1%,700,000. According to the rules of moral hazard, it might have been expected that the utter prostration of business for the last six months would have *largely increased the losses, but the comparison shows that the losses' for that period 1w against 36,000,000 for the ir, and that thoy were only about $2.000,000° over those for the last half_of 1503 and 1801, re- spectivelv. In New York last year thero were 4,132 fives, causing a loss of 8,030 There were thirteen arrests for arson dur- ing the ye: Three of the persons mrested were convicted, one pleaded guilty, and one was senv to au insane asylum, while two wero dis- charged and six _are stuill awaiting trial. The loss by fire in the city of Hoston last year was £.300,000. According to the report of the fire department of Chicaxo the los in 1893 nmounted to 83,082,135, against 31, 445 n 1802, The total Insuranco involv was §179.044,044 in 1503, while in 1892 it was 65,585,201 There were 2,502 fires 10 Massa- chusetts during the past year. ‘Uhe number which extended beyond™ the building in which taey originated were 2,250, London had the same number of fires and only six extended beyond the building. Mr. MeUalt on Lioyds. Tt appears that the managers of the As- surance Lloyds of Amer were all ready recently to pay a dividend of 7,000, when John A. McCall, one of the subscribers, sug- gested that they ascertain first whether they had earned such an amount of money, says the Investigator. The outcome of the suggestion was Mr. Whiting's examination, which showed an impairment of $144,434. Mr. MeCall admits that he doesn't appravo of the Ll stem of insurance, and be- abscriber in this instance to of a member who was compell He further say *My experience teaches me that the only y 10 FUN an insurance company, or any othier organization, is to guide and manage it by sound, sensible’ business views. and tho Lloyds certainly cannot expect to commund public confidence until they conduct their i same sound ~principles thut prevail with insurance corporations." Insura Icems. Vermont i underwriters will state organizati Harry Stuart of the Hanover has taken rooms at the Merchants H. D. Neely of the Equitable is out in the state **hiting the high places.” E. J. B. Hayward of the Massachusetts Mutual is rustling in the rural districts. ‘The vext regular meeting of the Omaha Life Underwriters will be held Febraary 5. The Prudential gave an enjoyable banquot to its employes at the Commicrcial club last evening. Walter H. Green,the cashier of the Massa« chusetts Mutual, will remain with the Omuha agenc; 0. H. JoiTries 1s said to have made a pal- pable hiton the Pacific coast with his famous Fleming story. H. R. Gould of the Phoenix Mutual has been over the state working with his local agents during the past week. F. M. Weitzel, manager for the State Mu- tual at Lincoln, was in Omaha visiting the general agency on Wednesday. Last year 6,638 persons wero killea by mis- cellancous accidents, 4,603 in railroad” acci- dents, ana 6,000 in disastors on water. Records show that the fire losses all over the country from January 1 to the 6th inst. were £,578.500, aud the insurance carriod was $1,259,300. J. W. Craig, formerly of Tur Bgg, but now of the State Mutual, will go out through tho stato next week to do some business with his many frien s, The Conn form a cticut Five Insurance company has abandoned its second agency in this city. O. Kaufman will 1ok after the local interests of the company. Colorado papers elory in the fact that the net returns of the insurance department, up 10 December 1, were &8,502.50, an increaso of #7,181 over the preceding year. ‘The Canada Accident Insurance company is runuving o trolley car accident policy which indemnifies tho holder for injuries re ceived while walking, riding or driving, trom the crolley systom. The Missouri court of appeals hus decided that a person holding a life insurance policy, and the benoficiary thercof, way assign tho policy notwithstanding & stipulytion therein that it is not assignable The Niagara and Caledonis have estab- lished o mountain department at Denvor under the management of Messrs, Cobb, Wilson & Co., as general agents, ‘The fols lowiug st will report thero: Colorado, Kausas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Wyoming, Montana and probably the Dakouus, “The Pacific Insurance union has suspended until Mareh 1,1803, the charge of a 10 per cent tax on all insu 1ce policies issued by union companies in Oregon. In the meantime the merchuats are to try to_securo tho repail of the valued policy law m that state, which occasloned the imposition of the tax The Delaware and Reliance nas closed its general agoncy 1n Omaha, This has neces- sitated o distribution of the fleld force. John 5. Barrow becomes special agent for Onio, Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky and Tonnessce } Goorge Devin, special ageot for Illinows, Wisconsin and Minuesota; Harry Whitlock, special agent for lowa, Missouri, Nebruska, Kansas aud Colorado;’ Mr, S. I, Cate, gen- oral spec; ent and adjuster for the entire Held. In Germany, says the Insurance Cireular, the police take a considerable interest in firo lnsurance. They keep particulars of each proposal and no policy,may be delivered untll the insuranco has ben approved aud re in the police registers. A smail fee [s chargod for the registration, and the crangoment is effective i preventing overs insurance and (n reducing the moral hazard Iivery agent must wanounce his appoinvment to the police authorities withiu a specitied tiwe.