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THE BANNER, FRIDAY MORNING, MARCH 10, 1911.
1 ATHENS BANNER
H. J. ROWE,
Editor and Proprietor.
THE ATHENS DAILY BANNER is
delivered by carriers in the city, or
mailed, postage free, to any address
at the following rates: <5.00 per year;
$2.50 for six months; $1.25 for three
months, or 10 cents a week.
The day of the baseball fan is at
hand and there is much happiness in
the ranks of those jovial devotees of
the national sport.
The opinion prevails that the peaoh
crop in Georgia was not damaged so
badly by the freeze as was at first
thought.
0
The Southern Railway is getting
ready to take care of Its increased
freight traffic. Ffty-flve new locomo
tives have ben ordered and much new
I rack is to be laid at once.
Bryan says Roosevelt and Taft are
both urging the enactment of demo
cratic measures into law and that
there is no reason why he should be
seeking office in order to put his pol
icies Into effect.
0
The Portuguese do not wish their
deposed king to return to their coun
try, so they are willing for him to
live outside of Portugal and they will
support him handsomely as long ns
lie stays away from home.
0
Joe Bailey may be a great man, but
his conduct in resigning his sent in
the United Stntes senate because the
democratic senators wouldn't vote as
he wished them to vote certainly Ib
proof to the contrary.
0
It will not be many years until
governments will be spending twenty-
five million dollars on warships,
few years since It was thought to be
isomething very extravagant to be
spending as much as two million dol
lars for a war ship.
If the reciprocity treaty goes
through as to Canada, there are some
who say the next proposition will
come from Japan, asking for the same
privileges that are accorded Canadn
and that the little brown men will
be Insulted If these privileges are
denied them.
0
Both democrats and republicans are
already busy making the plans for
the conduct of business in the new
congress. In less than a month tho
extra session will be called to order
and then there is promise of some
lively old times. The domocrats will
do some probing of their own when
the next house meets.
The Southern Commercial Congress
that meets tomorrow In the Gate City
Is attracting the attention of ail the
great business organisations of the
South, and there will be sevral thous
and delegates in attendance. Athens
will have one of the best delegations
In attendance upon thnt great gather
ing.
0
Hobson is of the opinion that the
new treaty with Japan is something
of a backdown by .Uncle Sam, it does
Icok like the United States gave Japan
the long end of the treaty.
Mrs. Oliver Belmont, of New York,
Is engaged In a little experiment that
she expects to prove successful. She
has taken twenty young women out
of the factories in New York and Is
teaching them how to farm. She
calls them "farmettes." If she is suc
cessful in this experiment she will
tackle the proposition on a larger
scale. She Is satisfied that In this
way the lives of thousands of women
In the factories throughout the coun
try can be made brighter and happier
and more prosperous.
COMPENSATION FOR WORKMEN.
The subject of employers' liability and the compensation of workmen
must always be one of great interest, especially In this day of great industrial
development A volume has just been issued by the United States Bureau of
Labor, that contains much Interesting Information as to how the foreign na.
tions are progressing in the solution of this question. The Macon Telegraph
makes the following condensation of this Interesting article:
Although systems of insurance and compensation for cases of
industrial accidents are the best known forms of workmen's insur
ance the book shows that many European countries also possess a wide
variety of insurance institutions for the relief of distress caused by
sickness. Invalidity, old age, and unemployment. Besides these forms,
the methods of providing maternity benefits for wage-earning women
and the systems of pensions for widows and orphans of wage earners
are described.
Germany has the most complete syster of laws on the subject,
covering Insurance against industrial accidents, sickness, invalidity,
old age, ar.d maternity in case of wage-earning women, and there is In
some cases Insurance for widows and orphans of wage-earners.
The Austrian system Is patterned closely after the German, with
the additional provision for the mining industries. One feature of
workmen's insurance in Austria whirh no other country possesses is
a national compulsory system of old-age and invalidity Insurance for
salaried persons, such as clerical employes of all kinds; the expense
this Is defrayed partly by the employer and partly by the Insured per
son.
In France, Denmark and Belgium there are laws covering insur
ance for accident, sickness, old age and invalidity and unemployment.
In practically all of these countries the acident Insurance and
compensation laws provide for the award of fixed sums to Injured em
ployes without the necessity of a lawsuit, and without reference to the
negligence of the workman, unless the employer can prove gross neg
ligence on the latter's part. In practically every case the laws speci
fy the amount of compensation to be paid and with but few excep
tions the amount Is based on the wages previously earned by the In
jured workmen. Compensation In the form of annuities is preferred
to that of the award of a lump sum, In fact, the lump-sum award Is
given only In exceptional eases. It is usual also to provide that the
employer must pay the expense of medical and surgical treatment as
well as a small sum to defray funeral expenses.
The irformation contained in the volume shows that in no case
has any country after having adopted a system of compensation or
Insurance ever gone back to the liability system; In practically all of
these countries there Is a widespread demand for the Improvement
and extension of the existing systems and in the largest of these
countries—Austria, France, and Germany—government commissions
arc now at work planning for the revision and enlargement of the
systcmc.
THE CRAWFORD LONG INFIRMARY.
No educational Institution as large as the University of Georgia should
be without an infirmary. While there Is no great amount of serious Illness
among tho student body, there are frequently cases that call for hospital at
tention and there are numbers of cases of less serious nature than can be bet
ter handled in an Infirmary than otherwise. It would be unnatural for disease
to be absent from any five hundred boys during a period of nine months, and
It Is well for the Institution to have a splendid Infirmary where all students
who are 111 can be properly atended to.
The good women of Georgia who are behind the movement to secure the
money with which to make possible this Infirmary on the University campus
could not have directed their talents and their energies to n more deserving
work. Nor could they have selected a worthier name for the Infirmary.
The name of Dr. Crawford W. Long has been honored throughout the
world. His discovery of anaesthesia was one of the greatest boons ever con
ferred upon suffering humanity and the State of Georgia very properly decided
to place hla statue In Statury Hall In the national cnpltol as a tribute to his
greatness.
But no.tribute to Crawford W. Long could be greater than that which the
women of Georgia have planned, this Infirmary to be erected on tho campus of
his Alma Mater. He was as tender as n woman, a gentle nurse as well as a
great physician. This movement should never bo allowed to lag, but should
be pushed forward steadily to Its completion.
Athens bas started oft very well in contributions to the fund that is being
raised. Every Athenian who has not subscribed should do so at once. The
subscriptions should he In the most liberal amounts possible. Let Athens
show her Interest and the people of the state will be quick to rally to the aid
of the ladles and help them secure the sum of money needed for the erection,
equipment nnd maintenace of the In llrmary.
♦
OPPORTUNITIES FOR A GREAT CITY.
No city In the South enjoys more favorable prospects as a great commer
cial city than Athens. The natural location affords every opportunity for tho
building o,* a great city. The death rate here is as low, if not lower than that
of any othei city In the state. The railroad facilities are as good as any of
those of the larger cities In the state, and the freight rates on all commercial
goods are just as low as any other city In the state is enjoying. Our business
men are Just as good busines men as any in the state. They are progressive,
sound and conservative in Judgment, and the success they have met with in
their own busines. Is a strong indication of their worth and ability to build a
great city. But. the great trouble among our citizens is lack of concerted ac
tion. Too many of our citizens hold back and depend on the others to do the
work. When new enterprises are In sight, it Is only a few of our citizens who
put their shoulder to the wheel and go to pushing to secure the desired im
provement. The meetings of the Chamber of Commerce are attended by a
handful of enthusiastic citizens, but suppose <f one hundred enthusiastic busi-
men men attended these meetings, is it not reasonable to suppose that some
good Ideas would be brought out which would develop the inaugurating of
some manufacturing plant or some new industry which would help to bul.ii
Athens? A few citizens cannot accomplish what one hundred citizens could
accomplish by concerted action. The time has come when it. is necessary. In
order to build Athens to that great and growing city which It Is “"titled to be,
for our citizens to come together and plan and discuss propositions which will
mean something for the future of this city. We need to get closer together
and work with the help of each other. It will build the city and at the same
time build out own business to that point of profit where we can realize the
worth of the effort. It Is time for Athens and her citizens to see tl.e import
ance of an awakening and our citizens should come together at least once a
month and discuss the welfare of Athens just as we would discuss the welfare
of our own business with our asociates. With that kind of feeling and action
Athens will mere than double Its population before another census has been
taken.
The greatest way to build Athens to that point in the commercial world
which Is due to this city is through the organization of companies for manu
facturlng enterprises, be they large or small. Weekly payrolls build a city
faster tban any other agency and with many new manufacturing plants locat
ed here, the growth of Athens will exceed the most favorable hopes of those
interested In Its upbuilding.
It Is only a question of a few weeks time until Athens will be supplied
with all the power necessary to turn the wheels of thousands of spindles and
other Industries. This power enn be secured cheaper than steam power,
bas been developed and Is here for sale. It Is now up to our people to prepare
to utilize it. It must not stand Idle. It has been brought to the doors of the
city and opportunities awnlt the men with money and means to enter the man
ufacturing lines.
It Is true that Athens enjoys a trade from one of the best farming sec
tions In the country, but that is not sufficient to support and build a city In
keeping with what can be built by active work and co-operation on the part of
our citizens. W’e have the Inducements here and we must provide for the in
vestors who are anxious to come here on account of our many advantages. It
Is a business proposition gentlemen. The opportunities are here for us to
build a city as large as any in the state. The door has been opened in manu
facturing lines and it Is our hope to accept the situation and enter into the
Athens spirit which Is bound to bring forth results for a growing city which
will be the pride of the state and of the South.
Join with us In the upbuilding of Athens and let us go forward with a de
termination to win and our efforts will be crowned with success and Athens
will be known far and near as one of the leading cities of our southland. The
responsibility Is upon us; If Athens falls to reach the place in the commercial
world which It deserves—then It will be our shortcomings which has brought
It about and the responsibility is ours.
♦ POLITIC AND POLITICIANS.
♦ ♦♦♦♦
Amarillo is the latest city in Texas
to adopt the commission plau of gov
ernment.
Kansas City has already begun its
fight for the democratic national con
vention for 1912.
Luke Lea. the new United States
senator from Tennessee, is barely
past the age limit of 30 years which
the constitution Imposes upon sena
tors.
' • * •
Francis Pendleton, the new judge
of the supreme court of New York, is
a son of the late George H. Pendle
ton, United States senator from Ohio.
The new United States senate will
be composed of forty-one democrats,
thirty-eight "regular" republicans and
thirteen "insurgent” republicans.
• * •
John D. Works of California is the
oldest among the new members of the
United States senate. He was bom
In Indiana sixty-four years ago this
month.
. * .
The withdrawal Y>f Mayor Head of
Louisville has left ex-Senator Mc
Creary and Wiliam Addams, of Cyn
thlana, the only avowed candidates
for the democratic gubernatorial nom
ination In Kentucky.
• • *
Senator Bourne of Oregon, one of
the progressive members of the upper
bouse, is expected to succeed Sena
tor Penrose of Penaylvanla as chair
man of the senate committee on post
THE COMING OF THE PARCELS POST. '
In spit of opposition, which was considerable at first but which has dwln
died year by year, the proposition to establish a parcels post system in the
United States seems to be within reach of adoption. It may be several years
before the government will try this experiment, but that it will be tried at no
distant date seems to be quite certain.
There is no doubt about the convenience such a system would be to the
farmer. It would be practically as helpful as the rural free delivery of mail
and the rural telephone service, helpful not only from the standpoint of con
venience but also from a financial standpoint. It would probably be detrimen
tal in a degree to the business of the small countyr merchant and would cor
respondingly help the merchant or the larger cities, but the great benefits that
would flow to the farmers appear to overbalance the arguments that are ad
vanced against It.
A number of the European nations have tried the parcels post system with
satisfactory results. If It Is put Info practice In the United States, It will no
doubt be started on a small scale and as it proves successful and the way ap
pears to finance It successfully. It will be extended.
It Is one of the governmental problems In process of solution but which
has not yet been solved. The national lawmakers will sooner or later put Into
concrete form their Ideas as to Its solution. The friends of the parcels post
system, and they are legion in this country predict for it a thorough success,
whenever It Is given a fair and impartial trial.
__—
PRESIDENT TAFT’S WISE SELECTION
The permanency of the tariff board was left in the air by congress, for
the bill to make the board a permanency failed of passage, but provision was
made for the continuance of the board's work for the time being at least by
the :xp.opriation of the sum of two hundred thousand dollars to cover its ex
penses.
President Taft, in naming the members of this important board, displayed
the greatest wisdom In his selections. Hon. William M. Howard, who for
fourteen years so ably represented this district In congress, has bee n named
as a member of this board and will at once take up the duties of that position
The president could not have found a better man for this place had he
searched the entire country. Mr. Howard is one of the ablest men In the
United States and his long service as congressman has made him perfectly
familiar with the great question that has for decades agitated the country and
that must ever continue as the greatest of all the economic question In the
American republic.
Mr, Howard will bring to the discharge of his duties a long experience, a
great ability, a lofty patriotism and a character unimpeacbed. He is In a po
sition to render the country great service In this position.
THE CASE OF SENATOR L0RIMER.
Senator William Lorimer retains his sent in the United Stales senate, the
vote on the motion to declare the seat vacant being 40 to 40. Party lines were
broken all around. Thirty-live republicans nnd eleven democrats voted for
Lorimer, while twenty-two rcptihlleans nnd eighteen democrats voted against
his retaining his seat.
With a vote of forty senators against him. It would seem that Senator
Lorimer would not feel very comfortable in hia seat In the senate in the fu
ture, but the chances are that he will not allow that to worry him much.
From the way in which party lines were broken, it seems that there was
enough doubt In the caso to make it a question as to whether or not the sen
ator from Illinois really should have been excluded from the senate. The rua
jorlty report of tho senate committee that Investigated his right to a seat In
the senate was in favor of hla being allowed to retain his seat. In this report
a number of democrats Joined In favjr of Lorimer.
That there was gross fraud in his election and much bribery there can be
no doubt. The only contention of the Lorimer advocates was that I-orlmer
himself was net guilty of any bribery and was not cognizant of it.
THE GOVERNMENT SPY SYSTEM.
Much has been written recently In the press of the country condemning
the "spy system" employed by the national government in the operation of
the various departments of the service. There may be Instances where India
creet Inspectors, as they are classed by the government officials, emp/ov
means other than (air to make a record for themselves, but we believe that
such eases are rare. The duty of an Inspector is to Investigate cases reported
to him by his superior officers at’.d in turn he is required to make a written re
port and only In extreme cases is he expected to make arrest until thoroughly
satisfied of the guilt of the party under suspicion.
When one considers the large number of postal employes of the govern
ment, and the main requirements being a civil service examination to secure a
position, it is remarkable the small number of cases where theft is practiced,
if there a»e dishonest employes in the government service—then it is for the
protection of the honest employes for the inspectors to do their duty and bring
to Justice those who are guilty. Honest men and women are not afraid of in
vestigation, but on the other hand they invite inspection, and if it Is done by
the so-called “spy system” It Is no more unfair than any other system which
leads to the apprehension of the violators of the postal laws.
It is practically impossible to secure evidence In a large office where sov.
eral hundred men and women are employed without having some place for the
Inspectors to view the daily work of the employes. Certainly an inspector
walking up and down the floor of the building would not be able to secure evi-
dence against an employe, who would be put on notice of his presence. The
moment a stranger should enter the building, suspicion on the part of those
who are guilty would arise, and It is safe to predict that while the stranger
was in seeing distance, the service would be perfect. For that reason some
place for the protection of the officer must be provided.
Then, again, if such Is the case, the government oweB it to the public to
employ honest men and women; the property of the public Is entrusted to tho
care of the government and through their officials safety of delivery is expect
ed on the part of the public and guaranteed on the part of the government. If
there are dishonest employes in the postoffice department, is it not for the
protection of not only the public, but of the honest employes of the postoffieo
department to have Inspectors who are alert In their duty to bring to justice
all employes who are not honest?
The Banner would be the first to protect honest employes from the at
tacks of unscrupulous inspectors, but before the department of Inspectors Is
tried and convicted, It Is the duty of the public to give It a hearing, and then
f it is proven such charges are true—then every inspector guilty should he
dismissed from the service and honest men appointed In their places. But be
fore we abolish this important department, let us investigate the govern
ment's side of the ease.
♦ , »
EIGHT SOUTHERNERS DEFEATED BILL.
Eight Southern democratic senators cast their votes against the bill pro
viding for the submission of the constitutional amendment for a direct vote of
the people in filling positions in the United States senate and as the bill re
quired two-thirds vote to pass, it was four short of the necessary number
when the roll call had been completed. Every Southern senator who voted
against the bill is in favor of the measure, provided the United States eon
gress be not given the power to regulate the elections of senators. It was on
account of the fear that the government would try to supervise the elections
in the future that the eight Southern aenatora voted against the measure
They were led in thla opposition by Senator Bacon, of Georgia.
The defeat of this bill, cince the Sutherland amendment was tacked to it,
should be gratifying to tho people of the South. The direct primary laws and
customs In the different state will give the people ample opportunity to pass
on the question as to who shall represent them In the senate, and until, the
bill can be passed without the right being given to congress to control the
elections, then the law had better remain as It is.
It ia rather surprising that as many Southern senators voted for the bill
as did, but it may be that they did not have the same fears as to federal in
terference as had the eight cenatora who voted against the meaaure.
THE OPEN AIR SCHOOL.
It is certain that the open air school hap passed the stage of the experi
mental. It has proved to be a aueceaa wherever tried and it is believed that
the future holds for It a great increase in efficiency.
The first open air school was established In Germany and since that time
the experiment has been tried in various countries with much success. In this
country in 1908 there were only three such schools. In 1909 the number had
increased to five; in 1910 there were twenty and at the present time there are
twenty-three. New York city alone has set aside money for the operation of
twenty such schools and other cities are falling Into ’ine with the new move-
ment.
It is demonstrated with ease that such school arrangements are eminent
ly conducive to better health for the pupils and that a better grade of work is
done by the children who attend them. In other words, this movement is one
back to nature and its advocates are enthusiastic over its prospects.
It may be a long time before Athens will come to the establishment of
open air schools but it is one of the things that will come. And again it mar
be sooner then we expect in this city, for with the present increase in school
attendance, even at the opening of the schools next September, it may be ne
cessary to house some of the grades In the open air on account of lack of room
In the buildings
THE AGRICULTURAL TRAIN.
The agricultural train, which is carrying the agricultural college on
wheels throughout the state, has made it possible for the farmers of this state
to be reached at the doors of their homes with advantages second only to
those of the great college which is loctated in this city.
For this great benefit, the various railroads in this state are largely re
sponsible, and tc them the people of Georgia owe much. Without their co
operation in the matter it would have beeh impossible to have carried out the
plan as formulated by President Soule which hns proven of so much worth to
the farmers of Georgia.
Without charge the railroads have rallied to the support of the college
and In doing so they have rallied to the Interest of every farmer in the state,
and to the railroads, the farmers and the agricultural college owe much.
The Banner feels that their action nnd co-operation In this matter Is
worthy of tho attention nnd appreciation of every Georgian, and the press
of the state should he liberal In calling the attention of the people to tlielr ef
forts to give to every farmer an agricultural college at his door.
♦ —
DETERMINED TO ABOLISH VETO POWER.
The English House of Commons is right after the House of lairds relative
to the veto power of the latter body and has Just passed the bit] abolishing
tho veto power of the Lords.
The determination on the part of the people of the British government to
abolish this veto power seems to he made up. There is no ceaslnc of the
fight to bring about the passage of such a bill. Of course the house of Lords
may again turn down the bill and the English people may again get Into a
round of politics about It but the belief is gaining ground that sooner or later
this veto power is to be abolished.
The house of Lords not long since turned down the budget of the bouse of
Commons and in exercising this power to velo, the lords stirred up a regular
hornet's nest.
♦ t
SECRETARY TO THE PRESIDENT
Until a few pears since the president of the United States had a private
secretary. Now the office is known as that of secretary to the president. A
few years since the office paid about three thousand dollars per annum, now
it pays six thousand and there Is a bill pending in congress to raise the sal
ary to ten thousand dollars per annum. A few years since a good stenograph
er with no special ability could fill the office with great credit, now It requires
a man with more or iesa statesmanship and with an abundance of diplomacy.
The office has grown in importance, until it In a large measure approaches tho
importance of the presidency Itself. .For the secretary to the president knows
more perhaps of the business of the executive office than any other living
man, save the president himself, and In hundreds of instances his opinion Is
asked by the president on important matters before a derision is reached by
the president.
The duties of the office have grown to such an extent that it is not an un
reasonable demand that the salary be increased to ten thousand dollars. The
secretary stands between the president and the public and deserves good pay
for the criticism that is heaped upon him, for the patience that is required ,n
handling all kinds of people and for the ability that Is necessary to solve
many a problem that Is put up to him.
SEEKING POTASH DEPOSIT
The use of potash in the manufacture of commercial fertilizers is a ne
cessity that causes the importation of large quantities from Germany, where
the greatest petash deposits are to be found. The Germans make practically
their own terms as to the sale of potash salts and the farmers in this country,
especially the farmers of the South, pay what the Germans ask.
It Is certain that the earth contains much potash, but It has not been
found In that state where it can be readily used. The United States Is now
starting an Investigation on this subject with a view to finding potash depos
its in this country.
j The geological department has much data at hand on the subject which
has been collected during past years and it is believed that in some of (he arid
sections of the west these deposits may yet be found in such abundance as
will make this country independent of Germany.
Deep borings will be made by the government investigators with the hope
that the potash deposits may be found at a great depth below the surface.
It these Investigations should prove to be successful It will represent a great
saving to the United States, for this country consumes about twenty-five mil
lion dollars worth of imported potash salts every year.
James A. Reed, the new United
States senator from Missouri, was
born in Ohio and lived several yean
in Iowa before locating in Kansas
City, where he began his public career
as prosecuting attorney.
Former Mayor Tom L. Johnson of
Cleveland, who bas been regarded as
the leader of the Bryan democracy in
Ohio, haa given hla frtenda to under-
stand that be will support Governor
Harmon for president.