Jewels of Our Own

1895

MAY BE MANY MILLIONS OF AMERICAN PRECIOUS STONES.

We May Have a South African Diamond Field at Our Doors — Rare Gems Have Been Mined For Years In This Country, but the Work Is to Be Enlarged.

The next great mining industry in this country will be for precious stones instead of gold, silver or iron ore if the prognostications of several large diamond merchants and mineralogical professors are fulfilled. The census bulletin giving the statistics of the precious stones found in this country opened the eyes of a number of millionaire dealers in valuable gems, and after consulting with learned professors in our leading colleges they satisfied themselves that there were unknown possibilities in the mines of the western, southern and even eastern states. Exports were immediately engaged to examine the rich metallic fields of the Appalachian mountains, the most favorable portions of The Rocky mountains and the diamond districts of California.

So many wildcat stories have been reported and published about finding precious stones in different parts of the country that it has been a difficult matter to sift the genuine accounts from the fictitious. It was for the purpose of finding out the real status of the industry and its possibilities that trustworthy agents were sent exploring every part of the country, and their reports can be relied upon as not containing any exaggeration of the truth. Diamond merchants of the great American cities are not "castle builders," and they generally strike rock bottom before they invest their millions in any business, but ever since the report was published that the diamond fields of South Africa were giving out the leading dealers in precious stones have been on the lookout for new mines that would supply the world with valuable gems. Some looked to South America as the future source of these stones, and even today the rocky ranges of the Andes are being examined and sounded by experts. But a consensus of opinion indicates that great faith is placed in the unexplored regions of this country. Parts of the south, in particular, have revealed unexpected treasures of valuable gems.

One of the leading dealers in precious stones who is interested in the present movement to develop the industry of mining for American gems consented to give the following facts out in an interview:

"Americans, as a rule, are very fond of precious stones, and I should say that there are more in this country according to the population than anywhere in the world. The importation of diamonds, rubies, sapphires and other gems has consequently been a very lucrative business for many years. The value of these stones in the country today, mostly imported, I should roughly estimate to be not less than $500,000,000. We have so long depended upon other countries to supply us with precious minerals that little attention has been given to the home mines. Then miners here have been wrapped up in their explorations for gold, silver, iron, coal, oil and such products that they have not had time to think of other things. But the promise of a future shortening of the supply of all the leading gems has made dealers look around for other sources.

"Another thing that attracted our attention was the wonderful supply of rare minerals found in the Appalachian system of mountains. Not only gold, but genuine sapphires and scores of other stones have been found in those mountains. At the Corundum hill over 100 beautiful sapphires have been discovered accidentally while mining for other products. Those stones have sold from $50 to $100 and upward. In the same state, in Alexandria county, beautiful specimens of the emerald have been found, both the aquamarine and yellow beryl. There are now several emerald and hiddenite mines worked in that place, but only on a small scale and chiefly to supply institutions with rough specimens. Nevertheless from $10,000 to $20,000 worth of these stones have been sold from these mines in the past few years. Splendid garnets and a few diamonds have also been excavated in these North Carolina mineral fields, and after an exhaustive examination of the ground the conclusion has been reached that before long startling disclosures of precious stones will be made in the Appalachian mountains. We may yet have a South African diamond field at our door.

"Other parts of the south have also been found to contain precious stones. True beryls and garnets of considerable value have been located in Virginia, and there are several well defined districts where small specimens of diamonds have been found in Georgia.

"In the west and southwest the mineral fields are even more extensive. California diamond mines are the largest and so far the richest in this country. Some fine specimens have been brought to us to cut, and others are constantly being brought in by prospectors and mine owners to test. Many stories have been circulated about diamond fields and mines in California, and adventurers have gone there expecting to pick them up as they did gold 40 years ago. Their disappointment spread counter reports, and most people concluded that diamonds in California were fictitious. The fact is that mining for diamonds must be conducted on scientific principles and with plenty of capital. We do not expect to find diamonds lying around loose waiting to be picked up. Even in the richest diamond fields of South Africa they have to work hard for the precious stones. More recently diamonds have been found in Wisconsin. Around Lake Superior also the finest specimens of chlorastrolite, thomsonite and agates have been picked up on the beaches. Evidently the action of the water has worn them from the rocks.

"Colorado is another well defined region for precious stone hunting. Many thousands of dollars' worth of cut beryl have been taken from the mines of that state. This valuable gem appears to be quite general in several parts of the country." — Philadelphia Times.

Newspapers of the United States

1895

In addition to the 1,835 daily newspapers published in the United States on the 1st of January, 1894, there were 31 papers published every other day, 235 published twice a week, 14,017 published every week, 85 every two weeks, 349 twice a month, 8,125 every month, 307 every two months. Altogether there were 20,006 papers in existence on that day in the United States against about 150 in 1800.

Of the daily newspapers, the first of which was printed in this country in the year 1782, not more than four are in existence today of those which saw the beginning of the present century, and of these the oldest is The North American of Philadelphia. The total issue of the publications of the present day in this country is probably not far from 4,000,000,000 copies a year, and of this amount New York city probably furnishes nearly one-fifth. — Chautauquan.

What Congress Has Done

1916

Congress came to a halt yesterday. In this interval between the achievement of one Administration and the choice of another we can look out, as from an opening in the trees, over the slopes up which we have climbed.

Steep was this journey, often perilous, and to climb it required of the Administration both ability and courage.

First came the tariff. The Republicans had been put into office to revise the tariff downward. They coolly revised it in the opposite direction. Their retribution came in 1912. The Democrats were put in power to revise the tariff downward. They did so. The Underwood-Simmons bill of October 1913, was the first tariff in the history of this country which was ever made in the open, where it was difficult to slip in "jokers" and such clauses as the famous "Schedule K."

To that Congress has now added a Tariff Commission for the scientific, nonpartisan study of the problem. This body is fortified by a clause against the danger of European Nations seeking to recoup their war losses by "dumping" goods in our markets to destroy our industries. In respect to tariff, therefore our commercial ship is in storm trim to meet the heavy weather which is anticipated at the end of the war.

It had been complained, prior to 1912, that the control of financial credit was in the clutch of a few financiers who used that power selfishly and unjustly. The administration proceeded with its Federal reserve banking and currency act which, though bitterly resisted in certain financial quarters, is now admitted by bankers themselves to be an excellent measure.

Our foreign trade was stimulated by permitting National banks to establish foreign branches, thus releasing merchants from being obliged to pay tribute to London for financial transactions outside the United States.

The effect of financial legislation has been especially beneficial to the farmers. It has already enabled them, in many instances, to borrow money at 6 percent, which had formerly cost them 10, 12 and even 15 percent.

The Federal Rural Credits act has been pronounced one of the greatest pieces of constructive legislation in the last half-century.

Farm and town alike will profit by the law granting Federal aid to the States for the building of good roads.

A European war, unprecedented in world history, was "sprung" on the Administration, as it was on the rest of the world. In response to a very clamorous demand the Administration has enacted measures for defense involving an outlay of $662,476,512, the largest appropriation in peace times in the Nation's history, and of a magnitude which has mollified the complaints even of the rabid militarist.

Labor legislation which other Administrations have promised this Administration has performed. The Federal law prohibiting child labor is one of the most sweeping humanitarian measures of recent history. We now have a Workmen's Compensation act for Federal employes; an eight-hour day for Government employes in Alaska; an eight-hour day for women and children workers in the District of Columbia; a law requiring better treatment and better living conditions for American seamen; and the establishment of a Federal employment bureau, which, in its first year, obtained jobs for 75,156 people.

By the Clayton Antitrust act human labor ceased to be classed as a "commodity." An income tax and an inheritance tax have shifted a part of the burden of public expense to shoulders which are better able to bear it. The Government has undertaken to build and own a railroad in Alaska and to invest $50,000,000 in a merchant marine, under certain specified conditions protecting private initiative.

Nor is this by any means the whole record of the Administration's achievements. These are but the high lights. They are enough, however, to show that campaign promises have at last been removed from the category of a cynical joke about broken pledges.

What a Progressive party promised to do if elected, this Democratic Administration has largely done. And of its total achievement this record of progressive legislation is only a part, and perhaps not even the most distinguished part.

A great philosopher once passed what he called "a quiet hint to conservatives." It was that the only kind of conservatism that is possible is progressivism. You cannot, he said, make man walk backwards, crab-fashion.

The present Administration has been conservative in the best, in fact, the only sense. It has conserved by going steadily forward. — The Boston Globe.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 8.

England Will Not Drop Blacklist

1916

London, Sept. 8. — "It is not likely that Great Britain will change her blacklist policy at the request of the United States," said Lord Robert Cecil, minister of war, in discussing today the possible effect of recent American retaliatory legislation. To the Associated Press, Lord Robert stated that a reply to the blacklist protest made by the United States may be expected soon. Lord Robert, however, declined to enter into the details of the contents of the reply beyond the statement that the principle embodied in British legislation forbidding trading with an enemy country is unlikely to be surrendered in any measure.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 7.

An Elastic Tariff is the Need of America

1916

New York, Sept. 21. — Greater elasticity in the country's tariff system is necessary to meet trade conditions which will arise at the close of the war, according to reports submitted to the National Foreign Trade Council today by a committee which has investigated the foreign trade aspects of the tariff. The report says:

"All European nations will, with peace, have a large market to offer and may be expected to yield it only for opportunities to extend or protect from discrimination the foreign trade. The United States is normally the best customer of the United Kingdom and is one of the most profitable markets for France, Germany and all the other belligerents.

"With the exception of the United Kingdom all the belligerents have, in their tariff systems, ample resources for negotiations for tariff advantages and for retaliation against discrimination.

"The foregoing circumstance shows the necessity for greater elasticity in the American tariff system, regardless of whether the tariff is maintained for protection or for revenue or partially for each. It is obvious that the United States should have some method of adjusting the tariff to new conditions created by political or commercial change in the part of our competitors and our customers, without resorting to a general revision. The creation of the tariff commission should contribute to this end."

The council adopted a resolution directing that the council bring to the attention of the President, Congress and the Tariff Commission, when organized. "The necessity that the American tariff system shall possess adequate resources for the encouragement of the foreign trade of the United States by commercial treaties or agreements of executive concessions within defined limits and its protection from undue discrimination in the markets of the world."

Wholesale Prices of Commodities Average Higher

1916

Wholesale prices of commodities in the United States averaged considerably higher in 1915 than in the preceding year, according to bulletin 200 of the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U. S. Department of Labor. The downward trend which set in toward the close of 1914 did not extend beyond that year and by the end of January, 1915, prices of many commodities had advanced to a point well above those of the year before. February prices in the aggregate were above those in January, but slight decreases occurred in March and April. In May prices again advanced and, except for small declines in June and September, continued at high levels throughout the remainder of the year. The bureau's weighted index number for December stood at 105, the highest point reached in any year since the collection of data for the present series of reports on wholesale prices, dating back to 1890, was begun.

Root for Universal Military Service

1916

Washington, Sept. 22. — In a letter to the association for national service, Ex-Senator Elihu Root said that the only logical way to prepare the United States for defense is through universal military service. His letter says in part:

"Universal training and readiness for service are not only demanded by plain common sense, but they are essentially democratic. They were required by law during the early years of our republic, for every male citizen between the ages of 18 and 45 was required to be ready to fight for his country and was required to be trained and provided with arms in accordance with the simple needs of warfare in those days.

"It is only necessary now to apply the principles and requirements of the national law of 1799, adapted to present conditions."

Dollar Rules in Finance

1916

Paris, Sept. 19. — Max Hoschiller, in an article in the Temps, contrasts America's financial position now in respect to foreign countries with what it was before the war. The article says:

"Then the United States was sending to Europe from $200,000,000 to $300,000,000 in interest on its borrowings, $150,000,000 to $200,000,000 spent by tourists, $100,000,000 to $150,000,000 to expatriates and $20,000,000 to $40,000,000 in ocean freights.

"Since the war the United States has imported $730,000,000 in gold and has paid back a considerable amount of its previous borrowings, has increased its foreign trade by $2,250,000,000 yearly and has loaned to foreign countries $1,470,000,000 so that the dollar now has replaced, to a considerable extent, the old sovereignty of the English pound abroad.

"Whether the United States will retain, with her deficient financial organization, the position recently won, will depend upon American financial and commercial policies. The arrival in France of an American commercial mission is an indication that Americans are realizing they must follow the law of exchanges between countries, buying in general, as much as they sell."

Villa Comes North in November?

1916

Douglas, Ariz., Sept. 23. — Secret service agents of the American and Mexican governments are trying to locate Villa agents who are said to have visited the Mexican quarter of Douglas, telling the people that Villa will be in this district with a large force of men the first week of November.

This report, which has spread among the Mexican population is believed by many of them. They say that Villa kept his promise to attack Chihuahua City on September 16, and that a notice similar to the one received here was sent to Columbus before the raid there on March 9.

Trevino Invites Inquiry

1916

Chihuhua City, Sept. 22. — General Trevino announced today that if the report of Villa's attack on Chihuahua sent to Washington by General Bell commanding the El Paso district, is the same as the version of it received here, he would ask the General to send a personal representative here to investigate the facts at first hand.

The same facilities to investigate would be accorded to any responsible resident of Chihuahua City whom General Bell might commission, General Trevino [said.*]

Note: [*] Sentence ended a bit soon here.

Bell's Report on Villa

1916

Washington, Sept. 21. — The most detailed account yet received of the fighting at Chihuahua City last Saturday, when Villa celebrated the Mexican Independence day by a successful assault on the Carranza garrison, reached the war department today from Bridg. Gen. George Bell, commander of the El Paso military district. It asserts that Villa personally led the attacking forces; that he took and held numerous important buildings in the city for several hours; that he was joined by a thousand or more men of the Carranza garrison, and retired, promising to return soon, and taking with him a large quantity of captured arms, ammunition and artillery.

No official would predict what effect the incident may have on the negotiations at New London, which embrace General Carranza's request that American troops be withdrawn from Mexico. It was deemed certain, however, that no agreement could be reached by the commissioners until it was known precisely to what extent the situation in Northern Mexico had been altered by the Chihuahua City developments and until it was made clear what the Carranza government would do to cope with the new situation.

Entertaining The Mexicans

1916

Well, the parleyfoxes have had their pictures taken and will be seen in the movies. Nineteen American guns have been fired in salute of honor to three representatives of a Mexican "first chief," whatever that is. This, apparently, is by way of indicating what Mexico should have done for us in a former notable case. The joint commissioners for the retreat parley have displayed their credentials, such as they are. Also, there have been pink tea and wafers aboard the Federal yacht Mayflower, with felicitations all around. The parleyfoxtrot may be said to be under way, to that soft, hesitation music.

Incidentally, so we are told in the dispatches, it is the purpose of the American "commissioners," three extra-legal personal representatives of the President of the United States, to attempt to induce the Mexican "commissioners," three personal representatives of Carranza, a factional "first chief" in Mexico, to consider "American rights" in Mexico along with the Mexican demand for the withdrawal of United States troops from Mexican territory. We progress.

It is decidedly refreshing to hear that American rights may possibly be discussed over the iced drinks in the course of the "confab" at Portsmouth. Even tho the American commissioners are unauthorized and outside the law; even tho the Mexican commissioners can give no assurance that their adjustment plans can he enforced in Mexico, we may be pardoned if we show some little interest in the indirect suggestion that American rights may get honorable mention at the honorable parley. — Indiana Daily Times.

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Sept. 16, 1916, p. 6.

Helpless China

1916

Mr. Boyce's Talks

Japan has served a new set of demands upon China. Taking advantage of the fact that most of the world is at war, the Japanese have been gradually moving in on their big neighbor, with the object of gaining complete control, at least, if not actually seizing the country.

The latest move follows a fight between Chinese and Japanese in Mongolia. Japan demands that China employ Japanese military advisers for its Manchurian and Mongolian armies, that it employ Japanese military inspectors in its schools, that certain Chinese army officers be punished and that "special interests" of Japan in Mongolia and Manchuria be recognized.

Over a year ago, when it became known that Japan had forced China to yield a number of important concessions, the United States sent a warning to both countries that we would not recognize any agreement between them which impaired American rights in China or endangered the so-called "open door" policy. That warning was too late, but it kept the record straight, so that if the "open door" was closed we could say that we objected.

The "open door" was secured in 1900, when John Hay, our Secretary of State, requested Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Japan to sign an agreement that the treaty rights of the United States with China would not be affected by new treaties entered into by them, and every one gave such assurance.

Japan will no doubt declare that she has no designs against the "open door" — and will go ahead with her plans just the same. The Japs could say, "What are you going to do about it?" but that would not be polite and would not be necessary, anyway.

The United States has lost out in China, where we had great hopes of building up an extensive trade. Also, we are naturally concerned over Japan's ambitions, because of the Philippines and the Hawaiian Islands. Japan has long sought to get hold of China, with her great area and enormous population, which could be converted into a strong force to aid in ruling the Far East. Poor old China cannot resist the demands of the smaller nation, for she is unprepared to defend herself, and it does not look as if it would do her any good to cry for help.

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Sept. 16, 1916, p. 6.

There Always Comes a Settling Day

1920

By W. D. Boyce (W. D. Boyce's Talks)

A few days ago leading bankers of the United States were approached by confidential agents representing bankers who had invested in Russian bonds to the amount of $300,000,000. It was a feel-out to determine whether pressure could not be brought upon Congress to recognize one of the factions in Russia which is fighting the Reds, or Bolshevists. I believe they were pretty plainly told that it would be useless to introduce such a bill, that it would get nowhere.

Now a bigger and wider scheme is proposed (no doubt a bill to that effect will be introduced in Congress) to send to "starving" Europe three hundred million dollars and not to collect the interest on European bonds which our Government took during the war. The balance due is going to be $1,500,000,000 (one billion five hundred million), and the Secretary of the Treasury further is quoted as stating that he had not the heart to ask the European Governments to pay what they owe us. That does not sound very good, specially as the United States Government has the heart to ask everybody to pay four times the normal taxes. We spent our money to send our boys to Europe to fight for the freedom of the world, but we never agreed to finance and set on their feet again the countries at war. We had nothing to do with bringing the fight on in the first place, and we should not be punished for the lack of foresight on the part of the Allies in not observing that Germany had been preparing for forty years to establish a Middle Europe, a German country from the North Sea to the Gulf of Persia.

I cannot understand why we should, keep on adding to our taxes in order to quickly establish Europe as our competitor in the markets of the world. If the other countries would go to work like England did they soon would be on their feet again. England exported and imported during the last twelve months $1,000,000,000 more than did the United States, yet England had been at war far more than four years. Talk about "starving Europe" can hardly be true for the war has been over now for fourteen months and Europe has had time to grow a crop. If she could live without starving for four years and at the same time keep millions of men fighting she ought to be able to get enough to eat in times of peace.

I get tired, too, of hearing and reading about the debt we owe to France. During the American Revolutionary period France sided with us, it is true, when we revolted against England. But it was because France was having trouble with both England and Germany at that time and England had a German King on her throne. The only reason France sided with us was because she wished to help rob England and Germany of prospective colonies and thus weaken her own enemies. Some of the educated French may have sincerely wished us well, but ninety out of every hundred of them didn't even know there was such a thing as the United States. Few of them could read or write and their minds were taken up with the sole objective of earning their daily bread and sour wine. France at that time was a monarchy and as a political unit had no love for republics.

Today France is the richest country in Europe, but she is hollering so loud about conditions and whining so much that the yelp of the Daschund can hardly be heard. The United States has set herself back forty years to prevent France from being subjugated by the Boche and if any debt is due now it is a debt of France to the United States.

Always there comes a settling day, and until the United States demands that Europe pay at least the interest on the money we have loaned the different countries over there they will not go to work, either to raise food enough to feed themselves or to make money enough to pay us off. If we extend any further credit we will "bust" Europe.

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Jan. 3, 1920, p. 6.

Two Jobs Well Done

By W. D. Boyce (W. D. Boyce's Talks)

The year 1919 had many problems. The biggest was to get our boys back from across the sea, get them settled in the jobs they held before the war and find other places for men and women who had taken their jobs while they were gone. The next biggest problem was the Red menace. The spirit of unrest developed by war was felt to a moderate degree in this country thru the efforts of the Bolshevists, I. W. W. and Red Socialists to make trouble. The strong arm of Uncle Sam reached out and interfered with these plans to make trouble and we are sending the alien Reds back to their fatherlands as fast as we can get ships and putting the trouble makers who are citizens of the United States, but don't like our Government, in the penitentiaries as rapidly as the courts can act. This element, however, will require constant watching.

It is amusing to see the Bolshevists and I. W. W. bunch point with pride to Soviet Russia, then kick violently when we prepare to send them back there on a free ticket. It is puzzling to the Government to know what to do with this half-crazy, insane, bombastic and dangerous element. I often have thought the best solution of the question would be to take one of the Philippine Islands or some other island we own and control and put the whole bunch — citizens and non-citizens, on it and let them run a Government of their own to suit themselves and at the same time let them feed themselves. Already we are using one of the Philippine group as a place to which we send the Filipinos who are not dangerous criminals, but who insist upon trying to make trouble for the Government. Why not another island for the Reds? They couldn't get off it and no one could get on it.

I doubt whether we have the right to send back to their native lands the aliens who develop Red or Bolshevist streaks after they arrive in this country. They may not have been that kind or held radical beliefs when they came over here, and so why should we send them back later anymore than we would deport an immigrant who came over in perfect physical condition and later developed some disease? Some day we may get into a lot of trouble with some country because we send back their citizens after they have been in the United States for some time.

In the first place we never ought to permit a politically Red or unhealthy man or woman to land in the United States. If we do we ought to be responsible for them ever after if they want to stay here, but at the same time have some place to put them if they try to make trouble for us. So I suggest that one of the 3,000 islands which we own might be used for that purpose. We ought never to let any of these aliens leave their native lands for this country until they have passed an examination and investigation by consular agents or representatives of our Bureau of Immigration. The stop order should be put in before the loss is made.

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Jan. 3, 1920, p. 6.

Early Days of the Great War

1905

"The volunteers," said the captain, "went into the army in 1861 with queer notions of military service. In the first year of the war I heard men well informed on general subjects contend that a commanding officer could not compel his men to march in the rain or to fight on Sunday or to make a campaign in winter. All these things they declared were in the army regulations, and if any general dared to disregard them there would be trouble.

"Before our company had been six months in the service it had made several forced marches in the rain, had waded rivers on three different occasions, had fought its bloodiest engagement on Sunday, and the boys had revised their army regulations to read, 'An officer may do with his men what he pleases, providing always that he licks the enemy.'

"At Stone River a captain of the best disciplined company in the regiment ordered his men, retreating in line, to stop and pull out a gun carriage jammed in between two trees. The captain and two men stepped out and the company went on. The captain and his two helpers were prisoners in five minutes, and word came to the company that the captain had sworn he would have them all punished for disobedience of orders as soon as he was released from prison.

"In due time he was released and returned to the regiment in a new uniform. He came up with the column just as the men had been ordered to throw up intrenchments, and when he reached his company the men were as muddy as so many ditchers. They suspended work only a minute to give the captain a cheer. In that minute the wag of the company asked: 'Where is the captain, Cap?' This forced the issue, and the captain, laughing, said the joke was on him. In fifteen minutes he was working as hard as his men, but his new uniform was a sight to behold." — Chicago Inter Ocean.

French Copying Many Yankee Notions

1910

By Harold F. Tracey

When in Paris lately I ran across so many Yankee notions and devices that I concluded the capital of La Belle France and New York City would be very much like twins after the lapse of a few more years.

They have American dentists, American saloons, where all kinds of mixed drinks of the sort we are used to are served; skating rinks, Luna park shows, shops where one can buy shoes from the Massachusetts factories, and hundreds of other products of the States.

You can see the fair dames of France wearing the long veils which the daughters of Uncle Sam introduced after motoring became fashionable and the Parisiennes have actually adopted the big handbags that only American women formerly carried on their shopping expeditions and by which their nationality was easily proclaimed.

I also saw in many stores roll top desks, adding machines and cash registers bought in this country and in my hotel in Paris was a mammoth self-playing piano which was branded U.S.A.

Many United States Sailors Marry Irish Brides

1919

Plans for Dismantling Naval Stations Are Going Forward Rapidly

Queenstown, Ireland. — Plans for the dismantling of the American naval stations in and around Queenstown are going forward rapidly. Time will be required to remove the base hospital at White Point and much work will be involved in removing the many big warehouses which were brought here from America and set up in record time. Other important parts of the American plant include wireless stations at Queenstown and Aglada and many hutments.

American officers and men have made a deep impression on the people of Queenstown and in other parts of South Ireland, and relations generally have been of the most cordial nature. This is proved by the fact that a number of weddings already have taken place, and more than one American sailor has promised to return for the girl he must leave behind.

Queenstown has prospered greatly since the station was established here, but the people declare their regret in seeing the Americans depart is because they have become accustomed to their presence and like them for the fine young fellows they are.

Saves U.S. Millions From Junk

1915

When William Jacobus sinks his hands into his pockets and surveys the great amount of Government "junk" he has sold for Uncle Sam at a big saving he must, indeed, feel like congratulating himself.

Here's how it happened. In 1911, Mr. Jacobus, who probably knows more about the scrapping and junk business than any one else, went to the "powers that be" in Washington, D. C., and placing his finger on a leak, said: "Millions of dollars go every year right here because nobody knows anything about the business of selling the Government's junk to the best advantage."

At that time there was what was known as the "junkmen's agreement." A number of junkmen had agreed that they would pay a certain price for the junk offered by the Government.

The junkmen got the scrap "dirt cheap," They carefully assorted it, and resold it at a large profit.

Jacobus changed the system of disposing of Uncle Sam's junk. He saved the Navy Department approximately $2,000,000. He also did a good job for the Light House Department and the War Department. He respectfully declined a position from Col. Goethals to handle the scrap at the Panama Canal. Recently he saved the city of New York $200,000 by judicious sale of scrap.

Saying He Never Felt Better, Died

1905

The death of W. H. Rockhill, ex-clerk of the courts of this county, here verifies in a way the thesis of Goethe that no man can survive a happy moment.

He had been feeling ill and went to the office of his physician to tell the doctor that he was improving in health and that he never felt better for many days.

The words had no more than escaped his lips than he keeled over and died of heart disease. — Lebanon correspondence, Cincinnati Enquirer.


Effects of Prosperity

In the six years of the country's greatest prosperity, from 1897 to 1903, average prices of breadstuffs advanced 65 per cent, meats 23.1 per cent, dairy and garden products 50.1 per cent, and clothing 24.1. All these were products of the farmer and stockman who profited more than any other class of the community by these advances. The miner benefited 42.1 per cent by that advance in the average price of metals. The only decrease in the average prices of commodities in that period was in railway freight rates which decreased from .798 per ton-mile in 1897 to .763 in 1903, a loss of 4.4 per cent. The report of the Interstate Commerce Commission shows that the average increase in the pay of railroad employees in the period was trifle above 8.5 per cent.