The Great Round World and What Is Going On In It, Vol. 1, No. 18, March 11, 1897 by Various
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Various >> The Great Round World and What Is Going On In It, Vol. 1, No. 18, March 11, 1897
The Legislature in Albany, wishing to prevent these combinations from
gaining so much power that they become a menace to the public, has
appointed a committee to investigate the workings of Trusts.
State Senator Lexow was made Chairman of the committee. He is that Mr.
Clarence Lexow, who was chairman of the committee which looked into the
way the police were doing their duty a short while ago.
Senator Lexow has come down to New York City with full power to call the
officers of the Trusts before him, and make them tell him how they manage
their business, how much money it costs them to produce the articles they
manufacture, and how much profit they make.
When the inquiry is finished, the committee will report to the Legislature
at Albany, which will then decide what action shall be taken.
The Trust Investigating Committee has found out from the Sugar Trust, that
the price of sugar has been lowered since the Trust was formed. But it has
also been learned that sugar has not been allowed to fall in price as much
as it ought to have, and that while sugar is cheaper than it used to be,
it could be much cheaper yet, and still pay well for the making.
With all the Trusts the story is the same. They have slightly cheapened
the price of the goods they handle, and have then controlled the market
and prevented any further reduction.
Each Trust declares that it is a positive benefit to trade, and while it
is true that they do employ a vast number of men, and make the best
quality of goods at _apparently_ the lowest possible price, it must not be
forgotten that the public does not benefit as much as it ought by the low
cost of production, and that all small manufacturers are driven out of the
business by the enormous power of the Trust.
A man who wishes to succeed to-day dare not try to compete with the Trust;
he must join it or be boycotted by it; that is to say, if he attempts to
undersell the Trust, all retail dealers will be forbidden to buy from him,
and he will have no market for his goods.
There has been a great outcry against this investigation, and the Trusts
are very indignant. They declare that such investigations ruin trade, and
make prices higher. To prove this argument, the Sugar Trust has put the
price of sugar up an eighth of a cent a pound, or about forty cents a
barrel.
This is, however, an argument that works both ways. If the Sugar Trust is
so powerful that it can revenge itself for the investigation by putting
the price of sugar up, it is then too powerful for the welfare of the
people, and it shows clearly that it is high time that the government
makes an attempt to restrict the power of the Trusts.
* * * * *
Admiral Bunce and his fleet of warships have been engaged in some very
interesting naval practice off Charleston.
The especial object of the visit was to see if they could effectually
blockade the port.
In making their trip down the coast, the fleet ran into a heavy gale off
Cape Hatteras, and Admiral Bunce was able to see how the vessels under his
command behave in a storm.
Arrived off Charleston, the Admiral arranged the fleet in a cordon across
the mouth of Charleston harbor, and when night came, ordered the little
cruiser _Vesuvius_ to steam out to sea, and then try to steal back into
port without being discovered by the big warships that were guarding the
harbor.
In other words, the _Vesuvius_ was ordered to "run the blockade."
In times of war, an enemy will often blockade a port by stationing big
ships in such positions that they may prevent any vessels from entering or
leaving the port, just as the combined fleets of Europe are preventing the
Greek fleet, under Prince George, from entering the harbor of Canea.
In our late war the harbor of Charleston was actually blockaded, and
vessels were regularly employed as blockade runners, many of them getting
through without difficulty, and many having hair-breadth escapes.
The steamers selected to run the blockade in war times were light, swift,
and built so that they lay very low in the water. They were painted a dull
gray color, so that they could not be seen at a distance; their funnels
were made like telescopes, so that they could be shut up, and be little
higher than the deck, when the moment for actually running the blockade
arrived. They burned smokeless coal, and could blow their steam off under
water, so that it was very hard to discover them, and on dark nights they
could often slip by the watching vessels without being observed.
Admiral Bunce thought that the search-light system which is in use on all
our war-vessels would make it extremely difficult for a blockade runner to
pass a modern blockade, and it was to test this that the game of blockade
running was tried off Charleston.
When all was in readiness for the game to begin, the _New York_, which was
the flagship, sent up a rocket, warning the other vessels to be on the
lookout for the blockade runner.
The flagship of a fleet is always the one which has the admiral on board.
The ships in a fleet are like a regiment of soldiers, and act under the
orders of the admiral in command; and as the orders are always sent from
ship to ship by means of flags or signals, the ship from which the orders
are issued is called the flagship.
All the search-lights were in play, and there was the greatest excitement
on board the various vessels as the little cruiser steamed out to sea to
begin the game.
Back and forth the search-light flashed along the whole line of the
blockade. Here and there, in every direction, the waters were searched for
a sign of the little _Vesuvius_, which was surely steaming toward them to
try and run the blockade.
No sign of the cruiser could be seen, and anxiety was felt lest she should
have escaped all the searchers, when the signal came from the _Maine_ that
she had been discovered, and all the search-lights from the various
vessels were turned toward the _Maine's_ light, and there was the
_Vesuvius_, defeated.
She showed her lights, which till then had been concealed, and steamed
back to sea again for another trial.
This time she so nearly succeeded that there was consternation in the
whole fleet; but still she was detected in time.
Five times she made the attempt, but defeat succeeded defeat; and at last
Admiral Bunce declared the game over for the night, and the _Vesuvius_
returned to anchor, with the rest of the fleet.
Admiral Bunce declared himself highly pleased at the success of his
blockade.
The next night the game was played again. This time the _Vesuvius_ won
easily, for it was a foggy night, and the search-lights were not able to
pierce the fog.
Admiral Bunce would not allow that this was a fair test, but as, in real
war, blockade runners would be pretty sure to wait for a cloudy night, or
for one that was dark or foggy, it would seem that the test was fairer
than that of the night before, which was clear and moonlit.
Before the manoeuvres were over, the admiral ordered a practice with the
big guns.
From all accounts it was a very fine sight, and our navy proved itself a
great credit to us.
The guns were fired at targets, and the shooting seems to have been
particularly fine, the targets being hit every time.
* * * * *
At last beyond any further question Major William McKinley has been
elected President of the United States.
The last formality was complied with when, on February 11th, at one
o'clock, the Senate of the United States, headed by the Vice-President,
filed into the House of Representatives to count the vote of the Electoral
College, cast in the manner described in THE GREAT ROUND WORLD,
No. 13.
As the Senators entered the House of Representatives, all the Congressmen
rose, and remained standing while their visitors filed in, two by two.
The little procession was preceded by the officers of the Senate, who
carried the ballot-boxes.
The work of counting was then commenced by the tellers, and ere long it
was officially announced that William McKinley was the choice of the
people for President of the United States.
GENIE H. ROSENFELD.
CRETE AND GREECE.
Well, well, well! So little Greece has really done it! While the Great
Powers have been worrying each other, have been forming alliances and
triple alliances, have been threatening Turkey and shaking their fists at
each other, have been trembling in their boots and calling conferences,
little Greece has fired upon one of Turkey's ships, and "accepts full
responsibility for all her acts."
The first shots came from Crete, that long, beautiful island south of
Greece, called in the time of Homer the "Isle of One Hundred Cities." It
has a most heroic history, remaining free long after Greece herself had
become subject to Rome. Only in the year 68 B.C., after a long and
determined effort upon the part of Rome, did Crete surrender.
And her islanders have the same heroic blood in their veins to-day. The
trouble now is that Turkish misrule, since she was made over to the Turks
in 1840 by the Great Powers, has fanned the old desire for freedom into
flame.
The Greeks were most probably unwise in firing upon the Turkish transport
_Fuad_ as she was bearing munitions to the Turkish garrison at Canea; but
we can hardly blame them.
There comes a time when patience almost ceases to be a virtue. The Cretans
are human. They have waited long, though impatiently, and their very
impatience has shown us how hard the waiting has been for men of such
fiery character. They feel now that they would rather die in the struggle
for freedom than submit longer to the injustice of their Turkish rulers.
I was in Athens when the coming of age of Crown Prince George, the brave,
handsome young Greek of whom we hear so much, was celebrated.
The streets, from the palace to the church where the ceremonies were to
take place, were most beautiful with triumphal arches. Rich tapestries
floated from the windows all along the way, and the flags of all
nations--among them our own dear Stars and Stripes--swung merrily to the
breeze.
The city was full of soldiers. Among them were the Greek mountaineers in
their picturesque costume of white linen, consisting of tunics with long,
flowing sleeves, and kilted skirts so full and so starched that they stood
out like the skirts of a circus rider.
Their long, pointed shoes, which turned up at the toes like a toboggan,
had large red rosettes on the very points. Their caps were gayly colored,
and a long tassel fell from the crown to their shoulders.
Not a very good fighting costume, you will probably think; but if you had
looked into their keen eyes and determined faces, you would have forgotten
the costume--especially if they had come to fight you.
They are hardy fellows, and although their enemies outnumber them four to
one, we may depend upon it that, if battle comes, there will be as brave
and heroic fighting upon the side of the Greeks, as when their forefathers
fought the Trojans in the days of long ago.
But they will have need of all their courage, for the enemy is not only
fierce, but cruel. The Turks are fatalists, who believe that whatever _is_
to be _will_ be, and that if they are fated to die in battle, nothing can
save them.
If they die fighting bravely they believe that they are sure to go to
Paradise.
With this belief you can readily see how little they are likely to run
away.
Unless the Great Powers interfere, the conflict will be a terrible one.
How much better it would be to settle the difficulty by arbitration, and
prevent such a cruel war.
IZORA C. CHANDLER
INVENTION AND DISCOVERY.
Many new and interesting patents were shown at the Cycle Show at the Grand
Central Palace, New York City.
One of the most ingenious was a new tire. It is called the Hose-Pipe Tire,
and seems to be a very sensible and useful kind.
The feature of this tire is that it has a second tube laid flat inside the
first one.
This second tube is not inflated, but kept as an emergency tube.
Should the outer one be punctured, the pipe inside can be inflated by
means of a separate valve connected with it, and the rider can go on his
way with little delay.
Should the second tube also become punctured, it is so arranged that it
can be taken out, mended, and replaced without much trouble.
New saddles of all descriptions were shown. The Schlesinger Anatomical
Saddle, with its spring cushion which does away with the jolts and shocks
that the rider receives with an ordinary saddle, was voted the best shown.
There is a new foot-pump from which great things are expected. It is small
enough to be packed in the tool-bag, and strong enough for all purposes.
Among other things, a bicycle cleaner made by the AEtna Company, of Newark,
N.J., was particularly recommended to prevent rust, and to polish the
steel and enamel parts.
The aluminum cyclometers made by the Trenton Watch Company made a very
handsome display. They will register from 1 to 10,000 miles.
The League of American Wheelmen are preparing a set of road books which
give the best roads and routes to various points of interest.
The New York _Times_ published in their supplement for February 7th four
of these route maps.
They are most excellent. The hills, the character of the roads, the
railroad crossings, the trolley lines, are all marked with the greatest
accuracy. Even the awkward corners where trolleys are to be met are
marked, and the various rules and regulations of the villages which must
be passed are also given.
These four maps give trips to Mt. Vernon, to Bronx Park, and to New
Rochelle, over roads and byways with which the present writer is
thoroughly familiar, and the accuracy of these charts cannot be too highly
commended.
With such guides as these in hand, a wheelman can make delightful, safe,
and speedy trips.
Our young readers would do well to secure copies of _The Times_
supplement, and obtain these excellent maps.
The League of American Wheelmen has very generously decided to let the
general public have the benefit of its road books, and they will put them
on the market, we understand, as soon as they are published.
G.H.R.
LETTERS FROM OUR YOUNG FRIENDS.
The Editor takes pleasure in acknowledging the pleasant letters received
from Laura Van C. and Theodore S.
THE GREAT ROUND WORLD is always delighted to hear of any good
books, and thanks Theodore for his recommendation of "In Mythland" and
"Hans Brinker."
The Editor also wishes to thank Mr. Davis, of Bayonne, for his kind
letter, and to tell him that if he will look at No. 3 of THE GREAT
ROUND WORLD, page 46, he will find a fuller account of terminal buds,
and the rings formed on trees.
It was hoped that the readers of THE GREAT ROUND WORLD would have
remembered the previous article on the subject, and therefore the later
one was not so explanatory.
Mr. Davis has very kindly sent us an account of the kite represented in
our No. 9. We take great pleasure in publishing his statement. He says:
"I will tell you about Mr. William A. Eddy's kite, or rather about Mr.
Hargrave's, whose invention was the kite represented in your late issue.
"Mr. Lawrence Hargrave, of Australia, began in 1892 some experiments in
kite flying. His first attempt was with cylindrical surfaces. Not
succeeding as well as he had expected, he changed his plans, and in 1893
perfected the kite as represented in your issue. He sent photographs to
the Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893, where Mr. Eddy saw them. On
his return to Bayonne, Mr. Eddy made several kites from the photographic
pattern, and flew them a few days afterward. These undoubtedly were the
first Hargrave kites flown outside of Australia. This is a powerful kite,
but it requires a very strong wind to raise it.
"Mr. Eddy's kites are of a nearly plane surface, slightly convex in front,
and without tails. His experiments with them are revealing wonderful facts
regarding atmospheric electricity."
DEAR MR. EDITOR:
THE GREAT ROUND WORLD is very interesting, I think,
when you commence it. I think as another little girl thinks,
that the inventions made nowadays are wonderful; indeed, if I
could I would like to talk to the people up in Mars, if there
are any to talk to. My teacher's name is Miss Davis, and she
reads THE GREAT ROUND WORLD to us.
Yours truly,
LAURA VAN C.
TROY, OHIO, February 13, 1897.
DEAR MR. EDITOR:
I have a book by the name of "In Mythland." I like it so much
that I thought I would write and tell you about it, so as other
children seven years old like me would know of it, and could
read it. Mother reads THE GREAT ROUND WORLD to me every
week, and I like it very much. Mother is reading me a book
called "Hans Brinker; or, The Silver Skates." A story of life in
Holland. By Mary Mapes Dodge. My book has many pictures of
Holland in it.
Yours truly,
THEODORE S.K.
321 WEST 82d STREET, February 15, 1897.
BOOK REVIEWS.
A new book has been sent us, entitled "Three of Us." The title is
explained by the cover, which gives the bright faces of three fine
dogs--Barney, a bull-dog, Cossack, a wolf-hound, and Rex, a St. Bernard.
The book has 327 pages, and tells the stories of the three dogs--the last
one, Rex, telling his own "autobow-wow-ography."
It is written and also illustrated with many drawings by Izora C.
Chandler, and published by Eaton & Mains, 150 Fifth Avenue, New York City.
The other day a number of letters were shown us which had been written
about this book by some bright little people of Hanover, N.H.
The book was given to the school, and one of the teachers read it aloud to
the scholars.
This pleased them so much that they each wrote a letter to the lady who
had made the gift. We publish one of these letters:
"My Dear Mrs. Richardson:
"It was very kind of you to give the book, "Three of Us," to the
school.
"I enjoyed Barney and Cossack very much. I was interested in Rex
also.
"Barney was very interesting because he did so many brave deeds.
"I liked Cossack because the little boy's kindness to the dog
saved the life of his own father.
"If I were to have a dog I think I would like Barney.
"I thank you very much for the book.
"Yours sincerely,
"EMMA M. HALL."
THE GREAT ROUND WORLD prize has been won by Miss Harriet W.
Mygatt, age eleven years, No. 32 Sidney Place, Brooklyn, N.Y., who will
please send the name of the book she wants.
Her selection of the important articles of commerce is very good, and the
simple way in which they are marked on the map is also worthy of praise;
for while perfectly distinct, the topographical features of the map have
not been obscured. The map will be exhibited in the office of THE
GREAT ROUND WORLD.
* * * * *
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Send books by express prepaid. Send none which are much soiled or worn;
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Eggleston's First Book, 40c. " 75c.
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Bailey's Mental, 15c.
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We can use, in addition to the ones named in this list, all kinds of
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A sample dozen will be mailed to any address for 20 cents (or ten two-cent
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* * * * *
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"I would advise =Sunday-school teachers= to use, in connection with the
lessons of 1897, =Klemm's Relief Map of the Roman Empire=. Every scholar
who can draw should have a copy of it. Being blank, it can be beautifully
colored: waters, blue; mountains, brown; valleys, green; deserts, yellow;
cities marked with pin-holes; and the journeys of Paul can be traced upon
it."--MRS. WILBUR F. CRAFTS, _President International Union of
Primary Sabbath-School Teachers of the United States_.
* * * * *
=DESCRIPTION OF THE MAPS.=
These maps are made in two forms, both with beautifully executed relief
(embossed)--the cheaper ones of plain stiff paper similar to drawing paper
(these are to be substituted for and used as outline map blanks), the
others covered with a durable waterproof surface, that can be quickly
cleaned with a damp sponge, adapted to receive a succession of markings
and cleansings. Oceans, lakes, and rivers, as well as land, appear in the
same color, white, so as to facilitate the use of the map as a
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* * * * *
WILLIAM BEVERLEY HARISON
_3 & 5 W. 18th St. ... New York City_