Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-08-23


must In all cases accom- pdny the order Other
atSe the paper cannot be sent.
That The destruction of the Minneapolis
hour nils was caused by the explosion of
Hour dust is proved by the occurrence of SIM
liar accidents since that event, in which the
cause has been evident, and by the scientific
experiments on the subject recently conclud-
ed. A miller at Chippewa Falls, wis, While
examining spot on the grinding floor OF his
mill, was recently burned and thrown vio-
iently back by an exploSi) On caused by the Sift-
ing down of flour on lantern which he car.
Tied in his hand. The results of the scientific
examination into the cause of the Minneapolis
disaster, to which reference is made above
are recorded in recent number of the Scien-
1tfc american. When blown by bellows
INTO the air surrounding as flame, coarse
Dian does not burn; fine bran and fer dust
burD quickly and with considerable blaze :;
middlings burn quicker, but with less flame :;
wheat dust, flour and general mill dust, burn
very quickly, much like gunpowder. Flour
dust, flour middlings, etc., when mixed with
air. thick enough to ignite from particle to
particle, and separated so that each par
fcle is surrounded by air, will unite
with oxygen in the air, producing a gas at
high temperature, which requires an addi.
fiOnal space; hence the bursting or explosion
Electric sparks and platinum wire at white
heat passed through the dust cause no ex-
glosion. Glowing charcoal produces no ex-
plosion until famed into blaze A common
kerosene lantern when surrounded by dust of
all degrees of density does not cause an ex-
ploslOn, but when the dust is blown into the
bottom. through the globe and out of the top,
1t ignites- To explode quickly the dust must
be dry. Evidently when an explosion h as been
started In a volume OF dusty air, loose -four
may be blown into the air and made source
OF danger. These facts are of the highest ill.,
tereSt and Importance to miilerS and mill
owners, and liable the public to understand
the cause OF - least one of the mysterious
explosions, which have proved so fatal as we'll
as so puzzling. The cause of the candy fac.
tory disaster still remains to be discovered.
OsS
The sign OF recognition adopted by the
knights OF Labor, an organization claim I'd to
number 100000 persons in different sections of
The United States is gravely represented to be
1.-The thrusting of the first finger OF the right
hand into the shirt collar" 1t is pointed out
by skeptical editor that in July and August
more than half the people you meet go through
This mysterious pantOmime. This observed
TACT gives some idea OF the numbers and bold.
ness OF the Knights of Labor, who are evil
IDENTITY hot weather organization.
The leaders of the recent riots IN Ottawa
who were so unfortunate in some cases as to
be arrested, have been punished so lightly for
their lawless actions that they may reasonably
1eel encouraged to repeat their attempts at
violence at the first opportunity. A fne of
fifty dollars or an impriS )nment for three
weeks in default of payment. seems hardly a
sufficient penalty for an offence whose natural
accompaniment are robbery, incendlarism
and murder. III the most serious consequences
OF riots were prevented in those at Ottawa il
was not due to any lack Of purpose or will on
the part Of the rioters, and in furnishing them
1t is unfortunate that their intentions caunot
be taken into consideration.
On the basis of the vote In New Hampshire
last spring, the state legislature, which under
the bill passed at the last session apportioning
the representation of towns, contains 29S
members. would stand 16i republicans to I3I
democrats On the same basis some slight
changes in senatorial districts would leave the
republicans with 10 votes in the senate against
held by the democrats.
Al The Minnesota state fair which will be
held IL st. Paul early In September, machinery
Will be erected for the purpose of manufac -ur-
ing and graduating sugar obtained from the
Stalks OF certain variety OF Indian corn
experiments OF this kind have already been
made IN two counties of Minnesota, and that
the manufacturing operations at the state fair
will be more in the nature of a demonstration
than trial. The sugar thus obtained is said
TO compare fayOrably in quality with that sent
from Cuba. But the important point to be as
certained is whether the maize sugar can be
manufactured in large quantities at a suffi-
GENTLY low price to compete with that from the
sugar-cane. Sugar eau be obtained from a
great variety OF plants, both vegetable and
fruit, if any one is willing to pay the cost OF
manufacture. Indian corn was uSe1 as
source of sugar before the Spanish invasion of
England, and factory near Toulouse in the
south of France, is mentioned where about
10000 pounds are annually Obtained from this
plant.
Accidents to actors and SiranEe adventures
of singers are going to be pretty plenty for the
balance of the season By the announ cement
that Mr.. Edwin Seguin narrowly esca ped being
badly drowned the other day, at sona seaside
resort, We are admOpished that somebody's
English opera company viii soon start on It's