The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-02-13

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4 MasAeaatseiaa wAe Meess wisA sssf-
fers Oaly.
Waahingson Ekar
The scene IN one 81 the dinGy rooms of
the Naval Observatory building yesterday
when DR. Edward J. Goodwin undertook
20 demonstrate that be could square the
circle Vas quits remazk ahle. Dr. Goodwin
argued for m honr bsfors two astronomeFs
70 prove 10 them that - circular area Il
equal to the square on = line equal 70
the quadrant Of the circumstances.
and the area 81 the square h equal % the
area Of the circle whose circumference 10
equal 70 the perimeter Of the square," He
faded, - far Is the astronomers were con-
cerned DR.. Goodwin claime - have made
: life study Of the matter. Hfa hearers
were Professors Eastman and Frisby, Of
the observatory. whom the superintendent
had appointed a COMMITTEES 70 listen to
his demonstration. The doctor was accom-
panied by his attorney, Mr.. Wills, and
couple At friends. Mr.. Skinner, the third
member of the commitsee. came in late.
In ordinary mathematics circle, for
the purpose Of determining its area, ID con-
sideFed - > polygon with N infinite NUM-
Der ct sides and the figure 41li6 has been
accepted - the formula for the calculation
of area DR.. Goodwin wanted to show that
b. could get at The area By the simple
method Of squaring or multiplying by itself
one-quarter Of the circumference. Inas-
much Is this Is the exact method Of obtain
ing the area Of square. his proposition
was to reduce the circle tOexactly the same
basis Of the square. or ITO square the
circle, which oil mathematicians agree
upon q impossible
He began his demonstration by striding
forward and standing before Prof Eastman
in dramatic attitude, holding in his hand
small block Of wood Ia the form Of . trun-
Gated cone, the upper surface Of which was
circle. bound BY : brass rim. Then he
plunged into mass OF mathematics terms.
The astronomers were patient. but skcpfi-
cal They were willing to b convinced,
but they didn't think they could BE- The
tall, gaunt figure Of the demonstrated. his
long, lean fore6nger shaking in emphasis,
lent tense interest to the scene.
Then" exclaimed the demcnstrator tri-
umphantly. altar talking for some time,
my proposition h proved" The others
didn't go Il and dcmurred. whereat Dr..
Goodwin declared that they were preju-
diced and drew . diagram out Of his pocket
70 prove Il
Alter ! xood deal Of talk, Prof. Frishy
pulled two pieces Of paper from his DISK. !
square and . circle, both, he said and
proved. Of the same circunaforence Ac.
cording to Dr.. Goodvin's theory hoy
should havo been q The Same ayea. A
pan was ttrust through The centoRp AZ ~
two figures, the square on top Each
corner of the square overiapped tie circle
shout three-eighths Of IN inch. and thsro
were four segments Of The circle visible
each about two inches Ions. With The
four corners cut on tho former square was
visihly smaller than the circle. and. On
being placed on the overlapping seements,
the corners clipped OF were found 70 b
considerably smaller. In short, there was
an ocular demonstration Of the fact that
the square was much smaller than the
circle.
The exhibition Of this simple proof
reused thu doctors ire. and he Indignantly
exclaimed that IL Was put-up job: that
the circle and the square had been drawn
70 suit the convenience Of the astrono-
mers. and he drew forth . copy Of Loomis'
geometery. which he quoted to show that
he was right, and occasionally arguing to
show that Loomis Vas al wrong. When
! ever one OF the committee would attempt
10 make him say whether he considered
the square to be - large - the circle be
refused to answer. saying that he was not
there to Be INTERCEPTED.
The climax came when Mr. Skinner said
that hs had weighed the circle and the
square and had found the former 70 b
heavier, and therefore larger. This amused
the doctor. Who wanted to know how long
since scientists had taken to applying
specific gravity 10 lines and angles. Pro-
lessor Eastman became bored ~ last, and
told the doctor he did not think be had
demonstrated bis proposition, and that he
did not think be could prove II II he should
talk forever. He added that he was will
ing TO make report il the doctor wished.
but the lstter shrugged his shoulders and
said he guessed be didn't want one.
He struck THAR Weak Point
On the rolling pFairies. A band Of cow
boys has captured = horsethjef.
Cowboys TN Rieeful ehorus1-We've got
you now. you william, and you are going to
swing.
They prepare the rope and sslect con-
venient tree.
The villain--Hold on. boys. I'll bet ron
the drinks you don't stretch my neck.
Cowboys-Oh. won't We. just7
They pinion his arms.l
The villain can put you up to some
valuable secrets
They tie his feet together.l
The viIiain--I know where SO. 900 In gold
il buried.
They adjust the moose TO his neck
The villian~-I can put ron on 70 new
silver mine.
They commence TO hoist him up.l
The villain--And I've got six new tricks
al cards
Chorus OF voices texcitedly Hold on
Let him down.
HE is les down, released and psrdoned-
Ysrts About Hotel Registers
Indianapolis Journal
Probably very fe~ travellers. - they
AK their signatures TO the register. notice
the fact that nine-ten,hs OF the hest hotels
In the country are supplied with snch
books by the same frm." remarked
Grand hotel clerk yesterday.
-Such Is the cxse. however ard. What l.
raore 10 the point the registers don's cost
the hotels cent. They are supplied gratis