The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-07-17
EDITORIAL NOTES.

A bill that will excite general discussion
throughout the country, particularly in railroad
circles, is the one introduced by Congressman
Clifford OF South Dakota, designed to aid in saw
Ing the forests from wasteiul destruction. 1t
provides that every railroad company 10 the
country snail substitute homogeneous steel cross
ties for the ones now IN use. The change Is to be
gradually made. a provision declaring that the
steel cross-tie shall be substituted "in all lie.
newal and maintenance OF track after five years
from the passage Of this acl, under penalty OF
81 ioI every wooden lie used in renewal after
that dale" Another section provides for the
appointment OF board OF three members, whose
tenn of service shall be three years aud salary
$500 per annum. They are 10 investigate the
advantages Of various patented cross-tIes, select
three OF the best types, purchase 500 Of each one
and have them tested roads in fifteen different
sections OF the United States for period of Two
years, and The one giving the best satisfaction is
10 be considered the standard steel tie 10 be used
by all railroads. standard lie must not cost
more than 81 80 apiece. nus have sustaining
surface of $50 SUI eIfcIal inches, and shall have
no spikes OF lolis IN lis fasienings 10 the rail.
SeyentyBye thousand dollars is appropriated 10
bay necessary expenses anu provide for the en-
fOrcemeDI OF The act for period OF ten years.
The savings banks generally furnish reliable
index OF the times, whether good or bad, ana
judging from those OF San Francisco the indus
irious and thrifty on the road % prosperity.
The total resources of these banks on July ST
was $50. 1873 276, against S79 $50 SS4 for the
corresponding date year ago An increase of
nearly 3 per cent for The year The amount due
deposltors shows an increase OF S8,79S. 496 for
tue year, aud three banks now have passed the
S2o,ooO,Oo0 mark, the Hibernia leading with
S25.227 sos, the German S22, 452, lao and the
San Francisco Savings Union 500 GA, 424. The
loans on real estate foot up S62 900 COL on
stocks aud bonds s7,745,773 and invested I'm
such securities S14,893494. The deposits on
July !, 1880, amounted TO S41 .395 ,OO9 and on
the 1T Of the present month SS2 759 500 n gain
OF SAL 1862 GIL. The resources show an increase
OF S45.22O,64S for the same period. swelling
from S44, 932 ,628 to $50, 50 PIG. These figures
are more significant than words. The people are
showing more discretion, avoiding stock gam
bling and providing for rainy day and old age
The Commissioner of Patents estimates that
from six 10 seven elghths OF the entire mann
featuring capital OF the United States, or six
thousand millions of dollars, is directly or in
directly based upon patents. This is a remark
able showing. tile development OF the patent
system in this country lar exceeding that OF any
other nation. Indeed for several years the
number issued has been equal 10 the number
issued by all other civilized nations together.
The total number OF applications for the fifty
three years, 1S37-S9. was 7o2,3S2 number OF
caveats filed, IS. S35; humber OF patents issued,
449, 1923. The receipts OF the Patent Office dur
ing this period amounted TO S24, o02 ,3S1, the
expenditures, sl9,272, 1886. md the net surplus,
S4729,445.
Ex-hlng Mian's return 10 Belgrade was
marked by au extraordinary lack OF enthusiasm
on the part OF the SeryiaUs. Russa's Influence
Is now predominant in the little Kingdom, only
Is out of III Deputies IN the Skuptschina being
adhefents OF The ex-king and friends OF Austria
As Milan Is virtually pensiOner OF Francis Jo-
seph the people are suspicious that he is intent
on planning mischief, aud would like to see him