The morning call., 1893-06-06

In the Annual Cyclopedia for the present
year California is credited with ranking as
the third petroleum. producing State, COM
ing alter Pennsylvania and New \ 1ork.
1t is of good augury that the oil is OBJ
tanned in many counties from Mendocino
southwark. Before long petroleum will
have been found available for fuel in
ocean steamers and for steam purposes on
land. The inventor has been at work on
modes OF utilizing liquid fuel, and solu-
ton of the problem on lines of safety can
not forever defy ingenuity. Once the way
is clear California will have good oppor-
tunity to manufacture raw material which
now is sent East or remains untouched.
Iron ores eminently suitable for steel
making will not be neglected when fuel is
at hand. 1t might spoil the scenic charms
of San Francisco Bay to see the shores
peppered with foundres and engineering
works, but much can be forgiven for the
sake of greater industrial life.
The caravels sent to this country for the
Columbian celebration have not passed
their day of usefulness If the effect of
sending them round by the st. Lawrence
to Chicago stimulates this country to ex.
cavate a proper ship canal which would
afford connection with the great lakes
The navigation of those lakes has at
talned great Importance, vessels OF 1000
tons being eDgaged in trade. and ship
building having developed into a great in
dustry, but broad and deep highway to
the sea for ocean vessels would be a mag
Diticent boom in transportation. The rail-
ways might not like it, and perhaps New
York. Boston and Philadelphia would see
objections to project W hich would convert
Chicago into sea as well as lake port,
besides Duluth and other places, but the
United States as a whole would expert
ence the benefit. The breaking of bulk or
transnipplng on the Atlantic seaboard is
so much unnecessary handling as regards
Western freight il there were ship canal
Our Ministers abroad have often teen
compelled by usage not to appear at court
ceremonies. A civilian vino can only don
black claw hammer dress coat as a cos
tune is as strange in the presence of bright
uniforms and flashing decorations as a
raven in the company of gorgeous macaws
Rather than be singular, Minister prefers
TO escape the ordeal of court spectacle
Any one who has been In the army or navy
can, however, deck himself out in radiant
attire and feel himself at ease on these
grand occasions. Thus Theodore Run
yoD, who is accredited to the German
wearing his uniform as a general. People
are inclined to ridicule ceremonious ways,
but they exist In old countries. and the
world cannot be made over again. Costume
is matter of custom. The other day
Cardinal Vaughan attended the Royal
Academy banquet dressed i'll robes as a
prince OF the church. Near him sat the
Archbishop of Canterbury in somber
guise, and 1t has since been suggested that
he also should be ,picuOusly robed. 1t
is recalled that the English Bishops were
extremely popular when they had gorge
ously dressed flunkeys as a raree show be-
hind their carriages.
U nusual interest centers this year in the
race for the America cup. The English
are making determined effort to capture
it. They are to send one of three yachts,
or, perhaps, all Of them, across the At
lantic. and it is compliment to American
builders that they should approximate
TO our designs very closely in giving broad
beam and great overhang st the stern
The Prince of Wales yacht, the Britannia,
from designs of Watson, who drafted the
Thistle, and also the new Nalkyrie for Lord
Dnnraven, is the biggest English cutter in
sail plan and spars afoat. She is proving
formidable in races, but not invincibe.
Much depends upon wind, knowledge of
currents and skillful navigation In yacht
racing, and it does not follow that crack
racer always beats rivals 1t has beaten.
Excitement will be high in the autumn, no
matter what selection is made. A Boston
syndicate is supposed to have the favorite
on our side in the Pilgrim, now under con-
struction. II England wins, the mOnotony
OF always holding the race in New York
waters will be varied. Next time the con-
test would take place in the English
CT anne.
In spite of bad reports about drought in
Europe and consequent expectations of an
insufficient harvest wheat is far from being
brisk commodity. At Chicago yester-
day the price touched was the lowest
known for many years. A variety of cir
cumstanees is cited as explanation. but it
is not apparent that there is too much
wheat. 1t must. however, be remembered
that when this staple Is scarce there are
numbers of substitutes. Corn, oats, bar
ley. rye and rice are all palatable when
wheaton bread is dear. But it is not dear
at this moment. The other day in Lin
colnshire, England. the four-pound loaf
sold at cents.
The fruitgrower and the raiser of
vegetables have now a prospect of both
glory and profit at Chicago. The State
Commission has provided large space for
displays in the horticultural exhibit, and