davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The herald., 1895-07-28

In Baden the main roads are under the
supervision of the state authorities, and
are careu for With studious regard for
the requirements of the farmer and inland
travel. Under the law relating to roads
in Baden, the duty of maintaining the
road falls as follows: One quarter each
upon the town and county in which the
road is situated. The remaining one
half upon the state treasury.
In Hesse- -Darmstadt the roads are divid-
ed into two classs. called state roads and
district roads, OF which the former are a
direct care and charge upon the general
government. and when the district roads
become so important as to require the
attention of state officers. they can. under
the direction of the district assembly be
declared state roads. Every district is
bound to appoint the necessary local.
connected with the district roads. These
officials consist of skilled person who
must be capable of filling the office of dis
trict overseer,. and proper force OF labor
ers requisite for the work in hand.
In Italy, Austria and England, particu-
larly the latter. the roads are magnificent.
OF course these countries are much
smaller in area than the United States,
but each individual state could at least
partially accomplish what the foreign
nations, as a whole. do so we'll. In all OF
the countries named. cycling is a peas
ure second to none. Here it often savors
toe strongly of hard work, particularly
when some unknown country district is
ventured into.
But coming back tc the original ad
their joint shoulders to the wheel and
keep turning until good roads are extract
cd from the lottery Of legislation.
A SCORCHER.
The herald., 1895-07-28
THEY HMBODY UTILITY AND SAFETY

The bloomer bicycle costume has come
to stay. 1t embodies utility and safety.
and no amount OF criticism or ridicule
will prevent its adoption.
The style OF this garment. its fullnsss
or its abbreviation, will mark distinct-
lively the refnement'of its wearer.
do not approve of the close fitting
mannish panss called bloomers. They are
in open defiance of good taste, in some
instances to the point of vulgarity.
Bloomers should be long and very full, so
that when off the wheel they would have
the appearance Of short skirt. If this
style were universally adopted criticism
would cease.
That there is anything i'm moral to be
feared from its adoption is the argument
Of a sensualist, and shows the depth of
vulgarlty to which criticism may descend.
The bicycle has brought health to hun
dreds OF hopeless invalios. Its exhilara-
ting, birdliko swiftness stirs the pulse
and brings new life and hope to suffering
humanity.
The only dArw back to comfort and SAFE
ty has been tie long dragging skirt, now
being SO sensibly put aside for the neat
and convenient bloomer. Therefore say,
success to this innovation, and1 may the
women make their pants womanlike.
NJ. L. IVENS.
EantS Monica.
The herald., 1895-07-28
They Should Join With
the Farmer to GaiS
This End
ODD FACTS BY A WHEELER
Systems Described by Which the Roads
Of European Nations Are
Kept in Perfect Con-
dition

Wh,n the bicycl,sts Of the ordinarily
quiet city of Brooklyn arose in their
wrath and demanded section Of the
great Ocean boulevard running in
stiaight line from Prospect park to Coney
Island seven miles away; it was a great
victory for the cycling world. 1t is sell
dom that the rest OF the nation hears
anything at all from the 1000. 900 and
more units OF humanity comprising the
population of Brooklyn. but the city has
now esta blished q record for itself that
other towns stricken with the cycling
fever may do we'll to copy.
There are GONE fine bicycle roads in
this country, but they are few and far be-
tween. wnen the magnitude OF the land
is considered, and when they are viewed
in comparison with the roads OF European
countries. The American farmer has
continuously and assiduously cursed the
fate that inflicted the average country
road upon him. Four months in the year
the ordinary dirt road is impossible. aud
at other times after heavy rainfall it
is next to useless. His horses are idling
away their time in the stable "eatine
their heads off," while salable produce is
sacked up in THE barns with no way OF
getting it to market.
Cyclists may ask, What have we to do
with the woes CT the farmer? Only this
that the corner stone of enjoyment on the
wheel is fine. sm 10th, hard road out in
the country districts, where the air Is
pure and the scenery beautiful. II the
road be rough and muddy. with deep
ruts and an abundance Of mudholes, pure
air and fine SC merry count for but little.
The Brooklyn cyclists got together and
as result they secured what is justly
claimed TO be the finest bicycle road in
The herald., 1895-07-28

mule in his service. This means loss
in the aggregate of nearly $3.50. 900. 900 per
year. Add wear and tear of wagons and
harness, $10O, ,O0O. O0O; deprecated value OF
farm lands. $1,000. 600. 900; total. $780,
900, 900.
Making the utmost allowance in favor
OF the farmer and granting the necessity
for the liberal use of horse power in the
maintenance OF agricultural traffic, it is
easily certain that the farmers OF this
country are keeping at least two millions
of horses more than would be necessa ~
market. If only the, principal roads were
brought to a good condition. Assume
that each of these horees is fed the
ordinary army ration of hay and oats. 1t
requires IA. 900 tons Of hay or fodder and
$50. 600 bushels of oats per day to feed
these unnecessary animals. which them
selves have money value OF $l4O. GOO. 600.
The value of hay and oats fed to these
horses per day IS about $500. 900, or some
thing like $114. 000 600 per year.
If the road question Of this country
were placed in the hands Of governmental
officials and they we're sent to the Euro
pean countries to study up the matter.
nation OF fine roads. These roads are not
built by farmers who work out" their
highway taxes in the manner followed
largely in this country, nor by the infan-
tile Implements employed here. The gov
eminent manages the whole affair by a
system as careful az are the rules which
regulate the mint. There Is chief off
cial who IS responsible for the main road
of the French republic, and through his
subordinates is Kept constantly informed
of the conditions OF all the roads. The
work is snbdivided among hundreds of
superintendents and assistants and their
assista.,tJ before the actual woikmen are
reached.
In Belgium also the principal roads are
puilt and maintained by the general gov
ernment, and in 1880 in the nine prov
The herald., 1895-07-28
AuRISTS AND THE TELEPHONE

Many advanced aurists are now investi-
eating the effects Of mechanical and cleo
trical vibrations in curing deafness and
various diseases OF the ear. prominent
New York practitioner has invented an
instrument which gives substantial
note of reedlike quality over several oc-
taves of the scale. Close to the instru.
ment is a transmitter, through which the
sound passes to receiver at the ear Jf
the patient Tine exact Pitch at which
the ear is found to exhibit abnormal
syptmoms is first ascertained, and then
the corresponding note on the instrument
is started, and the concentrated vibra-
tions are allowed to play. on the ear drum
of the patient for specified time every
day. Another leading aurist is expert
menting on the effects OF various kinds
of electrical vibrations on the treatment
of ear affections, and most promising re-
suits have been obtained. Whatever may
be the outcome of these valuable investi-
gationsit is certain that ordinary tele.
phone conversation is heard much better
by some people than by others, even
whore there is 40 manifest superiority OF
the organs of hearing. An electrical jour-
nal illustrates this peculiarity amusingly
BY relating the exeprienoe of the salesman,
OF an electrical supply houss in an lEdi-
ana town. The salesman was showing
pair of improved telephones which had
been installed for exhibition purposes.
and q number of citizens present were
pleased and surprised at the loud talking
had been almost deaf for many years. and
more a. joke thaniwith any idea of test
the rest shouted into his ear the sugges- /.
tion tnat ne should try the telephone. As
the man put the receiver to his ear bis
face assumed an expression of mingled
astonishmert and delight. He could car
ry ON a conversation with the other end
nf tho 1na ~ ifhnnt annarent difficnI-
ty. OVERLOOKING with gratitude, he
promptly treated the crowd, and he enter
tanned the salesman royalty for the rest
OF his stay in town. e n .ead. 'sp9i|
The herald., 1895-07-28
BLooMHRs HeALrHFUL AND MODEST

A perfect d,ess for any specific purpose
must fulfill the requirements of that pur-
pose.
The first requisite Of any dress.of course
should be healthfulness and equally of
course the bloomer costume is a pre.em-
inently hygienic garment.
The second requisite IS the adaptability.
and mere again it seoms to mo the bloom
Is loose and easy, allows the muscles of
the body perfect freedom, and is much
more neat and trim than long Tapping
skirt Of ordinary wear.
The third requisite is modesty, and
here as regards the bloomer. opinions
immodesty of dress depends largely
upon the wearer. A modest woman in
properly constructed bloomers will look
much more modest than bold woman
In the most conventional dress that could
be made.
Some OF the most conservative women
think nothing whatever OF bathing suits,
while a boomer bicycle suit causes them
to turn their coy heads the other way.
and wonder what women are coming to.
There is absolutely no intrinsic I'm
propriety in the bloomer suit, and as
soon as custom has sanctioned its use,
we will wonder how We got along with
out it.
The last, but to many minds the most
important requisite of a garment, is
beauty. and :thls will decide the fate
of the bloomer. as it has of many other
garments. However, IN these days of
magician modistes, who are able to con-
jure beauty even from the midst of hair
cloth, grasscloth, crinoline and the like.
we may look for beautiful bloomers. l
have aleady seen several young ladies on
bicycles in full bloomer rig, who l
To sum up.as the bloomer fulfills all the
requirements OF a perfect costume, and
as it certainly will be worn anyway,
think we may safely reach the conclusion
that women should wear bloomers" as
q bicycle costume.
EVANGELINE 'SUTTON-BULLA,
The herald., 1895-07-28
THE OLDEST FIRE ENGINE

The Oldest known fire engine for
pumping water is probably the one mem
toned in the "Spiritalia'' of Hero. about
$50 b. G. This engine. it is said, was
contrivod with two single-acting pumps
with a single beam pivoted between the
two for working the plungers. The
streams of water united in single dis.
charge pipe and passed up trough hav-
ing an air chamber, and out OF nozzle
which might be turned in any direction
desired. Fire engines appear also to have
been used extensively by the early Ro-
mans. who furthermore organized ;egu-
lar fire brigades.
In the early part Of the sixteenth CEN
tury q fie engine known as q water
syringe was introduced, which. in a
measure resembled the modern form Of
fire engines. This was mounted ON wheels
and the wa,er pumped by levers. This
form OF engine was very generally used
in Germany. In England. about the
same time, largo brass syrlnges were
The herald., 1895-07-28
FOR COMFORT, NOT NOVELTY

1t is cause for congratulation in any
community when the editor OF an infiu-
ential journal has tho will and courage to
offer the ample opportunities at his COM
mand for the Discussion OF any topic of
vital public concern. And such record
The Herald is making for itself. But it
10 not possible, in the limited space allow
able for the rany replies to your present
question to give an adequate or satisfac-
tory statement of opinion. or Of ones rea
sons for that opinion. To answer it as
briefly as may be l would say, first that
the word ''bloomer" is not now applied
simply to the neat costume designed and
worn by Mrs. Bloomer and her few auda-
cious and conscientious followers. but
covers no doubt in tho public mind sew
eral modified forms of it, such AS ara now
somewhat used in bicycle practice. And
of the better form of this, which mans
wit ana woman's wisdom. joined by ex-
perlence. will without question evolve.
must believe that comocin sense, cleanli-
ness. comfort and health should and will
lmpel conscientious woman to its use
on the wheel. on the street in bad
weather and in house work and in shop
work. especially when it can be done as
now without the distressing conspicuous
ness which was so trying in the early
time. Ii your question had read viii
women wear bloomers' instead OF
ohOuAo thcu my dubWcI WOulu udVo
been that thoughtless society" women
will, because it is so decreed by their lead
ers abroad. But only for the time while
fashion so favors 1t. The best fashions. in
womcn's dress have thus far met the
same fate of dismissal for the next novel;
IS. as have the worst fashions. But that
the woman OF the near future, the coming
and always coming woman will at
length free herself from her present thrall-
dom to foreign authority in matters of
dress and in other cutsoms l firmly be-
lieve. Not by force OF legal enactment
nor by compulsion of the ridlcule by
which she has shown herself unmoved,
through all the generations since Addi-
son, but by the growth Of her courage.
under her new conditions Of freedom. and
responsibility, of her reason and Of nor
artistic sense. 1t is unthinkable of such
a type of woman that she should not re-
bel against an authority whose chief aim
seems to be mere novelty in the interest
OF its own trade, novely adopted by the
mass OF our women in the past. however
unseemly. however Inappropriate, how
ever unbecoming even. to age, figure,
complexion or condition OF wealth or
want of 1t. In this as in all other mat
ters OF progress We must make and wait
''the sure appeal of truth to time.''
G. M. SEVERANCE.
The herald., 1895-07-28
DIAMOND FRAME AND BL0OMERS

What shall woman wear when bicy-
cling? Boomers, OF course. They may
be Objectionable, but surely they are the
least Objectionable Of any style of dress
yet tried. Men find the narrow legs of
their trousers of sufficient danger to JUS
Ntify them in wearing patent fastenings to
hold the trousers close around the ankle !;
8 rely this danger cannot be com pared to
tn. Of flowing dress skirt. No danger
In ashort skirt? Well, perhaps not; But
any Kind of a skirt oompels o woman to
ride a drop frame machine. Approve of
diamond frame for ladies2 Yes; dia-
mond frame and bloomers. Every man
who rides a bicycle for pleasure, business
or health tries to get the lightest ma
eAine he can possibly get. No drop frame
can possibly be made as light as dla-
mond frame and if the light frames are
preferable for men they certainly are for
women. think ere long we will be won.
dering why we ever objected to the
boomer costume and the diamond frame
wheel for women.
MRS. FRANK wIGGINS.
Los Angeles.
The herald., 1895-07-28
THE EDITORS AND BICYCLES

Women's riding the bicycle astride, Il Is
prophesied will set the fashion for riding
horses astride too. Well. it is safer
way. at least, and things have progressed
far since the old days OF the long riding
skirts trailing nearly to the ground ana
across the landscape. Boston Transcript.
1t is said that the park com m issioners
intend to insist that all bicycles shall
carry lights, but will not require tnat
other vehicles carry lights. This we can
hardly believe. as it would be unjust-a
most unfair discrimination against the
bi,yclers. If the cyclers must carry
lights, make other vehicles also carry
them.-San Francisco Report.
Between 10000 and 1000 busy citizens
have purchased wheels as a cold, hard.
business investment, or fully one-fourth
Of the multitude of hearty and happy
pedal pashers who bowl over the city
pavements and whirl along the country
roads round about Philadelphia. Or. to
put the statistics in dollars and cents that
will Dring the argument more hume to
600 are invested in bicycles by citizens
who prefer the wheel to the trolley car,
the railroad, the stage or to paying fol
transportation IN other ways.-Philadel-
phia Press. @,'t''s g. ..... .sf..-
Cant fix you out with summer
suit?'' asked tailor of a customer few
days ago. Cant do it, replied the
customer. II have bought bicycle and
| will have to wear rags until get the
man that has told me that story" replied
the tailor. If this bicycle business Keeps
up the rest of us will have 20 go out Of
business or else 60 into the bicycle busl-,
mss. have fire string OF customers.
but small per cent have bought this
year like they did last and the majority
claim 20 be paying for bicycles, or hay.
short of means. s."-Indianapolis Journal.
come to be prolific source of discussion
among those who appear to think the set
tlement Of the question is to be within
their jurisdiction. While there is d.
vided sentiment emanating from the pull
pit. the preponderant sentiment appears
to be in favor of the wheel, and those
who oppose it cannot entirely eliminate
from their utterances something akin to
cynicism. or that mental bias so closely
akin that scientists trace the dyspepsia.
A number of eastern ministers fully ac-
credited with orthodoxy think that the
bicycle will prove a means to health and
that degree of grace which comes from
closer Communion with the charms and
the grandeur of nature.-Detroit Free
Press.
The use OF bicycles by farmers in Sec
tions where the road supervisors super
wise is growing quito common. City
wheelmen who are given to cross country
runs frequently meet men peddaling homs
from town with good sized collection OF
groceries strapped to the handle bars.
Sometimes home made carrier. consist
ing mostly of rope. IS used, and some
times the wire and leather arrangements
which are kept for sale among other BIZ
cycle accessories. The problem repre-
sented by punctures and other mishaps
which the wheel is heir to is not serious
one as every well reg 1iated farm has its
own repair shop, and the farmer makes
up in ingenuity what he lacks in tools.
Chicago Times-Herald.
The herald., 1895-07-28

The rumor is aboard that Chicago syn.
dicate is about to be formed for the man
ufacture Of bicycles at rate much lower
than the prices which are now asked.
The extraordinary demand for wheels has
not reduced their cost. which is beyond
the reach of many people. The new COM
pany. with which the Studebakers will be
connected, proposes to turn out wheels
for $50 each as good in every way as those
which now sell for $75 and $10O. As the
bicycle seems to have come to stay, and
method of transit, the Proposition to
make 1t cheaper will be warmly Welcomed
by the public. c.-Kansas City Star.
The herald., 1895-07-28
SHOULD WOMEN WEAR BLOOMERS? j?
the following letter was recently mailed

the following letter was recently mailed
to . selected list of ladies':
Dear Madam The question OF garb
suitable to women who ride the bicycle is
arousing widespread interest among the
people today.
Bioomers have been made the subject
OF many fiippant references by the pro,
fessional Photographer and those opposed
to the garb OH principle have made viru-
lent attacks against its use. However.
bicycling is nav recognized as health
ful and pleasurable pastir.e by many who
formerly ridiculed it. The subject of
what woman should wear when b:cy-
cling is an Important one.
Will you kindly favor the Sunday
Herald at once with an expression of
opinion on the topic. "Should Women
Wear Bloomers?'
The following replies have been receiv-
I'D and the subject is now open 10. dis
cussion and the public invited to express
their opinions on the matter:
The name and address must accompany
sach: ICON mmunication, though such may or
may not appear IN the paper as the writer
wishes. Address communications to
Sunday Editor, The Herald:
The herald., 1895-07-28

used. These held several quarts of water
and were opeiated by three men. two of
them holding the syringe at each side
with one hand and directing the nczzle
with the other. while the third operated
the Ilunger. 1t was necessary, after hav-
ing discharged the water from the
syringe. to refill it from well or cistern
near the fire or from buckets. The
syringes were later fitted to portable
tanks of water.
The first successful fire engine was
probably the Nesham engine, and this
was tue pioneer of menually operated fire
engines. The iumps IN these engines
were built on many different designs, but
in most cases they were operated by lev.
ers. Fire engines similar in form TO the
Nesham engine were IS use up To the year
1S5O.-Public Opinion (London.)
The herald., 1895-07-28
BLooMERs AND SKIRT

You ask my opinioan on the subject
Should women wear bloomers? think
suitable gaIb for women when bicylcing
for pleasurable pastime should consist of
short skirt and bloomers, except when
touring for long distance in the coun-
try; then it would be permissible to dig
card the skirt. Then wear the ploomers
when outing in the mountains. but for
town skirt should by all means be worn,
as 1t appears more womanly and certain.
ly more graceful. Respectfully.
MRS. B. w. LEE.
The herald., 1895-07-28
THE RIDERS SHOULD DECIDE

Certainly if they choose to. Nature
has entrusted the sacred duty Of being
mothers Of the human race to women,
and the right to dress their children from
birth to maturity has tacitly been con-
ceded to them, and 1t would be strange
indeed If they could not be trusted to
dress them selves. What style of dress
they should wear when riding bicycle
the riders themselves should decide.
FLORA M. KIMBALL.
National CITY.
The herald., 1895-07-28

and regard for appearances cannot DO
safely negec Jed. Bioomers among orien-
tai women are en- regelc, but thank heav-
en- we are occidentals! / see no op]ection
to blooyers being worn under sk'rt
when woman is mouuted-ln TACT ~
whceL Yours truly. .,
The herald., 1895-07-28
WHY, YES

Should women wear bloomers? Yes.
Let women wear bloomefs, divided skirts
or short skirts. Let there be no more
notice taken OF woman on bicycle in
Dioomers than there is of q man on q
bicycle in knee breecnes.
49, REBECCA LEE DORSEY, M. d.
The herald., 1895-07-28
A Road in Italy

inces of Belgium over 70 per cen, OF the
high roads were of this class, the entire
length of high-elass roads being 4193 En-
glish allies. out of a total of 1886 of roads
OF all classes. The best roads of Belgium
are in the provinces of Namur. Licge and
Luxembourg. and the permanent en-
ployees are kept on the roads under the
direction Of the chief engineer OF the
province. for the purpose of insuring the
observance of the regulations and looking
after the constant repair of the highways.
The herald., 1895-07-28
We ARE OCCIDENTALS

! would say that have horror OF both
the feminine man and the masculine wo-
man, even in appearance. When women
lose their fsmininity they lose their
eseatsst highest power. 1t seems to me,
The herald., 1895-07-28
DON'T RIDE, DON'T KNOW

have had no experience in bicycling.
and cannot therefore lntelligently dis
cros the question you propose. Very
truly. HARRIET KELSEY FAY.
Pasadena.
The herald., 1895-07-28
Totals. .ss. s9s. sss S1.72i sss. .7as

Totals. .53, 393.56S $I,72I ,535,19S go.
10 simplify matters little. there are
nearly 50, 200. QUO, 00O invested in motive
power of a perishable. uncertain and ex
pensivo kind. Busy or idle. these ami
m ais must be fell and Jared for every day.
They are boarders and can. be gotten
rid OF when the busy season is over. and
to keep them at work is part of the farm
er's economy. Two thousands of mil
lions of dollars make a large sum. In.
vested at s per cent interest it would pro-
duce nearly $1,000, 900 per week. Then
there are more than sixteen millions OF
horses and mules alone. and 70 feed and
care for these costs the modest sum of
"a. 00O, 900 per day. A little while ago a
very clever and intelligent citizen Of In
diana estimated tnat bad roads cost the
farmer SIS per year for eacn horse and