The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-06-20

them before reaching the point from
which the transfer was to be used. At
the time this change was made there was
very great objection TO II on the part OF
the conductors. They claimed IL would
increase their work and prevent them
from properly attending to their other
duties. When the claims of the conduc-
tors were laid before the management the
latter replied that as Brooklyn conduc-
tors were able TO attend to the distribu-
tin OF transfer tickets they saw no reason
why New York conductors should not &c
able to do the same thing without serious
detriment to the service. They, there
fore, declined TO alter their plans and the
change went into effect. That was in
March last, as previously stated, and now
comes the report that the system is work.
ing admirably, and that the passens gers
on the Third avenue seem to like the
present better than the old system, while
the conductors have found themselves
equal to the demands made upon them
and have ceased their grumblings.
The name of Thomas Lake Harris was
ct one time well-known to the people OF
Rhode Island, not that he had ever made
these plantations his scjourning place.
but because his name had been connected
with some very questionable schemes and
projects A few months ago the Gossiper
alluded to the fact Harris had left
community he had founded and was in
seclusion in New York. Latest reports
about him are to the effect that he is still
In hiding In the metropolis, though no
reason Is given for Eis secret soiourn
there. Harris founded a close communion
colony, the purpose being the seeking OF
perpetual life ON earth. He claimed 10
have discovered law by which mortals
could escape mortality, and announced
that having mastered that Law himself he
would never die. Among persons of in
dependent means he made many converts
and induced them 10 turn over to him all
their worldly possessions. Among those
who were in juced to part with their
worldly possessions was japanese
prince, who is now said to be running The
colony. Possibly he thinks tnat to be
the only way OF getting back the money
he was buncoed out or.
In State so largely devoted to indus
trlai enterprises as Is Rhode Island, the
following from q recent work of M.
Levasseur OF the French institute, and an
authority on industrial affairs will be in
teresting: 81 read, T" he says, "in a re-
port on ths Chicago Exposition that there
were produced by American hat factories
9T2,37o dozens of felt hats ready to be
worn and 1,C00 dozens of hats to be
nnished chats for women); that is IL, ,5UO,-
600 felt hats, to which must be added the
Six hats, the straw hats, OF which the
consumption Is considerable, part o; the
hats for women, and all this to supply a
population which was in 1893 about 65,-
OOo, 0O0 ! read in industrial Evolution
by Carroll ID. Wright, that there were
in 1890, 49, 800, 600 pairs Of
shoes, about three pairs for each inhabi-
tent. lin tied number OF workme
1882 for the felt hats, in 1890, and 1914, 600 |
for the shoesl sufficed to supply hats and |
shoes to the whole population. There are |
certainly industries In which the progress
which increases the facility of manu- |
facture exceeds the growth OF the con- |
Nevertheless, such is the |
vitality, the energy OF American indus
Iry, that 1t Is certain to find new fields |
when necessary. Thus it Is that the |
number OF American workmen, notwith-
standing the substitation OF machines for |
hand labor, is increasing continually. |
From 1880 to 1890 while the population
)f the United States was doubling, the
'umber OF persons employed in indus
ries was almost tripled, while the mo-
'hanical force. measured In horse power,
VAS quadrupled."