The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-06-17
Southern Court StenOgraph-
er'S Remarkable Feat.
How Passengers Will BE Put on and
Taken OFF Moving Trains.

tho bottor part Of the home demand, they
are shipping eyer-increasing quantities
10 foreign countries, not excluding the
United Kingdom. -Four years ago Ger
man needles were virtually unknown In
the United Statas-.Iohn Bull had matters
all his own way During lS95-W German
needles TO the value OF s57, 435 were i'm
ported into America, against 253, SS3
for the English article. During 1896 the
total exports ran To 2 500, GOO pounds, as
compared with |, $50 OJO pounds In the
previous year France, Austria hungary,
Italy, Turkey and the British East Indies
are other good customers, while China
in 1895, took 635. 600 pounds of the cheaper
qualities. The United states consul at An
naburg is authority for tho statement that
during 1883 50 the aggregate shipments
of sewing, machine, darning, Knitting
and embroidering needles were ID. 425. 600
pounds Us compared with III, blo OOO
pounds during the preceding eight years.
Apropos tho prevailing discussion as to
the highest speed ever attained by expert
stenographers, there is story going the
rounds of the feat OF a Georgia court
stenographer, which by long odds broke
tho worlds record IN that line of work.
1t was when that eminent Jurist, the late
Judge Richard Clarke, was presiding In
tho Atlanta circuit Of the Superior Court.
One of the most remarkable murder trials
was in progress. The evidence WAS con-
flicting and the judge was called upon
TO charge the jury on some decidedly new
and interesting legal points. Now, the
Judge was rapid talker. In this instance
il was very important that every word he
spoke should be correctly recorded and he
so cautioned the stenographer. Then
Judge Clarke began. As he warmed up
TO his charge he was speaking at the rate
Of ESQ words a minute. Once he glanced
toward the stcnographer. That worthy
official seemed TO be half sleeuing over his
work, and apparently writing very slowly.
"Mr. -, are you getting my words
down correctly" asked the judge.
At tbis the stenographer seemed to wake
up With little concern he replied:
"That's all right, judge, fire away.
am about fifteen words ahead of you
nowl"
A new system by which passengers may
be taken on or off trains without the
necessity Of stopping has recently been
devisevas~ by a French civil engineer,
Theyenot 10 Bone, who proposes to exhibit
his plan at the Paris Exposition In 1900.
This feat is accomplished by means of
moving station platform, which was sug-
gested by the moving sidewalk. The in
yentor will use for the purpose circular
disc the outer circumference of which Is
to travel at the same rate of speed as the
passing train. When entering the plat
form fIom staircase In the center there
will be no danger since the speed at this
point is comparatively low, nor will il be
felt much when going toward the edge of
the turning platform, for the increase Of
sIeed is gradual and anticipated. There
will not be the slightest difficulty, even
IL there should be "A crowd to accommo-
date, the inventor having with great fore
sight provided for such an event in a very
ingenious way.
The attendant at the station placed Hin
a tower at the center, overlooks tho entire
platform and, should the time of passing
not permit of the safe handling or the
passengers. he throws the switches on the
point where the train leaves the platform
ordinarily, so that the train will run
around the station, ana that would be
amply sufficient for discharging all pas
sengers and getting aboard a new quota,
filling the whole train. 1t is proposed to
giyo the trains and platforms at the Paris
Exposition speed OF seven and one half
miles per hour, which is considered
amply sufficient for local traffic. 1t re-
mains To be seen whether this system will
turn out 20 be of practical value, since
the influence OF the centrifugal force Is
very likely to interfere with the proper
working or the scheme. very natural
effect would be the throwing OF the people
on tho platform into the train in n rather
unceremonious way, while those aboard
would have some difficulty in jumping
off.
Here Is new idea for church fairs and
charitable bazaars. At an amateur en-
tortainment given under royal patronage,
in aid of fund 10 pay off the debt on the
schools OF st. Peters London Docks a
number of young ladies gave series OF
performances ON bicycles. The chief
numhar on tho program was the musical
ride. !" Ladies rode their bicycles with
ring tinkling and other musical perform
ances, 10 tho admiration of a vast assem-
blage 1t is said their performances were
graceful throughout, and occasionally
olever And with practically no expense
a considerable sum was realized on be-
half OF the school debt
A report Of the hydrograph of the Brit
ish admiralty has just been published. lt
contains tho somewhat alarming news
that we are travelling Just n little too
quick. for tho requirements of steam nav
igatiun increase far more rapidly than
the advance of sea surveying. Every year
newly discovered rocks arc reported and
the mum ner shows no signs OF diminish
ing. Last year 900 ROCKS and shoals dan
gerus To navigation were reported
IWtnlN- Ont VI iDtSt Nt'itb hbhtoiS w st'
travel wero discovered for the first time
by vessels striking on them. 1t Is Of somo
interest TO observe that "a new survoy has
been made Of tho Goodwin sands, and
very considerable alterations in the bed
OF the sands have taken place since the
last examination ton years ago.
While the benefits Of trial by jury are
being questioned in this country and in
England IL is gradually being introduced
into Russia. The Russian Minister OF
Justice will shortly arrive at irkutsk IN
order Co preside nc the first trial by jury
IN siberia This reform Of judicial pro
ccduro In siberia was arranged during
tho late years of tho reign Of Alexander
ILL., and the opening Of the new courts is
regarded a. 81 interesting and important
that the Minister of Justice Is travelling
from ~ Petersburg Co bc present nc Tho
first trial under the now and improvc,.
system.