The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-08-12
Special New York Letter.

calls discussion between several
bankers respecting what would be the
effect Of the Alaska gold discoveries
on the silver question. Most of them
were inclined to the belief that the
possible production of the new gold
country had been greatly exaggerated
for the benefit of the transportation
companies. One banker Of natical rep
utation said that there could be no
possible effect on the monetary situa-
tiQn unless the discoveries of gold
were SO stupenduous as almost to take
sJiI out of the list of precious metals.
He explained the situation by saying:
The difficulty in expecting any
change in the ratio between gold and
si4v II from new fields like Alaska IS
thai the production of gold and silver
by weight is so disproportionate that
1t would take mountains OF gold to
make up the difference. The gold pro-
ahc,ion of 1894 for the whole world
~ less than 100000 ounces. The
Uui,ed States alone the same year
provided 100000 ounces of silver,
and the worlds product Of the white
meal was over four times that am
Qua, or twenty times as much silver
a. I'D, weight for weight. If Alaska
81 I'D prove as much of a gold field
a. Jdth Africa, the United States and
Al ala put together, some hing alto
&C improbable, it would help us to
k.t p the gold exports and maintain
It's eserye, but it would not disturb
n: tally the relations between gold
az, liver"
only within the past few years
III; he handling of bananas has been
W the name of a distinct trade.
J.. Usly it was only a part of the
fr' rade, and, like most kinds of
fri he banana was counted on as
&c. or its season. The banana sea-
50 IS on when apples, berries and
o.. native fruits were off" AS time
Ee N, however, the greater familiar
II! nth the banana taught people that
IT. was one OF the most excellent and
aG' able OF fruits, a steady demand
gg' Ip which persists the year round.
PL. clans took UP the banana and
rec lmended it for its healthful and
no shing qualities, and altogether
the Janana has come into high favor.
This IS briefly why the people of the
Uh. Cd States will eat this year some
20,g. 900 punches OF bananas, or
roGs hy one bunch averaging 200 ba-
mares to every family in the country.
AS ue from it's commercial importance.
The ,anana trade is interesting for its
Picturesque features. From the dark
huct Jamaican or Mexican who cuts
the stalks where they grow through
the colored roustabouts and white
handlers who load and unload the yes-
seIs, the Wholesale and retail dealers,
TO the Greek and Italian push-cart
merchants who sell the fruit upon our
city streets, there is a range of thrift
anu shiftlessness, and variety of hui
mankind that it would be hard TO
match in any other industry.
The boats engaged in the banana
trade are properly coasting vessels,
light OF draft, 10 accommodate the
shallow harbors OF the tropics. built
to' iai! speed and great carrying ca
pacity. Most OF them belong TO the
different firms that import the fruit
and carry from 10000 10 80, 900 punches
at each trip. TINS means from 1000
UOO 10 i,O0O,OOO .una2as in every cargo.
The perishable nature OF their load re-
qulres quick work IL loading and un-
loading these boats, and there is no
more lively or interesting scene than
a banana yesse! taking on or discharg-
ing cargo.
Stories from the Klondike district.
of the proweess and ferocity of the
mosquitoes, have evidently stirred up
the pride of New Jersey and the ad-
jacent region of Governors Island, for
from the former comes a story of a wo-
man leaving her baby In a hammock
for an hour and coming back to find it
covered with mosquitoes and dead.
From Governors Island comes story
OF private soldier who was bitten be-
hind the ear, while on dress parade
and bled SO profusely that he fell in
faint from his wound, which was af-
-.