Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-11-30

count of the extent to which the principle
OF diminishing output lie carried In th4
building trade. Thirty years ago brick
layer would lay loo brick a day. But the
unwritten law now enforced declares that
bricklayer must go easy" and must
not lay more than 400 bricks a day. A
master builder tells a story in Illustration
of this
A young man was put on who was full
Of energy and worked hard. The other
men looked on in displeasure. and reckoned
at the end OF the day he had laid ga
bricks They told him he need not turn
up on the morrow. as they would not work
with him. The young man complained TO
the foreman. who said he was helpless. but
put him on another Job, where the same
thing occurred and the young man had to
leave altogether
The London county council encourages
this evil system by making their limit $50
bricks per day. The rate payers have the
satisfaction of paying for this KIND II
work Wages, however, have risen as
work has gone down.
AS this state Of things prevails through
out the whole trade, from the navy
who digs the foundation TO the painter who
puts on the last coat Of varnish." II is not
surprising that building firms are getting
what work they can done abroad 4 vast
trade has developed in ready-made doors
from Sweden, which can be brought here
and sold lat nine shillings and sixpence
while IL made In England they would cost
thirteen shillings and sxpence A sub
stantial trade has also sprung up in
Swedish window sashes and frames. while
holdings for doors and window frames
are brought from Sweden at one-thlrd The
cost of English holdings. Ii looks very
much as IL what is wanted II redress the
balance of trade is not technical instruc-
ton. so loudly asked for by would-ba re
formers, but initiation into the first prn-
ciple of political economy and common
sense.
Girls as street Messengers.
Girls are now employed as street mes
sengers by Reuters Telegram Company
and give great satisfaction IN that capacity.
They wear a neat hat and blue serge
Jacket and frock. the only indication Of
their messengership being found in the
name of their company on their collars
me company explain that they have been
driven to seek the assistance of the fair
sex in this way by the troublesome be-
haNior of the boys whom they have hi,her-
TO employed. Boys are so greatly in de-
mand in London that Il is often difficult
to secure their services: and they are moi
unacquainted with the fact.
A protest has, however, been raised In
the newspapers against thus employing
girls Look, 1t is argued, at the tempta-
tions and dangers to which they may be
subject Look at the possible influence
upon the health and strength of future
generations, and consider how domestic
service must suffer. Reuters secretary
suggests I'm answer that the last considera-
ton explains the protest. He assures the
public anyhow that there is nothing In the
case TO justify predictions of eNil. The
girls are only employed I'm the daytime
they are under strict control and a check
is kept on their movements out OF doors a
specific time being allowed to each errand.
Ping-Pong Tournament.
The game of ping-pong has made such
rapid progress that it has been found pos
sible to arrange for grand tournament, in
which some of the best-known players have
consented to participate. Players have de-
veloped the game to so great state OF
brilliancy and accuracy that the ordinary
onooker is quite bewildered at the CELEBRITY
of the returns and the activity of the OPP
ponents. Yet. Notwithstanding this excel
lence, experiments are now being made at
the headquarters of the game TO still fur
Their improve it.
The ''sagging' of the ordinary drum bat
tledore, and the constant necessity of Heat
ing the parchment in order to maintain a
firm impact, has prompted this. The new
battledore takes the form of a wooden
foundation covered with vellum. With such
a weapon much better results can be OBJ
tanned than with the present racquet. ana
though the pleasant sound of the ping
will be missed, the other advantages are
said to outweigh this. One of the best
players in town plays with an ordinary
wooden battledore. His serving is terrific.