Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-09
cuEvIyG-GITM STATISTICS.

Here's a mathematical problem winch
ought to interest everybody who loves 10
de),,e in statistics William E. Curtis, the
we,,-known newspaper correspondent, in
writing of the chewing gum habit in chi
cago. says that 1000 boxes, containing
2oo, GOO pieces of gum, and costing s2.ooo.
are daily consumed in the WINDY CITY.
i nen, commenting on the energy used IN
masticating gum, he adds: Assume that
every motion Of the gum chewing jaw
represents 0lOl42s pound which is sui
fcient to raise one pound one-elshth or
an inch, and then make your calculation.
In other words. find out how the energy
Tins wasted could be utilized III the
worlds economy.
Mr.. Curtis. by the way, appears to have
done q good deal of investigating him.
self in connection with chewing gum. lie
tells us first that Cleveland, Ohio. is the
great headquarters for this much used
but diabolical product Of human ingenu-
ity, though he asserts that Chicago claims
second honors. The latter city is the hab-
itat of the chewing gum trust, and han
dies about half the entire product of the
combination, which is about $500, coo boxes
OF 100 pieces each or a total of S4o,oO0,o0o.
This. at one cent per stick, represents
payment of 100000 for gum 10 the trust
alone.
We had fondly hoped, when we first
glanced at Mr.. Curtis gumrny researches,
that he would assume a didactic tone and
all rSo1c
| the chewing gum weakness, ut alas, he
| disappointed us. He says the figures cited
represent a very small amount when one
| considers the amount of pleasure and
! good that is derived from the habit, lor,
while gum chewing may not be refined or
| elegant, i. is considered very healthful
| for the same reason that COW chews her
cud, as I believe the elephant and hip
popctamus do also. 1t aids digestion, pre-
vents dyspepsia. cures insomnia, concen-
trates the mind and promotes medita-
ton
We at least find comfort in the gentle
hint that the gum chewing habit is
neither refined nor elegant and are glad
also that elephants. COWS and hippo
potami have been injected into the dis
cussion. None of the animals mentioned
are noted for their beauty or daintiness.
In fact, we recall the words of an old
lady, who, on seeing the hippopoiamus
could not restrain herself from saying:
My, amt he plain
But, conceding that those who seek to
emulate the COW. the elephant and the
hippopotamus, are in truth substantial
beneiciaries from the chewing gum habit.
| there is still another side to the question.
the pathetic side of the unhappy mortal
who doesn't use gum himself, but has to
stay in the room with people who do.
All, he is the man to be pitied, and if he
doesn't develop the homicidal mania it is
merely because his faculties become be-
| numhed. Across the room he sees the
| chewing gum jaw a-working, working.
working with remorseless regularity
| that is maddening. Never for q second
| does the memorable instrument OF torture
stop True it clicks occasionally, but that
is merely to gather renewed energies It
| never wearieS. The wearinesS-moreS lne
| whose face aches through sympathy for
the other face that ought to ache but
doesn't in course OF time the victim of
| the habit-that is, of the other fellows
habit-grows nervous, irritable, restless,
exhausted, and by and by he suffers from
| indigestion, dyspepsia and insomnia, nor
can he concentrate his mind or indulge in
meditation. In other words, the gum
chewer transfers to his patient, long-suf-
fering. Embellishments associates all
the evils OF which he is relieved.
This is the side of the chewing gum
habit which we know-the side which Mr..
Curtis fails to present.
| -
The President is beins urged in many
quarters to make it short-tha message.
The shorter 1t is the more generally