Evening star., 1902-08-09

Court attaches and lawyers and others
having business about the city hall are
enjoying an incident that occurred few
DAYS ago in connection with which Justice
Hagner of the Supreme Court of the Dis
trict OF Columbia figured as principal
Court having adjourned for the day,
Justice Hagner started for his home. He
left the city hall by the east doorway,
turned north and made short cut across
the grass of Judiciary Square. The asso-
Ciate justice was twirling light cane and
his head was bent. he evidently being in
deep thought. The always alert, green-uni-
formed park policeman promptly noted
what he considered a trespass and dashed
In pursuit of the jurist. The latter was
overtaken just as he reached the center
of large stretch of well-kept lawn.
Are you aware" demanded the park
policeman in tones that were loud and
the opposite of gentle, that you are yio-
lating the law by being on this grass?"
Violating the Iaw?' repeated Justice
Hagner sharply. and without a moments
hesitation. well. then, you'd better get
off the grass, and get off quick, or Ill
send you to jail.
Justice Hagner, continuing to twirl his
cane. had passed on and out of sight by
the time the park policeman recovered
from his surprise He appreciated the situ-
alton, however, and later related just what
had happened to several of those who had
witnessed the pursuit of the esteemed as
sociate justice of the District Supreme
Court.
Experiments recently made by a wine
producer in Elba, Germany, in the use of
electricity in grape culture form the sub
ject of a report to the State Department by
United States Consul General Guenther at
Frankfort. According to the report the
WiOa
four fields with native grapevines in the
midst of district infested with phylloxera,
and treated two of these fields with "air
electricity" The difference in the develop
ment of the grapes OF the fields was ap-
parent, and demonstrated that electricity
Increased the fertility of the SOIL The fields
SO treated yielded better results both in
quantity and quality. and were not infected
with phylloxera, as was the case with the
other fields.
1t is explained, however, that it is not
sufficient to simply conduct air electricity
to the earth, but that there must be a di-
rect metallic connection of the electric con-
duit with the main stem OF the plant In
the case of the experiments described five
masts were erected on a field OF about two
and half acres. and the tops of the masts
were provided with an Arrangement for ac-
cumuiating atmospheric electricity. These
accumulators Were connected with each
other by wires. Wires were also laid in the
soil about one and one-half feet deep, so
as to form an evenly distributed metallic
net. Every aCcumulatOr was connected
with this metallic net by wire running
along the mast. Short wires connected
with ehe plants, the free ends being stuck
into the stem or into the main root thereof.
If this method fulfills expectations 1t will
undoubtedly prove a most important in
Yention.
The much-coveted medal of honor be-
slowed officers and enlisted men of the
army for exceptional acts of personal
heroism. is a fve-pointed star of bronze,
tipped with trefoil. each point containing
crown of laurel and oak In the center
within a circle Of thirty-four stars. Ameri-
ca personified as Minerva, stands with her
left hand resting on the fasces, while with
her right in which she holds a shield en-
hlazoned with the American arms, she re-
pulses Discord, represented by two snakes
In each hand. The whole is suspended by
trophy of two crossed cannons balls and
sword surmounted by the American
eagle
Private Secretary Long. who so efficiently
fills the position of confidential man to At
torney General Knox, is getting idea
OF the real value of newspaper advertising.
A lew weeks ago a syndicate story was
published in many newspapers throughout
the country. giving a bright biography of
the life and career of Mr.. Knox. It par
ticularly dwelt upon his generous charac-
teristics and the great amount of money he
has given to charitable purposes Ever
since the publication OF the article a deluge
OF letters addressed to the Attorney Cen
eral have reached the Department of Jus
tice. The Attorney General is away for his
vacation and has not seen any OF them so
far, and Mr.. Long has been able to write
10 all or the correspondents saying that the
absence of the Attorney General prevents
any determination Of the requests they
make. 1t is needless to say that all of the
letters are OF a begging nature and some
or them really present pitiable conditions
II the Attorney General desired TO respond
10 each individual request he could easily