davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-19
IMPROVEMENTS IN 1902
 IN ELECTRICAL SCIENCE
Frank [. Blanchard in the washingtc

Frank L. Blanchard in the Washington
 Times.
 N o recent single year has shown MI such activity and such marked
 improvement in the field of e1ec- trieity as the one now closing. The rec ords of the patent office show that the number of inventions has been unusual ly large. Prosperity has attended the manufacture of electric installation of ev- cry kind to such a degree that nearly all are from three to six months behind their orders. Many new concerns have started up. and those that have been in telligently managed have been success ful.
 In reviewing the progress of the year the observer is impressed with the work done in the department of electric light ing. The best thought seems to have been directed to this channel, and the results that have been obtained have been eminently satisfactory.
 One of the most interesting of the new inventions is the vapor lamp developed by Peter Cooper Hewitt. It consists of a glass tube filled with vapor of mer- cury When a current of electricity is passed through it, it becomes illuminated to an intensity and magnlfcence of light with which nothing except the liquid metal that flows from furnace or the dazzling refulgence of lightning can be compared. One peculiarity of the light from this lamp is that it contains no red rays and is therefore more like moon- light than sunlight. If MT. Hewitt sue ceed in remedying this defect he will be able to produce light more nearly sug- gestive of sunlight. But even in it's pres ent condition the invention is of great commercial importance. although not adapted to general Illuminating purposes. The light is peculiarly fitted for great workshops and manufactories where complex machinery and skilled labor are employed through the night. It is of spe- clal advantage to draftsmen, account ants. proofreaders and others who are compelled to use their eyes steadily in artificial light. The light from the lamp is also admiralty adapted for photo- graphic work.
 Another improvement in the field of electrical illumination in 1902 was the in- troduction of the lamp invented by Prof. Walter Nernst, of Goettingen five or six years ago. Lamps of this type have been in use in Europe for a number of years, and have been in use in Europe for a number of years, and have given great satisfaction. But it is only within the last year that the development of the Nernst lamp industry fin the United States has made much progress. Since Its merits be- came widely known the business of the company controlling the lamp has in- creased rapidly, until now the output is very large.
 The quality of the light produced by the Nernst lamp is the nearest approach to sunlight yet obtained from an artificial source. This fact was thoroughly demon- strated at the Pan-American exposition, where an ingenious apparatus was in-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-19
"DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE"

From the New York World.
 The senate bill providing for depart mept of commerce, whose head shall be a secretary in the Presidents cabinet, will be reported to the house with slight changes.
 As it stands it takes the census, light house, immigration, fish, labor, manufac- lures and Foreign commerce boards or bureaus; tho statistics and standards bureaus, the bureau of fur-seal and sal mon fisheries and a new and needed bu- reau of insurance.
 Should the department be formed the secretary of commerce would be the ninth member of the cabinet and in line for promotion to the presidency after the other eight in case of wholesale death or disability. Washington had a cabinet of five officials, the heads of the state, treasury, war, postoffice and jus tice departments. George Cabot was the first secretary of the navy in 179S, Thomas Ewing the first secretary of the interior in 1S49, Norman J. Colman the first sec retary of agriculture in 1889.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-19
A MId.PacIflc '. M. c. A.

"Returning soldiers from the Philip pines bring reports of the attention shown them when they stopped en route or returning at Honolulu said gov ernment official last night. They were met in the harbor with invitations to make their shore headquarters al the Young Mems Christian association build ing with it's baths, writing tables lecture rooms and club privileges without lml- tatlon and without charge.
 Among the men of Honolulu frequent ly meeting the men en route route has been Governor Sanford B. Dole, who was the first president of this assoeiatoh thirty-five years ago, and strong fac- tor in securing the association building erected twenty years ago. Among the 45O members of the association are men of all races but English and Americans predominate. There are prosperous branches among the Hawaiian, Chinese and Japanese young men in Honolulu The Chinese branch is twenty-seVen years old and has building of its own costing s5OOO. One of the things it does is to pro vide rooms for Chinese young men arriv- ing from China. It owns a burying plot also for the interment of deceased mem bers. Most of the exercise of the mem bers is in the open air, although gym nasium is popular and basket ball is played.
 Sometimes a tramping party climbs to the top of Mt Tantalus, watches the sun set and comes home by moonlight. Next summer the association will open eoun- try house at a vacation place, twenty miles from the city One of the outings last summer was to an active volcano Bathing parties are formed by the mem bers on moonlight nights in nearly every month of the year. In the Warmest weather the Sunday meetings are held out of doors wherever the crowds are most likely to go. Sometimes they are held in the parks. on a lawn q school campus, at artillery camps, on islands in the bar bor, at Pacific Heights and in the slums One Sunday afternoon an electric car was secured that seated half a hundred It was fitted out with an organ and the company sang it's way to the end of the line, where a meeting was held in beau- tiful spot by the mountain; but the lar gest meeting is held under a tree in the courtyard of the Oahu prison"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-19
OUR EXPORTS STILL DECREASE,
! the New York World

From the New HOrk WOrld.
 Government figures show for November a decrease in exports of the domestic staples'-breadstuffs, cattle and hogs, provisions, cotton and mineral oils--of $15, ,972 from last year. For the eleven completed months the decrease has been $139, G29, ,515. If proportionate decline appears in December the falling off for the year will be s152, GOO, ,OoO Meanwhile there has been g lessened export of most manufactured articles and of minerals except copper.
 Decreased exports need not be sign of weakness. They may mean that we are ourselves using more of our own goods, and that our investors have been buying back American securities formerly held abroad and need not export so much to meet the annual interest bill.
 Whatever the reason, the fears enter tained in Europe in 1900 of the American Invasion" were evidently groundess. In the long run, however, tariff builders may seek to prevent such comity of trade, we sell goods where we buy, and in quantities proportionate to our purchases.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-19
Ths Situation Today.

Englishmen do not hesitate to de- nounce "a pacific blockade as an i'm possibility and a contrivanee without precedent or basis. Nor do they hes. itate to say that the British claims against Venezuela are without sub stance-largely the dreams of specu lators and promoters. The claims of the other nations are equally un. substantial, and it is believed all just claims against Venezuela would not aggregate $2,000,000, possibly not over a million dollars. But perhaps ten times that sum will be insisted upon, because Venezuela is weak and help less.
 Considering the fact that Venezuela has just come out of determined revolution-considering, too, the fact that ultimatums were presented with. out previous warning-considerin too, that the nature of any blockade is virtual control, if not occupation, of the country, thus directly trenching upon the Monroe doctrine-consider ing all these things, it seems to be the plain duty of this country either to secure arbitration or to call halt. The one or the other should be insist ed upon. A pacific blockade is a hum bug-there is not and cannot be any such thing. The blockade that exists is an act of war, and means control of the little republic indefinitely. The American people will not quietly stand such a condition much longer. And they should not stand it. It should be arbitration or a halt, and failing both, fight to the finish in support of the all-important and es- sential Monroe doctrine All parties and all cliques are ready to fight for that.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-19

stalled for the purpose of enabling the observer to note the different effects of various artificial lights upon eoiored ma terials. It was found that the distortion of color was less with the Nernst lamp than with any other artificial light.
 A peculiar feature of the Nernst lamp is that the element that becomes incan- descent is almost an absolute non=con- ductor of electricity when cold, but when heated to a red heat it becomes an ex- must be provided for heating this ele- ment, called the glover, in distinction from the ordinary lamp flament as a means of starting the lamp. In the com mercial form of lamp a spiral of plati- nun is mounted near the glover. and when the current ie .u~ned = -=ssas first through the spiral bringing 1t to a red heat. which is conveyed to the glover. When the latter is sufficiently heated it automatically cuts out the current flowing through the spiral ana takes it itself and thus becomes incan- descent. The lamps are made with one, three and six glowers, according to the amount of light desired. each glover giv- ing fitty-candle power.
 Very striking improv ements have been made the past year in wireless telegra- phy. On January 13 a banquet was given to Marconl by the American Institute Of Electrical Engineers on his return from Newfoundland, where he had succeeded in reading the letter IS" sent from Poldhu, on the west coast of Cornwall. England, across the Atlantic Mir. Mar conf now claims to have transmitted com paratively long messages between Poldhu and the Newfoundland coast and there seems to be little doubt remaining that wireless telegraphy will be commercially practicable in the near future.
 A matter which interests electricians and promises to be of importance to the commercial world is the recent installa ton by Charles S. Bradley and Dimmitt R. Lovejoy of New York of a process for producing nitrogen compounds through the action of an electric are. The details of the invention are of such nature that they are mainly interesting to electricians, but the results are of gen. eral importance. For example, the process gives promise of producing fertilizer at a low cost matter which appeals to every tiller of the soil. Many other uses of the product of the Bradley process are possible, and, altogether, the invention is looked upon as one of great scientific, if not commercial value.
 New York city, during the past twelve months has been the scene of one of the greatest electrical improvements of the year, the installation of an electric system on the elevated railway The trains are now adequately lighted, heat ed, and propelled by electricity. The change from steam to electricity has in- volved the expenditure of many million dollars, but the money was well in- vested, and will no doubt materially in- crease the dividends of the stockholders.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-19
PLAGUE IS FROM AFRICA.
Three Cases of the Disease Discovered
 On Steamer Arriving at New York.

New York Special to The Record-Herald.
 Quarantine officials admit that three cases of bubonic plague are under treat ment in the Swinburne Island hospital. The men arrived yesterday in the Prince liner Saxon Prince from Durban, South Africa, and the plague is well defined in all three cases.
 The first victim was the second cook on the steamer, who noticed his ailment November 23. Then his two bunkmates became infected. The cook is now con- valescent, but the others are under treat ment The entire crew on the vessel numbers thirty-one, and there were five passengers, woman and four children.
 Dr. Doty of the health office says there is no danger of spread of the plague. We have been at work for a long time" he said, fin anticipation of the possible appearance of bubonic plague from South African ports. All steamers from those ports have been detained at quarantine The crews have been taken on board the disinfecting steamer, stripped, bathed and examined for symptoms of the plague, and their clothes and sleeping quarters have been disinfected, This course has been strictly pursued, and has at last resulted in the detection of cases of the disease"
 The steamer will be sent to sea to dis charge the water and sand ballast taken on board at Burban. She will then re- turn to quarantine, when the passengers and crew will be transferred to Hoffman Island, where they will be held for ten days for observation.
 The effects of all will be thoroughly disinfected, and the steamer will be washed and disinfected in every part be- fore being released.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-19
MIRACLES.
IS Bailey Aldrich.

By Thomas Bailey Aldrich. Sick of myself and all that keeps the
 light Of the blue skies away from me and
 mine, I climb this ledge, and by this wind
 swept pine Lingering, watch the coming or the
 night. Iris ever a new wonder to my signt. Men look to God for some mysterious
 sign, For other stars than those that nightiy
 shine, For some unnatural symbol or His
 might Wouldst see a miracle as grand as those The prophets wrought or oio ]" fai-
 estine? Come watch with me the shaft Of fire
 that glows In wonder west; the fair, frail palaces, The fading alps and archipelagoes. And great cloud-continents of sunset
 seas.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-19
Roers Coming to America.

Denver, Col, December 1s.-Nearly 5000 Boers, it is said, are preparing to trek to America and will settle in Colorado, New Mexico and Texas. The representa- tive of this movement is General Pear son, late quartermaster general of the South African republic, whose headquar- ters are in New York. Colorado friends of the Boers have been in communication with the general in regard to the suitable land for the settlers and General De- Viellers, who is now looking over the lands, has expressed himself as very fa- vorably impressed with this state.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-19
PLAN NEARING COMPLETION.
Charter for Southern Cotton Mills
 Combine Will Be Applied For.


 New York Special to the Times Democrat. The proposed combination of southern cotton mills which has been in course of formation during the past year, and which Is known as the Fries plan, is nearing consummation and a charter will be ap- piled for in few days.
 Henry Fries, the chief promoter, and an extensive cotton manufacturer at Salem, N. C., was in the city today.
 The promoters have held several meet ings at the Hoffman House for the pur- pose of considering the acceptance of certain mills upon which they had been given options. The gigantic project has gone far enough to convince the parties interested that 1t will be a success so far as it's formation is concerned.
 Thus far the promoters have procured options upon 13O cotton mills, including some of the largest in the south But they have weeded out fifty which it was not thought best to include in the com bine. Most of these have either been too small or not considered worth the price their owners placed upon them.
 The capital will be fixed at about s25,- 0O0,0O0 and will be about half preferred and half common stock.
 A representative of several southern mills said today that the evident purpose of the Fries combine was to get control of the cotton and yarn market, but he believed that inasmuch as cotton is being grown in many parts of the United States today, there would be plenty of manufac- turers able to keep the market hot with competition, even after the new alliance gets down to business
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-19
PREPARING TO SEND TROOPS.

From the Atlanta News.
 It is learned from reliable source in Atlanta that the United States govern ment has asked for bids from the rail- roads to carry troops to points on the Atlantic coast. with a view to being pre- pared in case of this country becoming involved in the Venezuelan trouble.
 It is believed to be the purpose of the government to have everything in readi- ness to send troops at short notice to South America and the railroads have been asked to submit figures for transpor- tation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-19
LAST CALL. LAST CHANCE.

Tonight the temporary lists finally closed Ths is the which citizens Jefferson life registration for the asking and the time All quick y done, and fee of kind is asked
 There think they future time tsxf they Th This force this officially purely voluntary matter under the constitution, male citizen should wholly regardless two be delinquent, that be registered He time paying all delinquent poll and then he will be slzs 
 The register today per mannt plan that plan tcrate be admitted perpex ties and endorsements of the of this today regis tration certificates, good for life.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-19
THE VENEZUELAN SITUATION.

From the Chicago Inter-Ocean.
 The Hon. John Hay, secretary of state, is a credulous diplomatist and a near sighted politician. He Is weak, incompe- tent, and wholly futile. The longer he stays, the worse he grows. He is what ails us in the Caribbean. If the nation is to get relief in Venezuela, the first move must be the elimination of Hay and Haylsm from the negotiations. Otherwise this country will continue to twiddle away a precious heritage for a few scraps of paper
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-19
About Persons.

Dr. Cunningham Wilson of Birming- ham arrived in Liverpool Wednesday by the steamer Messaba. He went abroad for his health and will be gone for some months He will spend about two and a half months in Berlin and while there will attend lectures at the university and will bring back the latest ideas in modern medical science.
  Alderman J. J. Altman will leave the first of next week for Havana, Cuba, to spend week or ten days He will be accompanied by Mrs Altman. B. B. Halloman of Mobile is at the Morris.
 A. M. Sick of Chicago is registered at the Morris
 Charles T. Ledden of New York is at the Morris.
 L. c. Jones of Huntsville is at the Morris.
 A. L. slaton of Atlanta Is at the Mor- ris
 MT. and Mrs. E. B. Ward of Selma are at the Metropolitan.
  James B. Jones of Fayette is in the city. He is registered at the Metropolitan. E. s. Cunningham of Corona is at the Metropolitan.
 E. c. Fleming of Tuscaloosa is among the arrivals at the Metropolitan. B. Cousins of Searles is at the Metropolitan.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-19
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New York Press.
 The one who loves a man for the ene- mics he makes is himself. s The two senses which women don't have are horse sense and card sense
 There is always somebody that one Is afraid not to give a Christmas present to.
 It's awful hard for man to keep his seat in a street car. when women are standing when he has a newspaper to read without knowing what he is read ing.
 The reason bride on her wedding tour knows that nobody suspects she Is a bride is that she sees everybody whis- pering to everybody else, trying to find out what she Is.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-19
Turkeys Scarce.

Turkeys are scarcer and higher now than they have been for many years remarked a Morris avenue man.
 "The cause of the scarcity of the popular fowl in this market is the short- age in Mississippi Birmingham has been depending to a certain extent on Miss issippl turkeys but, this season Miss issippi is not only not shipping any poul- try, but is buying in the Tennessee and Kentucky markets.
 Dressed turkeys usually sell at whole sale here for 13 to 15 cents. They are now bringing 70 cents and next week 20 cents will probably be the price. Tur- keys were extremely scarce here today"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-19
IN HOTEL LoBBTES.
The stoek Market.

''The rise in the stock market today gave cheer to many men who were grow ing blue over the paniclky condition of Wall street and the strlngeney of New York money" said a banker last night.
 The peaceful turn of affairs in Ven ezuela has been worth millions and mil lions Of dollars to this country. While l do not look for a boom stock market in January I feel sure that there will be good, healthy rally after the holidays. Dividends will be let loose and money will be plentiful. The conditions will cer- tainly be favorable for business"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-19
NOT GROVER CLEVELAND.

From the Louisville Courier Journal.
 It is a trihe carly for the mlllionaires to begin the naming of Presidents. But, when they do. it will be for democracy to exelaim, T forbid" Then indeed shall there arise some leader with creative wand to assemble Forces in the desolate camps. But, this will be long after we have gone to sleep. And, his name will not be Grover Cleveland.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-19

unless all the other beautiful women shall first pass in review. We have here in Birmingham, and other cities have the same, the best lawyers in the south, the best doctors in the south, the best every thing in the south. until a stranger gets a perfect surfeit of the best. He feels the want of something more like himself something not the best. If ran news paper would refuse to print the express sion until proof were rarn:sned or the truth of it."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-19
Pennsylvania Railroad in New York.

After a continuous battle almost
 exactly year long the Pennsylvania Railroad Company has secured all needful franchises, and it will now proceed to tunnel under the North river, then across Manhattan Island, and then under the East river, until a junction is effected with the Long Island railroad, which the Pennsylva- Aia company controls. Including a fine station on Manhattan Island in the heart of the city, this splendid
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-19

scheme will cost about s50,O00,000, and four years will be required in which to complete it. The new termi- nal station in New York will be in Ninth avenue, at the corner of Thirty third street Not only will there be a tunnel under the East river, but there will be a bridge over that river at Wards Island in order to give the Pennsylvania company connection with the New York, New Haven and Hartford railroad, the chief line in New England.
 The recent interest in the great en- terprise is due to the attempt in the board of aldrmen of New York city to hold up the tunnel franchise. The matter was banded about in one board and committee or another for nearly a year, but at length public sentiment compelled the aldermen to grant the franchise. It went through by a bare majority under threat that noncompliance would be followed by an act of the legislature taking from the board of aldermen all control over franchises whatsoever.
 This is a matter that largely con cerns the south, and especially the southeast, for New York is the center of this section, to which all in active life go first or last. The new fran chise will soon enable the southern visitor to be landed in the heart of New York, regardless of fogs or ice or colfiding boats, and it will enable ladies to go to Boston without change of cars or ferriage of any sort. A ter minal in New York is infact nation al matter, for New York is the f1nan- cial center of the entire country Heretofore the Vanderbilt system has enjoyed a monopoly in terminals in the city itself, but very soon the Pennsylvania will be better equipped in that respect in New York than its great rival. This vast public improve ment is therefore of national interest and national importance, and the en- tire country rejoices that the terminal franchise has at length been granted.