Waterbury Democrat., 1902-03-11
HASTENS JUDGEMENT DAY


 cabled from Berlin to the effect that one of the most eminent of German chemists has at last discovered the secret of decomposing water in such a manner as to produce flame, state ment, which is true, announces what may be the greatest discovery of mod ern times.
 It is known by the veriest tyro in chemistry that water contains oxygen and hydrogen, the two things necessary for the production of fire, but so com bined as to produce the one thing necessary to extinguish combustion. Just why this result was obtained in the wise providence of nature was 8 thing no one took the trouble to ex- plain, being satisfied to accept results as they stand. It was seen, however. that if the process followed by nature could be reversed that the fuel of the future would be the result
 What this would mean can, with a little thought, be imagined. It's first result would be to bring coal, which now ranks with the precious stones, down to something less than the price of crushed stone at the stone pit, and relegate oil. to the list of things which have outlasted their usefulness. The wholesale denudation of forest lands would be checked to q large degree. for the use of wood for fuel would be at an end. as the most conservative farm CT would hardly go to the trouble of cartlng fuel q mile or so when he could draw if out of the well or bail it from the nearest brook With the great manufacturing enterprises the change would be the most momentous imagin- able. The problem of the transporta- ton of fuel would vanish with the nuisance of smoke. Factories could be operated in localities now barred out for lack of coal.
 The refuse now left to be disposed of in the shape of cinders and ashes would become q memory, the immense weight of fuel with which steamers and war ships are now burdened would be eliminated and corresponding gain would result. The cost of fuel. now such an item to every manufacturer. would disappear, and the difference would be felt ill the wages paid or in the decreased cost of the finished product
 The increased comfort in the home which followed the substitution of kerosene for the candle and for whale oil, and the impetus given manufac, lures by the discovery of anthracite coal, would be slight in comparison with the results which may be ob- tained should there be basis of truth in the announcement of the discovery by the German professor.
 There is. however. another side to the story which if seriously considered might warrant the kaiser in sentencing the professor to imprisonment for life and burning all his books and papers, and that would depend on the method by which he has succeeded in produc- ing the combustion of water. If the water is to be treated by some chem ical means or process which only rem ders q given amount fnfammable there is no question but that the alleged dis coyery is, if true. an unmitigated bless ing. On the other hand, if the change worked in the water is of a progressive nature, so that one burning drop will ignite another, then the invention and the inventor alike ought to be SUD- pressed for the general welfare of the world, or else the day of judgment be- comes merely a question of very short time. Assuming that q fire once started should get beyond control. man. kind could order it's ascension robes With q painful certainty that it would be but few moments comparatively speaking before they would be needed The end of all things could be more readily imagined than described: as- suming that the fire might reach some river near it's head waters, the Mis- sissippi for instance. The fire would gradually spread q ribbon of destruc, ton, sickle Of fire. which would spread as it crept up the various tribu- taries, till the Gulf of Mexico was reached, when the world would see it's finish, by fire, as is predicted In the Scriptures.
 It is said that there are poisons so potent and deadly that their very ex- lstence is kept a secret except from the most expert toxicologists. but the most deadly of these would be as soothing syrup compared with the secret locked up ill the breast of the eminent Teuton who has discovered the art of burning water The possibility of the discov- cry is fascinating i'll the extreme and if it can De placed under proper re- strictions it will revolutionize the bust ness of to-day. but if if is unrestricted it may prove the finish of the human PHcn