davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24
Canal;
the NesO Regime

other improvement contemplates the
utilization of the water supply devel-
oped at the great dam to furnish light
ing power both for the canal and also
for the terminals and towns along the
route.
One of the most immediate provisions
must be proper water supply for both
Colon and Panama. The construction
of waterworks for the city of Panama
has already begun, and 100000 VIII be
expended. A sewerage system which
will cost as much more will follow and
then will come the repaving of the
streets of Panama, now in condition
of practical impassability. Colon also
will be put into state of habitability.
so that the lives of the workmen who
win build that end of the canal shall
not be imperiled.
From this showing it is apparent that
the actual work of construction is likely
to be considerably delayed. 1t is the
present opinion of the engineers in
charge of the excavation that the work
will not be ready for them before the
beginning of 1906. BY that time it is
expected that the route will be mapped
out and everything made ready for dig
ging. 1t win take at least eight years to
complete the undertaking. 1t is believed
that the line already marked out by the
French engineers will be followed
closely as possible, the principal changes
being the Strengthening of curves. The
canal will run for about twenty-five
miles along the Chagres river, then
along one of the branches of the Cha
gres, passing through the Culebra cut,
ten miles from Panama; thence on by
the Rio Grande river to Panama bay.
1t is now estimated that the compile
ton of the work will cost at least $780,
100000. This sum, added to the 100000
900 paid to the French company for the
canal property and the $10,0O0.000 given
to the Panama government for the land
grant, will make thetotal cost 100000
600. There is little doubt that the canal
will be a profitable investment from a
business point of view.
AMOS CURTIS.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24

easily back and forth at a height of 800
feet and upward and returned several
times to the starting point. At the last
trial just as the airship had described in
the air for the second time a gigantic
figure the spark of the gasoline
motor engine was raised a little too
high, and the mechanism ceased to
work In any other airship ever invent
ed this would have been disastrous but
the California Arrow was supplied with
remedy for the accident. Her shrewd
inventor had looked out for that AL
though the propelling apparatus could
no longer be used and the vessel was
adrift on the wind, the aeronaut was
still able, simply by the shifting of his
own weight and the manipulation of the
rudder and the ballast to turn the craft
raise and lower it in the air and to con-
troll to considerable extent the direc-
ton of the movements. The operator
showed not the least concern, but de-
liberately selected a convenient landing
and descended leisureIy to the ground
without the slightest injury either to
himself or to the machine.
Now that the test has proved salts
factory Captain Baldwin confesses that
the California Arrow is the product of
over thirty years study and expert
mentation. 1t has a cigar shaped gas
bag of vanished Japanese silk fifty-two
feet in length and seventeen in diameter
with capacity of 5000 cubic feet. On
the upper surface and at the ends the
silk is doubled and at the points of
greatest strain trebled. The car, forty
feet in length, is a light framework of
white cedar braced with piano wire 1t
is in section a perfect eQuilateral TRAN
gle, so that the whole is in the shape of
a right prism save that it grows smaller
and smaller toward the ends. This car
is drawn through the air by a two blad-
ed silk propeller eleven feet from tip to
tip, set at an angle of twenty degrees at
the front end of the car.
The engine weighs only sixty-six
pounds, but performs $500 revolutions
a minute and has working capacity of
seven horsepower. The propeller itself
makes 200 revolutions a minute, and the
draft of air serves to prevent the Her
cules gasoline engine from exploding.
The engine is set about eight feet from
the forward end of the car. The aero
naut has a seat and coming platform
about twelve feet back of the engine,
and he can move about the car at will,
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24

or and engine by means of pipes run
ming under the basket. The engine is
kept cool by an ordinary electric fan
attached in front of it. The propelling
apparatus is geared to the engine by a
broad leather belt and consists of two
wheels, one on each side of the car and
at the exact center of gravity of the en-
tire apparatus. These wheels are twelve
feet in diameter and make eighty revo-
lutions a minute. Each wheel is COM
posed of four six-foot blades or wings
made of canvas stretched on bicycle
tubing with piano wire braces. These
wings are collapsible and by an ingen-
iouS mechanical device are made to
close up at each revolution, remaining
open just long enough to grasp the air
and presenting a minimum of resist
ance while returning to the point of
greatest efficiency. This evident appli-
cation to aerial navigation of the prin-
ciple governing the motions of the hui
man hands in swimming and the change
of position of the vanes on the feathers
of birds during flight is looked upon by
air navigation experts as of great and
unquestionable value. BY using a crank
placed conveniently within reach of the
navigator the operation of the wings
may be modified so as to cause the craft
to ascend or descend at will.
The working out of the plans for this
airshfp was begun twelve years ago
while Mr. Benbow was leading the life
of a rancher on the Montana plains, but
it's actual construction was not begun
until May of last year. The device is
suggestive of great possibilities.
WALTER WILLARD
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24

sanitary region is due very largely to
the fact that the indolent population
has paid absolutely no heed to the laws
of health. Physical excuses are peril
Gus in all tropical countries, but most OF
the men who now hold responsible posi-
lions in connection with the canal are
sober, Industrious and ambitious. Many
of them are alumni of American COL
leges. They are not put to any especial
hardship on account of the climate, and
cases of sickness among them are COM
paratively few.
1t will be surprise to those who have
been accustomed to regard Panama as
one of the most torrid spots on the con-
tinent to learn that the mean tempera-
ture for the past summer was only "a
degrees. Some of the officials connected
with the canal declare that they have
never experienced a more agreeable
summer in the United States. The eff
cient sanitary corps has paid special
attention to eradicating yellow fever
and malarial disorders, and the results
have been encourag ing. There were on
Iy two cases of yellow jack during the
entire summer, and but one of the vic
times was an employee of the govern
ment.. The death rate in the city of
Panama during the summer was fifty
four to the thousand. Still, the most OPP
timistic admirer of the isthmus would
hardly pronounce it a paradise or rec
ommend it as health resort. It's pres
ent improved sanitary condition, how
ever, is an achievement worthy of much
commentator and may be taken as an
earnest that the commission means to
be vigilant in it's crusade against the
apathy which formerly existed.
The construction of the canal, giant
enterprise that it is, is not the only
q Tinted
building presupposes and necessitates
many other works, some of them of
noteworthy magnitude. One of them is
the providing of an adequate harbor at
Colon. This, it is estimated, will cost at
least 5000. 900. The harbor at Panama
will require much improvement, and it
will involve large expenditure. An
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24


St. Louis under the auspices of the
committee of transportation exhibits at
the Louisiana Purchase exposition show
that the development of dirigible flying
machines has received a decided impe-
tus in the last few months. This is due
in part TO the liberal inducements Of
fered by the fair managers, but the
spirit of competitive enterprise is also
responsible for the growing activity
among experimenters in aerial naviga-
ton.
The wonderful performances of the
airship built under the supervision of
the veteran aeronaut, Captain Thomas
s. Baldwin of San Francisco, known
as the manufacturer of more balloons
than any other person who ever lived,
has brought America into first place
among those countries which are trying
to penetrate the secret of air naviga-
ton. This astonishing piece of mocha
nism, named by its builder the Califor-
MIA Arrow, seems to be as obedient TO
the directing hand of it's operator as is
any of the modern propelling motors. 1t
not only repeats the aerial exploits of
Santos-Dumont's most successful ma
chine, but it has demonstrated the fact
that it is vastly more dirigible and not
so subject to embarrassing eccentrici-
ties 1t does net detract from the ia
vorable impression it has made upon
experts and upon the general public as
we'll that the California Arrow came to
its test with slight public exploitation
and that it's prudent builder was chary
with his claims of what the machine
would accomplish. 1t was known in the
aeronautic world that Captain Baldwin
was building an airship, but he had
been in the business for so many years
that no one even suspected that he was
trying to eclipse all of his previous ef
forts
At one of the tests. as an instance of
the positive dirigibility of the Califor-
MIA Arrow, and in the face of a wind
blowing from the northwest at the rate
of ten miles an hour, the vessel sailed
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24
the

buretor, such as Captain Baldwin is
now using on an airship under con-
struction at Los Angeles. Cal, even
greater wonders may be accomplished.
One of the chief drawbacks to aerial
navigation has been the difficulty of Sc
curing competent workmen and the ne
cessity of putting up with relatively
crude and unreliable mechanical instru-
ments.
Another promising airship of Ameri-
can construction is the invention OF T.
G. Benbow Of Butte, Mont. It is con-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24
WHEN VICTORIA WAS REHukEp

Lady Henry Somerset, the well
known temperance enthusiast, is prob
ably the only person living who ever
administered a rebuke to Queen Victo-
ria 1t was more than forty years
ago when Lady Isabel Somers- Cocks,
as she then was, was a tiny maiden of
about seven summers with an adequate
idea of her own importance in the scale
of creation. The queen, one day seeing
the little lady sitting demurely alone,
walked toward her and, patting her
cheek, said, And so you are little Isa-
bel?" This was familiarity which the
daughter of an earl could not brook
SO, tossing her pretty little head, she
answered loftily, u am Lady Isabel, IL
you please"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24

structed on an entirely different princi-
pie from the Baldwin fiier, and many of
its features are exceedingly ingenious.
1t is much larger than the California
Arrow, the cigar shaped bag being sew
enty-four feet in length and nearly
twenty-five in breadth. It has a capac-
ity of $4,000 cubic feet and can carry a
load of 1000 pounds. Directly under
meath the center of the gas bag and at
tached to it's cords is horizontal spar
about two-thirds as long as itself, made
of steel. with the exception of a short
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24
BA1Dw1N's A1RsH1p IN FLIGHT.

prolongation of bamboo aft to which the
rudder post is affixed From this rod
is suspended the car proper, which is a
framework of aluminium, sustained by
steel rods and further strengthened
with braces of piano wire.
The car is divided into two compart-
ments. the forward one containing ten
horsepower Hercules gasoline engine
and the other the rectangular wicker
basket in which the aeronaut stands.
The gasoline tank is in front of the bas-
ket and is connected with the carburet-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24
BENBow TILE pRopELLING APPARATUS or H1s AIRsH1p
I IN

although a change of position of less
than two feet is sufficient to cause the
craft to ascend or descend by lowering
the beak. The total weight of the entire
apparatus is only 220 pounds. The
maximum speed thus far attained by its
own engine, not taking the wind into
consideration, is twelve miles an hour.
1t must be borne in mind that the
California Arrow is little more than a
small and rather specifically construct
ed working model. With a well made
engine and a thoroughly up to date car
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24

SA \1PROPOS of the mission
: !: :: !: !" s" !.
E9 A intrusted to Secretary
AN1zN of War Taft to visit
WIZ 4 Panama as the accred-
56ST VA tied agent of the gov
* - eminent for the pur-
49, pose of investigating
the differences which have arisen in re-
gard to certain provisions of the canal
treaty it is pertinent to recall some of
the leading features of that widely
discussed enterprise. Notwithstand-
ing the fact that intimations from va
rious sources have come recently to
the Washington authorities that the
Panamans were contemplating a revo-
luton, the rumors have failed to pro-
duce panic in official circles. When it
is remembered that revolutions, so
called. have been the constant and most
diverting occupation of the Central and
South American peoples almost from
time immemorial. il is not to be Won
dered at that a fresh threat is looked
upon as being somewhat innocuous.
Be that it may, the construction of
the great interoceanic waterway is not
likely to begin until everything essen
tial to its successful development has
been made ready, so perfected indeed
that all possibility of hindrance of any
kind shall be provided against. This is
indicated with sufficient clearness by a
recent statement OF CnleI Engineer
Wallace of the canal commission to the
effect that the present commission had
not yet adopted the plans of the former
commission and that it will probably
require another year of investigation to
determine fully the details of the vari-
Gus plans under consideration, ranging
from ninety foot level to a sea level
canal, with a tidal lock near the Pacific.
If a sea level canal should be decided
a would "a n 70
troll the Chagres river. and that plan
would also require the building of a
tunnel seven miles in length to carry
the surplus water of the river from the
lake formed by this dam on to the Pa
cific- Consideration is also being given
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24
Status Of the Panama Inferoceunic
6be LSfbm1eS rs Improving Under

2ROPOS of the mission
intrusted to Secretary
of War Taft to visit
Panama as the accred-
tied agent of the gov
eminent for the pur-
pose of investigating
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24

coming winter many experiments will be
made with various kinds of steam SHOW
els and other heavy machinery required
in the preliminary construction. OF
course the principal work must be done
by machinery, and physical labor must
be reduced to minimum. The CHASTITY
record of the previous attempts to
construct the canal makes that i'm
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24

The engineering and clerical depart
ments are almost exclusively conduct
ed by Americans, and every steamer
supplies additions from the United
States. The majority of laborers and
also a few of the skilled men are Eng
Iish speaking negroes from Jamaica.
Recent visitors to the isthmuS declare
that Panama's evil reputation as an in
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24

perative- 1t is not expected that more
than 10000 or 1900 men will be en-
ployed at any one time. Now there are
not more than 500 men at work in all
branches of the enterprise. OF this
number 500 are in the sanitary depart
ment. There are six divisions of engi-
neer corps at work. each in charge of a
resident engineer.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24
ATLANTIC ENTRANCE TO THE CANAL

to "a plan for reducing the summit level
from ninety to sixty feet by substitute
ing another water supply of equal area
but lower elevation for the present Bo-
hio lake.
Several engineering parties are now
in the field for the purpose of obtaining
the necessary data for estimates as to
the cost of construction, and during the
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-24
Notable

he science of aeronaut-
les seems to be almost
ready to emerge from
the shadowy realm of
theory and to take on
the exactness which is
the browning glory of
all the practical arts.
Recent tests made at
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-02-05

New Orleans, Feb. 4-The spot cot
ton market was dull, buyers and sell
lers apart. Influenced by Liverpool
and New York prices here were re-
duced &c, causing most of the factors
to cover up their sample tables.
Futures opened weak and irregular
Soon after the opening prices We're
from IS to 106 points lower than the
close of yesterday. The selling pressure
was tremendous, and for a short time
it looked as If prices must go still low
er. From the opening the bull leaders
We're heavy buyers and gradually of
ferings were absorbed. Smaller longs
took part and commenced to buy as
did room traders also. This had the eff
feet OF bringing about a strong re-
coVery and also checked the short SELL
ing by eXCltant bears. So
In the trading of the morning March
showed a decline of LOG points at
155Oc and then recovered 70 points to
1C.22c; May lost IS points at 1920 and
recovered 81 points at 1890 and July
lost 81 points at 1880 and recovered
IS points at 1850 and recovered IS
points at 17.17.
At noon the market was quiet and
the. indications were that the excite
ment for the day was over. but in the
afternoon the rumor that war had been
declared caused another drop of 100
points. The bulls again became heavy
purchasers but the market closed weak,
the net losses on February being 100
points, March 157, April 142; May 1872
June, 1856; July los and August 1856
Cotton futures closed weak and ir-
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-02-05
SPIRITS TOOK Squirt
MARKET ADVANCED 1-2C AND NOW
FIRM AT G2 1-2C.
TANK COMPANY A BIDDER.
EXPECTED THAT THE MARKET
WILL CONTINUE TO RISE TO CSC.

All Grades of Resins Are in Demand,
but the Sales Show Some Signs of
Weakness-Medium and Commons
Continue to Hold Their Ovvn-Re-
ceipts Continue Light in Both Tur-
pentine and ROsin Markets, ana
Only 200 Casks of the Former En-
ported.
Spirits advanced Y cent, and the
market is now firm at 621ac. 1t is SAID
that the Tank Company is again in the
field, and President Young says that
turpentine will soon be worth Coo on
this market.
The receipts continue very light and
only 14S casks were reported yesterday.
The exports were 105 casks, and the
sales for the day amounted to Sc casks.
Resins of all grades are in request
at quotations, although the pales show
some indication of weakening.
There is a firm foundation to the
commons and mediums, however, al
though the sales reported yesterday
were light, only $50 barrels being dis
posed of. Receipts 2,246 barrels and
exports 200 barrels
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-02-05
COTTON FUTURES.

New York, Feb. 4.-The cotton mar
ket opened weak at a decline of 47@
SO points on the old, and 1920 points
on the new crop months, under con-
tinued liquidation and selling for short
account accompanied by the widest
excitement and confusion. The fact
that heavy buying orders had been re-
ceived here from New Orleans just be-
fore the close last night, and the firm
showing of the New Orleans market
in the late trading had led to expecta-
lions that the English market this
morning would prove higher than ex-
pected. Gables, however, reported a
net decline of 20@26 points at the hour
of the local opening, and with no show
OF bull support, the news from the
Far East threatening, and bear conf
dences strengthened, the market after
some little irregularity, turned very
weak, particularly when it was seen
that March in New Orleans had broke
106 points and July 80 points.
This show of weakness in the very
strongest stronghold of bull specula-
ton struck terror in the smaller longs
in the local market and in a moment
prices were going downward at a rate
that threatened to surpass the break
OF last Tuesday. After March had
been forced down to 1890, May to
1850 and July to 15.74c, a net loss on
these positions of about 81 to &C points,
the entrance into the ring of the local
bull leader who bid for May and July
restored confidence to some extent.
The New Orleans crowd began buy
ing in volume and the market
steadied up until it was within 10 or u
points of yesterdays close. Following
this, the market in the late trading ex-
perienced the most sensational fluctu-
atoms of the day or season, or for
that matter, in the history of the ex-
change. Shortly before closing time a
rumor was circulated that war had
actually been declared between Russia
and Japan and this precipitated the
market into the widest confusion.
Long cotton was fairly poured out
from all sides July broke about 70
points in twenty minutes, while in
New Orleans it lost nearly 106 points
in the same time. From 1880, the
high point for May locally, that option
was depressed to 1477c; May sold
down from 1920 to 5000 and July
from 1920 to 1920, these prices rep
resenting net declines of 114@1l6
points. The market closed at nearly
the lowest or at a net loss of 1040132
points on the old and of 30@50 points
on the new crop months. Sales were
estimated at S00,0 900 bales
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-02-05
WARE & LELAND
Think Conditions Must Change for
Cotton to Rise Again.

Think Conditions Must Change for
Cotton to Rise Again.
New York, Feb. 4.-There was very
wild time at the opening to-day, when
May ran down to 15.54c. 1t was quite
impossible to trade at times, but after
the first hour things steadied up some
what. Then there was a recovery, and
May and July went above 16 cents.
New Orleans broke a cent, Liverpool
broke about the same and for a time
things looked very black. This was
to be expected after what has hap
pened What is a break of cents on
an advance of Z cents. This does not
indicate there are no more bulls left
in cotton. The end will depend on the
size of the crop.
Unless receipts are very very much
smaller than they are now, unless
the war cloud blows over, and Mr..
Sully returns to the bull side, we see
the finish of the high prices of the
past. There is nothing in the situation
to warrant buying at the moment, and
we would only buy on big breaks for
a quick turn.
1t is not a market to risk very much
money in. If the crop proves larger
than is talked of now, we will sell much
lower. There may be a better market
for time, but the burden of fight
now falls on New. Orleans. We want
to see what becomes of the March de-
liVeries there.