The San Francisco call., 1904-03-27
MEN analMAaEERS IN
THE fC3RIz lie WORLD

to copy the picture Of brown house.
made the room green, the sky scarlet
and the roses blue
"A postoffice clerk was always short
in his accounts because he could not
distinguish the different cclored stamps.
And a sedate Quaker has been known
to buy a green coat for himself and a
red gown for his wife, thinking they
were both brown.
If you see a man in the street with
preposterous display of colors, charit-
ably believe him to be one OF the color
blind.
Just why the eyes OF women are less
defective in the matter OF distinguish
ing colors than those Of men is one
Of the things in nature that is unex-
planned. The construction is the same,
yet the woman's superiority in match
ing colors has always been recognized,
even when man has had the advantage
Of long experience. ."-Cincinnat Com
mercial Tribune.
Alexander Thayer, United States Vice
Consul at Venice, Italy, has sent a re-
port to the Department Of Commerce
and Labor Of a new invention which
may have a great tendency toward the
assurance Of safety in railway travel
ing. The report says:
Il recently attended the official test
Of an automatic electrical invention for
the safety OF railway trains in transit,
made by Attilio Beer an engineer Of
this city Wenice).
The trial was held on a branch line
Of the Societa Veneta fitted with the
apparatus. About eighty guests had
been invited to witness the experiment,
among whom were representatives of
the Governments of France and Russia,
Of the municipalities of Venice and
Padua, Of scientific societies and Of the
press, as well as many engineers. A
special train carried the guests from
Padua TO Castelfranco, where, upon
arrival. the operation OF the new sys-
tenn was demonstrated by means of a
miniature electric railway constructed
in freight house opposite the sta
tion, and which, when explained by the
inventor, showed in a clear and de-
tailed manner the method whereby no
tice is given to a locomotive in motion
when there is another on the same
track within a distance Of half a mile
The apparatus itself was tested in
all its particulars and exhibited such a
complete and timely method OF giving
warning Of the proximity of another
train that should II prove practical
when applied TO entire railroad sys-
ters Mr.. Beers invention would reduce
TO minimum the large loss of life
and property which is now annually
due to collisions.
Another feature was also shown,
namely, dial which can be placed in
railway stations and offices Of train
dispatchers. This dial indicates the
exact position Of all trains on the line
within certain distance, and whether
they are stationary or in motion. The
usefulness Of such an instrument is
readily seen. as by means Of it no.
tification of an obstructed track is at
cnce given by the Indicator
The test was in every way a sue
cess the system working smoothly. as
was predicted by the inventor"
The Electrical Review calls attention
10 the fact that hardly a day passes in
which several telephone companies are
not incorporated in the smaller cities
and towns throughout the country. In
the West 1t appears that farmers are
finding the telephone very useful not
only in conducting their household af-
fairs, but in marketing their produce
Formerly the farmer stored his grain
in elevators, waiting for an advant-
ageous time to sell. Now he stores it
himself. receives the market quotations
over the telephone, and disposes Of his
grain hV rplPnhOrn T1-hanaxra,~
judgment, he can do so to the best ad-
vantage. He does this without loss Of
time, and has the satisfaction Of closing
bargain at once at current prices.
According to statistics compiled by
the Bell Telephone Company, there
were, in 1902, 2,525, 6O6 telephones in the
hands Of licensees under rental in the
United States. There was a total Of
1,020,647 stations, and the number of ex-
change connections daily was 1881. .76l
or total per year of over 2, 425. .OOO. 900
The entire capital invested In telephone
systems in this country was estimated
at $3.50 900, 600. The statistics for 1909.
Of course, viii show a great increase in
the number of stations installed and
number of instruments under rental
Express Gazette.
The new White Star liner Baltic is
probably better equipped electrically
than any other boat either afioat or
building. IN addition to the usual cleo
trical appliances to be found on board
present-day ocean liners, the Baltic is
equipped with an electrical device for
preventing collisions with other YES
sells. The moment another ship enters
the magnetic field of the Baltic the
needle of the Indicating Instrument
points In the direction of the vessel an
preaching or being overtaken. and the
steersman knows at once what course
to take. Even the rhythmic beats of
an unseen steamers screws are regis
tered by means Of this delicate an
paratus. Another safeguard is an cleo
trlcal contrivance to show if the ship's
lights are burning properly. An cleo
trio log for ascertaining the speed Of
the ship is another acquisition. and an
electric lead for ascertaining the dent
OF the water is also on the list There
I is further, an electric device for req
istering all signals. including steam
sirens. The Baltic is equipped with
electric refrigerating as well as cleo