Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-17

Big seagoing barges are rapidly supplant
ting the sailing vessel in the coasting trade
of the United States and it is only a ques-
ton of a few years before the coastns
schooner will be a rarity A schooner mas
ter in a conversation with Star reporter
a few DAYS ago spoke of the fact that II
is now difficult for a coasting schooner to
make a living In competition with-tne
barges. as the operating expenses OF TINS
class of vessel are much smaller than those
OF the schooner. The barge, he said, car
ries a crew of two or three men, while the
schooner has to have from eight to ten.
The trips of the barges are made quicker
and the living expenses OF trip are tnere-
fore much lower, what Is saved In this way,
1t Is claimed, more than paying the tow
bills of the barge. The wear and tear on
a barge is also much less than on the
schooner, and the repair bills are consid-
erably less For these reasons the barge
can afford to carry freight at lower rate,
and 1t Is getting the business The day
will come the master said, wnen schooh-
ers will have to engage in off-shore trade
leaving the coasting work to the barge
Not many years ago the bulk of the hard
coal coming to this city was brought here
in schooners. Now it comes almost entirely
In barges and this Is also true In many
other lines Of traffic by water.
A number of clerks in the District build
ing and officials at police headquarters were
amused one day last week when they saw
a man wearing a straw hat cross Louisiana
avenue.
Its not a case of a man forcing the sea-
son." remarked one of the spectators, but
it's rather case of the season forcing the
man."
THAT depends entirely upon who the
man is" remarked another. Some men,"
he added, might be able to wear such
hat as late as this and still cause no COM
II his clothing Indicated that he had
no better hat he would excite the sympathy
of some charitable person and get dona-
ton.
Just then the wearer of the straw hat
turned and he was recognized as DR.. Rob-
ert n. Harper, president Of the American
National Bank As soon as his identity was
discovered. one of the detectives at police
headquarters started to overtake the doctor
to tell him what he was wearing. but be-
fore he reached him the latter discovered
his mistake.
corner. DR.. Harper accidentally touched
his hat. and taking 1t from his head he
saw the proof of his Observation-Disclosures.
He laughed when he discovered what he
had done and returned to his Office to get
a more seasonable covering
X x K y -.
The recruiting records of the army for
the past year" said a high-ranking medi-
cal officer to a Star reporter. are calcu-
lated to upset the theory of certain stalls
ticians that the negroes of the United
States are deteriorating physically as COM
pared with the white race. For instance.
they show that out of the total number Of
recruits examined, the proportion of those
accepted compared with former years was
less among the white candidates and
greater among the colored. The reject ton
for defects In development were 1929 per
1000 for whites, and 1915 for colored re-
, Cruits. OF the white candidates, 49.41 per
cent weighed 40 pounds over while 1.57
per cent weighed less than 40 pounds. The
corresponding figures for colored recruits
were Il.9O and rs per cent showing that
colored recruits are heavier than white re-
cruits OF the same height and age. Again.
the chest measurement of $3.50 per cent of
white recruits was "a inches and upward,
while % per cent were 30 inches or under.
The corresponding figures for colored re-
cruits were 1871 and 2-14 per cent respec-
lively. again showing an advantage on the
side of the colored candidates Pine hos
ptal records showed also that there was
less sickness among the 'colored troops than
among the white troops, and consequently
less time lost from regular military serv-
Ice. Another interesting fact shown by
these records is that there were more
foreign-born white recruits accepted last
year than in the previous year. the number
last year being 1862 per 1000. as against
1902 for the previous year. To my mind
these figures regarding colored foreign re-
cruits significant and furnish food for
thought to people interested in the future
personnel of the army.
X
Living in sdualor In the suburbs of
Northeast Washington is a little old blind
woman who has a remarkable history. She
claims to be a lineal descendant from Rus
sian nobility. and having been married
to "grandee'' In that country when she
was a very small girl. This venerable
woman. though living in the most miser-
able surroundings. has a brilliant mind and
Is advanced student of astronomy. One
OF her axioms Is to the effect that this life
would not be worth the living were 1t
not for the spiritual side of 1t.
II do not live here" she said dreamily
to a Star reporter the other day. Il exist
away up yonder (pointing skyward) where
there are suns. stars and worlds. but above
ALL where there Is spirituality everywhere.
Where the sordd and mean things of this
life are not to be found. Where there Is
q genial brotherhood and sisterhood of spir-
Nuality."
This remarkable woman numbers among