The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1906-08-10

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Washington. Aug. z. 1906.
Special Correspondence:
The plume trust. n IL may be SO
called, A. the latest to see the bran
dsshing Of the big stick. although this
time. the president being on his vaca-
ton, Il IL done I'm an unofficial man
ner. Mr.. Roosevelt's public statement
10 the effect that both Mrs. Roosevelt
and himself are strongly opposed 10
the sale or wearing OF aigrettes-the
soft plumes Of the young white heron
will bring Joy to the hearts Of all
members of the Audubon societies,
and, II Is hoped. have a practical ef-
feet In preserving to the southern
states I'm which they are found the
herOns which are being slaughtered
for these plumes. In Louisiana, and
especially Florida, the destruction Of
the herons for their highly priced
feathers has been carried on at such
a rate. that unless checked, IL has
been shown that his peaceful and in
offensive bird would shortly be exter-
minated. Now that the president has
no strongly expressed himself against
the wearing of these plumes. IL is be
lieved that the heron has a good
chance to survive, instead Of follow
ing so many Of the birds and beasts
Of this country into oblivion. Mr..
Roosevelt expressed himself on the
subject with Characteristic frankness,
and, with Mrs. Roosevelt feeling. as
he says. If anything more strongly
than he does" IL looks as II the heron
might continue TO adorn it's southern
home instead OF the heads Of society
An Washington. at least.
For the everlasting good Of the
race. DIR. Wiley. the astute investiga-
tor at the head Of the bureau of chem
istry. is beginning a gumshoe quest
for twelve brave men who. common
cling next October. will become voi-
untary members of his poison
SQUAD" for a series of experiments to
determine the effect on the human
stomach of certain chemicals. The
government generously undertakes to
board these twelve men free, provided
they eat nothing except what DR..
Wiley gives them, in his endeavors
TO determine Just what is and what
is not harmful to the human stomach
In the line of chemicals, preservative
and otherwise. This is not DIR. Wiley's
first poison squad, his previous inves-
LEGATIONS in this line having been
noised abroad, but this year, instead
of selecting his men, Unfortunately,
the test, when it begins in October,
will be made on employees Of the
bureau of chemistry only. In this way
IL is hoped that the enthusiasm OF
martyrs will be brought to the cause
through personal interest. The men
will be required, however, TO give
their word that they will consume
nothing except from the menu of DR..
Wiley, for in the past their predeces-
sors were known to partake of viands
elsewhere step which, while not
harmful for them, was extremely
tough on the experiments. The food
given at the scientific boarding house
will be the best afforded by the mar
kets, nothing being used that in its
natural state could make any healthy
person i'll. 1t is only the chemical ad
ditions made by DR.. Wiley that will
cause an occasional feeling of sea
sickness, but as it is all sdone in the
interest of science and the pure food
law, the results will undoubtedly be
worth while.
Whether the much heralded opeI
door policy of Japan is really tt
amount to anything is question
which is at present troubling foreign
merchants, according TO reports JUS
received at the consular bureau
While Uncle Sam is engaged in wag
ing war upon rebating the japanese
government, according to these re
ports, is engaged, through the public
utilities which controls, in rebate
giving for the especial benefit of |
few articles. Having acquired thu
Manchurian railway, the government
it is stated, Immediately introduces
a special discount" otherwise known
as rebate. ON tobacco, which is il
self a government monopoly. and
few other commodities. That Japal