The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1907-10-31
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Sodium Is an excellent conductor Of
electricity, and In view Of the increas-
Ing price of copper and the growing de-
mand for that metal not only for cleo
trlc installations, but for many other
purposes, the idea has been preached
that sodium should be tried as ma
terIal for electric cables. Experiments
| looking to this end have lately been
made by A. G. Bett. He filed an Iron
tube 1870 feet In length with melted so
dunn. The core thus formed had a
cross section Of an inch and half. A
current of 800 ampheres was ready
transmitted through 1t. Mr.. Bett thinks
that sodium conductors constructed
upon this plan may be made cheaper
than conductors Of copper.
A satisfactory rubberless tire has
been evolved. The scheme consists of
filling a thin inner tire with hot So
tuition Of glue, glycerine and chronic
salts as the tire repOses in place on the
rim of the wheel This is allowed to
harden for a few days when the tire
is covered with canvas or some similar
material which will withstand the
wear and tear Of service. 1t is claimed
for this rubber substitute that 1t Is
very durable and will carry heavy loads
without deterioration or loss of resili-
ency. 1t Is much cheaper than rubber
and the only criticism raised against;
1t Is that it Is heavy. Each wheel
equipped in this manner adds 40 to 80
pounds to the weight of the vehicle.
The advantages will outweigh this OBJ
lection, 1t Is said.
A German official Of standing In the
superior grades-Herr Martin, a gov
eminent councillor-has attracted a
good deal of at least ephemeral notice
by a new theory of aerostatics in war,
which he has Just published. For nov
city the views of Herr Martin could
hardly be surpassed. The title of his
work Is THE Age of Aerial Naviga-
tion," which is, of course, the twentieth
century. Herr Martin contends that
during the century now opening aero
statlcs and automobilism will assume
immense Importance in strategy, and
will go far to neutralize in favor Of
France the great numerical preponder-
ance given to Germany by her larger ]
population. Into the day dreams of 1
Herr Martin, which include partition
IF Belgium and the Germanizing of
Morocco, 1t Is not needful to enter. But
ne foresees that France and Germany
will agree rather than fight.
In 1905 the known number of aste-
odds, or minor planets, had reached
503, and still the discovery of these
miniature worlds continues, especially
With the aid afforded by celestial pho
ography. Among vast multitude of
tars crowding a Photographic plate
me, perhaps, will be seen to have
Irawn short thin line upon the plate
Turing Its hours of continuous expo
ure. The astronomer knows at once
hat 1t Is either an asteroid or a comet.
subsequent observations soon decide
he point. Only the more interesting
mes are afterward observed with at
ention; but once discovered they can
OF De ignored, ana the rapid growth
f the flock becomes an embarrassment.
,ros, which at times approaches the
arth nearer than any other regular
lember of the solar system except the
,oon, and Asteroid No. 5SS, which at
phelion Is more distant than Jupiter,
emain, as far as their orbits are con-
erned, the most interesting members
the entire group, and are kept I'M
er constant observation whenever cir
lmstances permit.