Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-09
SCIENCE NOTES.

The growing importance of radium as
therapeutic agent has led to the construc
ton of a special laboratory at st. Joachim
stahl, in Bohemia, for the commercial pro-
duction of radium compounds. The uranium
ores of that vicinity contain higher percent
ages of this mysterious element than any
other known deposits thus far investigated.
The ores and the residues from the uranium
extraction have hitherto been treated chiefly
at Paris, and there will be manifest advan-
tages in carrying out the extraction at the
place of origin, in view of the enormous
amounts of rock required for the production
of a tiny fragment of a radium salt. Work
is now being conducted on an extensive
sanatorium where invalds may take baths
in the water taken from the uranium mines
The existence of very extensive wireless
system. owned by private corporation and
operated for its own benefit IN the conduct
of its business. recently came to light when
application was mad to the United States
authorities FOR permission to erect a wire
less station on one of the promontories of
Cuba. The company referred to Is extern
sively engaged In tn" fruit shipping bust
ness, and it has been found very advan-
tageOuS to direct the movements of the
, boats from the office At present it has no
less ard ma .ntains no less than fifteen sta
lions along the coast of Central America
and on islands OF the West Indies From
these points captains of their crafts are
given orders as to the disposition of their
vOka BILE license so that the privilege may
be discontinued at any time if it should be
found that the presence of this station
interferes with those of the United States
or the Cuban government
The vicinity OF Lyons France, is rich with
waterfalls. aggregating, 1t is said, 300 600
horsepower. and for the purpose Of encour-
aging the development of this great energy
an electrical exposition is being arranged
for, 10 take place in May of next year. 1t Is
desired to make of the In q
ricultural and industrial pursuits of the sec
| ton, and through the exposition 1t is hoped
| to get together a great deal of material,
comprising the best and latest things of
| electrical progress from the principal coun-
| tries of the world. AS the United States
| ranks high in electrical development special
| endeavors are being made to interest the
| electrical concerns of this country.
A western electrical company is making
! extensive use. for advertising purposes OF
! the statement attributed to Chief of Police
| Shlpley of Chicago that light constantly
/ burning in house is the best protection
| against burglars. These fellows work in the
| dark, and the presence of a light discOn-
| certs them. The company referred to takes
| occasion TO demonstrate the excellence OF
| electricity a safe and economical light
| which may be allowed to burn constantly
| without the least care on the part of the
! householder
| One of the leading wireless telegraph com.
| panies has officially announced that it viii
| be ready for regular commercial business
| between Ireland and Canada at an early
| GATE. The stations at Glace Bay and Gin.
| ton have been enlarged and it is expected
| that after opening there will be no interrup.
| ton TO the service. The rates charged will
| be considerable below the tariff for cableG
| messages.
| In Massachusetts a state commission
has come to the conclusion that automo.
| biles are much harder on the roads than
| horse-drawn vehicles, and the motor vehi.
| cles are now subjected to a much heavier
! tax. The fee was formerly 81 but it has
| been raised to S.. The automobile owners
| have paid this amount. but they are get
| ting together under the auspices Of the
| Massachusetts State Automobile Associa.
| ton for the purpose of testing the law
| Italy produces some of the strongest to.
| bacco in the world, and she makes use OF
| the crop herself