The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-04-17
KANSAS COMMENT
SIX MIILIoN YEARS AGO.

SIX MILLION YEARS AGO.
How little a lifetime is compared
with the sweep OF time. Even the
earth. which is 80 old tho figures are
guesses of the scientists, Is likely a
Juvenile compared to some other plan
cts In some other solar systems. Most
OF US are too busy with the present to
give more than passing thought to the
life that has past, but the men Of sci
ence, who devote years to such mat
tiers. CLEAN much information that
would be of interest to all If we had
time to read 1t. This Is brought to
mind Just now by an important dis
fall biologists OF the University OF
Chicago discovered the most perfect
FOSSIL remains yet unearthed OF the
plaecarpus abruptus, a large amphib-
lous animal of the Cretaceous age.
The remains were found in the chalk
beds along the Smoky Hill river in
Kansas, out toward the Colorado line.
The scientists figure this animal and
Its kind lived In Kansas about six
millions years ago. Kansas was not a
ry, 1t was for the most part sea, In
which dwelt many strange and htdeous
reptiles. This platecarpus abruptus
was about 10 feet long, and is supposed
to have preyed upon the lesser life OF
the great Kansas sea, and, from Its
rity on land or in water. To view the
solid substance Of the earth, and not
the slow changes wrought by time, 1t
Is hard to believe that this state was
once an ocean. and again desert,
and who knows what else beside! But
we are here such a little while. One
year out of all the years: one life
time of the many lives before and yet
to come, is so Insignificant compared
with the reach of time and the age OF
|rkH n%h
that we see so much. that we do so
well.-Atchison Globe.
AMERICAN EFFICIENCY.
One Of the most interesting indus
trial developments in a long while is
the announcement that the Pennsyl-
vania railroad, and presumably others,
are following the policy of refusing
employment to foreign labor, says the
Nebraska Journal. If the reports are
true, and IL there is no political motive
behind the action, we have here cur
ious confirmation Of an old theory
When American labor becomes worried
over an thrush Of foreign labor it has
been answered that American labor
has nothing to fear from this competl-
ton, that American efficiency Is as
much more above the efficiency OF the
incomer as the American standard OF
living Is above that of his South Euro
pean or oriental competitor. The ac-
ton of the Pennsylvania road and the
opinions expressed by Nebraska rail-
road managers bear out this statement
According to this the hordes OF 1tal-
ians, Greeks and japanese that did the
section work Of the railroads In the
prosperous past years were there sim
PLY because American laborers, native
and assimilated, had work at better
jobs. Now that industry has slackened
somewhat and American laborers are
to be had for this kind Of work. the
foreigners are frozen out.
The next question is, what is to be-
come Of the voorhees, alien left on our
hands Doubtless considerable pro-
portion Of these were represented in
the heavy emigration reported by the
steamship conpenies during the past
fall and winter.-Leavenworth Times.