Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20
Science Notes.

In order to dispense with the cost OF
electric lighting in mill operation it is
proposed by some of the jute mill owners
OF Calcutta to operate the esta blishments
from daylight to dusk during the sea-
son of short days. Some concessions are
made to the operatives which make the
proposition attractive to them
A Dresden physician says electric op-
thalmia'' is the result Of constant work.
ing under electric lights ard brings on a
condition which results in cataract Ac-
cording to this gentleman, the damage is
done by the ultraviolet rays, and can be
overcome by the use of spectacles of a
yellowish Or greensh tint which he pre-
diets Will become universal as soon as
the extent of the damage done by electric
light shall be appreciated.
The authorized capital of japanese cleo
trio undertakings in 1903. sl4 49,. 900. rose
to $6S. 721 600 in 1907. The electrical
works undertaken chiefly represented
lighting and railways. The number of
In 1907 to S59.143. Toxic and Osaka re-
Quire each 10000 lights Electric rail-
ways show equal development In 1906,
the mileage was 3S, which rose to 119 in
1907 and will be largely added to by
construction during the present year.
Recently electrically welded chain has
been made commercially by automati-
caliy cutting the blanks from q bar so as
to form socket in one end and cor
responding taper on the other end of the
INK blank. This is then bent and joined
on one side OF these joints welded. This
obviates the usual amount Of upset in
such cases. The laps. or area of con-
tact, are much larger than in the square
ly cut ends. and a Incorporating and
good weld is made.
The exhibit on the ground floor of the
American Museum of Natural History IL
Illustrating the solar system has been al
tered so as to be more comprehensive and
instructive. The sun is now represented
by an illuminated globe three inches in
diameter, which brings the orbit of the
earth just within the foyer. The foyer.
therefore, now contains the whole of the
orbits Of Mercury. Venus and the cart
and part of that of Mars, while the adj
joining exhibition halls contain the re-
mainder Of the orbits of Mars and parts
of those of Jupiter and Saturn The or
bits are represented by circles of wire on
which the days and months are indi-
Gated and along which the planets.
shown as lights OF proper size, are moved
When fire breaks out in tic town Of
Sparrows Point every resident is notified
Of the fact as well as the location of
.iie e"hiid 81 d'ioi. ny EieaHs OF three
whistles at the works Of the Maryland
Steel Company. The whistles are oper-
ated in conjunction with the fire alarm
system. The invention Is that of one of
the townsmen. A. j. Woodworth the
chief electrician Of the steel company
This system. which is electrically oper-
ated. sounds each alarm by blowing a
number OF blasts simultaneously on three
large steam whistles supplied by boilers
which are constantly under steam. The
numbers blown are those Of the box from
which the alarm is turned in, and as the
whistles are located, one at the extreme
western end of the works. one near the
center and the other at the eastern end
of the town. the whole town including
the plant. IS made aware of the breaking
out of fire. Cards giving the numbers
and locations of the boxes are widely dis
tributcd among tho different offices in the
works and tie residences and public
places Of the town.