The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-28
FRON OTHER PENS
pRoUTH AND FLOOD.

The statement is made that within
a circle of about hundred miles radius
from the city of Pittsburg the present
drouth has already inflicted losses
amounting to $40, 00O, 900, and is adding
to that sum $50e0 a day. 1t is quite
possible that these estimates are not
materially exaggerated. The damage
has been done not merely nor chiefly to
crops, but to industrial establishments
of many kinds, including mines and
coke ovens, involving to some extent
practically the, entire population. 1t is
of peculiar interest to recall that only
a few months ago there came from the
same part of the country reports of dis
astrous floods, with losses of property
and business estimated in the aggre-
gate at many millions; and those re-
ports, unhappily, were substantially
correct. Meantime there are those VINO
still resist, on petty, technical and FAC
titious grounds, the proposal to create
great forest reserves in the Appala-
chan Mountain range. 1t is not, OF
course, to be pretended that the con-
servation of forests would prevent
heavy rainfall at some seasons or lack
of precipitation at others. But 1t would
provide storage facilities to hold
large part of the heavy rainfall in
check, lessen the magnitude of the
foods and give the water out gradual
" all through the summer. so that even
if the farms were parched with drouth
the streams would continue to flow and
the needs of industry and navigation
would be met.-New York Tribune.
A POLICE FORCE OF BOYS.
The problem of reforming bad boys
and making them good citizens has
been widely discussed of late. 1t has
come to be recognized that we ought
to appeal to the pride of boys and
preserve their seh-Tespect; whenever
this is possible For that reason
Judge Ben B. Lindsey, of Denver, the
originator of the juvenile court. has
been accorded large share of atten-
ton, and his ideas have been adopted
in many places. Now a new prophet
has come among us, in the person of
Chief of Police George H. Richmond,
of Council Bluffs, Ia, who claims to
have invented a plan that will make
Juvenile courts unnecessary
Chief Richmond maintains a
Juvenile police force, in which every
boy is special officer Of the law, duly
sworn and bearing badge or
authority. The personne! or the force
changes from time to time, so that
anv boy wishing to become member
NAV hope to have his ambition
gratified. Promotions and honors are
given in recognition of efficient and
faithful services. 1t is found that
boys regard it as a point of honor to
live up to the records earned on the
police force, and in consequence, it is
said juvenile crime has been prac-
tically wiped out in Council Bluffs
Springfield Union.
ENEMIES OF THE HUMAN RACE.
The enemies of the human race,
the purveyors of disease, are one by
one becoming known. A battle
against them is much more effective
than against the imponderable and
invisible agencies which were once
supposed in some unknown way to
spread and multiply disease. The
battle against the rat, the commute
eating host of the bubonic plague, is
proceeding vigorously in several parts
of the world, including California. The
destruction of rats is a two-fold
blessing but in, Los Angeles it is
found that, the inoffensive ground
squirrel can also communicate the
plague, having been itself inoculated, ii
is believed. by some plague-infested
rat.
The mosquito is such a prolific
source of several diseases as to justify
the American Mosquito Exterminat-
ing society merging itself with the
American Health league" as they
have a common purpose. The Mer-
chants Association of New York,
started n campaign against flies year
ago. Its good example should find
many imitators. The fly Is born in
and feeds on filth and carries bacteria
on its feet wherever 1t f1ies.-Phila-
delphia Press.