Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-02-20
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Marine observations conducted by
the Carnegie Institute of Washington
during the last year Indicate that great
ocean liners may save from 81 LOCO to
$1,000 on each voyage by being able to
steer much straighter courses. based
upon the new measurements of mag
netic declination, dip and intensity,
correcting errors of former charts.
This is only one of the numerous fields
of research occupied by the Carnegie
| Institute in 1907. the work of which
is contained in the year book now pub
lished. Expeditions have been sent to
every part of the world, and almost
every branch of science has been in
vaded. Among the practical results
noted are a rain meter invented by III.
| De Rossloff, which will automatically
| test and register the rainfall by the
| day. month or year; the evolution of
| barnyard fowls, with the promise of
| breeding scheme that will furnish more
and bigger eggs; the discovery of +. G.
Benedict, that all bodily functions
thrive best upon food that is the clos
est approach TO plain proteid; the
grating of 5000. plants by Luther Bur-
bank. and several magnetic expeditions
into the Far North.
Smoker CaOpnnrS pptina IN n rupan
| of appropriation committees to have
their bills ready to report by April 10,
presages an early adjournment of Con-
gress. Aside from the currency bill
there is little legislation of Importance
before Congress. SO far as the cur
rency measure is concerned, the lower
house is hopelessly divided, and there
is little possibility of the members get
ting together on the Aldrich bill. The
Western members are outspoken
against it. and it is not believed that
even Speaker Cannon can bring them
into line. Congressional conventions
will be held early this year because OF
the presidential campaign. For this
reason Congressman want to get away
from Washington. A large per cent
have fences to repair in their districts,
and they do not want to be cooped up
in Washington, hundreds of miles from
the dear people," If currency law
is to be enacted they may be driven to
agree to some plan in order to bring
about an early adjournment. The pub
lie welfare does not require that they
should remain in Washington.
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For the first time in seventy years
the figure of the American eagle that
surmounts the mace the symbol of au-
thority in the national House of Rep
resentatives, left its perch the other
day. When news of the flight of the
bird became known to members by
many politicians it was interpreted as
an i'll omen. The House mace is one
of the most priced possessions of the
lower branch of Congress- 1t has done
service for threeScore years and ten.
The mace has, with rare exception,
been effective in restoring order in the
House. A representative suspended
for violating the House authority, aft
err the mace had been displayed by the
sergeant-at-arms, cannot resume his
prerogatives except by vote of his coll
leagues. The House mace is fashioned
after the Roman mace. Its handle.
bearing thirteen silver bands, emble-
matte of the thirteen original States,
is of ebony. Surmounting the handle
is a globe upon which stands the eagle.
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Resident Washington is divided into
three distinct sets-old families, peo-
pie with money and people without
money Those without money work
hard to keep up appearances with
those who have money. Those with
money work hard to secure social
recognition from the old families The
old families are Indifferent equally to
those with money and those without.
The hardest worked class of all are
those who, having accepted public
office and removed their lares and
penates to the national capital, find
that the salary will not pay for the
game. You know their women folk by
the fact that they wear ready made
gowns. Your real Washingtonian con-
siders the wearing of factory made
garments equivalent TO sinking to the
lowest sartorial depths.
-:
The report of the Civil Service Com
mission says that partisan activity in
the classified service has practically
ceased, and quotes Bryan as saying in
his campaigns he had more trouble
from the influence exerted by railroads
over their employees than with those in
the service under a Republican admin
istratiou.
Some have notion that because the
Potomac river happens to divide the
capital from Virginia the city is warm
during the winter months. This is
delusion Often in the first week OF
November the wind sweeps across the
town with the iciness Of a Montreal
blizzard.
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1t is estimated by Secretary of the