Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-23
CARNEGIE INSTITUTE BOOKS

I''Old yellow BOOK Reproduced.
Jews in Spain Since Babylo-
MAN Dispersion.
BY WILLIAM f. CURTIS.
Written for The Star and the Chicago Record
Although 1907 was the panic year. and
the holidays came in the darkest period
of the depression, the Christmas gifts of
money sent to the old country were
larger than ever before.
Those for 1905. the banner year OF
American prosperity, did not reach them
by half a million dollars. Those for 1908
fell about 322o.OOO short.
When anybody in December buys a
postal order for a foreign country the Of
f1cials know that 1t Is intended as a pres
ent for somebody In the country to
which 1t is sent. The amount Of foreign
orders issued that month is several times
greater than for any other month in the
year.
The following shows the amount of for
eign money orders issued during the
month OF December for the last four
1907, IS, $3.50 and 1908, $3.50, 1O2.
The total number of foreign money Or
ders issued in 1908 was 3.711 $40. an in
crease Of 1854 over 1907. They repre-
sented a value of SIS. 972. 1851, an increase
OF 1891 ,671.25 over the previous year,
and an average Of $2o.9I each. These
money orders represent the earnings of
immigrants who have come to this coun-
try and are prosperous enough to send
nearly $50, OOO, 600 home to the old folks or
to other members of their families.
Many immigrants. particularly Italian
country and provide for their support by
sending a portion Of their wages through
the post Office. Large sums are sent to
Ireland, Germany and the Scandinavian
countries each month, and especially at
Christmas time.
Humor in High Court.
Usually the Supreme Court of the United
States is the most solemn and serious
place in the world. The solemnity is so
thick as to be oppressive.
1t is occasionally disturbed by jest.
All the judges have keen sense Of humor
and some of them have won fame as wits
Among the traditions of the court are
three jokes that have been perpetrated
from the bench during the formal pro-
ceedings.
At one time the late Thomas Wilson,
whom everybody loved. was interrupted
in the midst Of his argument by the late
Justice Miller, who asked:
Cannot the learned counsel take 1t for
granted that this court knows the rudi-
ments of the LAVE"
Il beg your honor's pardon replied
Mr.. Wilson, humbly; but l made that
mistake in the lower court
On another occasion, when the court
was hearing an appeal concerning an al
legged interference with the patent for
collar button, the attorney for the plaintiff
was explaining in great detail the merits
and value Of the invention. whereupon
Justice Shiras interrupted with the ques-
ton:
will the learned counsel inform the
court whether. among the other advan-
tages Of this button. there is anything to
prevent it from rolling under the bureau
or the bed?"
The learned counsel was nonplussed for
a moment by this unexpected question,
but soon recovered himself and explained
that no button manufactured by his client
was ever guilty of such mischief.
The third joke is attributed to the chief
justice. Some months ago Livingston
Clifford was arguing an appeal from
records which were claimed by two manu-
facturers. He had series of musical
selections in evidence. the value of which
he was trying to impress upon the court,
because the suit involved large sum as
damages.
Here are two of the most popular Sc
lections," said the attorney. with great
earnestness, Molly Cottontail' and
Kentucky Babe 1 will take up Molly
Cottontair first"
mercial value of the record Of that song.
when the chief justice interrupted. in
most serious manner saying:
els not that a discrimination against
the senior associate justice of this court.
Mr. Harlan. who is 4 native of Ken
tucky?''
The attorney was staggered. Several
members of the court actually smiled.
Some of the pages giSgled. But Mr.. Gift
ford bowed respectfully and said:
"Out of respect to the senior associate
justice I will reverse the order of the
explanations
Carnegie Institute Activities.
The list of publications of the Carnegie
Institute for the year 1908 covers twenty
two numbers. including the Year Book.
which contains a review of the work OF
the institution for 1907.
The most popular publication and that
of greatest value to collectors will doubt
less prove to be a facsimile reproduction
OF The Old Yellow Book in the Bodlian
Library at Oxford. which was the source
of Robert Brownings famous poem. The
Ring and the Book the object being to
show the evolution Of ideas in the mind
Of great author and the manner in
which literary genius transforms prose
history into vivid verse.
The institution also published. will
many illustrations. the report of the
commission which investigated the
California earthquake of April, 1906. Vol
ume v Of a great medical index. under
taken several years ago. was also pub
lished. an octave Of Liza pages. No. 80
is a Hand Book of Learned Societies and
Institutions in North and South America.
The remaining publications are purely
scientific.
Dr. Woodward says the necessary limi-
tation several years ago on the free dis
tribution of publications has led to a
marked increase in their sale and to a bet
ter understanding of the institutions in
ability to compete with governmental bu-
reaus in a lavish gratuitou dissemination
of books And although the broad question
Of the duties Of the institution to the pub
lie In this matter is one which still gives
rise to much explanatory and contro-
versial correspondence, it is plain that
the policy now adopted will soon meet