The National tribune., 1909-01-28
ANSWERS TO
CORRESPONDENTS.

j. A. F., Burlington, iowa, asks:
What will the Panama Canal cost, and
how long will 1t be before 1t will be
ready?
Estimates differ as to the cost the
range being from 5000, 200, 900 to $780,
100000, and the time from eight TO Is
years. There are now over $4,000
names on the Government pay roll, and
the sum of about s1,200,000 is paid out
monthly, exclusive Of more than that
for other expenses There are rumors
of insecure foundation for the big dam
is in the earthquake belt, and there
will always be danger from that source.
J. E., Abingdon, Mass: The 50-cent
silver piece of 1898 is not quoted at q
premium, but those Of 1896 and 1877,
Fillet head, are quoted as being worth
from $40 to $40, depending upon con-
dition. The 20-cent piece of 1875 is
not quoted, but those Of 1877 and 1878
are quoted at $3.50.
A. L. p, Garfield, O.: It is hard to
tell what may happen in the next four
years. Bryan will doubtless keep in
the light and be prominent factor in
the Democratic National Convention Of
1912. If not a candidate himself he
will have q good deal to say as to who
may be nominated. The opposition to
Bryan seems to be centering upon Gov
Johnson, of Minnesota.
]. A. F., Boston, Mass: Farming will
never be carried on in America by
trusts or syndicates. combine can
run a chain of breweriss or biscuit
factories, but not On a line of farms
Farming requires personal supervision,
and new plans to meet ever-changing
conditions of soil and climate. This Is
possible to the greatest success by in
tensive cultivation of email areas. This
tends to the rearing of ideal homes and
modest incomes. 1t is from farm-reared
men that the world recruits its rank
and file of useful citizens. The "bonan-
"a" farm" is a busy place during the
busy season. Then work ceases, and
workmen find employment as best they
may, or adopt the life and habits of
the tramp. He works on the big farm
In the Summer and In the woods in the
Winter. This is not the true home life
of the small home personally owned
and titled. BY intelligence the farm
ers are bringing their profession up to
1t delightful and honorable calling.
The evolution from the primitive to the
complex, from the age Of toll to the
age of thought. from excessive mus
cular effort to more Intelligent direc-
ton Of energy, from the narrow and
prejudiced to the broad and liberal,
from the coarse and ugly to the refined
is in part realized. Let US advise you
to get possession and inteiiigently cul-
tivate small farm. The farmer too
OFTEN feels that his calling is not a high
one. Is not the man who sells the
wonderful products of the soil-flowers,
fruits and vegetables. some of them I'M
proved in flavor and size by an appli-
30 rrv la
tions-engaged in calling as exalted
as the one who sells nails, fddles, pat
ent medicines, etc, none OF which rep
resents his own skill and labor? The
first is the producer of what the world
cannot do without. while the other is
the mere handler of many things for
which there is an artificial need.
A. M. B.. Omaha, Neb.: There are
about 10000 colored Masons in the
United States, with Grand Lodges in
38 of the States. The oldest Grand
Lodge was organized in Massachusetts
in 1903. All branches of Masonry are
represented among the colored people.
T. A. NJ, New Castle, Pa: The total
railroad mileage of the world in 1906
was $4,000 miles, of which America
had 2S6,G00, or more than half. Texas
leads among American States, with 49,
500, Illinois comes next, with 1920,
and then Pennsylvania. with 11,200.
d. A, st. Paul, Mimi: There are
several important expositions being
planned: /. The Alaska Yukon Pacific
Exposition, to open at Seattle, Wash,
June l, 1909, and last to Oct. Is. 2.
The Hudson Fulton celebration at New
York in September 1909, to jointly cele-
brate the booth anniversary of the dis
covcry of the Hudson River and the
Tooth anniversary of the first success
full steam navigation of the river by
Robert Fulton. 3. The Tampa-Isthmian
Canal Exposition, to be held at Tampa
Fla, from January to May, 1910. 4.
The Japanese National Exposition, to be
held at Toxic from April 1 to Oct. 81,
1912. 5. The Baltimore Exposition in
1914. to celebrate the Tooth anniver-
sary OF the climax of the War of 1879
IA and the writing of the "Star Span
gled Banner"