Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-06-21
Odd Items of Interest

The Legislature of New York has I'm
| der consideration a bill prohibiting alb
solutely traffice in the plumage of wild
birds, whether the birds be killed or
trapped in New York or elsewhere. The
bill is supported by the Audubon Socie-
ty, the Geological and Linnaean socie-
ties and the New York State Grange
If it is enacted into law, the traffic in
bird plumage IN the metropolis may be
greatly diminished, for the prohibition
would apply hot only to American
birds, but to plumage imported into
New York from Europe and the far
East.
Miss Mary e. Richards, who has
been for nine years secretary and the
executive force of the Philadelphia So
ciety for Organized Charity is soon to
leave that work to become one of the
staff of the Russell Sage Foundation Of
New York, in charge of all its work for
the extension of charity organization.
Warm tribute is paid to the work of
Miss Richmond in Philadelphia. and it
is said that when thousands of men
were out of work last winter in that
city, not a single instance of distress
reported failed to be answered and re-
lief afforded when needed within twen-
ty-four hours.
Castle Garden was built by the Unit
ed States Government in 1907 from
plans drawn by Lieut.-Col. Jonathan
Williams, and was called Fort Clinton.
In 1922 it was coded to the city of New
York, and in 1924 became a place of
amusement, getting its present name in
1926. or thereabouts. In 1S4o Ethiopian
minstrels were there, and in 1886 to
1S49 theatrical companies played there.
Jenny Lind sang there in 1850. 1t was
closed as a place of amusement in 1885,
and the commissioners of immigration
took it as an immigration depot. In
1870 it was partially burned, and on
July 3, 1876, it was entirely destroyed
by fire. 1t was at once rebuilt. and in
1892, when the depot was removed to
Ellis island, the building reverted to
the city, and in 1896 the Aquarium was
opened.
Writing to the Philadelphia Ledger
William Simmons, secretary of the
Farrague Association of Naval Veter
ans, says that lin the published ac-
counts Of the presentation of a silver
service to the new battleshp Missis-
sippi the public is deceived by the
statement that the old vessel of that
name was destroyed during the civil
war by a Confederate battery COM
mandcd by a lieutenant named Miller
Mr.. Simmons adds: 1.-The old Missis-
sippi was run aground on a sandbar by
careless, ignorant or incompetent pl-
lot above New Orleans on the night OF
March IA. 1863, and the captain. Mel
ancthon Smith. finding he could not
get the vessel afloat. set her on fire to
prevent her from falling into the hands
of the enemy. These are the cireum-
stances under which the famous vessel
was lost
Americans who intend to take little
tours off the beaten track this season
in Europe" writes a woman from
Innsbruck. would better be careful on
the Austro- Italian border. Three tour
lists from Bosnia-a merchant, law
yer and studenI-wero making the
tour of the Lago di Gardi, and were
stepped on the Austrian border and
taken to the carabinieri barracks on
suspicion of being spies. For hours
they were questioned and cross-ques-
toned, every vestige of their clothing
was searched, their knapsacks were
ransacked, but nothing to indicate that
they were spies was found, and late at
night, after a trying experience, they
were set free. 1t was fortunate for
them that they had no Photographic
instrument in their outfit. In that IN
stance their release would have been
more difficult matter"
Buda-Pesth is to have a new bac-
THEOLOGICAL institute.
A Philadelphia physician claims that
the Tactic acid tablets now so much
used for intestinal disorders are also
helpful in the treatment OF catarrh
and other affections of the throat, car
and nasal passages. A liquid contain
ing these bacilli sprayed into these
cavities is said to destroy the germs
with which it comes in contact.
The development of the slot machine
idea has taken further strides in Ne"
York. Many of the big hotels and some
of the larger drug stores have now m
stalled slot machine typewrlters. fol
10 cents and press of the button you
are confronted with standard type
writer and paper, which can be usea
for half an hour.
There is not port in Europe. ana
| few, if any, in the world, where the
matter of tides is of no consequence.
John D. Rockefeller has caused "
be constructed on his estate RAINBOW
fountain that throws out the prislnat'o
colors whenever tine sun is shining.
Today the collection in the Nations,
Library comprises nearly 2,ooo'ovs
items 100000 printed books an.
pamphlets, and nearly 1.000,OO0s othe.
articles manuscripts, maps. prints
and music)-by all means the larses.
collection Of the western hemisphslo
and perhaps the third largest ~ .no
world They are increasing az w
rate of about 10000 books anu