The National tribune., 1910-03-10

little mans social position is affected
by a moral lapse if he is a member of
the aristocracy and possessed of large
fortune. The affair consisted Of a din
ner followed by q dance, and the farors
which the fair guests received are esti-
mated to have cost thousands of dol
lars. What Col Astor is going to do
with this immense new house of his is
somewhat of a question, since by the
terms of the divorce he cannot marry
again during the life of his former wife.
! OF course, he can keep on having DIM
ner parties, etc, but one would suppose
he would not care for the bother of ar
ranging for these. The question of Mrs.
Astor's money settlement is causing
much talk. Col Astor Is one of the
richest men in the United States, yet it
is believed that he has only allowed her
an income of $4,000 year. Mrs. As
tor Is to keep the little daughter and
her former husband their son, each to
See the other child whenever they de-
sire, and both to have a Say-so in the
education of the children. Mrs Astor Is
free to marry again if she so desires.
The case has been conducted with the
greatest privacy, and except for these
few published facts no one really knows
Ianything. not even as to the amount
settled upon Mrs. Astor.
One of the most unique conventions
ever held in any country will take place
next August at Colorado Springs. 1t
will be an absolutely silent assemblage,
not a word being spoken. the entire
proceedings being carried out in the
sign language The deaf from all over
| the world will meet there to discuss
with nimble fingers such questions as
THE deaf man in the business world;
how best to overcome prejudice and dis
trust toward his employment" the
evil effects upon the popular mind in
classifying the deaf with the dependent
and delinquent classes" and other ques-
tions of similar Importance. Alexander
Graham Bell, whose charming wife, it
will be remembered, is afflicted with
deafness and whose invention of the
! telephone was the result of his efforts
| to relieve this, has been invited to be
| present as well as President Taft. But
perhaps the most honored guest will
| be DIR. Gallaudet, whose name is known
the world over for his splendid educa-
tional work among these afflicted peo-
| pie. Moving pictures will be taken of
the scenes of the convention.
A member of the New York Legisla-
ture has lately introduced bill which
proposes a new way of dealing with the
habitual drunkards who fill the police
courts, hospitals and workhouses. 1t
provides for board of inebriety, hos
pital and Industrial colony and a reSu-
lar system of commitments and pa
roles An important feature of the bill
is the separating of the criminal drunk
ards from those who are simply such
slaves to the habit as to make them
absolutely useless members of society,
but who are in no sense dangerous.
These latter are to be isolated and given
the most advanced medical attention.
Chronic drunkenness has never been
really seriously treated by the public
officials. and great hopes of improved
conditions In the future are felt by
those deeply interested in this subject
should this bill become a law. Chicago
has also taken step in the right direc-
ton. There is no doubt but the gravest
evils are the direct result of the custom
of selling intoxicants in places where
women congregate. Whether this is q
first-class restaurant, with shining glass
and silver, flower-decorated tables, etc,
or a low-class place, with soiled table
cloth and rickety chairs, the effects are
the same. Many ruined life can be
traced by the lost woman to q glass or
two of wine taken in some restaurant.
The Chief of Police in Chicago has lately
issued an order to his inspectors to stop
the sale of liquors in saloons, concert
halls or cafes where women are permit
ted to gather. 1t is thought that this
will lead to an exodus from the Windy
City of some $1,000 men and women;
but If this be true Chicago Will be well
rid of them or of all their kind, in fact.
An unusual use is made of goats by
the Union Pacific people. The General
Superintendent of the road, Mr.. Will
liam l.. Park, says that it is almost i'm
possible to induce sheep to leave the
cars at night. Some one who had his
eyes open and observed that sheep
would follow goat suggested that
these sturdy little animals be trained to
board the cars, strike up an acquaint-
lance with the sheep, and then lead them
out by suggesting, perhaps-who can
lsay not that the newcomers be shown
the sights. This novel idea was acted
upon, and now the Union Pacific have
a regularly-trained goat gang, who
empty the sheep cars when it is neces-
sary to do SO. Some one asked Mr..
Park what the road paid its goat-gang,
and he replied that occasionally they
We're given some chewing tobacco as a
great treat after particularly tedious
evenings work. The Union Pacific is
the only road using goats for this pur-
pose.