The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-15
PACIFIC COAST
AND THE CANAL
Is vitality Interested in Open
ing of Big Ditch
THE AUTO IN AUSTRIA
Roads Are So Bad and Prejudice So
Strong That But Very Few Ma
chimes Are Used in the
Empire
by RALPH M. wHITEsIDE

BY RALPH NJ. WHITESIDE
Washington. August 14-(special.) Per
haps no section of the country has a big
ger interest in the completion of the Pan
anna canal than the Pacific coast. Not
alone will this have an important effect
on freight rates between the Atlantic and
Pacific ports of this country. but 1t will
probably result In a great increase in
European immigration to the Pacific
states. 1t has been stated by those who
have made a study of the matter that 1t
is practically certain that as soon as the
canal is open regular lines of steamers
will be run from European ports to San
Francisco. Portland and Seattle, with i'm
migrant rates so near those now current
to Atlantic ports that the difference will
be insignificant as compared to the trans
continental rail rates.
California, 1t is pointed out, offers
splendid opportunities to the southern
Europeans, while Washington and Ore
gon will be most congenial to the more
northern races. with the enterprise of
these states. it is assumed that the open
ing of the canal will see great change
in the flow of emigration.
Senator Bailey and all other opponents
of the automobile would find a paradise
in Austria" asserted Albert G. Henry of
Minneapolis, in the course of an argu-
ment designed to prove to some of the
friends the excellence of a car he re-
Gently purchased
II have had some practical experience
with Austrian roads and know something
of the sentiment of the people, he con-
tinued Last year I was member of
motor party that started out to do most
of Europe. We got along swimmingly in
Germany and France. We were con-
WINGED that Europe had the best roads in
the world. Then we went over the 'front.'
Ter into Austria.
II advise those who contemplate an
automobile trip through Austria-H Hungary
to change their plans. The roads are I'M
speaka ble-at least those that we struck.
And besides, the natives don't care much
for autos. There seems to be a strong
prejudice throughout the empire against
them. The horse breeders and horse low
ers apparently have been able to create
this Probably you will be surprised to
learn that there are only 5000 motor cars
in Austria. OF this small number $500 are
in Vienna. Think of a country the size OF
Austria Hungary with only a small frac-
ton Of the number of machines that are
owned In New York city. 1t doesn't
seem possible, but It's true.
II found that thereTar only nine auto
mobile factories in the entire country.
The machines are, as a rule. of low pow
err. Most of them have IA to 1S-horse-
power; there are some of from % to 80
a., g.
sons we met told us that American ma
chimes were -AMted at about double the
price for which they were sold In this
country, so that the cost was prohibitive.
I don't wonder. though, that the Aus
TRANS are prejudiced against the use of
automobiles. Those roads of theirs GER
tainly would eat up tires
William Jennings Bryan is still a pow
err in the land and is yet the leader of his
party In his state, according to r. B.
Weller of Omaha. Neb., who was in this
city recently Mr. Weller is a lumber
merchant and republican. so he said.
Bryan. in fact. has fighting chance
to be elected United States senator, and
I am inclined to think that he will be
elected. He is mighty popular with the
people of Nebraska and. notwithstanding
his defeat on the local option question,
he is still the leader OF his party. He Is
head ard shoulders above those who
would dethrone him, and they will have
to come to him for advice and help.'
Mr.. Weller said he did not like the lum-
Der tariff schedule and did not think that
there should be any tariff on lumber. He
said business Is very good, and that ev-
erything looks favorable to a long period
of prosperity elsewhere.
Robert Bacon, Jr.. son of Robert Bacon,
American ambassador to France, is to get
his preliminary financial training In the
service of the government.
He began work at the treasury depart
|ment as private secretary to Assistant
Secretary A. Platt Andrews.
Young Bacon Is one of the best oars
men ever turned out of Harvard, and was
captain OF the varsity crew in his senior
year. He became acquainted with As
sistant Secretary Andrews when the lat
ter was professor of economies at Har-
ward.
1t is not expected that Mr. Bacon Will
remain long in the government service.
His father was formerly a member of the
firm Of J. Pierpont Morgan & Co., and
his sons are being trained for a financial
career. Mr.. Bacon and Secretary An
drews were agreed. 1t is understood. that
the best possible training for work In a
Wall street bank was to be found in the
treasury department. Mr.. Bacon will re-
main in Washington throughout the sum-
mer.
Municipal meat shops. so far as I
know, are a novelty. / don't believe
there are any In this country. But they
have them down in the city of Chihua-
bua, Mexico" said d. d. Cronkhite of
Ell Paso Tex.
Last year." he continued, ''the city of
Chihaubau opened about 20 meat shops.
ommendation of the .jefe-politioo,' as
they call the mayor down there
1.-The plan was the result of the health
boards report that many disease were in
great measure due to the lack of san
itary conditions In the privately owned
meat markets.
THE municipal shops were located so
that they were separated from surround
ing buildings by distance great enough
to insure good air and light from all
Sides
1.-THE shops are built of brick. are one
story in height and are equipped with tile
floors The windows are barred and
screened, and the meat is not allowed to
come in contact with ANYTHING but marble
or enameled surfaces after It reaches the
market. Each shop. was informed, cost
the city about 1900.
The municipal shops make such hit
that about eight duplicates of them were
erected by private concerns.
"Chihaubua insists on having its meat
served in q clearly fashion, and the meat
men are not slow in realizing that 1t
pays to keep a sanitary establishment"
Grant Jarvis. bill clerk Of the House