The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-04-23
KANSAS COMAENT
FEAR OF THE COMET.

FEAR OF THE COMET.
For millions of years mother earth
has been circling about through space
without having a head-on collision
with comet, and the records do not
snow tnar any stray comet has ever
punctured her sides or tore holes in
her turrets while she sailed through
the sea of misty light. Judging from
past history there is no need to worry
ABOUT the chances of the comet. own
ed Dy MI. HALEY, suddenly running
into the earth some dark and stormy
hlgnt, thus putting an end to the uni
verse. But there are people who will
worry ana who believe that the comet
may, while humping itself through the
trackless void, suddenly lose it's rud-
ger ana come buttfng into the earth.
PEOPLE who want to worry about such
tnlngs nave that inalienable right, it
IS their blessed privilege to worry
about anything they care to select as
source of worriment, but If they
must fret about something, why not
take taxes, death, fear of rheuma-
tism or the hookworm as the subject
on which to waste their nervous force.
Hoary headed scientists who have
been peering through telescopes ever
since they were youthful prodigals tell
US they are sure the celestial visitor
will do no harm whatever to a single
person or thing on this planet. AS
they are supposed to know their bus
mess we should take their word for
1t. They have been studying northern
their habits for years, and before
them were astronomers engaged in the
same business who handed down their
accumulated knowledge If their as
surance isn't worth anything what is
the use of having them around? When
people get sick they go to a doctor
and he makes a diagnosis of the case.
They take his word for 1t. Now is
the time for the timid ones to pin
their faith to the astronomers who
declare the comet won't come closer
than 100000 miles to the earth and
that its tail is nothing but gas which
is so thin that If we should be wrap
ped about in it we wouldn't know the
difference between it and moonshine.
Nervous people should accept this
statement coming from the wise old
astronomers. If they won't accept the
theories and calculations of men who
are engaged in scientific research they
should so conduct themselves that they
will be ready to meet the comet and
its maker-Wichita Eagle.
HOBSON'S CHOICE.
We refer to the kissing captain,
Richmond Pierson, and not to the pro-
get The gentleman from Alabama
might also do that. but he insists on
more and wider range of choice.
Captain Hobson's latest naval plan
(besides a reputation for kissing the
captain produces little but naval
plans) is what he calls maintaining
our equilibrium on the ocean. BY this
he means that the United States should
have a fleet on the Atlantic stronger
than any European fleet save that of
England, and a Pacific fleet stronger
than that of any Asiastic nation. With
this condition established we might lie
down in peaceful slumber. undisturbed
by visions Of Japanese hordes chasing
the tourists of Los Angeles, or German
invaders interfering with the walters
union in holding up the populace along
Broadway. And to accomplish this we
should have to pay out only about
$50, 100000 a year for construction of
a half dozen new Dreadnaughts an
nually. No doubt the nation would
like to do something to make Hobson
sleep better, and more, but they have
ceased to be frightened by his noise.
If Hobson really wants to worry the
nation, he should keep still, and spread
the impression that he has sought a
safer place. AS long as he continues
to recklessly risk his life and limb
around the capitol, and on the chau-
tauqua circuit, the impression will re-
main that he is blufin g-Atchison