The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-04-27


the most hopelessly confused curren-
CIV in the world was sounded For
eigners residing in, or doing business
with China breathed a great sigh or
relief. as the loan is to end a most
vexatious obstacle to the transaction
of business.
China agrees, S part of the contract,
to install a currency system worthy
of the name. Until the eighties OF
the last century, China had no silver
~, the brass cash, was the only ma
tional coin. Silver was used in the
Iump by weight, the unit of weight
being known to foreigners as the tael
Gan Indian term and to the Chinese
as the liang, the equal, roughly speak
ing to 1 1-$ ounces avolrdupols:
The weight of the lang, however,
and the fineness of the silver bull
lion, varied in every city OF the EN-
pire and, to add to the confusion,
Mexican and Spanish dollars were also
in use in certain localities. About 1887
the Chinese provincial governments
began to mint dollar pieces, and there
are some eight or ten varieties Of
of these in circulation, all nominally
of the value Of a. Mexican dollar, but
in reality entirely lacking uniformity.
Added to these various dollars is
that of the British crown colony, Hong
Kong which is in use in a number
Of ports. Several foreign banks do
ing business in China have issued pa
per notes, which have a limited circu-
lation. Some OF these are subject to
discount If used outside the port OF
issue All this has produced great
confusion, and burdened trade with
endless charges for exchange, and the
difficulties have been increased by
of1ta in a
the silver.
The American government has been
consulted a number Of times by China
during recent years in regard to cur
rency reform which would relieve the
situation. In 1903 a treaty was sign
ed in which China agreed to provide
uniform national coinage.
In 1904, at the request Of China.
Prof J. w. jerks of Cornell Univer-
sity and a member of the Commission
on International Exchange, was sent
to Picking by the american govern
ment. Prof jerks studied the monetary
situation in China for IS months. and
his recommendations were accepted.
However, after his return to the Uni
ted States a change of sentiment ap-
peared. Various substitute schemes
were presented. but none adopted I'M
til last May. when an Imperial edict
appeared approving a plan.
The standard coin is to be of silver
of the same weight and fineness as
the Mexican dollar The fractional
pieces in silver will be the dime, the
quarter and the half dollar, and sub
sidary coins In addition to these will
be a nickel five cent piece, and in
copper the mill, five mill, one cent and
two cent piece.
The queer popularity of the old ex-
preston "dotting an I and crossing a
To- is growing every day in the House
Of Representatives.
Minority Leader Mann started the
fad. In declaring that a certain pro-
ly no change over the old ones,
he declared it was mot altered by
the crossing of a T nor the dotting
of an T.. This was the first extended
speech made after the converting of
the extra session.
The expression stuck in the minds Of
the members It has been used about
three score times since. Rep. Under
wood Oem., Ala.,) and Rep. Cooper,
Rep.. Wis). pulled it off in the reci-
procity debate; Rep. Rucker (Den.,
MOI got it off in connection with the
debate on the bill for the direct cleo
ton of, Senators. Ex-Speaker Cannon
Reciprocity and Rep. Fordney Rep,
Mich.) shouted it out the other day.
The end is not yet.
Things run in fads at the House.
When somebody revives a catchy ex-
preston it has a long run until it be-
comes so chestnutty that another
member starts a new one.
Another rifle shooting trophy has re-
Gently been added to the collection at
the office of the Secretary Of War.
The latest addition to the prizes is
the Dewar Cup, which has Just ar
rived from England. This cup was
in competition with teams of Great
Britain and Australia. Each country
was represented by fifty men shooting
small caliber rifles at seventy five
feet.
The trophy is a silver cup, 80 inches
high. which cost $500. It was present
ed by Sir Thomas Dewar Of England.
1t will remain in the custody of the
United States one year, when it will
again be put in competition.
The National Capital will soon be
the scene of a continuous aviation
tournament. Furthermore there will
be no ticket-takers on the field, and
visitors may acquire the aviation
neck without charge. Uncle Sam is
the Snowman.
Negotiations are about completed for
the lease of grounds near Washington
by the War Department, for use as
an aerodrome. The department al
ready is arranging to- buy several
aeroplanes, an appropriation of $685.
600 having been made for the purpose
by both Houses of Congress. The
Senate has voted that $4,000 Of this
sum be made Immediately available.
Brigadier General Allen has asked
aeroplane makers to make offers, and
expects soon to have one Or more
machines in Washington.
The erection of hangers for the ac-
commodation of the machines, will be
begun shortly.
1t is planned to begin flying in
Washington as soon as the weather
moderates, and is less unsettled Lieut.
Benjamin d. Foulois, of the Signal
Corps. now on aeroplane duty along
the Mexican border will be called to
take charge of the instruction Of
other officers. Two army officers are
now with Glenn Curtiss near San
Diego, learning to fly, and they will
undoubtedly be called to Washington
for aero work.
Daily flights will be made, and nu-
merous tests and experiments are be-
ing planned. The army has taken up
the work of developing an aeroplane
corps in earnest, and from now on SER
ious work is contemplated.
WASHINGTON BRIEFS.
Rep. Rucker Oem., Mo-, believes in
patronizing home industries. and
smokes nothing but the Missouri
meerschaum", a well colored corncob