davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1911-06-25
NATIONAL MUSEUM GETS
AN ELECTRIC RAY

| A recent addition to the division of
| fisheries in the new National Musuem in
Washington has proved one Of the most
interesting specimens In the entire COL
| lection 1t is the electric ray, known in
the language Of the scientist as the Mar
cine braslliensis. harmless enough as to
name, but capable Of repelling its enc
miles in a manner peculiarly its own,
which gives II its common title of the
torpedo" hsh.
The electric ray 10 OF the skate variety,
with broad, fiat, nearly oval head and
body. and caudai appendage something
like that possessed by the majority of
well-known fishes. Its mouth is on the
under side and It can only feel the way
to II when feeding. But the real curios-
ity about the Narcine brasiliensts Is the
fact that Il carries its own storage bat
terry with II on all Its wanderings, and
that Il has the power OF recharging the
thousands of little cells when they be-
come exhausted, using its power over and
over again.
There are really two batteries. They
are located where one would naturally
expect to fnd the breathing apparatus of
the fish, to the right and the left of the
beady black eyes and back. They are
kidney-shaped, occupying perhaps one
third Of the upper part of the body
When at peace with itself and the rest
Of the world the torpedo fish swims
around at leisure or rests In shallow
water, burrowing in the sand at ease,
but II attacked, the battery Is discharged
and the enemy is glad to call It drawn
battle IL 1t can swim away. It gets its
prey by using its batteries to supply the
necessary current to kill but IL must first
complete connection with the object OF
its attack.
Men have speared these torpedos in
shallow waters and have caught them
in nets, but on handling them have been
very glad to call It of and avoid further
shock Fishermen have been repeatedly
knocked down by contact with them.
The species Is common along the South
Atlantic and Gulf Coast, the electric ray
In the Museum coming from the West
Coast of Florida. In Bulletin Is, of the
American Museum Of Natural History, ].
Russell Coles says: They can give a
powerful shock, and have been knocked
down many times when experimenting
with this fish, yet could make no record
OF this peculiar form of electricity, as 1t
had no effect on my battery testing
needle and II would not light a little
electric lamp that required but two and
q half volts.
Several barefooted fishermen have
been knocked down by stepping on the
electric ray in the water They remain
soft and rubber-like in a formalin solu-
ton that hardened other specimens"
There Is one adult ray and fourteen
little ones in the division. The little rays
IN life are capable OF numbing the human
hand by contact
The Washington herald., 1911-06-25
A @BUsINEss" PRESIDENT.
President Taft Nearest Approach ts
Business Man I'm White House.

President Taft Nearest approach to
Business Man I'm White House.
From the Boston Advertiser
Rear Admiral Bowles thinks. we should
have a business man as President Of the
United States" It is worth while calling
attention to the statement, IL only to
show how far the critic faiIs TO appre-
ciate the fact which is recognized pretty
generally. however. that this country has
never before had a President who has
worked so hard and so successfully for
the legitimate advancement OF business as
has President Taft The state DEPART
naent, under President Tafts inspiration.
has labored consistently and successfully
TO advance the proper interests Of Arneri-
can commerce ana business in all parts
of the world. The State Department IN
this administrator has done more IN this
direction than any preceding administers
1on Of this department. The business
note has been constantly ana efIncfIyely
emphasized throughout the two years ana
three months that President TAFT hss
been IN ONCE. No business man, IA ire
Chief Executive once OF The naflon could
do more Or could do It better. than fhe
present President Mr.. TAFT i essentIe ~
q huslness President. In the sense that he
uncertanQs ana encouraees lerIfIniafe
business advancement throrehouf the
country and wherever the soncsrns s}
this country touch.
The Washington herald., 1911-06-25

tories OF more than few of the trees in
Washington. We are acquiring many
dead marbles in commemoratien of men
who have made history, while the living
monuments which have sheltered them
and felt the touch OF their hands in fond
ness are passing out. But greater
effort is now made and modern methods
applied. and with the help of surgery,
conjoined to common sense, our children's
children may be able to see the old trees
which have been given a new lease Of life.
The Washington herald., 1911-06-25
FESTIVAL Is PLANNED.
Belgians Organise for Waterloo Bat
tie Centenary.

tie Centenary.
Brussels. June PA Belgian committee
has now been formed, under the presi-
dency of Gen. de Heusch. to organize
great centenary festivities on the field Of
Waterloo in 1915.
1t is Intended to construct another mon
ument. which viii be OF black marble.
Every nation that took part in the battle
win be represented by bronze figure.
and all the bones and other souvenirs OF
the historic struggle win be collected and
placed In the monument.
The idea Of erecting peace monument
on the battlefield OF Waterloo has been
abandoned. Fetes OF an international
character win be organized by an inter-
national committee for the year 1915.
The Washington herald., 1911-06-25

While referring to these numerical de-
tails, It may be well to point out that
the largest plates employed in the hull
are S6 feet long. Weighing ~ tons each.
and the largest steel beam used is go
feet long, the weight of this double beam
being tons. Further, the colossal rud-
der which is to be operated electrically,
weighs 100 tons, the anchors 1511 tons
The Washington herald., 1911-06-25

In the White Star Lines new triple
screw steamers Olympic and Titanic are
epitomized all the science and skill of
century Of steam navigation. The
same spirit of progress which actuated
the White Star Line in introducing into
the Atlantic passenger trade the wide
ly known mammoth steamers Oceanic
the first steamer to surpass the length
OF the Great Eastern, Celtic, Cedric,
Baltic, and. latterly, the giant Adriatic,
has produced these new surprising
ships.
striking Statistics.
Figures speak most concisely and elo-
quently Of the supremacy or the Olympic
and Titanic, but tine following table re-
cords a remarkable advance In the dimen-
sions Of these latest and greatest con-
querors of Neptune:
Tonnage. registered. Al, 600
Tonnage, displacement. -,.......-... Sc, 900
Length over all......."....SS2 feet inches
Breadth over all........... % s
Breadth over boat deck. 81 o
Height from bottom Of
keel Of boat deck. 81
Height from bottom of
keel to top of captains
mouse ...........-....... luo
Height OF tunnels above
casing NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. T2
Height OF tunnels above
boat deck................. 81
Distance from top OF fun
mel to keel. o
Number OF steel decks.............. IL
Number Of water-tight bulkheads.. Is
Passengers carried $500
Crew ............................ $50
While referring TO these numerical de-
The Washington herald., 1911-06-25

Probably the most interesting tree IN
Washinstop- At least It should bells the
Washington elm. In the Capitol
grounds. II Is tradition and Is prob
able. that washington. while building his
New-York tribune., 1911-01-07
cHAs. SUMNER, PEACE PIONEER

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: The l00th anniversary OF the birth
of Charles Sumner ls being celebrated in
Boston with fitting ceremonies. For some
reason we hear less and read less about
GUNNER than we do about some others Of
Massachusetts, historic statesmen. To be
sure. there were giants In those days, and
the fame Of Webster has perhaps dmmed
that. Of lesser intellectual celebrities who
have figured In our national politics. Yet
II is pleasing now TO see the white light
Of posterity's gratitude turned upon Sum-
ner's noble figure with true ardor and 70
see Boston paying tribute 20 this really
great man with the same earnestness as
that which she is constantly displaying In
commemorations Of her more purely liter
ary lights OF the past
Summers greatness was moral greatness
and doubtless II would please his spirit TO
era when international peace. whose
apostle he was Is on the eve Of becoming
an accomplished fact. Now that realiza-
tion OF the ultimate necessity and prac-
ticability OF world peace has come 10 our
public consciousness we must appreciate
the fact that Sumner was virtually one. ~
the pioneers in this line so far as Ameri-
can statesmen are in point.
Patriot. peace lover friend OF humanity.
these are his names on our unwritten
book Of loving national memory. So again
let us congratulate Boston. J. W. r.
Winthrop, Mass, Jan. g. 1911.
New-York tribune., 1911-01-07

have they ever been perm'uu De-
come as bad as that! The eou. 'nouse
is not q modern building, but IL Is al
most ideally situated for prop, '.nu'a-
ton. standing az II does By user nnu In
the midst Of a park. II surely ~ not
beyond the ra nge OF possibility ior sani'
tsry experts to provide fres" ar for
building which has windows On all
sides. II the fault Is antiquated plumb
ing, thst ought to have been recuned
long ago. Any steps that are necessary
to make the building sanitary ana 10
prevent it's enda ngering the hves or
those who have business in the courts,
II IL does endanger them. snouiu DE
taken. Present conditions. II they are
as bad az the judges believe them TO De,
should not be permitted to continue in
the belief that new courthouse VIII
be built so soon that improvements In
the present one would be waste OF
money The new courthouse seems
remote. The site which. according to
general opinion. should be adopted there
are not available funds to acquire. ana
the city should not be hurried into con
stn,ction which It would later regret
merely TO improve sanitary conditions
which should be perfectly susceptible OF
relief I'm other ways.
New-York tribune., 1911-01-07
4muSements.
~ OF MUsIC-s-ChIiaren OF the

ACADEMY OF MusIc-s-chlldren OF he
ALHAMRRA-2---s--va Vaudeville.
s:20-The Aviator.
BELASCO-2:3O-s:30-T Concert.
BIJOU-2:oO-s:2 s:20-The Nest Egg.
BROADWAY-2l5-s:i5 s:i5-The Squaw Man.
CARNEGIE HALL-2;So-Fsnnie Bio0nnhe''-
s,arisn, Is cs[ss sos,
SpfoNiAi as1SsuGsviils, C1uGs M'1n'S"' sous
CoMEpY-2 30 s:is Ill Re Hanged II l Do
sos sOSBs6y Mine. service
EMPiRE-2l5-s s;i6-Trelswny Of the Wells
GAiETY-2. -2.i5-S;l5-Get Rich Quick wsllins-
eARRlcK -2is-s s:2o-The Imgos,Or.
GIOPE-2: :lS-S:l5-The Slim Princess.
ss1sisr HasG,
HERALD SQUARD-2:l5--s:l5-The Girl ana
PoDRoME-2-s-The International Cup
Ballet OF Nagsra-The Earthquake.
HUpsoNn?:2 s:SonNobody,s Wid9T w.,,.
JOE WEBER Rs-2:lo-s:15-Alma. Where DO
Observation-Disclosures Foolish vir-
LIBERTY-2l5-s:lo- Spring Maid
LYCEUM-2 -2:20-s:So-suzanne.
I,YRIC-2 :lb-s-Two Women
MAJBSTIC-2:15-s:3o :3o-The Blue Rird; ,,s.
MANHATTAN OPERA HoUsE-2-s-Vsuds..
MAxINE ELLroTrs-2:so- -s;sc-The Cam
METRoPoLITAN OPERA xOniss-
SAfioSAL AcHpEMY OF pEsIeNm1;S,s es,l;,,cn a m
M and So 20 B GSsB Cant Be as Bad
NEW AMSTERDAM - 2h5 - sI5 - Madame
NEw"2Hold Heidelberg -s:Is--vanity Fair
NEW YoRK-2IS-S:l5.Nspshty Marietta
REPUBLIC-2:l5-s:1b- -Rebecca OF sunnyoroos
ST XIcHoIAs Ts RINE@Io; % sdnssSst sSs3S1 Walk
WEST END-2:16-s:15-The Cub.
New-York tribune., 1911-01-07
LIP. WILSON'S TLrIMITnM

Dr. Wilson, the Governor ELECT OF New
Jersey, cannot he charged with luke
warmness or indefniteness in his atti-
tude toward the United States sena tor
ship from that state. His address cf
Thursday night in Jersey City was prac-
tically an ultimatum. and II lacked no
element of directness. explicitness cr
emphasis He will accept no compromise.
He is not only against Smith, but he is
also for MARITIME. Which IS the stronger.
his desire to see MARITIME elected or bis
desire to see Smith defeated, is matter
for conjecture. He indicates no diner
ence Of intensity between them.
The grounds Of both desires are evil
dent. The Governor-elect wants to see
Mr.. MARITIME elected not for Mr.. Marines
sake but for the sake OF the principle
which he conceives to be involved. lie
believes In direct primary nominations
including the popular indication OF pref
erence for United States Senator'S, ana
while there was nothing compulsory IN
last years senatorial primary, and only
two Of half a dozen Democratic candl-
dates availed themselves OF II, while me
vote for Mr. MARITIME was small MI
nority Of the Democratic votes of the
state. still he insists that the result shall
be held sacrosanct. He does not assert,
we believe. that he considers Mr.. Mar
tine TO be the best fitted man In the
party for the senatorship. He might un-
der other circumstances prefer any one
OF several other candidates. but JUST
because Of that primary vote he insists
that Mr.. MARITIME and no one else must
be elected Senator.
On the other hand. Or. Wilson opposes
Mr.. Smith not only because he did not
win at the primaries but even more De
cause he is In his. DR.. Wilson's, op'nion'
unfit for the place. DR.. Wilson regards
the former Senator as machine poll
tician Of an offensive type, representa-
tive of special interests and not OF tne
people. and therefore be opposes niIn'
Whether he would thus have opposeo
him ~ there had been no primaries at
all and the senatorship fight had been
left open. as in former years, does not
appear. The fact Of the primaries, now
ever. affords him an opportunity FOR IN
iecting himself into controvers! III
which generally a Governor has no part
and he Is doing 80 with charaCerIstc
zeal and disregard of consequences. II IL,
OH the whole. about the prettiest nsht
within triumphant party-for tne
other party to witness-that has been
seen in New Jersey in this generation
New-York tribune., 1911-01-07
THE NEWS THIS MORNING.

q CONGRESS.-The Senate was not in
session -= House: The day was spent
in consideration Of war claims bills.
FOREIGN.-The inquest in the deaths
Of two anarchists who held the police
az bay in their Sidney street home on
Tuesday was begun: the physician who
performed the post-mortem examinations
testified that one OF the anarchists died
from a gunshot wound and the other
from suffOcation. - II was stated at
Rio de Janeiro that forty-fve Brazilian
mutincers met sudden deaths since their
surrender Of the republics warships, on
November 26. twentysiX died from eX-
posure to heat and the sun and eighteen
were suffocated in their cells. while Jean
Candido. the leader, died from gangrene.
STIC..PTesident Taft refused to
commute the sentence of man con-
victed of peonage in Florida. - Fu-
neral services for Senator Stephen 3.
Elkins were held in Washington, and
the body was taken TO Elkins, w. Va,
for burial TO-DAY. II was said at
Albany that the indications were that
there would be q battle royal this win
ter between the water power interests
and the conservationists over the ques-
tion OF state ownership Of water power
sites and compensation to the state for
the power thus developed. - A series
Of the Minneapolis General Electric
Company caused 100000 loss and tenn
porarily paralyzed the city's business.
CTTY-Stocks we're firm on light trad
ing. - Seven indictments charging
theft Of $207 900 were returned against
Joseph c. Robin by the grand jury.
- The legislative investigating COM
mittee ended its public sessions. but
counsel said a special session would be
held II City Chamberlain Hyde got back
TO New York Theodore Roosevelt
Andrew Carnegie and Mayor Gaynor
were speakers at the dinner Of the Peri
odicaI Publishers Association. - An
eight year old Brooklyn boy died from
lyssophobia following an attack by a
stray dog. on December Is, and much
talk thereafter on his danger from hy-
drophobia Mayor Gaynor and
other members of the Board Of Esti-
mate and Apportionment discussed the
subway situation; the board will prob
ably meet In committee Of the whole on
Tuesday.
THE WEATHER.-Indicati for to-
day: Fair The temperature Yesterday:
Highest, 80 degrees; lowest, 20. o
New-York tribune., 1911-01-07
MOUNT HERMoN's NEEDS.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: I am in receipt OF news from the
Mount Hermon Boys School, at Northfield.
Mass. Of the destruction BY fire this noon
OF our largest dormitory. Crossley Hall. 1t
is with gratitude that | am able TO report
no deaths OF injuries. The building was
insured for 30 per cent OF its original cost.
In accordance with our custom. but IL will
cost No double the original expenditures TO
rerlace the building which was built in 1854.
The building had a capacity for more
than one hundred and eighty students. who
are returning tomorrow, after the Christ
mas holiday. and il will tax our resources
and ingenuity 10 find room for even part of
them. The school 10 remote from any VII
lage, and We must depend upon our own
facilities entirely for the care Of our stu
dents.
our greater anxiety however, is for next
year. We must at once begin preparations
for the erection Of q new building Of equal
capacity. which will cost. at the present
rate OF construction, at least $4,000 or
SlOo.0m In addition 10 what We receive from
the insurance companies. As you have gen
erousiy aided us in the past by making
known our needs. am taking the liberty
OF again seeking your cooperation In pre-
senting this matter TO your readers, among
whom there are many who are In sympathy
with our work at Northheld.
New York. Jan. 8. 1911. W. r. MOODY.
New-York tribune., 1911-01-07
THE TARIFF COMMISSION BILL.

Congress will do a sensible and polite
thing II Il passes a tariff commission
law az this session. The Republican
party is now definitely committed TO the
plan OF scientific revision of the tariff
by schedules. II intends to apply the
principle which the last Republican ma
tional platform laid down and which
was laid down in many earlier national
platforms-that Of offset'ing the differ
entail in the cost of production here and
abroad-in the only manner In which
that differential can be accurately meas
ured and fairly counterbalanced. In nll
recent revisions Congress has had 10
work more or less I'm the dark. it has
been obliged to take the eb pdrte state
ments Of interested persons as TO the
amount Of protection required and has
had no means of confirming or refuting
claims made by biassed witnesses,
through information gathered by Impair
tial investigators. Human nature being
what IL is, recent protective tariffs have
probably erred on the side Of giving over
protection in some schedules. That Is
HlUlOsI ds grave a lulouppiiNdtiou VI Nhc
protective theory as giving under-pro-
lection. II the protective system is To
do it's proper work II must be applied
with as nearly exact justice 10 both
consumer and producer ms can be Sc
cured.
The present Tariff Board, under Presi-
dent Taft's direction. might possibly ac-
complish almost as much as statutory
tariff commission could accomplish. But
IL is advisable TO give permanent title
and more assured status to the body
which is to aid Congress in fixing duties
and the President in carrying out the
provisions Of the minimum ma ximum
section of the Payne law. The present
board would pass out Of existence II
Congress should at any session neglect
to make an appropriation to continue its
work. A permanent commission, com
posed. as the Interstate Commerce Com
mission is, Of members representing both
political parties, with fixed terms and
salaries, could not be so easily wiped out
II would probably win wide popular
recognition and support. just as the IN
,terstate Commerce Commission has done
and its suggestions would similarly come
70 carry weight with both politlcai par
New-York tribune., 1911-01-07
PRESIDENT TAFT'S WORTH
Invaluable Qualities That Demand sup
port and Approval Of All.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir brief review Of the activities OF the
federal government in the last two years
with special reference 10 President Iai'
position in the progress OF the nauohs'
Issues. will convince every one that we ha'e
at our head a man whose judicial auaiities
have been a priceless attribute for the soo'
OF the whole people. We find tnat '"o
President advocates all the sound inchNa-
tions OF the American people In the restora-
ton OF the American flag upon the hlsn
seas OF commerce. the immediate creauon
OF permanent non-partisan tarin coi''-
mission. the enforcement of all e1isons
laws before the enactment OF new meaS.
ures. the elimination Of all semblances Vi
class legislation in reference to the ois-
putes between capital and labor.
His broad mind embraces the possioii-
ties of the United States in a closer reia-
tionsh!p with all our foreign neighbors' he
advances valuable suggestions to our legis-
lators for the Improvement and reshza-
ton OF our stupendous task In under'aA
ing the construction Of the Panama Canai
and he points out the many evils OF rao'c
ism that knows no bounds. He at once
consistently argues for the protection OF
legitimate business and the punishment OF
all maiefactrs, large or small, In an eduai
sense. His experience as governor OF the
island posse es,ions is utilized in order 10
place before Congress and the people the
needs OF thos. accessions for our whole
betterment.
In short, he is the concrete representa-
ton Of that sense Of progress which Is
possible under our present existence, ana
he condemns the well meaning SOCIALISTS
and radicals on the most reasonable ground
that they are not helping 10 remedy our
present day evils so that We may SAFELY ap-
proach that period when their theories may
be tried and are lying down In the cor
ners, idle and bewailing what might be
possible were we to overthrow the present
and Immediately install the future-as
they see II.
Let all good Republicans, Insurgents ana
regulars. cooperate 10 aid this great man.
our President. In his discharge OF his
sworn duties. And let ALL Democrats throw
aside the,r party affiliations and by uniting
their strength with that of heir Republl-
can brothers let President Tsrt's hands be
upheld. MICHAEL j. HlCkEf.
New York, Jan. T. 1911.
New-York tribune., 1911-01-07

proba bly, much stronger support for
the Presidents side than would have
been given to II few years ago.
II is certainly to be hoped that some
satisfactory disposal Of these two points
will be effected and that treaty OF
arbitration between the two countries
will be completed and become effective.
There can be no doubt that such an
achievement would be in accord with
the most enlightened and humane spirit
Of the age, and while we may not regsr rd
arbitration as an invariably infall'ble
panacea. we cannot doubt that such pro
vision for II between these two coun-
tries would he Of immense value to the
world rs an example. There are prob
ably no two nations which have less
need Of this or any other precautiOn
against war, and yet there are none
whose union - such nm agreement
would be moH impressive and more
likely TO inspire emulation.
New-York tribune., 1911-01-07
FAIR WA0Es-NOT AIMS.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The New York Association for I'M
proving the Condition Of the Poor has just
Issued its sI.y-seventh annual report. II
tells the people that right food, fresh air.
etc. will DO more to make life healthy and
happy than any amount OF almsgfvins. The
association has all our thanks for nothing
we know all about II, and now take the
opportunity 20 say that the poor-the de-
serving poor-do not want aims. but they
do want TO be paid fairly for the work they
do Fancy a mother with three youngsters.
herself and husband 10 feed and clothe on
from 81 10 50 a week getting right food.
Let every member Of that New York as
ISOLATION get busy trying 10 get living
wages for their poor. ! say II is the duty
OF every minister, every priest. 10 denounce
any OF hi. congregation who are employers
and who do not pay living wages. Let
there be good will from men to men. Make
Il possible for men and women to get right
food and clothing IN the right way-the rest
will come easy. A WAGE EARNBR.
New York Jan. s. 1911.