The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-04-12
PLAN CONSERVATION OF FOOT
STEPS FOR AMERICANS.
Figures Show Country Wastes 35,.
100000 Miles Annually.

New York, April 4.-What is
undoubtedly the oldest and at the
same time one of the most import
ana Conservation movements yet de-
veloped in this country, is now TAX
ing form here in an investigation
looking to the conservation of foot
steps. Unimportant as such a pro-
ject may seem at first glance, it as
sumes extremely significant proper
tions when it is realized that the
footsteps wasted here every day are
equal to 100000 miles of travel
for one person, or 730,000,000 miles
every year. In obtaining these fig
ures 1t is estimated that every in
dividual in the city takes at least
1000 useless steps of two feet in
length each day, or 1000 feet of
wasted travel, that is more than one
third of a mile. Even II the average
rate of walking be placed as high as
four miles an hour, this means that
New Workers throw away each day
100000 hours in useless travel, or
S2,000,000 hours each year. Re-
duced to working days of eight
hours each this means that in this
city alone the equivalent of 62,500
are thrown away every day, or 22,-
100000 working days annually.
Figuring on a value of two dollars
for each working day, the figures
show that New Workers alone are
losing something like $45,000, 900
a year for lack Of scientific conserva-
tion of footsteps. For the whole
country the figures become so
enormous as to be almost incompre-
hensible, showing a daily loss of
364, 100000 days, worth $728,000,-
600. The amount of travel wasted
throughout the whole country an
nually is 35,000,000 miles or well
over one-third the distance from the
earth to the sun, and involving the
loss of hundreds of thousands OF dol
lars worth of shoe leather. OF
course, II is not expected by the
originators of the footsteps conser-
walton idea that all this can be
saved. but it is believed that as a re-
suit of the realization of the enorm-
GUS loss involved in useless foot
steps, a certain part may be con-
served with a resultant profit both
in time and dollars.
Not since Ward McAllister, the
inventor of the 400" issued eight
dbO MS DOOh Lue
names of the persons, who accord
ing TO his standard, constituted what
he chose to call the ultra fashion
able peerage," has New York society
been so rudely surprised as it is
now. The surprise is due to the
publication by a descendant of the
first royal Governor of New York
OF a list of new names, numbering
469 in all. which are supposed to
include every one socially worth
while throughout the whole coun-
try Since McAllister's publication
no one has had the temerity to un-
dertake a similar compilation, and
the new list has created a furore
in society here than any occurrence
that has shaken the social wall in
many years. Wealth and good man
ners are the essentials considered
in the selection OF the members
which shall constitute the most ex-
elusive circle OF American society.
Lineage, of course, is not lost sight
OF, but wealth seems to overshadow
all other requirements for admission
TO the charmed circle. At the same
time wealth alone does not seem to
be sufficient, since, according TO the