davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-04-25
LITTLE ECONOMIES.
Railroad Saved $4,000 Year on Lead
Pencil Stubs.

Did 1t ever occur to you, Mr. Business
Man. that you can possibly increase your
total annual profits by practicing econ
omy more systematically than you
have in the past?
Efficiency and economy are the key
notes of success in modern business. and
the larger the firm is the more exacting
are its requirements along those lines.
No amount is too trivial for the great
corporations to save and the same should
apply to the small firm even more forci-
bly, Most big business concerns employ
efficiency experts, whose sole duty is to
stop every possible leak in the firms ex-
penditures and to devise and put into
execution plans for saving not only the
pennies. but fractions of pennies.
The savings thus effected have amount
ed to thousands of dollars in the course
of Ia year. and in most instances the
greatest amounts were realized through
the practice Of economies that few
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-04-25
voYAeERs OF THE NORTH.
Indian Children Early Are Taught to
Handle Canoe.

Both in summer and in winter The
rivers are the thorouShfares Of the
Canadian wilderness. As soon as they
are strong enough to lift pole and
paddle the Indian children are taught
to handle the canoe in The quick
water. What seems to the Untutored
eyes OF a tenderfoot veritable
maelstrom of white water may to an
Indian canoeman reveal safe and
sure channel for his birch bark
1t is one of the most interesting
sights of wilderness travel to watch a
Cree. Ojibway or Algonquin stand in
his canoe at the head of q rapid
searching for possible way through
and then. having satisfied himself of
the whereabouts of channel, plunge
fearlessly into the white water. now
padding like mad, now Selling his
pole and checking the Roadway 70 his
craft, to shoot off in another direc-
ton, until finally he comes clear
through the boilers" at the foot with
oul having as much as scraped one of
the powders that menace his path.
But even among the red men of the
rivers there is a wide difference in
ability as canoemen. Although. Of
course. experience is Indispensable. n
canoeman is born, not made Judg-
ment, skill, and total ignorance Of
fear seem to be the prime requisites
and even then, as i'm many arts, an
added touch of genius for the work is
necessary to round out the finished
work of a first class voyageur.--
Scribners.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-04-25

years ago would have almost been ridi-
euled. owing to the smallncss of the saw
ing in each individual case. 1t is tn.
enormous aggregate of these intinitesimal
savings that counts.
Perhaps one of the most striking in
stances of saving is furnished by the
Rock Island railroad whose thousands
of employees annually use $4,000 lead pen
ellis in the performance of their duties
These pencils cost approximately 5000. or
little more than z cents apiece. Tho
average length of lead pencil is about
seven inches. which would make each
inch of pencil cost trife over so.002
Until recently the employees were given
new pencils whenever they requested
them. An Investigation disclosed that
on an average not more than one-half
of a pencil was used before it was
thrown away for a new one That was "A
heedless waste the efficiency experts fig
ured, and accordingly "a suggestion was
nlade-which in reality amounts 90 an or
det-fequiring that the stub of each pen-
ell shall be returned before a new one
is issued
The stub of each pencil must not only
be returned. but it must be reasonably
short, or the new one will not be forth
coming Since the new system WAS put
into effect it is estimated that the saving
from using an inch or two more of each
pencil will aggregate fully $1,000 year.
Now take your own stub Of pencil
and do little figuring.
a saving of $1,000 a year on u total ex-
penditure of $500 for pencils alone
means profit of SSia per cent ON that
one item. which is probably one of the
smallest matters of expense a railroad
has to meet.
II has been suggested that still fur
Their saving might be effected If each en-
pioye were provided with a pencil holder
so that the pencils could be used until
they are little more than an inch long.
However. that economy has not yet been
introduced to any great extent.
This is only one of the hundreds of re-
forms that have been inaugiirated by the
great business corporations. That it
pays has been eonclusively proved.
saving of 33'a per cent is even better
than a profit of 3sls per cent because the
individual business man or firm that ef-
fects It has learned "a lesson in economy
that will grow in value with the business,
which is bound TO increase as conse-
quence.-Spokane Review.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-04-25
CURE FOR INDUSTRIAL DISEASES
Many Remedies Which May Be APP
piled by Law.

The remedies for all forms of indus
trial disease are numerous. In the first
place. the diffusion of knowledge of
the dangers among operatives is the
most important. They should be in
formed of the particular symptoms
which indicate disease to which they
are exposed, so as to recognize early
the fact that they are affected. They
should be informed of the means to
avoid the disease. and urged to employ
them. This may well be done through
the labor unions or by notices posted in
factories or distributed to individuals.
They should thus be afforded every fa-
rility for the prevention of the disease.
Thus in many industries in Europe in
Noiving dust respirators and ovcralls
are furnished by the employer; bath
houses are open. soap and towels are
Furnished and time is allowed during
paid working hours for the use 81
baths Thus much can be done by tie
employe to protect himself.
The second means is medical inspec-
ton of employees by governmental i'm
spectors. In this way, in England and
Germany. early symptoms of occupa-
tionai diseases are discovered and no
time il lost in their treatment Many
employers could save money by look
ing after the health of their operatives
In the third place. protective devices
must be installed in factories to protect
operatives. These have been enforced
in Europe and have been voluntarily
adopted here by a few, and should be
enforced upon all. II is said that ST.
500. O00 has been expended in Gary by
ho CT IN
placing various means of protection
Of their operatives in the works In
places where dust is danger, cement
walls and floors and sprinkling appa-
ratus can be put in to keep the air
damp. In places where fumes and
gases are danger. forced drafts for
ventilation are of service. These also
ore of use in remaxing dust. In all
factories proper cleaning and ventlia-
ton before and after work hours
should be insisted upon.
In the fourth place, too great pres
sure for rapid work and for constant
work must not be put on operatives.
The effect of fatigue in increasing ihe
susceptibility to disease is well known,
and in modern factories the rapldity
Of work is increasing and is causing
trouble. The hours of labor are now
fairly limited, but the tendency 10 rush
work. to demand constant. Underwriting
attention and long concentration TO ef-
fort is increasing and with the conse-
auence that the effects Of fatigue are
beconing more and more evident.
Lastly, by official inspection OF eaeh
industry, by competent experts, VINO
epn detect and provide means To pre-
vent and combat the special danger OF
that Industry: and Ivy the conferrlng ~
power to control Industrial methods
which are dangerous through leglsia-
tive enactment in each state a great
deal may be done in this country as
has been done abroad to limit and 70
prevent Industrial disease
In the federal department of COM
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-04-25
Coming Events

April lS-No. Franklin Pomona, Range
ley.
May 1-E. Somerset Pomona, Hariland.
May 1-Knox Pomona, Appleton.
May 1-Androscoggin Pomona, East
Hebron.
May 2-York Pomona. Hollis Center.
May 2-Haneoek Pomona, So. Bluehiif.
May 2-Cumberland and oxford Union
Pomona. So. Bridgton.
May Waldo Pomona, So. Montville.
MAY 7-Oxf0rd Pomona. Bethel.
May S-No. Waldo Pomona, Troy.
May S--kenneheo Pomona, w. Gardiner.
May l1-Cumberiand Pomona, Wind
ham.
May feast Piscataquis Pomona, Sc
bee
+ May 25-Knox Pomona, +. Warren.
+ June 6-6-Divlsion Encampment, sons OF
Veterans, at Gardiner.
June 5-6--Maine Division, Sons of Vet
Grams, Bangor. ef a
June 12-Patriarchs Militant. l. o. o.
F., Brunswick.
June 17-Primary elections in Maine.
June 1S-National Republican Conven-
ton. Chicago.
June 26-2S-Maine Pharmaceutical Assn
Convention. St. Andrews, N. B.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-04-25
Editor 5 T able
Little Giant Question Settler.

Laird & Lees Little Giant Question
Settler: vest-pocket compendium Of
universal information and probably the
only book of the kind, alphabetically ar
ranged, and thoroughly revised to date.
1t is admirably designed for Immediate
reference in matters of desired informa-
tion and for quickly settling all ques-
tons and argument of Importance 1t
gives the electoral college as based on
the 1910 census, the electoral vote of 1905,
the popular vote for President from 1924
to 1908, the populations of American AMI
Canadian cities. resources of our fnsular
possessions, notable battles of the world
rules and etiquette of golf; irrigation in
the L. s.: metric system of weights and
measures; signs used by electrical drafts
men; mining informatien thermometers.
and thousands of other items of interest,
including the latest historical events.
Beautiful leather binding, 50 cents. silk
cloth, % cents Laird q lee. Chicago
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-04-25

thing from earth worms to stump
fence can be sold for cash at the
farmers own door. And the earth
worm part of 1t is not stretching the
story one whit, for the writer found
several children in Maine comman-
ity last summer who were reaping
quite a handsome revenue by digging
worms for fishermen at nearby re-
sort. They received soc. pint from
the disciples of 1zaak Walton.
A score of years ago the knowledge
of successful experience in agriculture
was circulated from farmer to farmer
by word of mouth Now new aud
wonderful educational forces are at
work and are sending important sug-
gestious and information into the home
OF the farmer almost every day in the
year. These educational forces are
the agricultural departments, agri-
cultural schools and the press. work
ing together.
From statement just issued by
the Agricultural Department at Wash
ington, We learn that nearly 100000
600 publications of all kinds have
been printed and distributed by thai
department since the present secre-
tary assumed control. Many of these
have been republished, in
part or in whole. by newspapers in
various sections of the country, some
times with editorial advice applicable
to the section reached by the separate
editors. Thus the average farmer
has at his command mine of infor-
nation on all sorts of farming topics
and. if he wishes special advice along
any line or experiment, he is sure of
prompt reply if he writes to the near.
est agricultural school or state or ma
tionaI agricultural department.
-Four hundred and fifty different.
pamphlets, discussing subjects OF spe-
siai interest 10 farmers and expressed
in terms understood BY all have been
issued, and $1,000 900 copies have been
placed in the hands of applicants,
mostly farmers, who had need of she
information they contained: and of
these more than ss,o0O,ooo were dis
tributed within the last five years.
The magnitude of this work of dis
seminating the information so earn
estly sought and so carefully verified
is only measurable by the immense
advance in scientific agricultural
knowledge and practice by the pro-
gressive farmers of the country. 1t
has cost many thousands of dollars
to issue all the pamphlets and docu-
ments of various kinds, but inasmuch
as millions of dollars have been saved
to the farmers, the investment has
been very profitable one.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-04-25

organization through which legislation
may be devised and carried out for the
country at large. and information may
be given to states for their action. In
several states already some of these
diseases are now placed on the list of
those which physicians are compelled
TO give notice of 10 the board of health
or 10 the commissioner of labor This
is step in the right direction. But
there is as vet no method devised by
which control can be exerted To ar
rest or prevent the disease when II Is
known to exist. 1t is along this line
that much remains TO be done.-N. Y.
Times.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-04-25
A New tuberculosis Law.

The most advanced legislation OF its
without doubt. the bill Just passed by
the New Jersey legislature and signed
by Governor Wilson, 1t is SO mani
testify in the right direction and APP
peals so strongly and directly to the
common sense of communities, that 1T
is quite likely to become the pattern
by which similar laws will be con-
structed by the various states in the
Union. This law provides for the seq
regation of dangerous cases Of tuber-
cuIosis. Previous to the passage of this
law by New Jersey only one state had
approved such a measure-M Maryland
and only one city in the United States
had provided by special ordinance for
compulsory removal of dangerous tu-
berculosis eases-San Francisco,
The new New Jersey law provides
that tuberculosis patients who refuse
to obey the regulations laid down by
the State board OF health concerning
the prevention of their disease. and
thus become "a menace to the health OF
those with whom they associate, shall
be eompulsorly segregated by order Of
the courts in institutions provided for
this purpose IL such patient refuses
to7 obey the rules and regulations OF
the institutions in which he is placed,
he may 'be isolated or separated from
other persons and restrained from
leaving the institution" The law furth
err provides that all countries in the
State of New Jersey shall within six
months from April list, make provision
in special institutions for the care OF
all persons having tuberculosis in these
sidize each county to the extent of $500
Il week for each person maintained in
these institutions except those who are
able to pay for the cost of maintenance,
The National association for the
study and prevention of tuberculosis
approves the New Jersey law. but de-
clares that eonsumptive who exer-
cises sufficient precaution in the dis
posal of his sputum need not be men,
ace TO anyone, and that when a con-
sumptive refuses TO adopt the proper
precautions necessary TO prevent the
spread of his disease he should be fore
IDLY isolated. This logic seems not only
commendable but necessary for public
defense. We have reached a thinking
age. where individual or family senti-
| ment must not interfere with commu-
nifty welfare Let laws reinforce COM
mon sense principles and public senti-
| ment stand behind the laws.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-04-25
Questions for Thorn to Answer.

Editor Kennebee journal.
AS the nimhle Lamont, and the up
river one are so expert at figures.
| wonder how they can explain the
reason that while Fernald paid out
Ssf,935 for State pensions in 1910, the
present administration get along by
paying out only $i6,50i i'm 1911 for the
same. Did the veteran have To wait
or did the town have TO wait for their
money from the State after having
paid it out? AS the bill for state
pensions is nearly 100000 yearly, it
ucer's report, that the State was in
debt TO the cities and towns ON Janu-
AIRY /, 1912, some $4,000 for State PEN
sions, and yet the bill does not APP
pear in the auditors report.
AS it costs the State some $4,000
II year for free High schools, how
does il happen that there Were but
$l,T65 paid out last year for such
schools? As the larger part of the
High school fund was unpaid at the
end of the year, Why does neither
the treasurer's report or the auditor S
report make any mention of it?
Tho three mills tax assessed annu-
ally on the entire valuation of the
State for school purposes was s6b, 593
greater in 1911 than it was in 1910
Notwithstanding this increase in the
amount available. there was actually
apportioned to the several cities and
towns So, 600 less in the year 1911
than there was in 1910 for common
school purposes. AS each scholar
draws from the State an average of
about 81 year. and as there were
1900 more scholars to draw school
money In 1911 than there We're in 1870
it seems that the money sapportiened
for schools in 1911 was about 100000
less than it was in 1910, other things
being equal Town officers have asked
me why the State school fund appor-
toned to their towns was less in 1911
than in 1910, notwithstanding they
have more scholars TO draw money
from the State. They were still more
surprised that this should be so when
we consider the fact that they paid
$3.50 more in State taxes in 1911
than they paid in the year 1910 Still
greater was the surprise of the mu-
nieipal officers of several towns that
while this largely increased amount
of taxes was available or supposed to
be available. they We're unable To get
their school money from the State un-
til after the annual March town
meeting, while always before they
had received it in time to settle up
the town accounts in February.
Neither could they get any satisfac-
ton from the State treasurer upon
inquiry.
The State treasurers report for 1910
shows S295.000 actually paid out for
reads and bridges. that is over and
above the maintenance of the High
way Commissioners office, while in
the year 1911 there was but $lla.ooa
so paid out So with the sl,s0l, 40
cash assets available in the treasury
January 1. 1911, left over from the
Fernald administration, and the ssl3,-
900 increased income of 1911 over 1910.
it seems that with all this surplus that
our schools and roads ought at least
TO receive as good attention as they
have in years before.
c. Il, SMITH.
Thorndike, Me, Apr. "a.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-04-25
SAN SALVADOR.
Thrift lntensiveIy Cultivated IN the
Central American Republic.

Writing of the thrift of Salvador.
one of the Central American repub-
lies that is intensively cultivated, a
writer says:
The better class of Salvadoreans are
highly cultivated. they have Travelled
extensively and most of them send
their children to the Pacific states TO
be educated.
The city of San Salvador is one OF
the largest and one of the most pleas
ant of all Central American capitals.
1t has population of 10000 PERSONS
is situated in the mountains 1000 feet
above the sea and has imposed upon
it's distinctly Spanish American foun-
dalton most of the conveniences OF life
in the north 1t is most picturesque
in it's Spanish American phases and
probably affords one of the best ex
amples in all Central America of the
civilization of this part of the world
Its society is cosmopolitan. There
is a considerable American. British
and German element besides large
colony of residents from other Cen
trail American and South American
countries. 1t il besides the home of
a great many of the wealthy families
of Salvador whose members show a
familiarity with the United States and
Europe. AS the seat of the national
government it contains many public
buildings which are creditable TO it.
The city contains almost innumerable
plazas and supports a number of most
excellent bands, according to the
,,IaaSinr and ponular custom pf ATTN
American governments.-N. Y. Sun.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-04-25
The Change in Farming Methods.

Frequently We hear men say:
Some day Pm going To break away
from this grind aud get out on a lit
tie farm. and enjoy myself. ] guess I
could laake a living; ] was raised on a
farm But how often such men
would find themselves wholly out of
place on a farm in these days, after
an absence Of Is or 20 or even 30
years. For methods of coaxing a iliv-
ing out of the soil in these days IS
vastly different from those employed
Ia the happy days Of yore. Even way
up in Maine conditions have changed
UNNECESSARILY. Not only has the in
PRODUCTION of all sorts of farming inn
PIGMENTS made a revolution in methods
necessary as well as possible, but the
farmer Of today has radically revised
the views Of his dad There has been
not only a transformation in manner
OF tilIing the soil but within the
household as well, and labor saving
devices have made it possible for the
housewife to revise her ways of work
ing ana living.
The man who Was raised son farm
aud who would go back TO the soil
after AN absence Of 20 years would
find himself old-fashioned and very
much out of date. He would find in
tensiye farming now very much in
vogue, and a system of crop rotation
in force He would find the planting
and growing and doctoring of various
crops on a more scientific basis and
what is still more pleasing, he would
find profits more certain and more
regular providing he could show first
class products.
Twenty years ago in Maine the
average farmer had only two or tire,
sources for bringing about returns il
real money. Almost everything h,
raised had to be exchanged at th,
country store. He could get cash TO
wool and lambs and usually calculates
on these to pay his taxes. Butter
eggs and grain went TO settle the stor
bill. But times have changed sine
granddpd turned away from the ploy
handles. Nov. even in the remot
sections Of this state, almost any
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-04-25
80 caneeaIed weapons Problem.

one Of the most serious problems now
confronting the. American people is the
matter OF adequately handling the evil
Of carrying concealed weapons All
manner of laws are being tried ont in
various states but The ideal has not
YET been reached. Some of those al
ready in action have had the delightful
effect ct totally disarming respectable
and law abiding people and rendering
them helpless before the army of
thugs, who easily obtain firearms and
other Weapons in violation of the law,
and who have no respect fer the laws
provisions. Laws restricting the sale
uf arms have little effect because en-
forced spasmodically and only in wide
~ separated sections Only universal
prohibition of the sale OF firearms. ex-
eent under the strietest regulations and
care by public officials. would seem ito
prevent the Wholesale arming of the
hosts of the Underworld. sen 7s
Tie United States Revolver Assotia-
tiea suggests that a law to ann law :
abiding citizens with pistols an to CONF
pei them to learn To shoot straight
might IN time reduce the crimes of vi
oIence. But as such q plan is not only
practically impossible as well as who'll
ly unfeasible, 1t comes forward with
another method which would seem e
make gun toting'' so hazardous fol
criminals that they would gladly dis
arm themselves. Here are the provi-
sions asked:
First: That the act of carrying
firearms or other weapons while
committing or attempting to COM
nit crime be regarded as attempt
10 commit murder. punishable with
not less than fifteen years impris-
cninent; this sentence to be made
mandatory on the part of the
courts
Second That. license or no IL
cersc. no person ever. convicted of
burglary or any other crime of vio-
ience may carry firearms or other
weapons under penalty of not less
than FIVE years Imprisonment; this
sentence, to be made mandatory on
the part of the courts.
As for the law-abidine citizen he is
not the one in need of being disarm-
ed He is TO all intents and purposes
a uleuber of the police. Deterring him
from arming himself is as unsound in
theory as it would be to disarm the po-
lice itself Permit him to retain weap-
ons Of self-defence for home protection
without further restrictions than to
sign his name and address in dealers
register, open to police inspection. Ii
cense him to carry revolvers when he
can prove that he has sufficient reason
TO arm himself A community of arm
ed. respectable citizens is the strongest
adjunct to the police.