The Washington herald., 1912-11-27

with considerable Iiveliness I'm London.
One is the Channel Tunnel and the other
is the Channel Train Ferry. which takes
whole train on board, steams across the
water, and passes It on TO the railway on
the other side. This system has gained
prominence owing to the great success
which has attended its Introduction in
various parts OF the world, especially In
America The ferry between sweden
and Germany carries trains more .than
sixty miles across the Baltic.
The Channel Ferry Company will have
an Influential Directorate. and certain OF
the directors of the railway companies
interested are likely 20 be on the board
should the railways view the scheme
with friendly eye. II is believed that
the great increase IN trafic which, IT
has been proved results from tho con-
struction Of such ferries, will lead them
to encourage and support the plan. To
passengers the advantage is that they
are not turned out OF the train to the
ship and then from the ship to the train
again, while naturally much time Is saved
in the absence of the transfer OF the bag
gage. With regard TO freight traffic,
there can be no question that a vast
impetus would be given to the trade be-
tween England and the Continent OF
Europe, owing to the fact that the heavy
expenditure involved in breaking bulk
would be saved and a much more rapid
service obtained.
The revival Of the Channel Tunnel
scheme emphasizes the enormous ad-
vance made in railway building OF late
years. One OF the great difficulties which
had TO be faced formerly was the matter
Of ventilation and the dispersal OF smoke.
The problem has been solved by the per-
~ al nNrfn NW0a onI hxy 81
advance in the science OF ventilation, by
means OF which ozone Is electrically dis
charged into the air
The tunnel scheme involves the build
ing OF a new railway line on the British
side OF the channel from London to
Dover, the construction of the tunnel,
and a line from Calais to Amiens. to
join the Northern Of France, which
would be electrified up to that point.
1t was due to influence that the joint
committee gave an adverse decision in
their inquiry OF 1883. 1t was urged that
the friendly relations between Britain
and France would become indissoIuble.
owing to the increase in the commercial
relations OF both. while as a strategic
force the tunnel would be England
strongest defense owing to the rapidity
with which. II necessary, Britain could
give support to France.
The tunnel is to consist of three tubes,
the third being used to secure an effici-
ent maintenance OF the other two, with
which IL will connect at frequent inter-
walls. 1t will be lighted by electricity
and well ventilated. the air being filtered
and ONOnized. The best method of deal
ing with the increased congestion of
railway traffic on the Southern lines
would be to construct an electric rail-
way from London to Dover which
would enable trains TO run at much
higher speed than Is possible on the
present lines. Provision would be made
by the new company to compensate the
South Eastern and Chatham and the
Brighton Companies for any loss in con-
sequence of a diminution OF their total
receipts. 1t is maintained that IL South
Eastern and Chatham Companies were
relieved Of their continental passen-
ger services, the whole capacity of
the lines could be utilized for local traf-
ic with very much improved results for
the companies. But on this matter
there is room for considerable difference
of opinion, and unless the directors of
the South Eastern and Chatham see
eye to eye with the promoters Of the
new line and give 1t their support there
will be some keen opposition to fight.
The chief reason for the construction
of the proposed new railway appears to
be the matter of speed. An average
speed Of seventy-five miles per hour is
anticipated while the speed on the
South Eastern and Chatham is forty
four miles per hour. The fast through
trains would be capable Of accomplish
ing the journey in three and a half
hours, against the seven which are oc-
cupied at present. The total length of
the line would be 30 miles, and the
capital needed is put at S1OO.ooo,Ooo
From a purely commercial point of
view the tunnel would be of great ben
eft in the guaranteeing Of food sup
plies, and general trade would be ex-
tended owing to packing and carriage
being less expensive for heavy and
fragile goods. This is the consensus of
opinion. The passenger traffic between
London and the Continent also would
receive great impetus. particularly in
the winter months.
Mime. Judith. the famous tragedienne
whose death at Paris is reported, had
remarkable career. After existing upon
carrots and potatoes as one OF the COM
pany of child actors. she lived to en-
tertain at her rich table some of the
political and literary celebrities who as
sisted in making the history of France
in the past century. She claimed also TO
have been the medium of Introducing
Napoleon III, with whom she was ac-
quainted, to the banker who provided
the finances with which the Prince
President pushed his fortunes
II was in the thirties of last century
that Mime. Judith's family became asso-
ciated with relatives of the great
French actress, Mile. Rachel, whose sir
name was Felix. Through them. when
she was six years of age, she obtained
a child:s part in a production at the
Pantheon, in the Quarter Latin, in
Paris.
She suddenly became blind for three
years, but recovered her sight. Pere
Felix, the father of Rachel, decided to
tour a children's company which includ-
ed Mime. Judith, and 1t was under his
direction that she experienced the Spar
tan vegetable diet-which, however. did
not weaken her muse. and that she
learned the misery OF sleeping with FIVE
others in a small room. She and Rachel
were compelled to peel the vegetables,
and she related how her companion used
to treat the particular carrot or potato
that she had in hand as her vis-a-vis.
and cut 1t with dramatic fervor to the
accompaniment of fierce defamation.
Under the amiable Felix Judith learned
10 speak -sobDingly-her incentive being
a lash applied smartly to her legs.
At a comparatively early age she
was famous. however, and Joined the
company at the Comedie Francaise. She
gave the Due de Moray. half-brother
of Napoleon III, his first lesson in elo-
cution, and she numbered among her
friends Prince Napoleon. the two Du-
mas, father and son, and Victor Hugo.