davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-12-13
Man as an Arithmetician.

That the average mans arithmetical
ability is extremely limited is assert
ed by an editorial writer in American
Medicine This Imitation it appears.
is having a curious effect on indusriai
processes depending upon cheap labor.
especially on the adoption of the met
rio, system. which, with its large num-
hers and decimals. is beyond the men
tai calibre of workmen who must deal
in numbers less than a score, and pre-
fcrably less than ten:
They can grasp a finite measure
like a quart or bushel, but a number
IKE 723 millimetres conveys no idea
to them. Consequently we find that
arbitrary measures of capacity are
being resorted to in dealing with large
quantities, so that the numbers to be
reported or remembered may be small.
Policemen find great difficulty in per-
cciving and remembering large auto
mobile numbers and are trying TO de-
wise systems by which not more than
three figures are to be remembered. II
is a well known psychologist fact, but
II seems to be forgotten by those who
wish to force the metric system on
DpODle, WHO ttli nv
measures are legal, and II they were
suner;or they would have long ago re-
rIaced the old measures with theli
simple subdivisions into halves anu
thirds to make the next lower meas
nre AS matter of fact the metric
measures are losing ground even III
countries where no others arc legal
for the peasants in their daily TASKS
arc compelled to stick to the ola meas
nres they evolved from the necesslls
of their limited sense OF NUMBERS we
evnee.t that the unwise agitauoh WIN
snbeide and that laboratory workers.
Coz whom the French system Is III
disnensable, will realize it Is not sulea-
Vie fer EVERYONE else-particulafiy loi
tho treat mass of humanity VINO never
r,erform any calculations except Hien-
taI ones of a very simple nature. For
tbese reasons, physicians are reVisihe
tbei,. ideas as to the wisdom OF writing
metric prescriptions. The gain TO most
of ms is not worth the mental ellor. Vi
thinking in two systems-I there ID
snv advantage at all. Small numbers
easily remembered seem satest ana the
most practical outside of the labora-
tory. The Argus.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-12-13
The International Man.

The United states Geological Sur
vey now has ready the first sheet of
the American series of the great in
/ ternational map of the world, so long
desired. This sheet includes part Of
Maine, New Hampshire, Massachu-
sets, Connecticut, all of Rhode Island
and little of Nova Scotia This
sheet is the beginning of the much
! talked-of "Milionth Map" which is
eventually to include the entire world
1t will be made upon the scale CT
one inch upon the map representing
million inches upon the surface of
the earth-hence its name. The task
of compiling this great world map.
which is enormous, is being divided
among the different nations.
| Few persons have any accurate idea
OF the proportion in size of one state
or country to another because their
knowledge is gained from the maps
printed in the ordinary atlas or geog-
raphy. Each map fills a page and
the scale of miles printed inconspic-
uously along the side OF end makes
little or no impression upon the mind
of the student.
The proposition for uniform stand
ard World'c map was presented to the
International Geographic Congress
held IN Berne in 1891 by Professor Al
bert Penck, then of the University of
Vienna, but now of Berlin. The con-
sfess appointed committee of twenty,
representing ten nations. to formulate
plans for such an undertaking. The
committee reported to the next con-
gross, held in London in 1895 No def
mite action was taken In 1900 the
congress met in Berlin and the matter
again was taken up. BY this time
some of the difficulties in the way
| mad become recognized. The English
refused to recognize the metric sys-
tenn of measurement, and the French
Insisted that the meridian of Paris
must be the central medidian. Other
nations held to certain stipulations as
te names and details of representa-
ton.
In the meantime all of the countries
We're working upon improved maps
fer different parts of the world, and
a number of maps were published
which were based upon the 100000
scale.
In 1900 the English government in
vited Austria Hungary, France, Ger
many. Italy,T Japan, Russia, Spain,
and the Uritetl States to send dele
gates to meetfm London for this pur-
pose. All butt Japan complied. AT
this meeting all differences We're over
come and a uniform system OF Work
agreed upon. France agreed TO accept
the Greenwich Meridian, which was
at first thought most desirable, ana
| England agreed that the metric system
/ Of measurements might be used. rms
can be translated into miles upon maps
to be used in England and the United
/ States The other countries accepted
/ compromises upon other matters.
A base upon which the map is built
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-12-13
Order Transport
To Tampico, Mex.

Washington, Dec. 12.-Orders went
from The war department to Brig Gen
Bliss late. today, to dispatch lmmeol-
ateIv the army transport Sumner from
Galveston. Texas, to Tampico TO take
IN hoard Americans and other foreign
ers endangers by fighting between the
Mnxican federals and rebels. The YES
sci viii carry 10000 rations, two med
ical officers and a hospital corps de-
tachment.
Secretary Garrison acted at the re-
quest of Secretary Bryan. Rear Admi-
raj Fletcher at Tampico had Just re-
ported TO the navy department that all
of the American, German and British
yesselg in port were filled with retu-
gees. and that there still were many
foreigners ashore who would have TO
be taken care of.
I'm these circumstances, said Mr..
Bryan's' request, cit seems deslraple
that an army transport should, IL pos
sible. he sent from Galveston to Tam
pieo TO take these refugees on board.
Accommodation will. it is understood,
be needed for not less than 500 per-
sons, and for these it is probable that
lodging and food will be required for
severa, days. II you have at Galveston
a transport available for this purpose,
7 have the honor to request that it be
sent Immediately to Tampico,
This order was sent at once to Gen.
Bliss.
Secretary Of war directs that the
transport Sumner, with not less than
10000 rations, two medical officers, and
detachment of hospital corps be sent
at once to Tampico, Mex. Send Captain
Aloe, quartermaster corps, in charge
On arrival of ship report at once 70
admiral commanding American squad
ron with view to full cooperation in
matter of furnishing refuge to such
people as may be indicated by authors
tiles representing United States at THAI
Uort +"
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-12-13
ReinfOrCementS to
Aid at Tampico.

Mexico City. Dec. 12.-Rear Admiral
Frank f. Fletcher. the American com
mander at Tampico. has declared, ac-
cording to reports received here, to-
day, that no bombardment shall be
made by Mexican warships of Tampico
proper.
At the Mexican war office, it was
announced that 500 additional troops
had been dispatched from Vera Cruz,
today, to aid in the defence of Tam
pico. Reinforcements, it was added,
also had been sent to the besieged
town from San Luis Potosi. leaving
at the latter place only very small
garrison.
Jacin d. Cologany, the Spanish min
lister TO Mexico, made a demand, to-
day. on Querrido Moheno, the privi-
sional foreign minister for the protee-
ton of 100 Spanish subject refugees
from the city of Chihuahua, who are
trying TO reach Torreon,
The Mexican gunboat Bravo is play
ing an important part in standing off
the rebels who are attacking Tampico,
directing their fire from the river at
the insurgent positions on the other
side of the town.
In spite of the heavy firing of both
the federals and rebels in the Tampico
battle. little damage has been done to
the city, according to private tele-
grams received here, today, on account
Of the long range at which the engage
ment is being fought. The fighting,
yesterday, was confined to the vicinity
of Dona. Cecilia, suburb three miles
east of Tampieo, where are located re-
fneries, shipping wharves and rail-
road yards.
Sir Lionel Garden, the British minis
ter here, received message. this
morning, from Rear Admiral Sir
Christopher Cradock, saying that a
number of British subjects and Next
cans including several women and
children had taken refuge on board
the British steamer Logician at Tam
pico. Other foreigners, the British ad-
miral said. were being cared for on
the American warships and German
vessels in the harbor.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-12-13
MULTIPLYING HUMAN POWER.
At Least 90 Per Cent. Of Factory work
Is Now Done by Machinery.

Wear nv wear more and more or the
-, Of tho world is taken up by ma
cbinery. In a bulletin recently issued ps
tho government it is estimated that 4'oes,-
ono factory workers in the United states
turn out a product equal to the mana
labor of 100000 men,
This means that in the factories 30 per
cent. of the work is done by machinery
A very large part of this machinery is
driven by steam power, which means
,areaiv coal power, and both the getting
and burning Of this coal involves ter
,,h,e waste. In the United States alone
the production of coal now reaches
nearly 5G0000.00o tons, and in the "hoie
world far above ,e0o,00o,0oo tons Ana II
is estimated that this means the actuai
mining of half again as much coal One
third is lost or left in the mines In such
shane that it cannot be used.
Then of this net production-the two
thirds neutrality-suspicious. 80 per cent. is
lost In the burning. At least this is true
of the coal used in engines. Even tie
finest auadruple-expansion engines, Win
all the modern devises of superneateo
steam and the like to augment their ca
nacity. do not utilize more than IA per
cont of the energy stored nsthe coal,
while the average steam engine of COM
mercial use does not get more than OF
: ner cent In other words, 1T is only
about per cent. of the chained-up sun
light in the ground that eventually be-
comes available for human needs.
And further than this. the mere maui
ing and handling and storage and dis
on
States alone probably full sl,0oo,ooo,o0o.
The coal traffic is, indeed, the chief item
of railway transportation. From all this
1. is sufficiently clear why the problem
of utilizing coal energy has so deeply en-
gagged the minds of inventors and engi-
neers, and why even relatively small
gain would mean so much to Nne human
race.-ColIier's Weekly.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-12-13

fbis railroad has been repaired ana TWO
,rainloads of refugees were taken out
~ the CITY. today Failure of the rebels
20 throw out of commission this line,
ashich extends to San Luis Potisi, before
the Inauguration of their attack ehaolea
che government to strengthen materially
the garrison at Tampico. Three tram
loads of troops were run into the town
from the west.
THE neagre information available mere
ondicates that the Federals at Tampleo
ain he able to do nothing more than re-
sist the rebel attack, but it appears not
unlikely that so long as the Bravo mas
Ammunition they will be able TO delay
capture of the town.
n ia not believed likely here that the
800 men, the war office says lett vera
Cruz. today, for Tampico will be able 10
enter the town as the rebels hold the
hanks of the river from the coast further
In than Dona Cecilia.
Z The loss of life in the fighting at ram
oico probably has not been great. That
the rebels appear confident enough Oh
their strength to consider an attack On
Monterey. even after using large NUMBERS
of their men in the campaign about am
pico is indicated by the news receiVeo
here, today Rebels have appeared IN
large numbers about Monterey ana the
garrison there is preparing to resist
them. The rebels have begun to extend
the operation of the railway northWara
from Victoria and Thursday, they were
'tnoxyn tn be running trains as far az
Montemelos. which is well across the
state line in Nuevo Leon. of which Mont
Grey is the capital.
To tho south at San Luis Potasi the
federal garrison has thrown up en-
trencbments within as we'll as without
tbe CITY and reports from Zacateeas
tell of the beating back toward that
city of a force which had been sen.
northward repairing the Central hall-
way towards Fresnillo on the way To
Torreen. The federals had maze con-
siderable progress when they were at
tackled. yesterday, and driven soneh-
ward. The track they had rebuilt was
again destroyed by the rebel generai
panfilo Natera's men who had gone
south from Torreon. There was some
uneasiuess in Zacateeas, last night, on
account of delay in paying the FEEDER
al troops, but it did not reach the pro
portion of a mutiny. At Monterey
possible trouble was averted by Sc
curing money from citizens by what
was unoffieially classed as forced
loan.
The reported re-occupation or Tor
reon by the federals is a subject OF
speculation here. General Nelascos re-
bat hah 1T X
en- the town is the only news that has
been received IN the capital, and some
persons are indulging in. the suspicion
that the re-capture of Torreon might
have been a rebel ruse. 1t is pointed
crt that it would be simple matter
to bottle up the federals in Torreon
and that a final rush upon the city
by Gen. Villa, if successful, would add
to his stores more guns and quantity
of ammunition.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-12-13

Florence, Italy, Dec. 1z.-Leonardo ia
'vincie's masterpiece, Mona Lisa or
as it is popularity known La Jeeohde'
the mysterious disappearance of which
from the Louvre, in August. 1911. threw
The art world into CONSERVATION, was
found. today, in Florence. fhe man who
stole II was arrested. He is an Italian
ia Joconde," one of the worlds most
famous paintings. is regarded as price
less Leonardo Da Vinci took as MS
model Lisa del Gioconde, a woman o.
Florence. and he worked on the picture
for. four years, from 1900 to 1904 IL was
boight for France by Francis l.
The value OF the work can only oe
imagined. since all offers were reIuseu
for II. among them one reported to nave
been made by the British government
of s., 10000 s the
since the disappearance from tne
,onvre of the picture Aus. %, 1911 the
search for it had been Worldwide
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-12-13
BicycIists Still Ahead of Record
Collins Again Breaks CoilarbOne.

started one lap behind the leaders.
The Collins Walthour score was al
lowed to stand at IL o'clock. The pace
throughout the day was generally
slower than earlier in the week, for
whereas the riders, this morning, We're
more than 80 miles ahead of the rec
ord, tonight, this lead had dwindled to
less than one third that distance.
The 10 leading teams at II o'clock
We're: Veri- Brocco Breton Perchcot,
Root Mcnamara, Lawrence Magin.
Halstead Drobach. Fogler Goullet.
Hill-Ryan, Collins Walthour, Appel
haus-Packebusch, and Cory Walker.
The three teams lap behind them
were Clark Grenda, Carman- Sameron
and Mitten- Thomas. Kopsky and
keefes score was 1900 miles, laps.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-12-13

of small consequence crowd the pa
per to make them big people, to sit
in the courts of the mighty!
1T is surprising to see at what an
early age this desire for notoriety be-
gins, and how, like other evils, it
grows by what it feeds upon. Chill
dren at five or Whereabouts are en-
couraged by their parents to do some
thing to get into print. I really think
the most deplorable features in
newspaper is that of anecdotes of chill
dren. One reads an anecdote, the
smart saying of some ones youngster,
and is at once inspired to furnish a
better one of his own prodigy
That must have been happier
time when the true nobility, who could
lay it on heavy enough when fighting
the Saracen. found it much more Ia
borious to write their names, and even
the king could scarcely make his
mark. Now royalty and the shadiest
of nobility rush into print. A countess
runs away with gypsy fiddler and
tells the world all about it. Today
May Yohe and Evelyn Thaw, Ameri-
can rights reserved, are airing their
adventures through the London pa
pers. And with the aid of the typewrit-
ing machine, the readiest kind of pro-
ducer there need be no limit to this
kind Of literature.
IF ingratitude-which it is alleged
contributed largely to the demise of
julius Caesar-could kill a newspaper
many d one should have died thous-
and times A newspaper may cham
hi 20
make conditions of city life better ana
bring about some long needed reform.
One might think this admirable conuct
on the part of the newspaper should
be remembered. But no. the very
ones who should Loyalty praise are the
ones most ready to stick a knife under
the fifth rib of this friend and cruelty
twist the blade in the wound.
1T is pleasant to turn from this dark
picture to one of brighter hue, to re-
call one of the earlier poets of this
city, James Greer a worthy cabinet
maker, who each week wrought rhyme
and found no difficulty in having it
published. Mr.. Greer knew that news
papers can not long continue to meet
their pay rolls without pecuniary as
matter what the season, could take
the place of the weekly pay roll. Hav-
ing reasoned thus, this practical poet
and cabinet maker paid to have his
product inserted at the regular paid
notice rate a line. In consequence his
offerings, which came through the
counting room, were never declined.
"One may well believe that the con-
fidence in the newspaper man of that
better day was q tender and beautiful
sentiment. Late one night when Har-
ry New was at his desk as city editor
of the Journal, a poor, wayfaring man
of grief came in. You know said this
person, whose cloven breath indicated
that he had tarried by the way at a
refectory, you know mother has Just
passed over. OF course, you are going
to write er up. Well, I've just come
from the Sentinel office John Brougn
will write it up over there, so I just
thought, said this loyal friend, I'd
come and tell you who you'll have to
buck against Indianapolis News.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-12-13

ter of the metropolis; that fess rarely
occurred when the temperature was
over 40 degrees, and that they were
most frequent after night 10 degrees
colder than the preceding day.
TO the unscientific mind the real
mystery is to explain why London in
winter is not one of perpetual fog.
You have. to begin with, its low-lying
situation, its surrounding hills and its
river. You have next its natural air.
We know something about that air;
it has been analysed to the last mi
crobe and the last particle. There
have been detected in its fragments OF
hay, wood, linen and cotton fiber, fea-
theirs, vegetable and mineral matter.
and vast quantities of Underground
stable manure. A fog could wish for
no better material to work on. For
every microbe that you find in mid
ocean air you find $4,000 in the at
mosphere of the four-mile radius.
Among mountains you inhale with ev-
cry cubic inch of air $1,000 PARTICLES;
in London, 100000. Six thousand
tons of coal. it is said. are in suspen-
sion in the London air every day dur
courage any fog; and some 2,ooo.ooo
chimneys, all burning soft coal, are
throwing off incessant volumes OF
smut-laden smoke. These are the
things that scientific people talk
about when they try to explain fogs.
And then they go on to tell us that
fogs are expensive; that they cost
London five millions a year; that a
single days fog causes the metropolis
to consume enough gas and electricity
in excess of her ordinary require
ments to supply town of $4,000 peo-
pie for Il months; and that fogs
leave behind them deposit of six
tons to the square mile. No doubt
they are quite right. No doubt Sir
William Richmond is right when he
saws that to get rid of fogs we must
all join the smoke abatement society,"
and Sir Oliver Lodge is right When
he tells us to erect Marconi-like masts
at different points in the fog area
and riddle the fiend with electrical
discharges; and the Welsh mine-own-
ers are right when they urge us to
burn anthracite coal at two gulneas
a ton; and other reformers are right
when they insist that we should
abandon crate fires and warm our
selves. as do Americans, with radi-
ators and hot-water pipes; and still
other reformers' are right when they
argue that there is nothing for IT pu'
to fill in the Thames and raze Hamp-
stead to the ground.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-12-13

Slowly the hours passed, and two
o'clock in the afternoon came and
went without any movement from the
house, so that at last the dread fear
began to pervade the expectant
watchers that even now some diff
Guilty might have arisen which would
prevent the signing of the articles OF
peace.
Happily, however, this fear proved
nnfounded. War, after all, was not
to break out. The review was delay
ed owing to the fact that the grand
duke was waiting for the signatures
to be attached to the treaty, which
could not be done until the Russian
and Turkish copies of that document
were complete.
Whether the delay was caused b;
the well known dilatory tactics of the
Turk / know not. The fact remains,
however. that it was not till close on
five in the afternoon that the grand
duke rode UP to the diplomatic
chaneery and asked at the door If the
treaty was ready. AS he waited for
a reply the agitation of the crowd
grew so intense as to almost reach
breaking point Groups of anxious
watchers whispered nervously: Is
1t to be peace or war? Was the pros
trate and gasping Turk to be called
upon to once more put up the best
defense he could to the relentless and
ever advancing Russian forces %
The grand duke, wheeling sharply
round, galloped off to the hill on
which the army was drawn up, and
a few minutes afterward a carriage
was seen rapidly driving toward the
spot.
As he approached the commander
in-chief, General Ignatieff, rose and
distinctly. said, II have the honor TO
congratulate your highness on the
signature of peace
A roar of satisfaction rose from the
soldiers in the ranks. The grand duke
rode between the lines and, hating
on a small HILL exclaimed: I have
the honor to inform the army that.
with the help of God. we have con-
cluded a treaty of peace" Again the
cheering rose and swelled, for there
was not a man present who did not
experience feeling of intense relief
that all possibility of renewal OF
war was now at an end.
All the officers then dismounted, the
soldiers knelt and, of a sudden. q
great hush spread over the crowd
which had only a few seconds before
been noisily elated with excitement.
The sight was one l shall never
forget.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-12-13

New York, Dec. 12.-Ten teams had
covered 2314 miles, laps, at IL o'clock
tonight at the end of the 1l9th hour of
the 6-day bicycle race at Madison
Square Garden. This was 9 miles and
6 laps ahead of the record. Three 9TH
er teams were a lap behind the lead
ers and the 14th remaining pair more
than Is miles TO the rear
Between 10 and IL o'clock, tonight,
serious spill occurred during a brief
sprint, during which a tire Of HIS
bicycle burst. Collins was thrown and
his collar bone broken for the third or
fourth time, during his career as a pro-
fessional cyclist. He was officially de-
clared out of the race. Walthour, his
partner, paired up with Jackie Clark,
the speedy Australian, whose partner,
Grenda, retired with a stiff knee. They
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-12-13
Oldfish on Newspapers.

The daily newspaper, so simple in
its construction in an earlier day." said
DIR. Oldflsh, has come to be mon
ster beside which the one created by
Frankenstein is as gentle and peaceful
as lamb chops Few persons not in
daily attendance upon the newspaper
can have any idea of its wonderful
complacence, it's calmness and contin-
ued good humor when it might well be
most provoked and irritated. How
many. many persons have axes to
grind! How many little people, people