The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1915-08-27
From National Capital

price advocates will have to take
such satisfaction as they can find
out OF the present universal dis.
cussion of preparedness" AS .
matter of fact it is not likely that
the United States is going to lose
its head, and there are plain evi.
dences that from President Wilson
down to the most humble congress.
man there is disposition to care
fully map out a plan of suitable
defense for the United States,
without aping the military methods
OF European countries. New con-
ditions will be met, and new
methods of properly policing the
land and the sea will be provided
IN much the same way as cities
increase their 'force" when a
convention, circus, or a big special
function comes to town.
The American Peace society,
which heretofore has made a
straight appeal for disarmament,
will hold its annual convention in
San Francisco in October, and it
has Belgian, Persian and Swiss
speakers on its program. The
peace society is in accord with the
sober sense of the country in favor
ing proper preparedness and keep
ing it; but it insists that new con-
| ditions should eventually be
evolved that will make world dis
armament not only possible, but
I practical.
Typewrighters and Stenography.
-Thirty-fve years ago there was
not typewriter owned by the
United States government, and it
is doubtful whether there were a
dozen stenographers. Today there
are approximately $4,000 employ
ees in the departments at Wash
ington, and of these fully one-third
have either a typewriter or steno-
grapher's note book, or both in
front of them. The Pitman system
of shorthand in its varying forms,
is most generally employed, and
about sixty per cent of all the
typewriters supplied are the
Underwood. In some departments
like that of the navy, scarcely any
other machine is found. Steuo-
graphy and typewriting have
thoroughly revolutionized the
manner of conducting the govern
ment business, and it is doubtful
whether the public business could
be carried on without these com
paratively modern acquisitions.
The Roosevelt, Taft and Wilson
regimes would have found them
selves swamped if the quill or pen
had been necessary to carry on the
work of the executive office.
Computing Railroad Swindles. -
The Interstate Commerce Com
mission estimates the losses caused
to the Rock Island railroad under
the Reid Morse syndicate at $40, :
aoa, eee. The New Haven loot
was never added up; nor has the
process been applied to other big
railroads Of the country whose
eaFaing powers as in the case ol
the two above roads, were made a
sort of side issue to the stock,
gamblers who manipulated t.L.eil
affairs. But Uncle Sam is doine
good piece of work in regulating
these industrials-and he was none
too soen otherwise some of thei
stocks would have become abou
as valueless as Confederate money
Blowing Up ThreshinG
achines.-The agricultural de
partment has prepared an alibi il
ease the Germans should be
accused of blowing up America'
threshing machines. Several hun
dred machines actually exploded
during the last threshing season
1t has been found that the mixture
of dust and air in the chambers o
machines are touched off b.
electric charges, and this can bt
prevented through grounding tn,
cylinder shafts by running wire