Evening star., 1916-09-24

and building on the military reserva-
tion at Fort Spokane has been re-
modelled into q hospital. On tho West
shoshone, Idaho. reservation a day
school is being remodeled into a hos
pitaL
It is said by onicials of the Indian
office that the Indian is turning more
and more to the white mans physician
Indian medicine man is rapidly passing
on every reservation. This condition
Is due IN great part to the energetic
and enthusiastic health Campaign that
the Indian Office has been forging.
Greatly exaggerated ideas prevail, ac-
cording to officials of the bureau Of
education. concerning the
Text Book total number of text books
p-.s4. sold in the United States
Ss' each year and the annual
profits resulting from such sales. It is
understood that confidential data have
been obtained by the bureau from fifty
text book publishers in this country,
which shows that their aggregate total
sales annually of text books for use in
public schools, elementary and high.
amounts to about $4,000. 900. The ar
gregate for public schools. elementary
and high. amounts to about SIS. 900.
According to figures which have been
compiled by experts Of the bureau, the
total enrolment in public elementary
100000. Excluding the elementary
school enrolment of California, since
California prints its own elementary
books. the number becomes 1s.250.0 900.
For each child enrolled in the public
schools In the United States, therefore,
the total annual sale OF text books is
about 80 cents. It has been figured that
the total expenditure per child for all
school purposes is approximately $S631.
The cost Of text books is therefore ap-
oi maintenance. support and equipment.
The cost per child on the school popu-
latfon basis--fve to eighteen years Of
age-according to officia1s Of the bu-
reau, Is 6ss cents: the annual per capita
cost Of text books on the total popuia-
tion basis is less than Is cents.
These figures indicate, anyhow to the
bureau, that there is little ground for
the fear sometimes expressed that the
Introduction Of free text books will add
system: and will greatly increase the
rate OF taxation for school purposes
As a matter Of fact, the cost for text
books Is relatively small item in the
total expenditure for school purposes.
Oficials Of the bureau feel convinced
that the figures obtained afford a trust
worthy statement OF the real facts
about the size of the school book busi-
ness. The firms from which data were
obtained handle 90 per cent of the total
text book sales in this country
~
After series of tests lasting for more
q ho -
last perfected a machine for
Testing testing boxes. The machine
promises to be invaluable,
~OAee' especially when it Is taken
into consideration that the railroads of
the country pay out several millions of
dollars annually for freight loss.
brought about by the breaking Of
wooden boxes.
The experiments. which were carried
on at the forest products laboratory of
the service at Madison, Wis, were made
to determine q fair test for all types of
boxes.
According to statistics which have
been compiled by the forest service
there are over 4,500. 100000 feet Of lun-
Der used each year for box making in
the United States.
The machine which has been designed
by the service engineers consists of q
hexagonal drum with three-and-a- half
foot sides. which is lined with thin steel
sheets. Pieces of scantling bolted to the
bottom form what are known as
hazards"
In making the tests boxes filled with
cans containing water are placed in the
drum. which is then rotated by elec-
the results Of the tests the sides and
ENDS, Of the box are numbered with
large figures, and, in addition. other
Numbers are placed at specified points
on each side. The hazards" cause the
and then dropped back to the lower
level Of the drum. Each fall Of this sort,
1t Is thought, is a pretty fair imitation
Of the probable treatment 1t would re-
watched carefully, and notes are taken
on the manner in which they give way
and the number of falls required to
break them In pieces.
sible to determine what kinds Of woods
are best suited for boxes. The tests
showed a decided need. IT is understood,
for a STANDARD classification Of box
woods. and three groups have been
tanned.
The tests made also show the best
methods Of construction for boxes. One
Of the most striking things brought out
inadequacy Of the ordinary methods Of
mailing up boxes. The number OF nails
used and the way they are put in are
important. One nail more to the side
Of a box will give it a great deal more
strength than might be thought The
nails should not be driven too deep. 1t
was found. because that has tendency
to weaken the hold. In many cases, 1t
Is said, proper mailing will allow a re-
duction of the amount of lumber used
without any decrease in the value Of
the box, Boxes with cleated ends were
found to be much stronger than those
without cleatS
AS q result OF the tests made, tenta-
tive specifications for boxes used in
shipment OF canned goods have been
drawn up and submitted to the various
parties Interested for discussion.