Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-12-19
WHY OUR SKIES ARE CLEAR
w. 3. Ahern Says Electricity Turns
the TrIek--Attorney Kaufman
Has offioes In Two Heml-
epheres--BromIey Whar-
ton, Cook
BY GEORGE Nnx MCCAIN

w are 80 clear; why its atmosphere is
free from the smoke nuisance of other
cities. William Il. Ahern tells the story.
The former magistrate was not so many
years ago shining light in municipal
politics. He was addressed as Judge" and
had a big political club named after him.
That was in the old days.
For more than fifteen years he has been
interested in the development of the city's
electrical facilities. He is district man
ager now and knows all about conduts,
amperage, kilowatts and nil the complex
technicaities Of the trade. But as to the
clear skies
It's electricity that is responsible. Not
in the air, but on the wires and in the
workshops, mills and factories. 1t is re.
placing steam. 1t takes black smoking
chimneys to generate white steam. and
steam, according to Mr.. Ahern, is going
out Of date.
He tells me that no industrial establish
ment Of any account is built now without
equipment for electrical installation. Hun
dreds of concerns are using it now where
dozens used it before.
And the number is increasing Prac-
tically all light manufacturing plants use
electricity; especially is it true of "loft''
industries where light machinery is
employed.
And we are only upon the threshold Of
the electrical age, according to the Judge.
DR. FREDERIC RASMUSSEN, secre-
~ tary Of agriculture, is the finest example
of the opportunities this country offers to
the born abroad citizen that recall
Twenty years ago Doctor Rasmussen
arrived in this country with nothing much
but the groundwork Of n dairying exper-
fence gained on his fathers big farm in
Halls, Denmark.
He had to master fiuency in the Eng
lish language and gain knowledge Of
American ways. He had q clever skill,
however, that got him job as bridge car
penter for western railroad. That was q
start.
After year he went back to his first
love-the farm. For two years he worked
at dairying, meantime going to winter
school in Iowa. It must have been rough
experience, but It was the making OF the
future secretary.
1t isn't necessary to 60 into the details
of his educational career. for after gradual
ing from Iowa State College he became an
instructor at Purdue University, then an
assistant professor at Iowa State, and
ACUCLItu Il lull pTOIeSSOrSHlD Wnen ne went
TO New Hampshire State College.
1t was while he was professor Of dairy
husbandry ut Pennsylvania State College
that he got into war work The armistice
came just when he had his passports ready
and was about to sail for France. The
Red Cross had appointed him to establish
dairies at the base hospitals for the Amer
lean expeditionary forces.
After that came his appointment as Sec
retary of agriculture by Governor Sproul.
A N AMERICAN attorney at law with Of
4 fees in Yokohama, Kobe and Toxic,
Japan, and New York. and who divides his
time between the four cities has what may
properly be described as an "extended prac-
tice."
James Lee Kaufman sailed from these
shores the other day for his Office in Toxic.
He is the head of law firm there. one
member of which is a distinguished Japanese
lawyer, the other two being Englishmen
Mr.. Kaufman is the only American
lawyer practicing in Japan.
He is, for this reason, the representative
of all the leading American corporate
interests in Japan, and so closely are these
American and japanese interests united that
Mr.. Kaufman, on his return in q few
months, Will eSCaDllSn All ONCE IN New
York with his japanese partner in charge
OF it.
The Yokohama and Kobe offices are in
care of his partners, and each month Mr..
Kaufman spends part of his time in these
cities.
James Lee Kaufman is a Philadelphia.
He went to Japan some years ago as
assistant professor in the law department Of
the University IT Toxic.
He is only thirty four years Of age.