davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1924-12-31
An,ber Formed Millions of Years
Ago by Resin From Injured Trees
Close association With Minerals and CenstOnes Has
Brought Mistaken Idea Of Origin Of
Popular Material.

Due to it's close association with
the most valuable minerals and gem
stones, amber is commonly thought
to be of mineral origin. This Is, how
ever. a mistaken idea. Amber is
fossil resin or gum that was ex-
luded from the confer or cone-bear-
ing tree, represented by large num-
Der of genera and species, some three
of four millions fo years ago. These
conifers grew in great profusion and
as the gum was exuded often be-
came buried and in the course OF
geologic time were fossilized into
the very hard substance now OF such
great commercial value and popu-
larity as an ornamental object.
The name comes from the Arab an
bar, probably through the Spanish re-
ferring originally to ambergris an ami
NAL substance quite distinct, how
ever. from yellow amber. True am
Der has sometimes been called kar-
abe, word of Oriental derivation
sienifying that which attracts
straw in allusion to the power
which amber possesses OF acquiring
an electric charge by friction.
Some of the most notable localities
for the occurrence of amber are long
the shores of the Baltic and North
seas, where the gum that was buried
millions of years ago has been washed
up by wave action. The promontory
of Samlan also produces an album
dance of amber as well as many other
localities.
The great variety of names ap-
piled to amber are taken from the
locality where II is found. For ex-
Evening star., 1924-12-31
Shoes.

Betterment in the business situa-
ton did not strike the Eastern manu-
facturers until after midyear. Early
year production was at low rate
with New England complaining that
hours of labor and wages as estao-
lished by local unions prohibited
competition in the cheaper grades
with Western manufacturers.
In the Fall, the demand became in
sistent and production advanced
above 100000 pairs a month. Wages
were cut in many places in New Eng
land Hours of labor were length
ened and costs OF distribution were
trimmed. AS result, many COM
panies manufacturing footwear
showed excellent profits, especially
those of the Middle West.
The trend of fashion in women's
shoes was better stabilized in 1924
than in previous years and, while
there were many new feathers intro
duced, the style trend was less vari-
able This meant increased confidence
of dealers and higher volume of ad-
vanced sales.
Evening star., 1924-12-31

swept into office by a comfortable
majority.
Mrs. Ferguson, running for the Of
flee OF Governor of Texas, in order to
vindicate her husband, Jim Ferguson,
who was impeached but stoutly main
tained that his impeachment was a
political move and not founded upon
wrongdoing. was chosen by the peo-
pie of the State as one of the two
first women to be elected to the Of
flee of governor.
Mrs. Ross. widow of Gov. Ross of
Wyoming. was nominated to fill the
office held by her husband. and was
elected by a large ajority, sharing
with Mrs. Ferguson the honor of be-
ing one of the two first women to be
chosen TO administer the affairs Of a
State.
Secretary Wilbur, a former Federal
Judge in California and a graduate OF
Annapolis, was chosen by President
Coolidge to fill the Office of Secretary
of the Navy after the resignation OF
Secretary DENLY had been accepted.
Mr.. Stone. a professor in law al
Columbia University, was chosen to
fill the post of Attorney General left
vacant by the resignation of Harry
A Daugherty, after the President
had requested that Daugherty give UP
his Office. which was under investiga-
ton by the Senate.
Mr. Gore, elected Governor of West
Virginia on November 4. while hold
ing the Office of Assistant Secretary
Of Agriculture, was elevated to the
office Of Secretary OF Agriculture fol-
lowing the death OF Secretary Wal
lace, which had occurred on october
%. Secretary Gore is to hold office
until March 4.
Evening star., 1924-12-31
Hats.

Felt hat manufacturers enjoyed a
fairly profitable year, although many
assert their business will not COM
pare favorably with that of 1928. The
Philadelphia factories were well en-
gagged throughout as were those of
Connecticut. but retail sales were
sharply affected by unreasonable
weather. The visit of the Prince of
Wales gave impetus to the movement
of gray felt hats in the Fall
The straw hat year ends July and
for the 1923-24 period. business is
estimated at ~ per cent under that
for the previous twelve months. This
slump was caused by slow buying in
May and June. Booking of orders for
next Spring is about six weeks late.
The retail trade was very blue until
election and held back orders, but
these now are pouring in in increas-
ing volume. Manufacturers believe
the decrease shown in the last year
will be made up IL warm weather ap-
pears in May and June, 1925.
Evening star., 1924-12-31
ALEXIS RyKov cHMcr11ophAQ GENpIUrARco GALES

Vice President -elect Dawes headed
the unofficial delegation Of Americans
who worked out the Dawes reparation
plan, ending the troublesome prob
lem of what and how Germany should
pay. Nominated by the Republican n
convention as candidate for Vice
President after former Gov. Lowden
refused a nomination voted earlier,
Mr.. Dawes was elected with Presi-
dent Coolidge in the great landslide
Of November 4.
Mr.. Young was associated with Mr.
Dawes in the reparation work and
served as fiscal agent of the plan.
Mr. Gilbert. the youngest man ever
to hold the Office of Undersecretary
of the Treasury, resigned his post
to become agent general Of the repa-
rations plan, accepting the office Sep
tember 8.
Mr. Macdonald became Labor
Premier of Great Britain on January
% and was able to guide the ship OF
state through many difficulties until
after he had negotiated treaties with
the Soviet government. His down
fall began with the refusal Of the
House of Commons to give him A
vote of confidence on October S, and
in the elections of October 20 the
Conservatives were swept back into
office.
Mr.. Baldwin, accepting a call from
the King. reassumed the office of
premier, which he held prior to the
advent of Prime Minister Macdonald.
and on November his government
took Office.
Evening star., 1924-12-31
Paper.

Some sections of the paper trade
enjoyed a most prosperous year. but
the manufacturers Of news print il
this country had stiff compe tition 10
contend with The American mills
decreased output slightly. but this
was more than overcome by the added
production of the Canadian plants.
which operated under more Favorable
cost and labor conditions.
Spot prices were steadily lower
during the first part of the year as
compared with the corresponding pc
riod of 1923, although contracts were
made at SIS a ton. Later during the
Summer, this eased off to $40. with
spot prices as low as 3.65 a pound.
For time there was a possibility of
further softening to $65 to S6S ton
for Spring deliveries, but the business
Improvement in this country stiffened
the backs of the producers, who held
out in many instances for $40.
Wrapping paper was very firm.
Prices advanced steadily and Were
well above those of last year in every
month. Book papers, after a bad
start, showed late year Improvement,
but kraft papers sank well below the
last years level. Writing paper
prices showed little change or added
activity.
Copyright, 1924, by Consolidated Pressl
Evening star., 1924-12-31

ample, the Sicilian amber takes its
name from the River Simeto: Bermese
amber gets its name from Burmite,
etc. Most of the Bermese amber Is
worked at Mandalay into rosary beads
and ear-cylinders.
Amber is regarded by the Turks as
specially valuable. inasmuch as 1t is
said TO be incapable of transmitting
infection as the pipe passes from
mouth to mouth. 1t is still believed
by many peoples to possess certain
medical virtues. Amber was valued
as an ornamental material in very
early times, being found in Myce-
naean tombs; 1T is known from lake
dwellings, in Switzerland and occurs
with neolithic remains in Denmark,
while in England it is found with in
terments of the bronze age.
Remains Of insects, spiders and cru
staceans and other small organisms
which became eneveloped while the
exudation was fluid are perfectly pre-
served Hair and feathers even have
occasionally been represented among
these Enclosures. Fragments of wood
are not infrequently found with the
tissues well preserved by impregna-
tion with the resin. Sometimes the
amber retains the form of drops and
stalactites just as 1t eXuded from the
ducts and receptacles of the injured
tree. Enclosures of pyrites may give
blush color to amber. The So
called black amber" Is only a kind
of Jet, while bony amber owes Its
cloudy opacity to minute bubbles In
the interior of the resin.
BY gradually heating amber in an
Evening star., 1924-12-31
Silk.

Fine as silk could be used as a
real and not a slang comparison as
a result OF the progress of the silk
industry in the past year. SILK was
the bright spot in the textile trades
in spite of long continued strike in
the Patterson section. This was due
to increas sed demand, lower raw mate
rial prices and increased labor efii-
cheney The first half year Jagged.
but in Midsummer call for silk goods
developed surprisingly.
Prices as the year closed were
about we'll under those of January
of this year and even further below
those during the peak period of 1923.
Supplies were we'll balanced, with stocks
not excessive and shortage not ap-
parent.
Not only has demand from retailers
expanded in late months. but there
has been a heavy call for material
for dress goods, Innings and trim
ming from the clothing and fur man
ufacturing industries.
Evening star., 1924-12-31
Hides and Leather.

Hide and leather industries ended
the year in a much improved position
compared with year ago. The heavy
stocks of leather which have hung
over the market since the war were
reduced practically to normal Prices
advanced materially and the whole
situation was aided by the late i'm
provement in the shoe industry. The
advance was especially noticeable in
upper feathers, tanners advancing
these grades ] and cents a square
foot in the Fall. while backs and
bends shot up an equal amount per
pound.
Exports of hides and skins rose
over 400 per cent as compared with
1928 and stocks were reduced lower
than for years despite heavy cattle
slaughterings. Backs. bends and
hides were down approximately to
100000 which is considered about
normal
Production of finished feathers de-
clined steadily below the 1928 level
all throughout the year.
Evening star., 1924-12-31
Jewelry.

The slump in business in midyear
was not reflected in jewelry sales so
extensively as in other lines of bust
ness. 1t sufficed. however. to turn
the trend away from the very high
priced goods until the late months Of
1924. This was shown by the fail
urc of certain foreign holders to dis
pose of enormously valuable collec-
tions of jewels at the prices they
asked.
Watches sold remarkably well,
owing to the trend toward having
both wrist watch and a pocket
timepiece. Platinum gained in pop
ularity as a setting, perhaps. because
its price was Approximately six times
that OF gold Raw platinum dropped
from S125 to S117 an ounce duriug
the year.
The feature OF the high-priced
trade was the demand for Cmcralds.
although some strings of matched
black pearls brought record prices,
Siiverware demand was well main
tained. The bulge in the stock market
after election spurred sales OF high
priced Jewels in certain circles in the
larger cities.
Evening star., 1924-12-31

and October continued light, but val
ues continued downward Grassy ma
tives and plain westerns competed
with good quality stuff to the detri-
ment of the latter. Top yearlings
went to $3.50 in October, but the
supply of these was light. In De-
cember the market was at the high
point for choice light animals. with
prime yearlings going at $3.50
supply Near Lnst Years.
In round figures the supply of cat
tie for the year 1924 is placed at
3.150.00O. This compared with 3,157.-
100 last year. Under ordinary mar :
ket conditions, with feed prices pro-
portionate to the prices for cattle on
the hoof. the run should have been
much smaller. About $4,000 calves
were received at the local yards during
the year, against 7e0, 900 last year. Con-
sidering the fact that the supply OF
milk cows is decreasing an increase OF
% 900 calves for slaughter. compared
with last years number, should give
the country considerable concern.
Another serious problem is the de-
crease in range cattle. This year S
supply stood about 10000 against
81 s, 200 last year and 254,oo0 in 1922.
With the population growing the
country will have to look for other
sources Of supply, as the range meat
will soon be of little volume. The
cattle feeders condition will have to
improve or the meat production of
this country will not have to look
to export demand for disposition of
the supply.
Record for Light Hogs.
Estimating the few days of the
present month. the supply of hogs
for the year 1924 fell below the pre-
vious year. High prices Of feed
played a big part in the market.
Farmers were forced to send so many
light hogs to market that all records
were broken for a single weeks run
when 393,395 hogs arrived at the To-
Evening star., 1924-12-31

too often have had to be sacrificed,
because the farmer has not yet found
out how to keep his cattle without
regard to cost
Growers Unable to "Hold the Bag
The volume Of feeding cattle sent
to the country from leading market
centers this year showed a decrea Sc
of about 25 per cent compared with
last year The general liquidation Of
these cattle during the last few
months seems to indicate that the
farmer no longer is able to hold the
bag" When farmers are compelled
to sell their corn in order to cover
loans, they cannot continue feeding
cattle. and the consequence of this
situation will undoubtedly he felt in
shortage of fat cattle within a short
time.
The cattle trade started we'll in
1924. Choice animals reached Sl2.25
in January, and the best sold at
$1,000 the month following. These
prices were far above the correspond :
ing months the year before. Light
receipts marked February, and prices
gained The feature of the cattle
market for March was a record sup
ply of calves, about $4,000. Top cat
tie went to s12.60 that month.
Years Low Point I'm July.
While May showed light runs of
all kinds Of live stock. values were
lower. The average price of beef
cattle dropped 80 cents below the
previous month. During June cattle
prices again dropped. Best steers
went at $11.50. Early in July prices
fell to the years low point, but val
Iot ,,, tod
The supply of cattle for August was
the smallest for the corresponding
month in seven years, but values
were not able to hold. notwithstand-
ing the light run. and average price
for beef cattle was 1920 at the close
of the month.
The cattle supply for September
Evening star., 1924-12-31
Artificial Silk.

The year 1924 was a ecordbreaker
in the artificial silk industry. Pro-
duction and sales of this product ran
about 10 per cent above those for
1923. the best year on record, and
totaled approximately 10000, 900
pounds. At that, demand outran sup
ply and some factories were so
pressed for deliveries that they
shipped in the afternoon product
made in the morning of the same day.
The hosiery trade was the largest
consumer. but the uses to which this
product may be put have increa ased
astoundingly and another heavy in
crease is predicted for 1925. Stocks
still are short and manufacturers are
spending millions of dollars in fac
tory extensions and expansion. This
industry has sprung up since the war
and production has increased over
$50 per cent In the last four years.
There have been no marked f1uctua-
tions in price since the quotation was
pegged early in the year.
Evening star., 1924-12-31
ACCUSED BROKERAGE
CONCERN Is DISSOLVED
Miller & Co. Had Planned to Fight
Discipline by Stock
Exchange.

BY tho Associated Press.
NEW YORK, December 31.-Ou the
eve of court hearing through which
the brokerage house Of Miller & Co.
planned to test tho power of the
New York Stock Exchange to take
disciplinary action against its mem
bers, the firm announced its dissolu-
ton.
An injunction which the company
obtained several weeks ago TO re-
strain exchange officials from acting
against its partners for alleged vio-
lation of the rules was scheduled for
hearing today, after several postpone
ments had been granted. While the
stock exchange authorities were pre-
pairing to fight the case they were
notified that four of the partners
planned to retire and subsequently
that the firm itself would dissolve
today.
The house was admitted to the
stock exchange on December 81. 1908.
Seats on the exchange are held by two
of the partners. Nathan j. Miller and
l.. 5. Oppenheimer.
Evening star., 1924-12-31
Packing House Products.

The tremendous marketing Of hogs
continued for the first three quarters
of the year. These were absorbed by
the packers but in the process the
latter were compelled to carry heavy
stocks. They now seem in a fair way
to liduidate these at advantageous
prices since.
Despite the burden OF stocks, the
profits of the packing companies bid
fair to equal those or 1923. Prices
for pork and lard have advanced ma
terialiy in late months, and foreign
demand gives promise of continued
expansion The increase in lard
quotations has been above 80 per cent
in the fall months.
SlauGhtering of cattle and sheen
have nearly parallelcd those of 1923.
and prices also have been on nearly
the same level. although quotations
for beef cattle have improved Re-
Gently.
Evening star., 1924-12-31

in office. is there through dead
lock rather than from firm
party backing. He weathered a
political upset in May and another in
the early part of this month. Under
his administration Germany attained
d balanced budget in November.
Gen. Gales was elected President of
Mexico and was inaugurated Decem-
ber !.
Gov. Smith, defeated in his race for
the Democratic nomination for Pres
ident, came back in the State race
and soundiy trounced former Assist
ant Secretary OF the Navy Roose-
Welt for the governorship of New
York. Gov. Smith overcame a big
upstate lead gained by Roosevelt and
Evening star., 1924-12-31

taken hard and consistent labor to
make ends meet. This year has been
no exception. Early in the year, the
reports indicated large crops of corn
and feeders took out many thin cat
tie for more finish. When it was
found that the corn crop would be one
of the poorest in quality for many
years. the feeders had to unload half
fat steers, and the market was food
ed with stuff that, under ordinary
market conditions, would have needed
three or four months more feed.
Another serious situation facing
the American live stock industry is
the abandonment of "blooded" cattle
Thousands of pure-bred cows of all the
beef breeds have been lost in the
shuttle of abandoned pedigrees. This
condition is with US as the after
math of war, of economic conditions
and of men growing weary in the
struggle against overpowering odds.
When the question of high-priced
feed comes up, the blooded animals
Evening star., 1924-12-31
McCRORY'S BEST YEAR.

NEW YORK, December 3l.-The
McCrory Stores Corporation is clos
ing the best year in its history, with
sales approXimatinE $4,000, ,0OO, nearly
S4,OOO,000 more than in 1928, and
$4,000 greater than 1922 Earnings
for 1924 after taxes and charges are
estimated al about $4,000. 900. edua
after preferred dividends TO $3.50 a
share on the common stock The
companys expansion plans for 1925
call for shares of $4,000, 600. Its
stores now total 10.
Evening star., 1924-12-31
ASK SHIPPING BAN
ON DAMAGED FRUITS
California Citrus Growers Support
Regulations for Oranges and
Lemons Injured by Freeze.
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
LOS ANGELES, December S1.-Cit-
rus growers of five southern Califor-
mia counties, meeting here with off,
GERS of the California Fruit Growers
Exchange, have decided to indorse
and strongly support county regula-
tions which will prevent the shipping
of oranges and lemons commercially
damaged by the recent freeze.
1t was decided after lengthy dis
cussion not to ask the legislature to
make any changes in the present
State law governing fruit shipments
until final survey of the groves Is
completed and an estimate made OF
the loss, Then 1T Is expected the leg
islature will be asked to make the
present statute more effective and
drastic.
The counties represented in the
meeting were Los Angeles, San Ber-
nardino, Riverside, Orange and Ven
tura.
The county regulations indorsed
prohibit shipping of any oranges OIL
lemons damaged by frost in two OIL
more segments, and stipulate that nc
shipments may contain more than l.
per cent of touched fruit with
one segment damaged.
No attempt was made to definitely
assess the loss in the groves of the
five counties represented, but it Is
believed that this Is roughly about
25 per cent Of the entire crop.
Evening star., 1924-12-31

NJ. Domergue became President Of
France after Millerand resigned his
Office over the question of renewed
relations with Germany.
NJ. Herriot, in the political upset
bringing aboI the downfall of NJ
Poincare and VI. Francois MarsaI. was
chosen premier with the backing of
radical Socialists. Under his guild
ance. France attained a balanced
budget on September 80, the first
time in 10 years.
NJ. Rykov succeeded Lenin as
premier of the Soviet government
after'the latter died. He is reported
to have broken with Trotzky, min
lister of war and friend of Lenin.
Herr Marx, German chancellor, has
had stormy career and while still
Evening star., 1924-12-31

cal yards during the first week in
December On December Is the lar
gest number of hogs ever marketed in
one center in a day were offered in
Chicago. the total being 1919.
The total supply of hogs for the
year was placed at 100000, against
an actual number of 1O.460.134 dur
ing the previous year. Prices changed
little during the first two months,
however. Values went higher dur
ing March. but top lots stopped At
$775 Short receipts were recorded
for May, but June brought a COM
paratively heavy run. In July the
top Of the hog trade went from 1925
to sl1.15 on a sensational advance.
Comparatively high prices prevailed
during the balance of the year, with
average going to $3.50 in September.
At the close OF the year best heavy
butcher hogs stand at about $40.
sheep Man Specially Favored.
With the live stock situation gen
orally unsatisfactory to cattle and
hog raisers the sheep man has the
best of it. In the carly Fall, when
the farmer took thin lambs out for
more finish. traders in the yards felt
that the country feeder was due for
good financial spanking. but he is
now reaping the reward for his fore
sight. At present choice lambs go at
S16 and better, and the feeder Is
taking profit beyond what was looked
for at the time he took the stuff out
for finish.
The total supply of sheep and
lambs for the year will stand about
4, 100, 900, against an actual run of
4,097.S .S33 last year. Top lambs went
o. rtpnr h. G~e =,
of the year. and reached s17.10 in
April. Values were lower again in
May, but in July the market again
advanced, and top lambs sold at s14.
In September the trade was low, but
all kinds were high at the close of
the year.
Copyright, 1924)
Evening star., 1924-12-31
BIG 1925 ROAD PROGRAM.

HARRISBURG, Pa. December 3I.--
The Pennsylvania highway depart
ment will let contracts for 135 miles
of roads on January % and "a and
between that time and April will
arrange for construction of about
1900 miles of improved highways
provided the S5o,00O,00 bond issue
approved by voters is declared avail
able by the courts.
Evening star., 1924-12-31
COTTON IMPORTS GAIN.

NEW YORK, December 31.-Great
Britain's imports OF cotton from the
United States this year up to No
vember % increased to 75S,08o bales,
compared with 571 900 bales in the
same period last year, according to
the Bankers Trust Co. Total imports
were 1,0s9.000 bales, an increase of
146,000 bales. Conditions in the Lam
cashire cotton industry were said to
be distinctly more favorable.