The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1939-04-21


lands, the former named for Mas
sachusetts whaler wrecked there in
1854. Both islands went officially
unclaimed until March, 1888, when
President Roosevelt saw them as
vital link in U. S. defense and a log
ical base for trans-Pacific aviation.
When Great Britain disputed the
claim it was announced last August
that both countries would use the is
lands for commercial aviation, but
not until recently was formal
treaty signed. Its 50-year provisions:
u. S. and British administrators will
reside there, exercising powers to
be determined by consultation;
American interests will build an air
port, to be used by British aircraft
in return for a fee.
Pacific aviation is doomed by the
pact, for Canton and Enderbury lie
only 1850 miles from Hawaii, direct
ly on the route a ship would take
to Sydney, Australia. Canton boasts
a quiet lagoon nine miles long and
three miles wide, ideal for planes.
But aviation to the contrary, many
a congressman was dubious when
asked to ratify the treaty. Reason:
If Britain were involved in war, an
attack on British property in the Pa
cific might force the U. S. to defend
the islands, thereby getting its own
feet in the international puddle.
agriculture
While congress wrestles with a
huge U. S. cotton surplus which
threatens to engulf southern plant
ers unless it can be dumped abroad,
department of agriculture officials
begin to see faint sunrise over the
huge mountain of wheat which con-
stitutes the other major part of
Americas farm problem. With win
ter wheat well under way and spring
planting estimates taking definite
form, the situation might be sum-
married. as follows:
In 1888 the total U. S. wheat pro-
duction was 931 200, 900 bushels (687,-
100000 in winter wheat, 244, 1854, 900
in spring wheat). But 1895 winter
planting is cut to 46,173,0 acres
compared with Sc, 1856, 900 last year, 1
and spring planting is dropping
about II per cent under 1888. Thus /
1899 prospects are for slightly more
than 700, 900, 900 bushels, only mite
above normal domestic require
ments. This means the July sur
plus of 275,000,000 bushels (com-
pared with 1874, 900, 900 bushels year
previously will be reduced if export
volume is maintained during the
coming season.
The elf remains a big fac
tor, however. U. S. delegates to the
forthcoming world wheat conference
can boast that America leads the
way in trying to slash SURPRISES, !
but that accomplishment holds lit
tie satisfaction because pace-setting
U. S. farmers can find no nation fall
ing in line behind them. With most
European paintings bigger than last
year, with Argentina just harvesting
its second largest crop on record,
and with Canada almost certain to
offer a price guarantee, there re-
mains slight hope that Americas
carry-over from last year will be
reduced materially by sale abroad.
Miscellany
Total u. S. expenditures for the
fiscal years first nine months ($6,-
764, 1853, 436) exceeded income .($4,-
800, 177,312) by $2.374, 176,124.
o Ninety-five per cent of the voters
in Europe's tiny Liechtenstein (pop-
ulation, 10000 have signed pri-
vately circulated declaration re-
jecting union with Germany.
o The U. S. Steel corporation will
soon begin marketing completely
prefabricated steel buildings, includ-
ing residences for small towns.
Taxation
Time was when the ambitious U.
S. mother wanted her son to be
banker. But nowadays the hand that
counts money keeps far less of it.
Today's ambitious mother should tu-
tor her son Cor daughter) to enter
the motion picture industry. At
Washington, the house ways and
means committee received its an
nual list of top fight U. S. wage
earners and their salaries for 1887,
disclosing that Movie Magnate Louis
B. Mayer led the pack with 81 1885,
SOB Isl, 16f, 753 as production execu-
tive for Loew's, Inc, $134. $50 as vice
president of Metro g ssgg:gsss
Goldwyn Mayer.
Second place went to
Loew President ]. S
Robert Rubin, $751; m
1873; third, Publisher
William Randolph M
He arst, 100000; | 10
fourth, Loew's N. M. | Ss
Schenck, $489, SOP. 2
Of So salaries top |
ping 100000, an
o,,;. ,.,o,.L- Louis B.
1870 .;a MAYER