Evening star., 1941-05-04


Star published a discussion, with dia-
grams, of the impending
v,:.r transit of the planet Mer-
Meycurv curry across the face of the
sun. Appearing in the
ton from the Pacific Coast and the
Sandwich (now known as the Hawaiian)
Islands, where the sun would still be
visible above the horizon at transit time,
and not below it as in the District. In
part, The Star said: Why astronomers
are interested in observing the transit
of Mercury is that it will give them more
data for figuring out what it is that
affects the motion of the planet. Lew
errier . found that the perihelion OF
Mercury moved 40 seconds (of arc) in q
century. - He assumed that the mo-
ton referred to was due to the presence
of group of small planets between Mer-
curry and the sun, . but trained as
tronomers have never been able to see
them"
The search for the non-existant minor
planets was ended only when Albert
Einstein showed by his theory of rela-
tivity that Mercury's perihelion should
shift its position at this exact rate. The
fact that it does so is regarded as evi-
dence for his theory.
Fifty years ago Washington was the
scene, not just of one medical conven-
tion, but of at least three
Medicol the American Medical
MEETINGS Association, the Academy
of Medicine and the State
Boards of Health. The Star of May 4,
1891. records 80 Parlor 10 of Will
lard's was crowded all day with physi-
clans who were registering. In one of
the smaller parlors of the Arlington were
gathered this morning a collection of
about half hundred medical men from
all parts of the country" And again,
The meetings of the conference of State
Boards of Health that have been in ses-
sion Saturday and today at the Ebbitt
House have proved to be of the greatest
interest and value"
AS a Saturday feature article The Star
gave preview of the new Zoo then
under construction, and
New Zoo promised by the contractors
Ready to be ready within month
for its animal population.
The account of May 2, 1891, says in part
49," To visitor who comes within the
realms of the new Geological Park on
Rock Greek these lovely spring days the
scene that spreads out before his eyes
is one of bustling activity and progress.
Even to a casual observer it is
evident that the Geological Park is be-
ginning to be live reality and that the
stereotyped phrase proposed geological
park must soon be abandoned for all
time. Wave, light, rock and bird
not to mention trees, flowers, grass are
there in profusion. The wild ami
mails are going to be put there some
time next month, providing the weather
and the contractors do the best they
can."
Across the Atlantic, although Europe
was at peace, May Day riots were re-
ported. A dispatch from
Riots in Paris, reprinted in The Star,
Europe says. Early last evening
a mob composed of about
1900 people carrying sticks and armed
with revolvers surrounded the gendar-
merle at Fourmies crying, Down with
the masters! We want our brethren!
This last cry referred to the men arrest
ed early in the day for intimidating the
men who had refused to go out on strike.
''' One hundred and twenty arrests
we're made in Paris yesterday In connec-
ton with the May Day agitation. .
The troops in Paris remained on duty
during the night and were partly re-
heved this morning, 1t being quite ap-
parent that all danger Of mob out
break was over"