Evening star., 1949-04-24
Fifty Years Ago

1ne Star on April IL. 1899. reported the
annual stated session" of the National
Academy OF Sciences In the
Seienfisfs auditorium Of Columbian
In Session University. Or. Wolcott Gibbs
OF Newport. r. L. was presid-
Ing. Papers were announced as follows;
THE Shadow OF Planet" by A. Hall: The
Limestones OF Fiji" e. c. Andrews: The
Diamond and Gold Mines OF South Africa"
A. Agassiz: Progress In Surveying and Pro-
lection of the United States Forest Re-
serves" Charles d. Walcott. Local members
in attendance included: Simon Newcomb.
S. p. Langley. Alexander Graham Bell. J. W.
Powell, Cleveland Able. Elliott Coues. s. r.
Emmons, G. X. Gilbert r. N. Gill. Arnold
Hague, w. II, Dali Charles A. Schott and
G. A. White. The academy. 1t was explained.
had been incorporated in 1853. and election
to membership Is regarded as one OF
the highest honors that can be paid to . man
OF science"
Arrest OF "the makers OF the most famous
counterfeit money known In recent years
was announced In The Star
Countsrfeitsn for April 10. 1892 Two men.
Couoht "weii-known engravers In
Philadelphia" were charged
with having perfected the plates for printing
500 bills bearing the portrait Of President
Lancaster cigar manufacturers who were
alleged to have been producing fake revenue
stamps from metal supplied by the two
Philadelphia rogues. A Mr.. Wilkie was head
OF the Secret Service Bureau at the time.
and he was credited with having achieved
absolute cases against the accused. the
most dangerous and clever counterfeiters In
30 years"
The Star for April 81. 1899. related how
Gustave Joseph. a pstrolman formerly at
tached 10 Ii. Boyies precinct.
The Low N had gone 10 Guatemala 70
Guatemala take charge Of the police
organization OF that country.
when he reached Central Americas capital
city he found q great many things TO over
come. Shooting and cutting scrapcs hap
pened every day and but little attention
was paid 10 them. Because Of the radical
changes made by the new chief these dis
graceful affairs are not nearly 80 numerous
as they were formerly. Persons who are
now arrested for any ofIense are locked up
until their cases are tried II was formerly
the custom 10 release them on their honor
TO appear In court. IL they had any standing
in the community or II they had any friends
to intereede for them Because Of the
smali salaries paid the members Of the force
Of good men for the positions. The police
men tare paid $40 . month and their
uniforms"
For q week past declared The Star Of
April -. 1899. IAN old man has been moving
slowly about the
Se0schefof hwns IN the rear of
Wk;te Hoas> o~rs the White House
every dav. his eyes
intently fixed upon the GTeen turf. In his
right hand he carries q funnel with q long
stem, and IN his left little can with spout
Ever and anon the old fellow stops ard
bends lower over the grass. There II . sud
den movement downward with the right arm.
the funnel which has sharp point. u fhust
into the grass and the can Tilted forward
until the spout rests In the top OF the funnel
This only takes moment. and the Old man
moves slowly away. his eyes stan aarcnins
the green carpet of the lawn. People passing
- have wondered Whist IL aii means" Ine
explanation Was that the old feilos SA1
looking for Wild garlic. When he found
plant he gave II drink" Of earbolie acid.