p. 21 | News and Miscellany

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 10, 1910

News and Miscellany

— It is estimated that the annual fire loss in the United States is $15 for every head of a family.

— After years of discussion, the name of Edgar Allen Poe has been added to America’s Hall of Fame.

— A new law against public gambling went into effect in Nevada on October 1. Gambling is now outlawed by every State in the Union.

— Unseasonably cold weather marked the closing days of October, snow falling as far south as the Gulf States and as far east as Pittsburg. Heavy frosts were felt as far south as Mexico City, and the corn and bean crops of the plateau region were ruined.

— A new world’s record for altitude in a heavier-than-air machine was made at the recent aero meet at Belmont Park, New York, when Ralph Johnstone in a “Baby” Wright model ascended 9,714 feet—nearly eighteen times the height of the Washington Monument.

— A four-year-old boy in Trenton, N. J., seeing his father drink a glass of whisky, followed his example, and drank half a glass when his father left the room. The child died after lying unconscious for 24 hours.

— The loss occasioned by forest fires in the United States during the past season has just been officially placed at $15,000,000. The burned area represents 6,000,000,000 feet of lumber,—a twelve years’ supply for the whole country.

— A remarkable new wireless record has been made by the Marconi Company, which has received, at its new high-power station in Argentina, messages from Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, and from Clifden, Ireland, distant each about 5,600 miles.

— The thrilling incidents of pioneer life are not all ended, if recent newspaper despatches are true. It is reported that near Marshfield, Wis., a large wolf entered the yard of a farmer, seized his infant son, and started toward the woods. Being frightened when the child’s sister gave chase, the animal dropped the baby, which was picked up none the worse for its experience.

— Separation of church and state in Portugal was announced from Lisbon by the provisional government, October 28. Freedom of the press was also declared in another decree. On the ground that it desired to remain neutral in religious affairs, the new republic declined an invitation to be officially represented at a memorial mass held for the victims of the revolution. This wise position taken by the new republic might serve as a worthy example for the United States, founded upon the same principle of church-and-state separation.

— Gen. James Allen, chief signal officer of the army, declares in his annual report that at least 20 aeroplanes are needed immediately for government service—two for each instruction camp. He deplores the fact that “although the United States was the first nation officially to recognize the aeroplane for military purposes, this government has not kept pace with the world in military aeronautics.” Truly all the world is preparing for war, and everything points to the fact that the hour of the last great struggle is fast approaching.

— The Department of Justice has begun a vigorous crusade against the white slave traffic, and has set its own agents at work to gather evidence. “The freely expressed opinion of the attorney-general’s office, as a result of the discoveries made, is that nowhere in public print has there been exaggeration; but that as a matter of fact the true story has not been told at its worst. . . . Every power within reach is to be directed to join in the hunt against the violators of the laws. In addition to the special agents throughout the country in the service of the attorney-general, Mr. Harr will have the 90 United States district attorneys and 90 marshals at his command. These in turn will be instructed to make use of the 800 deputy-marshals in the government service. The immigration service of the Department of Commerce and Labor will also be called on. The department wants its cleansing of the country to remain permanent and thoroughly effective.”

— The Canadians have chosen the last Monday in October as their national Thanksgiving day.

— A military surgeon of Berlin has recently presented statistics to show that lunacy in the German army and navy has doubled in the last 20 years.

— Experiments conducted by Sir William Ramsay in Cornwall, England, with Cornish pitchblende, have resulted in the production of 500 milligrams of radium.

— According to Hon. Lloyd George, British Chancellor of the Exchequer, the nations of the world are annually spending the stupendous sum of $2,250,000,000 upon the machinery of war,—and the amount so expended is increasing annually. “All nations seem to be infected with an epidemic of prodigality in that respect,” says Mr. George, “which seems to be sweeping over the world, and sweeping it to destruction.”

— November 1 Emperor Nicholas, of Russia, approved a resolution adopted by the cabinet to open up new sections for the residence of the Jews. Heretofore the legal residence of the Jews has been confined to certain sections known as “the pale.” Recently an attempt was made to drive back within the pale all Jews who were unable to establish a legal right of residence outside its boundaries. The present action of the cabinet is said to be the result of petitions from the inhabitants of several provinces, who desire the admission of Jewish residents as a means of improving business conditions.