cellor to Archbishop Elder, a position of Areopolis and coadjutor to Archbishop which he admirably filled, until reluctantly Elder of Cincinnati, whose assistant and relinquished to become Bishop of Colum- eventual successor (Deo Velente) he is bus, Ohio. It was hard to sever the close relations between Dr. Moeller and the Archbishop, as nearly twenty years' association had cemented a friendship which now finds expression in the delight of the latter over the new honors conferred on his appointed successor. But the last three years spent in Columbus has served to increase the number of his friends and broaden his field of duty. Bishop Moeller received the Papal bulls May 22 appointing him titular Archbishop to be. Areopolis, Archbishop Moeller's titular see, was the seat of a Bishop in ancient Greece and the scene of great achievements in early Christian history. It was in this diocese on the Areopagus that St. Paul preached to the Athenians. The news of Dr. Moeller's new honors pleases his friends greatly and gives proof of the high regard in which he is held in Rome. There is but one other similarly honored in this country-Mgr. Falconio, the apostolic delegate at Washington, who is titular Archbishop of Larissa. The Handicap of Older Men. BY T SAM. M. CUMMINGS. cable, and elevated roads we are still looking for more facilities. We are now building an underground system to do away with the congestion of the streets. Streets that only a short time ago were sufficient to accommodate traffic have now become too congested to meet the people's needs. To be efficient to-day one has to be quick in both thought and action, and I believe that a man of thirty-five or forty is more capable of using sound judgment than most of these smart boys are. The men of success in business life to-day must keep on learning, watching what is going on around them, studying and thinking all the time, studying human nature, a knowledge of which is indispensable. There is no set rule as to how to make a study of that ever-varying mystery-human nature. You cannot learn this out of books or from your grandmother. You just have to study the ways of men and form your own ideas. All this cannot be done in a little while; it takes years. In an article by Henry George, Jr., in a recent issue of the Chicago Record-Herald. he tells of meeting one Mr. F. Sidney Walker of England. He says Mr. Walker is a keen. alert Englishman in the early HERE have been number of articles written on this subject, mostly by proprietors or paid writers; but from an employee's standpoint I think I can show where these learned men fall far short of covering actual facts. One of our recent writers on this subject says: "Young people are more agreeable to an employer; there is a contagion in their youthful enthusiasm that goes through the establishment." This looks very well in print, but if one of these proprietors would take a stroll into the washroom of any of the large department stores of today and notice a dozen of these youthful enthusiasts smoking cigarettes and counting out a few nickels to one of the porters to play a few numbers on Dead Man's Row or the rat row at the policy shop, they would change their opinions. Youth is all right no doubt, and we want to give the boys a show; but when the professors tell us that a youth of twenty of the present day gives as good service to a firm as more mature age they are far from the truth. There is no doubt that this is a century of progress. It was only a few years ago when we rode on horse cars in Chicago, and to-day, with all the electric, one of thirties, well educated, and much traveled, who, in a director's capacity, is connected with several large manufacturing and banking institutions in England. But it must be remembered that Mr. Walker's father and grandfather before him were millionaires, and it was money that put him in these large institutions instead of his brilliant youth. While down East a year ago I noticed, as did many others, that young men are holding some responsible positions. Being interested I made an effort to get at the real cause of such a state of things. In one instance I found out that one of the best-known shoe manufacturers in the United States was getting tired of work and had turned his business over to his SAM. M. CUMMINGS. expenses of any kind. Now, in the course of four or five years, when this boy is about thirty and his father leaves him a fortune, people will say there is a brilliant young man. But suppose this same boy had been born on Goose Island, of poor but honest parents, see how much longer it would take him to own a stone-front mansion! There are lots of things that turn up in business that only long experience can teach. There are many little things I could mention, but I will just cite one that I noticed a few days ago in a large shoe store. A man and his wife were in the men's department looking for a pair of shoes with elastic sides and imitation lace; such as were worn years ago. The reason the man wanted this style was that he liked the appearance of the lacing, but was too stout to bend down to lace shoes. The young clerk that was serving him said they had nothing like that any more, and the customer started out; but one of the older clerks, who had heard what he asked for, explained to him that he would fit him in a lace shoe and have the elastic inserted inside of two hours. This was satisfactory and the older clerk made the sale. The difference was that the inexperienced young fellow did not think of the suggestion and the older one did. two boys. Another case was that of one of the best-known jobbing houses in New York. The manager was a bright young fellow, but his uncle was the proprietor. I found a number of other cases of the same nature. To-day in Chicago, if you will make an investigation in any of these large department stores, you will find that the young men that are in charge of departments are relatives of the firm members, and are put there more on that account than for the ability they possess. I know a young physician in Chicago who has two offices. He got through college about three years ago. His "pa and ma" are wealthy, his father being a wellknown physician; and the boy gets whatever ney he wants for office rent or "O'RELL, MAX."-It is the consensus of press opinion that the mission of "Max O'Rell" (Paul Blouet), who died in Paris, May 24, 1903, has been to create, by his wit, gaiety, and clear outlook, a better understanding and more friendly feeling among the peoples of Europe. Cherishing Victor Hugo's impossible ideal of a United States of Europe, he left his mission unfinished. Nevertheless, his books, light in quality as they are, have made at least three nations more tolerant of one another's peculiarities. He was the product of such modern conditions as make it possible for a man to have more countries than one. With a rare instinct for amusing contrasts, and a wit without venom, he created a method of racial and social satire by which he kept three nations smiling for thirty years. Paul Blouet was born in Brittany, March 2, 1848, of French parents. He was educated in Paris, where he took the degree of B. A. in 1865, and began to write. In MAX O'RELL. have brought to light some strange facts relating to the artificial production and preservation of life in the lower forms of marine animals. When conditions are favorable, new individuals can be brought into being without the aid of the male element. Briefly stated, artificial parthenogenesis has been caused by concentrated sea-water, by lowering the temperature of sea-water, and by mechanical agitation of eggs. Further researches have been made by Dr. Martin H. Fischer, of the University of California, in artificial parthenogenesis, and the results of some of his experiments with the eggs of the nereis, a small sea worm, appear in the American Journal of Physiology, April 1, 1903. Various questions remain to be studied, but enough has been learned to show that parthenogenesis can be brought about with a sugar solution as with salt or potassium chloride. "It does not matter," says Dr. Fischer, "whether electrolytes or non-electrolytes are used for this purpose, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, cane-sugar may be yields the largest number of swimming used, though sodium chloride usually larvæ, while sugar yields the least." He holds that "the essential factor in bringing about artificial parthenogenesis in nereis is an abstraction of water from the egg." 1869 he obtained a commission in the French army. He fought in the FrancoPrussian War, and was taken prisoner at Sedan in 1870. Later he participated in the war of the Commune, during which he received wounds which compelled him to leave the army. In 1873, he went to England and began the journalistic career that he followed the rest of his life. He taught French in St. Paul's School, London, where he resided for many years, and lectured and wrote for the Paris newspapers. He became famous on the publication of his book, "John Bull and His Island." In PHILIPPINES, EDUCATION IN.-The re1887 he visited the United States and is cently published report of Fred W. Atkinwell known in this country as a lecturer son, general superintendent of public inand journalist. Other books by him are than ordinary interest to Americans, in that struction in the Philippines, is of more "John Bull's Womankind," "John Bull and it gives not only a historical sketch of the Company," "Jonathan and His Continent," "A Frenchman in America," "Jacques Islands, but throws light on the general educational movement in the Philippine Bonhomme," "Her Royal Highness, situation in our new possessions. Woman," and "Drat the Boys." He wrote also an unsuccessful play, "The Price of Wealth," which was produced for one night in Detroit by Olga Nethersole and Loeb and Fischer had previously expressed the opinion that the change noted specific effects of K-ions. Scientists will was due to osmotic effects, and not to the await with interest the results of Dr. Fischer's experiments the coming summer. her brother Louis. Philippine Islands something had been Before the American occupation of the done by the Spaniards in educating the Filipinos. However, inadequate provisions were made for teachers; and for schoolPARTHENOGENESIS, ARTIFICIAL. houses, dwellings and other buildings were The observations and experiments of Pro- rented. As for equipment and textbooks, fessor Jacques Loeb and other physiolo- the schools were very bad off. gists, while not solving the problem of life, schools had no seats for pupils. There Some ness. work. They have come from one of the most civilized countries, where every common luxury is known, to one of the less civilized ones, where much of what we at home no longer consider as luxuries, but rather necessities, is unknown; hence inconveniences and at times real difficulties were inevitable. That the teachers bore these with such little complaint was strong proof of their determination to overcome the ordinary discomforts, often severe, which are attendant upon a life in a country such as this. A strong proof of their satisfaction with conditions in many cases is the fact that they are sending for fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and betrothed ones. was a woful lack of system and complete- On September 1, 1900, Dr. Atkinson assumed charge and spent some time studying the educational situation. On November 1, 1900, he recommended a modified American public school system. He believed it advisable to have the English language taught side by side with native languages. He favored compulsory education for children between 6 and 12. He held that schools supported on public funds should be unsectarian. Later a bill was drafted, appropriating $1,560,000 (U. S. money) to maintain the schools in 1901. The bill became a law January 21, 1901. "The matter of personal safety has almost ceased to be a question, for the teachers are not allowed to remain in towns which are considered dangerous; and, in fact, their work is a guaranty of protection, so highly do the people, friendly or hostile to American occupation, appreciate this work of education." Industrial education is the great want among the Filipinos, who need trade schools and agricultural schools. The superintendent believes it is desirable to send Filipinos to the United States to study two years and learn our methods. As to the capacity and characteristics of Filipino children some interesting conclusions are given, based on the observations of their American teachers. Supt. Atkinson, aided by an advisory board of four educated Filipinos, organized the present educational organization in the Philippines. The corps comprises 18 division superintendents, 45 deputy division superintendents, 1,000 primary and 200 higher teachers of English, and about 3,400 native teachers, besides school officials. The total number of American teachers was reported by Supt. Atkinson to be 1,221; and the total teaching force, 4,640. The number of children enrolled in day schools was over 200,000, and in the night schools the enrollment was 25,000. enormous quantity of school supplies was purchased, besides 750,000 or more copies of American schoolbooks. An "The Filipino child falls short of the American child in general intelligence, in concentration, in reasoning, in activity, in morality, and in ambition.' "With a few exceptions," says Dr. Atkinson, "the teachers are now satisfied, in sely interested, and enthusiastic in their The boys showed the greatest interest in arithmetic, next preferring English, drawing, writing, and reading. English was the favorite study with the girls. Many teachers oppose mixed schools. The girls are said to be inferior intellectually to the boys and would keenly feel a failure in recitation before the boys. considerable number of teachers, however, strongly argue in support of mixed schools. POWDER BLAST, THE GREATEST.-Not long ago occurred what was perhaps the greatest single blast with an artificial explosive that has ever been known in the world. The immense blast was set off by the North Poudre Valley Ditch Company, under a hill of solid granite, 85 feet high and 316 feet in diameter, which stood at the entrance of the Poudre Valley Canon, three miles northwest of La Porte, Colorado. The Poudre Valley Ditch Company found it necessary to remove the hill in order to carry on the work of constructing a mammoth canal. Therefore, tunnels thirty feet long were first blasted into the hill at various points, and into these tunnels were inserted 1,640 kegs of giant powder. Giant powder was preferred to dynamite because it does not dig down. When all was in readiness, with copper wires running from giant caps under the powder to an electric battery at a safe distance from the hill, a signal was given, the current was turned on, and in an instant the hill disappeared. Pieces of rock as large as three-story buildings were hurled high into the air and caused the earth to tremble a mile away when they fell to the ground. For fifteen seconds small bits of rock came down from above. Marvel at what this blast accomplished. It made possible the only method of comIt made possible the only method of completing a ditch which will be worth one billion of dollars to farmers whose lands it will water. It will carry a flow of one thousand irrigating feet of water an hour. PRIZES ABOLISHED IN CHICAGO SCHOOLS. From time immemorial, the practice has been in vogue of giving prizes to bright pupils for high standing or for excellence in contests, literary and oratorical. Prize essays and honors of one sort or another still figure in the life of students in colleges and universities, and perhaps there is something to be said in their favor. But in the public schools it is different. 925 cago principals for opposing prizes, as folFour reasons were assigned by the Chilows: While the prospect of a prize has no effect on the class as a whole, it acts as a spur to the few who need rather a curb. No one is wise enough to know whether in the make necessary The prospects of a prize at the end of the year among those at the head of the class, making what The RUBBER CULTURE.-For more than half a century India rubber has been an important article of commerce. bark products Caoutchouc, or Gum ElasAmong tic, is one of the most valuable. output of 1902, roughly estimated, was 120,000,000 pounds, worth about $72,000,000 at 60 cents a pound. The largest quantity came from the Amazon district, With Africa next, the Congo country being especially rich in rubber. Mexico and Central America produced eight or ten million pounds. Still smaller quantities were obtained in the West Indies, the East Indies, Madagascar, India and Ceylon. The gum from which rubber is made is called hule in Mexico, the ancient Aztec name, and Caucho (caoutchouc) in South America. There are in all more than The "rubber sixty trees, shrubs, and vines that give the are the The milky juice of the bark of rubber trees contains from 32 to 44 per cent. of gum. The best rubber trees Castilloa elastica, of Mexico and other rubber, from the valley of the upper countries, and the Hevea of Brazil. Para Amazon, is the most famous in the world. Recently a vine has been discovered in Honduras that yields a gum said to be superior in quality to the Para rubber. In Chicago the verdict of teachers and principals is that awards to pupils do more harm than good; they are the cause of "heartaches, envies, and scandals." the vote of the school management comBy mittee, on the recommendation of the Principals' Association, graduation-day awards have been abolished. Henceforth there will be no distinction between pupils on graduation day. The committee hopes that its action will influence other school ing solely of indigenous rubber trees, the While there are no great forests existboards to end the custom of awarding largest standing body of rubber woods soprizes for high standing in scholarship. called is on the Rio Casiquiare River, Intellectual culture is too valued for its which connects the Rio Orinoco and the own sake, not because it brings honors or Rio Negro. Here are millions of trees fifteen years old and over, now at their prizes. |