Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 180, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 August 1917 — Page 2

FREIGHT TRAIN SWITCHED BY HORSES

PERCHERONS USED FOR MOVING LOADED CARS.

~ When a yard switch engine broke down at Eau Claire, recently a train of 19 flat curs. carrying hemlock logs for a paper mill, was switched by two teams of heavy Percheron horses belonging to the paper company The freight load moved was 118.000 feet of timber, weighing 944,000 pounds, in addition to the weight of the cars. The team, weighed 3,400 pounds each.—Popular Mechanics Magazine.

MAKING OVER RAILS

Now Systematically Straightened and Restored. PLANT WHERE WORK IS DONE Defects Which Necessitate Removal •nd Replacement Develop in Eight to Fourteen Years—9o Per Cent Renewed. It is not generally known that worn rails are now systematically straightened, the worn ends sawed off, and the whole rail restored to service . condition. A plant In Illinois where this Is done is described In the Railway Maintenance Engineer by John Reiner. All rails in main-line service, Mr. Reiner thinks, will ordinarily develop defects which necessitate removal and replacement in eight to fourteen years. These defects »are battered ends and worn fishings and, in curved track, flangeworn heads on the outside rails and crushed heads on the inside rails. Fully 90 per cent of these removed rails may be fitted for further service by appropriate treatment, Mr. Reiner assures ns. He says In substance: ———- Methods of Reclamation.

, “There are two methods of reclaiming rails quite generally recognized as being efficient —one is to heat and reroll them, reducing the section and theoretically producing a new rail of the original length but of lighter section. The other is to assemble the rails at a centrally located point for inspection, classification, straightening, cropping worn ends, and reboring for splice-bars. “From the writer’s observation the process of rerolling rails after a service period Is successful In that It prolongs their ultimate life, over that of simply cropping battered and worn ends. The process, of course, is much more costly than simply cropping the ends at a home plant, and unless the recoiling plant Is In fairly close proximity, to the road owning the rails, the cost Is prohibitive. “The desired effect of any method Is Ito get the largest possible return from •the rails recovered, either in money or In service, which latter ultimately means money, but the value of which Un money cannot, for want of data, be iso defined In all cases. “At the plant under the writer’s Jiirllsdiction the cost per ton for reclaiming rails during 1915 was 49 cents. In the operations of this plant there were reclaimed from scrap condition 5,445 tons, of rails, 2,080 tons of which went (for ordinary track service and 365 tons for the manufacture of frogs. “Estimating the salvage value, of serviceable rails recovered from scrap ®t $9 per ton, the operation of this plant show? a clear demonstrable gain <of 122,005.

s Working on Rails. “Rails passing through the reclaiming plant for resawing are pulled broadside on to the straightening machine (a home-made hydraulic press) by a rope and a belt-drive drum handling from eight to twenty rails at one time. After straightening, the rails ere pulled broadside on to the saw table or carriage by means of a horizontal air-hoist manipulated by the straightener. "After removing the rail from the the chippers remove the fins or burrs raised by the saws and pass it broadside on to the drills, four of which are in-service (two at each end), manned by four men and placed in a staggered position so that four raliend* are drilled fid one time. "Before the rails pass out of the mill to the sawed stock piles a man applies a template to the head of each rail marked by the sawyers as a main track or second quality rail to classify them according to depth or thickness. -*£he rollers leading put of the mill are manned by four men wlio distribute the rails and pile them in stock piles, <or load them on cars direct, as dewired. “Sorting the rails for condition and ■uniform thickness of head is of much vglue Iq obtaining good track results and economy in maintenance cost. .The rails classed as sawed main-track rails are calipered for thickness of head and snake as good track joints as new rails Jf new or unworn joint fastenings are applied. The rails classed as second Equality rails are as safe as main-track rails. They ate more or less worn, but will give good service in branch-line main track. The ends will match up to an even surface as the heads are calipered the same as the heads of the main-track rails." ' •<- |

LIMIT FOR RAILROAD WAGONS

Time Fixed Beyond Which Retention of Car Will Be Offense Under Defense of Realm Rules. In view of the extreme importance of securing that the utmost possible use shall be made of railroad wagons, the board of trade has now IssUedorders which come into force in Great Britain, fixing the time beyond which the retention of a railroad wagon by a trader will be an offense under the defense of the realm regulations, says a London Dispatch to Christian Science Monitor. The times allowed

are In general one complete day for loading and two for unloading. Three days (four In Scotland) are allowed for unloading shipments traffic at ports, and two days are allowed In Scotland for loading wagons with coal for shipment The orders do not apply to coal traffic in England and Wales. Further orders give power to railroad companies themselves to unload wagons which are not unloaded 'by the trader within the prescribed times, and to make use of the private owners wagons on the return journey so that th,e unnecessary haulage of empty wagons may be avoided. These orders are being printed as statutory rules. Where necessary, the periods at present allowed before demurrage charges accrue will be amended so as to accord with the periods fixed by these orders. _ _ _

SAFETY DEVICE FOR TRAINS

Engineer Must Leave His Cab and Set Mechanism to Permit Continued Travel of Train. In describing an automatic safety signaling and braking device for trains, Invented by J. F. McCoy of 170 India street, Brooklyn, N.. Y., the Scientific American says: The Invention provides a braking mechanism which whep operated by a trip connected with each semaphore or signaling device will necessitate the engineer getting out of his cab and setting the trip device so as to close the auxiliary train line pipe in order to release the brakes and permit continued travel of the train, thereby preventing the engineer from rendering the device inoperative when once actuated, from thef throttle lever or brake valve oi mechanism associated with the air brake system, and rendering the mechanism tamper-proof and efficient in use.

RAILROAD STAKE FOR PLATE

Invention of Ohio Man Is Improvement In Grade and Elevation Stakes —How It Works. The Scientific American in illustrating and describing arallroad stake, invented by W. P. ’Newkirk of Portsmouth, 0., says: This invention is tin improvement in

Railroad Stake.

railroad grade and elevation stakes, and provides a stake consisting of a holder for the plate carrying the grade and elevation indications am} adapted to be engaged with the base flange of the rail between adlacent ties, in such manner that the holder and plate will be superposed upon the base flange at one side of the rail in convenient position to be consulted.

WARNING SIGNAL IS UNIQUE

Warning Siren Is Operated During Day Time and Searchlight Stop Signal at Night. • A proposed warning signal for use at railroad crossings would be set In action by the blast of the locomotive whistle some distance off. It Is claimed that by accurately co-ordinating the vibration pitch of the signal receiver with the note dfdhe locomotive whistle the system is qiffte practical, and that it will not respond to other loud noises which are not correctly pitched. The inventor would use the vibration of the receiver to,close an electric circuit, which would pass the current to a warning siren tn daylight and to a ! searchlight stop signal at night.

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER. IND.

Elon Dorr’s Deal

By John Elkins

(Copyright, 1917. by W. G. Chapman.) The “boy mayor” of Merton had been doing things of late rather out of the usual tenor of his way. He had been the idol of his party and respected by the town generally. But some municipal measures he had allowed lately were criticized rather severely. In fact the papers had even gone so far as to suggest a tincture of graft. He had begun to wear a worried look, and his wife Dora, grieved and wondering over -the new turn of affairs loved him too well to question him lest he might think she believed the things that were being said against him. . I The affair that wtls causing the most | comment and criticism was the “United Traction comp&ny” deal by whlchthey seemed in a fair way to get a large appropriation from the city, and the right-of-way through one of the finest sections of the residential streets. Mayor Colt’s party were thinking strongly of putting him up for nomination for a second term; but some of his most staunch supporters began to shqw signs of weakening, and Mayor Colt could not but gee that the tide was setting against him. At this stage of affairs he sent for Elon Dorr, president of the traction company. The mayor’s secretaries and assistants had gone home, and all was quiet around the private office. Elon Dorr, a fat man with a huge neck, and small, piercing eyes, not a pleasant object at any time, but now rather more forbidding than usual on account of the cunning gleam of gloating triumph in the unpleasant eyes, walked

"Oh Yes, You Are.”

into the mayor’s office with a pompous stride as though already boss of his surroundings, the mayor included. “Well, Mr. Colt,” he said dropping into the largest chair, “I suppose you’ve concluded to come to terms on that measure.” / “No, I have not,” answered Colt. “I don’t think it would be right or fair to property owners or to the best interests of the city.” “Well!” exclaimed Dorr indignantly. “Have you got me here just to repeat what you said at <»tir first meeting? What do you think I’ve been doing since then?” “Getting me into trouble, for one thing,” answered Colt. “Well, didn’t you expect that? You didn’t suppose that everything was going to run like greased lightning, and that, everything yon said went without opposition?”

“No, of course not. But I see now how much of a loss this would be to the city, and I want to propose a different route, and different terms for the appropriation.” Dorr looked away very much as a cat does when she allows a mouse to stray a few inches from her claws, then he turned the small cruel eyes -on Colt. ~ - “Yon’ve allowed the deal to go on, as you promised. Things have got along too far for you to back down now. You can’t do it.” "Yes I can.” -—— — “But you won’t. Yon know the terms. I don’t know what you got me here for, unless you thought I had forgotten them. But don’t you bank on that I mean to do exactly aS I said.” “Yes, but why can’t you run - the road around by the north shore, and “Now look here, Colt; do you take me for an uncooked idiot? I don’t intend to back down one inch. Do you understand ?’’ Colt evidently did understand that anything like compromise was hopeless. "Yes,” he said looking the man squarely in the eye. “I think I do: understand that you mean to put over about the biggest, most infernal grab frou this tewin that ever happened.

And,” he added, “I don’t think I’m going to let you do it.” For one Instant Dorr was silent. Then he looked at Golt with a cool .smile of triumph. “Oh, yes, you are,’’ he said. “You’re just wasting your breath. I’m going now. You’d better call me up about nine tonight at my home, and say it’s all O. K. If you don’t your grill will be red hot tomorrow morning. I can start things tonight.” Dorr left the room, and Colt stood firm, erect. and Calm till the door had closed, and the heavy footsteps echoed down the hall; then he sank down with a groan, burying his face in his hands like one beaten, crushed. After a time he rose and hastened home knowing he was past the dinner /hour and his wife would be waiting. Dora met him With the tender sympathetic smile that meant so much to him. But she noticed the more than usual worn look, his face was pale and drawn, he seemed to have aged five years since morning. He scarcely touched the meal, and as soon as she had him comfortably bestowed in an easy chair, she came to him, drew'his head against her breast, as she sat on the arm of the chair, and said: “Howard, dear, I’ve never asked questions,’ thinking I might only bother you—but tonight I can see there’s something worse than usual. I want to help—l must help you. You must let me!” ———.

“Dora!” he groaned, “I’m fighting an infernal battle. Perhaps I’ll have to tell you. Dearest, could you bear an awful disgrace —with me?” “Disgrace?” she repeated in a dazed way. “Howard! how could it be disgrace?” “You know this traction grab—” “Yes,” she broke in. “I have wondered—” “Of course —of course. Do you sup* pose I would have let that go on, if — if I had not been in that man’s power?" She looked at him too stunned to answer. “It’s come to this: either I sell out the city to this man, or—” “Darling, I can beqr it with you,” she said. “Go on!” “He told me a hideous story about you and a man in Fulton, of the child that was born, and Is there now in the care of an old woman. I couldn’t bring myself to speak to you about ft, dear. I didn’t care for your past. I love you too well to —to hurt you.’ He could not see her face. She was still holding his head closely to her. “What does he mean to do?” she asked very quietly. “Publish the whole story in all the papers. That is the price. Shall I t>ay it?” “No, a - thousand times no! You must not pay that price! But there is no price to pay. The girl he means had exactly the same name as mine. Poor Dora! She’s my second cousin!” “Oh, darling! dearest girl!” he cried. “Let me get to that telephone I” “I wish,” she smiled, “you’d just let me tell him —”• “Tell him what?” “To go to —you know.”

CAN LIVE WITHOUT EATING

Average Man, If He Has Water to Drink, Is Able to Exist for About Thirty Days Without Food. If there were a siege, how long do you think the soldiers and civilians could live after the food supplies gave out? Science tells us that if he can get drinking water, an ordinary man can exist for about thirty days without food. At the end of that time the machinery of the body will not be spoiled, and can be entirely strengthened back to its old standard by careful feeding. About one-quarter of our body weight is fat, and it is mostly this fat which is absorbed as food during the period of starvation. We can absorb and burn up our muscles until 60 per cent of their weight has gone. • We can do the same with from 30 to 40 per oent of our livers and digestive organs, and 20 per cent of our Ihpgs. Our hearts can lose 10 per cent and our brains and nervous systems can lose 5 per cent. It will thus be seen that the more vital organs, brain and heart, yield least of their valuable substances; fat, muscles and so on are consumed first.

A Modern Classic.

The following war anecdote was told by British Consul Nugent at a banquet recently: “They tell a story about a Greek army corps that surrendered to the Germans and was taken into foodstripped Germany to be the guest of the nation. , “At Chemnitz, the story runs, a committee of- famished Greek- soldiers waited’ on the German commandant and said: ; ‘“They told us that here in Chemnitz, commandant, the government would at least give us some rations. “ ‘Yes, and that’s right, too,’ said the German commandant genially,' as he took a huge packet of cards from his desk. “ ‘Here are your Greek ration cards specially got up by us for our revered Greek I 'guests. They entitle every Greek soldier to six olives a day five days per week, and, furthermore, on the two "oliveless days,” tfiey entitle each and everyone of you to a cracker and a half plat of coffee substitute.’ ”

Some Hope.

“Does the doctor give you any hope?” “Yes, Indeed. He told us yesterday not to worry about thesize of hit Wil.*

St. Quentin

At FOUR o’clock on the afternoon of August 28, 1914, the Germans took possession of the city of St. Quentin on the Somme. Owing to the incredible swiftness of the enemy advance the tiny garrison and the population were taken completely by surprise, and no resistance could be offered. The city being surrounded on all sides, the enemy stormed in at every point.—Without a siege, without a battle, St. Quentin was overwhelmed by the countless hordes of the Germans, who were carrying all before them in that great resistless westward movement towards Paris that seemed to promise complete and dazzling victory to their arms.— Through the changes and chances of centuries of war, St. Quentin has seen heroes in all generations lay down their lives in her streets and about her wails, from- the dawn of history 1111’ present times, says E. Maxtone Graham in Country Life. A prosperous manufacturing town with 130,000 inhabitants engaged in modern industries does not seem suggestive of historical associations. The St. Quentin of todav bas spread over a large acreage, and has grown to be one of the main centers in France for railway communications and for cotton and many other useful, if unpicturesque, industries.

To visualize St. Quentin in old days, imagination must clear away all but a few old streets and buildings, retaining the exquisite Hotel de Ville and tjie glorious Gothic church begun in the twelfth century, with its double transept and arches soaring to incredible height. St. Quentin lay always in the fiery path of war, and, like all other cities of the Somme, even in early days could never count on any lasting peace. The pages of the old French chroniclers of the fifteenth century are almost entirely taken up with records of the wars between the crown and the powerful dukes -of-Hurgundy, one unending list of personal feud and foray, the seizing and sacking of small towns, the skirmishing of small forces. In the spring of 1414, Charles VI, the Mad King of France, who was so keen a soldier between his attacks of Insanity, was engaged in the Congenial task of turning Burgundy out of various towns on the Somme. Having wrested Soissons from the duke, after a siege, he reduced the Captured town to the last depths of misery. A few days later the king rode, well pleased, to St. Quentin with his knights and found

royal lodging there. Was Strong Frontier Town. St. Quentin was for centuries considered the strongest frontier town of Picardy. The wide-spreading marsh of the Somme formed a protection on three sides. The city lay in the direct road of all northern invasions. Whoever held St. Quentin held the key to Paris. Yet In 1557 the Spanish war found the ramparts in ruinous condition and the defenses neglected. The resources of Spain included 60,000 men under Manuel Philibert, duke of Savoy, and the Flemish Count d’Egmont. Against these forces were opposed the finest chivalry of France, hopelessly outnumbered. Gaspard de Coligny, adinlral of France, and Anne de Montmorenci, constable of France, one of the illustrious veterans of Francois I, both men full of'wisdom, courage and greatness of soul, are the outstanding names in the story of the battle and siege of St. Quentin, which yas destined to be for France one of those defeats which add luster to her name. At the outset Coligny forced the Spanish lines and got into St. Quentin with 900 men, before the first attack could be delivered. Once Inside, he realised the desperate condition of affairs, the ruined ramparts, the lack of provisions and of munitions. Unless help could be got from outside, the place could not hold out for a week. The constable was at La Fere with the I French army. The Spanish host was gathered threateningly on the one side of St. Quentin that was unprotected by the marshes. Some of the inhabitants •f St Quentin told Coligny that

THE HOTEL DE VILLE

through the shallow marshes a stream TTdwed, 3eep'~6iiough to carry large boats. Coligny made a rapid plan to get re-enforcements, food and munitions into the city by this means from, La Fere. The constable thought well of the idea. Five boats ,were hurriedly constructed, and d’Audelot, , younger brother of Coligny, was charged with the task of carrying out theisdieme, bht it failed, and only 450 nren of the tiny expeditionary force led by d’Audelot got through to the relief of the city. Defeat of the Constable. The alm of the constable was to engage the Spanish forces while the operation from La Fere was carried out. Unfortunately, he lost too much time,_ and had no opportunity to draw up his men in battle array. Savoy and Egmont charged his troops too quickly. In less than half an hour they were thrown into disorder with great loss. Retreat was difficult and ultimate disaster seemed imminent. The constable asked an old officer: “What must we do?” “I knew an hour ago, but I do not know now,” was the reply. “And 1” exclaimed Comte d’Enghien, “I know where to find-not safety, buFtm honorable death,” and flinging himself upon the Spanish lines, found the death he desired. The old constable fought like the hero he was, till at last taken prisoner, with all his leading general*. After the battle the Spanish, and especially the German officers, speculated freely In the ransoms demanded for the number of distinguished generals and princes taken prisoners. They bought them for small sums from the private soldiers who-had first captured and disarmedthem, and then resold them among themselves. The arrival on the scene of Philip of Spain himself, from Cambrai, alone put an end to the Infamous gamble. The town of St. Qentin held otft for 17 days after the loss of the battle. Under the brilliant leadership of Coligny, who must have known the impossibility of driving off the besiegers, the little garrison stubbornly resisted. But with the taken from the conquered French army floating before the ramparts, the hearts of the citizens failed them at last. When 11 huge breaches had been made in the walls, through which the Spaniards might surge into the streets, he yielded. The city was given over to the usual horrors of Are ami piHage, while the Inhabitants fled into the open country.

Coligny was taken prisoner. Doubtless in the modern city of St. Quentin little thought is given to such old-world and fast-fading histories, as her prosperous citizens enjoy their leisure on the large’shady boulevards. These walks are situated on the site of the old ramparts, once the scene of so much passionate, effort. They were demolished by Napoleon’s order in 1810. Could he have thought that the tide of war would never surge round the city’s walls again? Sixty years after she had thus been rendered defenseless, the Germans took possession of her on their way to Paris. In January, 1871, General von Goeben routed the nfrny of General Faldherbe, after a prolonged and glorious resistance. The Germans claim' that in the battle their forces numbered 30,000 against 40,000 of the French. They paid dearly in killed and wounded for their victory. But von Goeben took 10,000 prisoners. When, in the last days of AuguSt, 1914, the mighty hordes of the Geririins moved forward and forced back the French army for a hundred miles, pouring on towards Paris, they swept over St. Quentin, engulfing her prosperities and robbing France of Indus* tries very vital to her needs.

..He —I wish you wourart sing. SKe-d-I thought you liked mqsie? He —I. do.

“What did they have in common F “Gardening. He had a business plant, and she had widow’s weeds." ’

The Very Reason.

Matched.