Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 161, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 July 1919 — Page 3

U. S. FIELD TRIALS OF POISON GAS

Second Dead Sea Off English Coast.

J London. —A sea In which nothing may live has come into being off the southeast coast of England. It is a second Dead sea.. Formerly this sea abounded in life. It was the home of the succulent shrimp, the_merry mussel, the winsome whelk and the coy cockle. Now the natural home of those domestic dainties has fallen under a blight, and they have been obliged to pack up their shells and silently steal away. Pegwell bay is where the Dead sea lies. It was once the most famous of the shell-fish areas. Its downfall Is traced to the sinking of an oil tank steamer early in the war. The vessel was torpedoed one night and thousands of gallons of crude oil flooded over the Downs. The oil swamped the haunts of shrimp, mussel, whelk and cockle. They w’ere lubricated to death. Further sinkings caused more poison to invade the shellfish beds, the shrimps’ breeding waters, and now the whole area is dead.

HE SLEEPS ON WINDOW LEDGE

Thousands Watch New Porter Slumber on Perilous Couch in Philadelphia. Philadelphia.—Office workers in the buildings near Broad and Chestnut streets and thousands of pedestrians in the street had the chill of their lives as they watched a man lying on the ledge of a window of the Land Title building, taking a siesta. Entirely oblivious to the commotion he was creating, he slept peacefully on, his arms outstretched in luxurious ease, his feet sticking over the edge of the sill from which was a sheer drop of forty or fifty feet to the pavement. His slumbers, however, were soon brought to an end when repeated telephone calls to the building superintendent’s office told of the sleeper and his perilous couch. The man turned out to be a new porter and John, the head porter, climbed out, woke him and soon brought him “back to earth,” both figuratively and physically.

LATINS BUILD BETTER HOMES

Influence of Italians Who Have Lived In United States Aids Movement. Rome. —The Italian who has lived long in America is helping to Americanize Italy more potently than any other factor. He has Introduced American Ideas and Americans ways of doing things at every possible turn when It is practical and more efficient than the Italian. ‘A The Italo-Amerlcan has brought back from America an idea of better housing conditions, and if he decides to settle again in Italy he builds a home patterned along American lines with plenty of space around it, and with its division of rooms.

U. S. SHIP LOSSES $30,000,000

War Risk Bureau Paid Damages on 152 Vesels That Were Lost Dur- ■•== Ing the War. Washington.—Just how spectacular was the rise In ship values during the war was shown in an announcement by the war risk bureau that the Standard Oil company’s steamer John D. Archbold, first ship insured by the government agency, was protected by a policy for $770,000 in 1914, but when she was torpedoed in 1917 her insurance had been increased to $2,200,000. The marine and seamen’s division of the bureau, paid loses on 152 vessels with a tonnage of 397,059, and on 275 lives lost by the hazards of war. Total monetary losses amounted to about $80,000,000.

Bow of “graves” built by Mrs. Laura Prlsk in Pershing square at street and Lexington avenue. New York city. These graves will serve as a reminder to the ttirongs who pass of the supreme sacrifice mr.de by over 60,000 American soldiers. '

REMINDERS OF OUR DEAD IN PERSHING SQUARE

Public Now Permitted to Know Details of the Tests *• Conducted. ANIMAL LIVES SACRIFICED Conditions Were Reproduced As Nearly Like Those of the Battlefield as Possible—Greatest Secrecy Maintained. New York. —Tucked away in a barren pine belt in New Jersey, near Lakehurst, was located one of the most interesting army camps in the country, for there tests were made In actual large scale field trials of new gases which looked promising for warfare in laboratory tests. Of course the greatest possible secrecy guarded all proceedings there, the personnel, both enlisted and commissioned, having been selected with great care, so that nothing would leak out. Now that the camp is disbanded, scarcely a trace of it remaining, Lieutenant Colonel W. S. Bacon, chief of the proving division, tells of the work of the camp in the Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. While the camp lasted all the things done with gas on the combat fields of Europe vtere tried out there. The camp had trenches, dugouts, concrete bomb-proof retreats, so that gas effects might be accurately noted J and results applied to overseas work. There were hospitals for the gassed, goats, dogs, guinea pigs and monkeys that were subjected to military exposure, and the sort of care that humans received abroad was given to those animal sufferers. They were saved when possible, and when not possible the camp authorities knew they had a gas which would be fatal also to enemy soldiers. The camp called at all times for the exercise of chemical, electrical, medical, engineering and military skill of high order, and it became one of the most valuable agencies in the war. Proper Bursting Charge. “To make clear the trials and tests necessary,” Lieutenant Colonel Bacon writes, “before a substance was finally recommended let us take, as an example substance X, which has been found in the research laboratory to be promising, both as to toxicity and ease of manufacture. Enough of this substance was made to fill several hundred shells of various calibres. The first step toward making a recommendation was to determine a proper bursting charge for the substance. “After the bursting charge had been determined large numbers of the shell were repeatedly fired on trenches, wooded areas, rolling and level ground, etc., in the same numbers as used in actual warfare. “Animals were placed in these areas and samples of the gas 'taken. After a number of such experiments, very accurate and constant results were obtained; upon which, if the substance proved satisfactory, data could be given to the artillery as regards how many shells of this particular gas should be used, with corrections for size of area, wind velocities, temperatures, ground conditions, etc. Trials were continually held to determine how many high explosive, shell could be fired with gas shell on the same area without affecting the concentrations. “The use of the high explosive shell in combination with gas shell was highly important in order to disguise rhe gas bombardment. The burst of gas shell fired alone can be distinguished by the small detonation.” Lines of Trenches.! Two complete lines of trenches and several impact grounds were used for the work, and shells Were fired for as great distance as 5,000 yards. Not only were the most minute accounts kept of all conditions at the point of firing, but a sampling contrivance was •arranged by which at all times and places the Intensity and effect of gascharged air could be recorded. Photographs were also taken of every explosion as an aid in determining the

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND.

Atlanta Rivals Reno in Its Divorce Mill

Atlanta, Ga.—Because of the great number of divorce suits undefended in the Atlanta courts Judge John T. • Pendleton, who a few weeks ago declared that Atlanta is out-Reno-ing Reno In divorce records, has recommended the appointment by the county of a “divorce defender* to Investigate thoroughly all divorce pleas and actively represent the defense in all undefended divorce cases. “If husbands and wives knew that both sides to these family, troubles would be aired in court and that the faults of both sides would be exhibited before the jury, there would be a lot of people more willing and eager to settle their differences peaceably instead of rushing into divorce courts,” declared Judge Pendleton.

FORTUNE LOST IN STRIKES

Labor Disorders In Ruhr Coal District of Germany Prove Financial Disaster. Berlin. —The strike recently concluded in the Ruhr coal district has cost the miners $8,000,000 in wages. The output deficit for April is 3,330,000 tons, representing more than $34,000,000.00. The loss to physical property is believed to be so great as to preclude profitable operation for a long time to comd. The miners in the Ruhr coal fields are more than $25,000,000 out on their wages account as the strikes have been going on intermittently since the beginning of the revolution,. In the Hamborn district miners struck 63 days out of 140 working days between November 9 and April 28. The loss to the nation as a result of the coal strikes cannot be computed. It caused a general paralysis of railway traffic, the shutting down of industrial plants and a loss of revenue and freight to the state railways. The national strike fever Is believed to have caused a depreciation in the national currency of more than $4,000,000,000, and to have aided to repress the value of the German mark abroad.

TRAIN APES AS FARM HANDS

Doctor Garner Plans Establishing Colony of Chimpanzees in United States. New York. —Dr. Richard Lynch Garner announced his Intention of establishing a colony of chimpanzees and gorillas In the United States to uplift the entire ape race. He has just returned after two and one-half years spent In the French Congo for the Smithsonian insfitiltton... The professor said he believes apes, if given the advantage of modern education and environment, would develop Into a race that would sow and reap and toll in the mills. In refined young lady apes the professor sees a possible solution of the servant problem. " “Sam, a boy ape that shared my home In Africa, learaed to fetch things I called for,” he said. “He became as particular as I about bed sheets being smoothed out, and couldn’t go to sleep without a pillow. If man could train a dog td herd sheeps man can make a farm hand out of an ape.”

conditions that would be most effective in practice, low-lying clouds of gas and wide diffusion being the things desired. From 125 to 150 samples of gassed air were taken dally on the ranges. There was a research laboratory for the analysis of gases under field practice, a chemical laboratory to prepare gases for the experimental work, and a loading plant. The filling of every shell was analyzed and immediately after firing, samples of the released gas were at once analyzed for decomposition products.

THERE ARE STILL A FEW OF THE VETERAN SLUGGERS FACING BIG LEAGUE PITCHERS

One by one the great sluggers who have blazed a frail of hits across the baseball horizon for the last ten or fifteen years are passing along. Hitters like Hans Wagner and Sam Crawford, for instance, are few and far between these days, but there are still a few of the veteran larrupers facing major league pitchers today, and one most picturesque of the lot is “Cactus” Cravath. The “Old Cactus” has been playing ball actively for sixteen years, and the ravages of time have long since begun to show, for Cravath’s legs today refuse to carry him around the gardens as they once did, and there are a few sprinkles of silver on his temples. Cravath 37 Years Old. But although Cravath is thirty-seven years of age—having celebrated his thirty-seventh birthday last March —he still ranks as a demon at the bat. Taking a toe hold and swinging from the hip is just as natural to Cravath as it ever was. And National League pitchers tell you that his eye has not been dimmed to any extent by the suns of 16 summers. Making four hits out of five times at bat is a feat often accomplished in

IS WINNING PITCHER AT 40

Joe McGinnrty, Famous “Iron Man” of Giants, Will Play With Vancouver • This Season. Although he has passed his fortieth milestone, Joe McGlnnlty Is still pitching—and pitching winning ball at that. The once famous “Iron Man,” who helped to win two National league pennants and a world’s championship for John Joseph McGraw and the

Joe McGlnnlty.

Giants, is now a member of the Vancouver club of the Pacific Coast International league. McGinnity has lost most of his speed of former days, but his good control and deceptive underhand ball still enable him to fool the minor Jeague batters. The “Iron Man” was one of the leading pitchers in the Pacific Coast International league last season. He won nine games and lost two for a percentage of .818.

DISLIKES 16-PLAYER LIMIT

On Account of Numerous Injuries to Men on His Team Manager Herr ‘ Wants an increase. Eddie Herr of the Salt Lake Bees is one manager who absolutely does not believe in the 16-player limit. Eddie has had several cripples on his team during the past few weeks, and has been handicapped in that respeet so badly that he is overanxious to see an increase in the player limit. At the present time the Bees are in a father crippled condition, and Eddie claims that, with the great attendance going on, there must be real playing as-a return to the fans for their generosity In turning out to the games. Eddie says that the leagne is drawing big enough crowds to lift the ban.

baseball, yet not by one player. Cravath, in his many years of slaughtering the offerings of pitchers, has registered four hits in one day many times. In the opening series between the Giants and Phillies he added another such performance to his long list, and two of the four hits he made in the second game against McGrawmen were doubles. Ruth Is Hard Hitter. Babe Ruth is a tremendously hard hitter, but capable as he is with the bludgeon, he will probably never be able to rank as the consistent day-ln-and-day-out slugger Cravath has been, Crawford and Wagner were hitters of the Cravath type, or vice versa. Jake Daubert, when at his best, was also a hitter of this select type. It is a pleasure to pay tribute to a player like the “Old Cactus.” His weatherbeaten hide is Impervious to the criticisms that have been showered on his head by writers during the last two or three years—kind criticism, sure enough—but the kind that carries predictions which tell fandom that a player is through—and Cravath isn’t through yet.

BASEBALL GAME PAYS

Baseball proved a financial success at the University of Virginia the past season, despite the limited schedule, due to the fact that none of the big college teams of the East came South this spring. The financial report, just made public Dy Manager J. N. Greear, shows a net profit for the entire season pf $2,421.07.

DIAMOND NOTES

George Dauss and Howard Ehmke are pitching great ball for the Tigers. ♦ * ♦ Eppa Rixey, Jr., the tall left-handed pitcher, expects to be mustered out of the service soon. ♦ * * Walter Golvin, Mobile first baseman, has reported to his club after service in Siberia, Russia. * • • The Browns have been called the ‘‘wonder team.” Everybody is wondering where they will finish. * • • Bill Schwartz, succeeding Arthur Devlin as manager of the Norfolk Tars, is getting a lot of praise. *♦ • • President John Powers of the Los Angeles club heads the agitation for raising the Coast league player limit to 18 men. • • • Young Bud Ammons, after winning a 16-inning game for Galveston with a timely hit, was given his release, and thus retires in a blaze of glory. * * * One of the real comebacks is Ed Sweeney, the big catcher who is now doing the bulk of the work for the Pirates. * *' • X Western league clubs by mall vote have decided to increase the player limit to 15 men Instead of the 14 originally agreed upon. Elmer Ponder, Pittsburgh pitcher, who has been an aviator in the army, returned from France last week and reported to Manager Bezdek. .♦ • ♦ Dick Duming continues on his way. Brooklyn, sent him to Louisville. Louisville sent him to Toledo and now Toledo sends him to Waterbury. George Slsler the other day made one of the plays which made T. R. Cobb famous as a base runner, when he scored from second on an infield out. It gave his team the winning run in the tenth inning.

M’GRAW’S CHOICE OF STAR PLAYERS

J .“I consider Hans Wagner the » most valuable all-around playI er who ever wore a spiked • shoe," says John J. McGraw. > “I believe Jimmy Collins had • the surest pair of hands I ever » saw. , ’ “I have never seen a man in • the pitcher’s box who equaled ’ Mathewson in all-around abll- • ity. J “Roger Bresnahan was the • greatest catcher I ever saw, alI ways excepting Buck Ewing. • “I have never seen an out- • fielder who . was Tris Speaker’s J superior. > “Amos Rusie always appealed J to me as the speediest pitcher I » ever saw.”

KONETCHY POPULAR WITH DODGER FANS

Former St. Louis Veteran Is Vital Factor in Brooklyn Manager Robinson Made No Mistake • When He Picked First Sackman to Fill Gap Left by Departure of Jake Daubert Jake Daubert, veteran first baseman. of the Dodgers, may have been popular in his heyday in Flatbush, but it is safe to say Ed Konetchy’s popularity will soon match that of Jacobus if the

Ed Konetchy.

one-time Brave and Cardinal veteran continues to be the vital factor he is today in the Dodger drive. When Wilbert Robinson, desperately in need of a seasoned first baseman, plucked Koney from off the soapy chutes that led to the minora, there were many who feared Wilbert had made a mistake, that Koney never would come through and that it would be many a day before Brooklyn would unearth a first baseman who could approach the veteran Daubert. Ask any fan today, however, what he thinks of Koney and undoubtedly he would tell you that the big Pole had filled Daubert’s shoes more efficiently ; that, in fact, he would prefer to have Koney on the Dodgers Instead of Daubert, because Koney still is at his best, hitting all kinds of pitching and playing a bang-up game afield, whereas Jake has not yet had the good fortune to get started properly with the Reds.

JIM SHAW EQUALED RECORD

Slammed Homers Off Pitchers Seibold and Kinney of Athletics in Successive Innings. When Jim Shaw of Washington, on May 2, slammed homers off Seibold and Kinney of the Athletics, in successive innings, Jim equaled a major league record that has stood since June 30, 1912, for on this latter date, Ed Willett, the Tigers’ star hurler of long ago, while pitching for Detroit, slammed a single and a pair of round trips off Mogridge and Jordan, the White Sox hurlers. A delve through the National league for 15 years back failed to show a hurler that equaled this stunt.

HOD ELLER IN FREAK GAMES

Red Pitcher Slaughtered by Cubs and Then He Turns in a No-Hit Game Against Cardinals. Hod Eller of the Reds seems fated to figure in freak games. He holds the Cubs helpless until near the finish, when they slaughter him and win a game in. which • they did not seem to _ have a chance. Then he turns In a nohit game against the Cardinals. Next he performs in that wilcfi CincinnatiBrooklyn affair of May 16, when his team scores ten runs in the thirteenth Inning. Whenever Hod is in there, something is bound to happen.

Recalling Trade.

Derrill Pratt is still playing second base for the Yankees, but of the lot traded to the Browns for him —Nunatnaker, Hendryx, Gedeon, Shocker, Cullop and Maisel—all but Gedeon and Shocker have gone elsewhere.

Manager Makes Club.

If you don’t believe a good manager makes a good ball club, take a look at the Phillies and Jack Coombs.