Newspaper Page Text
6 The Call "AN INDEPENDENT. NEWSPAPER-THE NEWSPAPER OF AUTHORITY" FOUNDED DECEXBER 1. 1856. W. W. CHAP tN. Publisher. NEVADA AND DIVORCE Responding to the pressure of nation-wide sentiment and criticism, Nevada has so tightened up its divorce law that the name P.en. should no longer connote easy parting oi the marriage tie for the well to do; it should not, but probably the o*li tin will persist after the reason for <i has been removed. Tt takes reputation some time to catch up with refor mation. The amendment consists simply in doubling the residence period required. After January 1, 1914, it will reqiire one year, instead of six month': as now. According to Governor Oddie, whose contention is borne out by examination of the facts. Nevada never 'did deserve the stigma of ar. ' ca-y divorce" state. Neither did it ever change its law on the subject so as to attract a "'divorce colony."'. The statute jest amended was enactei in the earliest days of Sagebrush state hood, and, as the governor informed the Richmond convention of state executives, r .t was in close conformity with the model divorce legislation recommended by a committee of the American Bar association. However. Nevada, and particuh-Iv its chief city, Reno, came to be «?o il» spoken of that the governor felt con strained to urge and the legislature to make i\w change increasing the statu tory period of residence. The bad repute thrust upon Nevada is declared to have originated with the selection of California's neighbor by the lawyers for an eastern couple of wealth and prominence as the best place to get a divorce. That case was given wide publicity, and soon after ward lawyers of a certain sort began supplementing the effects of that pub licity with private effort, with ihe resntl that the "divorce colony of Reno bc<amc, a few years ago, a subject of national comment and of criticism. As Governor Oddie maintains. *h\* condition arose not so much from the laxity of Nevada's law as from th<* severity of like laws in other states. principally on the Atlantic coast. The records show that most of the divorces canted in Nevada to people from other states were obtained by "colo nies" from the east. Rut no state can afford such a repu tation as that which Nevada has had, justly or unjustly, as a place of en couragement for divorce seekers. The amendment of the 1 law was dictated by regard for the welfare of the com monwealth. THE TIPPING EVIL The lcgi:>lature of Massachusetts is considering a measure to abolish tip ping, making it a misdemeanor. Experience has shown that pcjonal liberty in the minor affairs of life can not be effectively restrained by legis lative enactment The most law ab'd ing citizen rebels against compulsion in his daily goings and comings, and particularly when such control aims to regulate personal intercourse v/'th his fellow man. T.ike other eyils that have developed in the evolution of modern social life. the pernicious habit of tipping can only be restricted by the growth u£ a sane, logical and healthy public senti ment, that recognizes that the laborer 19 worthy of his hire and that in the many fields of endeavor human effort should command an adequate scale of wages absolutely independent of gratuities that partake of the nature of a charitable solatium, rather than ;i3 compensation for services ren dered. Tips arc grudgingly given, and the impulse of generosity, the only excuse that can reasonably be offered is usually lacking. The practice is de grading to all concerned. To the giver it is a tacit acknowledgment that he has not the strength of char acter to oppose a conventional coJe v. liich he can not at heart approve, that the recipient is underpaid and that his services have no recognized market value. To the receiver the effect is no >.s? disastrous, entailing loss of self respect inimical to efficiency and in rompatiblc with a just appreciation ot the dignity of labor. HETCH HETCHY AND TAHOE In all reclamation and development work there is essentially involved a conflict between nature and the n«".eds man. In the Hetch ITetchy con troversy certain opponents ot a municipal water system for San Fran cisco capitalized that conflict and encouraged and flattered the "nature lovers" into opposing development of the Hetch Iletchy valley as a reser voir site. The same question arose in the petition of the Carson-Trurkce irrigation project and power com panies for an increased flow of wa f er from Lake Tahoc only,, and at Lake Tahoe the question involved was of draining the lake to a lower .cvel, while in Hetch Hetchy the project is to enlarge the lake. City Engineer M. M. O'Shaughncssv * of San Francisco and A. W. Millby of Contra Costa were requested byj Secretary Fisher to report on the Tahoe situation, and their report has been adopted by the secretary For tunately, they found that the proper supply of water could be secured for the irrigation project by arranging n spillway at the outlet that would maintain the lake rim at the 6,223 foot elevation, substantially where it is today, and would establish the lake level at one and a half feet higher than was desired by the power in terests. San Francisco, aside from its in terest in Lake Tahoe, will for gratification in the fact that our city engineer's report has been ap proved by Secretary Fisher. Now, if the secretary will give Mr. O'Shauph nessy the same consideration in the Hetch Hetchy matter! READY ON TIME The blue print days of the Panama- Pacific international exposition ;>/«" passing. The days of timbers, beams, trusses, concrete, plaster, steel and stucco work are at hand; the days of flags' and music, of gay throngs -md teeming exhibit palaces, of unveiled sculpture and gilded domes and min arets arc coming. "On time," is the cheering prophecy and promise of President Moore. "The physical progress of the expo sition is far advanced," says the presi dent. "The less spectacular work has been accomplished and the foundation for building has been well laid. The organization of the exposition" work ing force has been thoroughly per fectcd." He declares positively: "A careful review of progress upon all phases the exposition activities enables the management to repeat and emphasize the promise made a year ago that the exposition will open its gates two years from today (February 20) upon a completed production." That is what is wanted, an expo sition that will be ready. Co-opera tion on the part of all citizens of California is important to insure readi ness to 1915. and that co-operation will be given. San Francisco w'H welcome the world on February 20. 1915, through the open gates of the exposition. There will be many signs to guide the visitors, but this sign will not be in evidence: "LOOK OUT—FRESH PAINT!" The paint will be dry; the expo sition will be ready. TOO MANY MIDDLEMEN Commission merchants rising to oppose the Birsal! bill pending in f he legislature conflict in their testimony. They declare that only about 10 per cent of their business is done on con signment, yet they claim that to report the names of this - fraction of their custom would necessitate ex cessive bookkeeping. Then they con fess their fear that to give the names of their customers to the farmer might enable the farmer to deal directly with the retailer. No ultimate consumer should object to that. The most glaring defect in the sys tem of marketing produce lies- in the existence of two middlemen—the commission merchant and the retailer. Both can not be eliminated entirely The housewife can not deal directly with the many producers of foodstuffs, but one or the other of the men between should be eliminated, or else the relations between the farmer nd the commission man and the com mission man and the retailer should be placed on a more economical bans. A head of cabbage has to feed too many mouths before it gets from tht vegetable patch to the dinner table. THEY'RE SAYING "Senator Warren's Profession -, seems to suit Wyoming all right.—Chicago Evening Post. W« need 25,000 soldiers to guard the canal; before the .Spanish war that number was enough to guard the whole country.—Philadelphia Record. One reason why a girl laughs often is because she is pretty, and one rea son why she is pretty is because she laughs often.—Dallas News. —■•• — Xeglect to incorporate himself or join the stock exchange leaves General D. E. Sickles in a peculiarly vulnerable and unmilitary position while facing a charge of appropriating $23,476. —St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Mr. Shepard will never know what it is to give up his pay envelope at the end of the week.—Minneapolis Jour, nal. The report that Will Carleton left an estate valued at $5,000 is calculated to set another crop of would be poets* grinding out epics and odes with re nejved^nergy.—Washington Post. Georges Birthday II . :•-, ,-. -■ -■- •■ ■ .. ■ - >■. -.. •-■ ■■ ; • ,ii |[ Br THE POET PHILOSOPHER jj ;•■;■ The " great • men ; come i] and prance '-;■ S a while, and do their * stunts and chortle, we watch their curves, admire their style, and say , they are immortal. But when they're » laid : beneath i the grass— our memories are rotten!—before a few brief , seasons pass the " great ■] men are forgotten. The shining lights i. who died last year from human minds have flickered, ; and v new immortals gambol here where t'others toiled and dick ered. % That fame must like the rock be made if it has safely traveled adown the length of a decade and is not ripped or ' raveled. , 'Tls given sto I but few to , forge a deathless reputation like that of our immortal George, the father of the nation. His shining virtues T still engage the orator and writer; till time shall end ! each ? passing age ; will '{ make the story brighter. ;In countless schools we teach the youth for helpful facts g inquiring, that "Washington" means honor, r truth, and all that's worth admiring. In countless homes his pictured face is viewed with ven eration; * one i man who ] never knew dis grace—the father of the nation. One man whose glory bears 7> n6 stain— what conqueror's can match it? Beat at iiis white • renown in vain. ' Time, with your little hatchetr ... WALT MASON. THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, SATURDAY. FEBRUARY 22, 1913. VOICE OF THE PEOPLE A WORKINGMABTS VIEW Editor Call: In yotar paper of Febru ary 11 Mr. Pillsbury has an article on "Industrial Insurance," that has caused me to do some thinking. As a laboring man under the old order I received my wages for my work and bought my insurance of a company that insured me against accident 168 hours in the week. Under the new order my employer in addition to the wages he pays me, is also obliged to pay a certain amount to an insurance company to protect him (my employer) against any claim I might have by reason of an accident that might happen to me during the 60 hours of each week while I am on duty. Any accident that might hap pen to me during the other 10S hours of the week is no concern of his, but iust as costly to me, and 1 liold trafct the premiums he pays for my insurance are in effect taken from my wage's, _for on the books of the compjuiy rnjf wages and the premi.uns for fy insurance represent what i cost the lirin. And as a business proposition 1 would as Joon have my employer buy my clothes, as my insurance; in either case I would expect to get a cheap artiete. The cleim that it is only by "work men's compensation .laws" that each branch of industry can be compelled to carry its share of the burden of acci dents is hardly tenable, for it is the rule now th;it the greater the hazard in any occupation the greater the wnge. In the article referred to, Mr. Pills bury says the industrial accident board lms a plan whereby the state wi'l be able to furnish accident insurance at a rate that will drive the regular insur ance companies out of business. That sounds like the talk furnished by the "fraternal insurance societies' " organizers In the nineties. They were furnishing life insurance at rates within reach of the poorest, and they were going to drive the old line com panies out of business. Today the old line companies are still doing business. The fraternals are charging practically similar rates to the old line companies, and many who trusted in the organizers' talk ate bit terly disappointed over the experience they had to pay for. Mr. Pillsbury also says that one of the great causes of poverty to the working people is the industrial acci dents. While reading that statement 1 recalled a speech T heard Mr. Pillsbury make in Lemoorc in October, 1892, wherein he declared that, upon careful investigation, he found that among laboring men less tha,n 3 per cent made any attempt to save any portion of their" wages and that was the great cause of poverty among that class. Which observation of his is the most reliable? The "Employers' Lia bility Act" seems to me to rank with the "Mortgage Tax Law" that was re pealed a few years ago. Either fur nishes a good subject for the skillful demagogue to show his greet love for the poor people and the common peo ple. And as the mortgage tax law but added to the burdens of tiie money borrowers, long ere the law was re pealed it was customary to get around the law by a gentleman's agreement, such, I am satisfied, will be the fate of the employers' liability act. Thank ing you for your kindness in publish ing this. C. R. WATSON. Hanford, Cal., February 11. SAX FRANCISCO STREETS Editor Call: For a great many years I have been a resident of the city and have carefully read the different news papers. You certainly are adopting the right method and I sincerely hope that you will continue your present policy. San Francisco is well advertised to the world, and the citizens should do everything possible to make it a better town. Have you ever noticed the awful condition of our streets — merchants sweep their walks without sprinkling? After a rain our streets look like a mudholc, and why? I personally hope that you will take up the cause and see if it is not pos sible to have our streets properly flushed, and also compel the merchants to sprinkle their walks before sweep ing, f. P. McC. San Francisco, February 12. NEWS FROM THEMtfOTELS George If. Myers, president of the Kansas City Aero club and also president of the Priests of Pallas, a mystic organization, who is a guest at the Palace, says tbe balloonists of his home city will do their utmost to win the next international race in order that San Francisco may be chosen as the place for the holding of the 1913 coDtest. He said: "The Kansas City Aero club hopes to win the Gordon Bennett cup in 1914, and if we are for tunate enough to capture the valuable trophy I am sure my club will select San Francisco as tbe 1010 city for holding tbe contests. I am out here vow looking over the country with this end in view. Tbe Kansas City Aero club will enter three balloons in the coming event. We have plenty of money with which to get the best bags tbat can be bought, and we will do everything in our power to bring borne tbe bacou.to the United States. It seems to me you San Franciscans !-h»!il<i send a bsg or two to compete in tbe Paris affair. Thin would help advertise San rrancis.-o, and specially tbe 1015 exposition. Then, again, San Francisco might win the trophy. I am sure my club would be willing to help you Sau Frau cisco people in every way." * * * K. TV. Gillett, one of the best known traffic men in the weet, who has just returned from an extensive trip through the citrus belt in the •outb, says tbat experts of the United titates government are investigating and experimenting with a process by which the oil of oranges, whether frosen or not, eau be put to commercial us-e. llr. Gillett, who is at the St. Francis, said: "A. government expert told me that it would be possible to save the orange growers millions of dollars in frost seasons by a process now being experimented with by the agricultural depart ment's experts. Ho told me lie believed it would be possible to take tbe oil of oranges, whether the fruit was nipped hy frost, or not, and treat it iii such a way that it could be used commer cially. Several orange growers told me that fully 50 per tent of their trees were destroyed by the recent frost." * * * 11. B. Warner, owner of a banana plantation in Honduras, who is a guest Ht tbe Manx, is tak ing back with him a complete moving picture outfit and hundreds of reel*. "I think I can, wake a large sum of money in this new venture of mine," said Mr. Warner. "I have purchased moving picture machines, rented several hundred reels, hired an operator and have made arrangements for the shipment of large consignments of films. I intend to start a moving picture theater in Honduras. We have not anything of the kiDd there, and I feel sure the pecple will patronize it freely. The people of Honduras are pleasure loving, and the novelty of moving pictures should attract them." * * ♦ A. G. A. Van Elde, one of the owners of the Netherlands and India Lumber company, who is at the Palace, says that be thinks the Pacific coast will benefit greatly by the opening of tbe Panama canal. Mr. Van Elde said: •'The high cost of certain kinds of lumber in the east now is due to the freight rates. When the canal is opened I am told tbat lumber can he shipped anywhere on tbe Pacific coast to Atlantic ports for about $8 a thousand. This ought to give the Pacific coast lumbermen almost absolute control of tbe lumber market. My company hopes to use tbe Panama canal, and it Iβ possible tbat we may establish a large shipping station ou the weet coast in California. I have made a com plete trip over the Pacific coast, and I think business will increase in every city on the coast when the canal is opened." * ¥■ * S. It. Rosenberg, an oil land operator of Loe Angeles; Fred H. Hopkins Mrs. Hopkins and their two sous, who have been ou a trip to tbe A LETTER FROM A LADY Editor Call: lam 12 years of age and am in the seventh grade of the John Breen school. I live at 280 Farn liam street. I have one brother, who is 16 years of age, and is an office boy at the Pacific mills. I earn my money by carrying two dinners. I have a quarter to spend, but I do not spend it at once. The 12th of October we had a great parade, held in Lawrence. We' had many thousand people marching , . We marched to show that Lawrence was one of the cities that loved its flag. This parade was a great success. When we were on the common the flag rais ing took place. When it was hoisted the people waved their flags and sang patriotic songs. While we were march ing we were singing, and it made the air full of music, which sounded very nicely. My father is a clerk in the Central labor union. I think Lawrence is one of the best cities there is. This makes me think so because I have not lived in any other city besides it. My home is near a wood. It is very healthy to sleep there at night. There are all pine trees behind my house. In summer it is very pleasant to look out of the window and see the different kinds of birds Ringing on the bough. If you can publish this letter in your paper, will you please send a copy of it to me? MARY RADCLJFFE. Lawrence, Mass., January 23. •ERE THE FADDIST CAME Editor Call: I had in mind writing you a letter for "Everybody's Forum," gently attacking , certain modern things, but the muse swooped down on me and turned my prose to "potery," so if you are not a member of the Society for the Suppression of Pestiferous Poets, I make you a present of the following: I am wearied with endless reading Of the progress of modern times; I am racked by eternally speeding For elusive dollars and dimes, And I yearn for the days romantic, Of the childlike long ago. , Ere the mind of man went frantic O'er novelty, sham and show. I am tired of folks muck raking, Whose hearts are as black as jet; I am bored by the statesman's faking:. And the militant suffragette. Yes, I thirst when I think of woman, For the dear, old fashioned kind, Who strove to be sweet and human, Feminine and renned. From the murderous, maiming motor, I would change to the ancient horse; From the city's glamour and splendor I would stroll by the brooklet's course; For what does it profit a mortal. Though his maddened mind progress, If he speeds to the tomb's gray portal A stranger to happiness? I can glean no peace from the thinkers Who rave o'er the country's needs; Nor joy from the moral tinkers "Who would doctor our loves and creeds; And my heart for the life is yearning, That flowed like a simple song. Ere the faddist with frenzy burning, Discovered the world all wrong. WILLIAM CHANDLER. San Francisco, February 12. BRITISH NAMBf Once T loved a maiden comely By the name of Mary CholmonSely; Later on, my youthful dreams Wandered to Francegca Wemyss; But I grew in brains and brawn— Next I lovep yoiing Constance Strachan, Youthful FoV**s a gay deceiver; Koon T turned to Alice Belvoir. Next I begged for passion's boon From that beautioue Belle Mohun— Till I found that kindred souls Were myself and Comes a Roland for my Oliver— I have married Martha Tallaferro! —Cleveland Plain Dealer. TUB MODERN POLOMIS Go. sow your wild oats if you will. But he is wise who learns Thnt it's the grist hp takes to mill From which he gets returns. —Chicago Record-Herald. I". S. (by Ophelia) He sowed his wild oats. It was said He'd reap a crop of wrath! But, 10. they were roses that he gleaned. For he sowed on the primrose path! Panama canal and are now on their way home to Medford. Ore.; Mr. and Mrs. E. ft. Frost of Bos ton. B. D. Jackson and A. W. Clark of Portland and F. F. Fischer of Seattle are at the Palace. Charles L. Culbert, a banker and land owner of Jackson: Barney Cussick, a rancher of Cnk-o; B. B. a politician and capitalist of Carson City, Ner., and Mrs. Verington; L. L. Borbam and H. B. Reed of Chico and John J. Joyce of Santa Barbara are at the Sutter. J. Alexander Shriver, a special agent of the department of commerce and labor, of Washing ton, p. C.; C. R. l>owns, manager of Hetty Green's raining properties at Sutter Creek; A. W. Keddie, one of the engineers who planned the building of the 'Western Pacific's lines in. Cali fornia, and Tnotaas A. Hoefgcu, proprietor of a packing bouse at Ukiab, are registered at the Stewart. Brriuaii Schoenfeld. proprietor of a furniture ■tot* In Seattle; E. G. Miner, president and gen eral manager of the Pfaudler company, manu facturer-, of enameled steel tanks of Rochester, >•'. V.; A. TV. McLimont of Detroit and. C. H. Ellicott of Victoria, B. C, are at the St. Francis. M. V. SteTcns, a merchant of Modesto; N. F. Branden, a large ranch owner of Tahiti and a brother of Pearl Queen of the Society islands; L. L. Pivain of Brest, who is touring the world, and Mr. and Mrs. M. M. Riley of Los Angeles are at the Manx. 11. W. Curtis of Kokomo, Ind.; A. E. Clerk of Portland. (}. M. Owens of Sacramento and H. R. Bacoa of Keno are at the Washington. 11. P. Andrews, an attorney of Red Bluff; C. T. Kidweli, a vinejardist of Woodland; T. B. Hart, a oandy manufacturer of Chico; L. W. Baker, seorciary of the Moose lodge at Bakers> fiolrf; W. C, Fry, editor of a newspaper at New t'asilr, jincj o. K. Reed, a well known uiiuiug nuiu of Tonopah, Ncv., and Mrs. Reed arc at tLie Argonaut. I. L. AVrijht, an attorney of Santa Tlosn, end A. C. Burrell, who has large interests in tbe lm periai valley, registered yesterday at the Union S<lUfi re. Charles 11. Knubel, cigar manufHOturer of New York; Webster Richardson, a New York broker, and Mr. and Mr*. William J. O'Connor of Chico are at the Bellevue. E. L. Hullinshead of Los Angeles and W. Wiley of Rirminghaui. Ala., are at the Columbia. Gcorgp \v. Phelps of Monterey and C. K. Wi«»e man of Harrington, 111., arc at the Baldwin. Mrs. Joseph Wiikins snrl daughter of Sacra mento are in the city for a few days and are guests at tbe Sutter. Robert Daris of Oakdale and W. S. Clyborne of Eureka are at the Sutter. C. R. Zacharius of Modesto and G. Barschtel, a prominent real estate dealer of Willits, are at the Stanford. * * * E. L. Williams of Santa Cruz. K. I- Shelley of Ryde and W. Murray of Walla WJnla, Wash., arc registered at the Golden West. Guests at th* Tnrpin include C. 11. *on Stern berg, a capitalist of New York; Rev. R. P. Doug las of OroTille, R. S. Monger of Saul a Barbara; John Moore, a real estate mau of East St. Louis; Arthur Scott, general merchant of Madison; W. 11. MorriSSpy of Orland, J. I" Davis of Lakeport. Wallace Terry of Willlts and Dr. J. W. Walsh of Sacramento. , * 11. T. Morrie of Los Angeles, Mrs. E. G. Davidson of Hudsou, 0., and L.. A. Morton of Salt Lake are guests at the Columbia. K. M. Damon. owner <»f the stage line at Bofanra, .iuil Q. B. l'otts of Los Augers are at the Dale. FERRY TALES WHEN the Ancient Mariner heard that Paymaster E. A. McMillan, U. S. N. f had resigned from the Asiatic station, after nearly four years of duty, he warned his fellow com muters to be prepared for a deluge of pirate yarns. "Pirates was pirates when I was a youngster," said the A. IC, "and the tales I "could tell you o' them yellow devils we used/fo chase on the Yangtze would keep you awake nights. Th' ain't no pirates no more. Guess I helped clean up the last o' them. But every youngster that goes out to that station an' visits the old pirate holes in some luxuriously appointed spitbox hears the echoes o' the work we done, and when he comes home, tells hpw he seen tllis and done that, which ain't no sich thing." In the hearing of the Ancient Ma riner, a few days later, somebody asked McMillan about his experiences in the far east. He had been through nothing very exciting, he said. The Ancient Mariner looked disappointed, but cheered up when the paymaster was asked pointblank to tell about his pirate experiences. "Saw no pirates," said McMillan. "Only thing that ever attacked me out there was the prickly heat. But I'll tell you what I did see " "Now it's comin'," chuckled the A. M. as he waved his pipe and nudged the man sitting next. "I saw a lot of pink porpoises," con tinued the paymaster. The Ancient Mariner rose in disgust. "Excuse me." he said, "I'm goin* on the upper deck to sit with the wimmin. They told me the navy had changed. I once seen blue elephants, but that was after a long spell o' rough liberty. But I'd a been ashamed to admit it. The new generation ain't got no sShame. Ye want to quit it, young man, quit it. I had an iron will an' people looked at things different when I was young, anyhow. There ain't no blue elephants nor pink porpoises on the road to suc cess. Better get on the wagon an' stay there." But McMillan's pink porpoises were real sea pigs. McMillan was attached to the gunboat Wilmington, which helped carry the American flag around the coast of China while the revolution was in progress, and it was while the Wilmington was at jCanton that the pink porpoises disturbed the peace of the little warship. Here is something in this connection almost as strange as the color of the porpoise hide. Every man that reported seeing one of these pink cetaceans was regarded with suspicion. The en listed man who told Captain Edgar of the Wilmington about the pink por poises was ordered to report to the ship's surgeon. It was not long, how ever, before the skipper saw a school of them himself. Later that day the paymaster visited the cabin. "Mr. McMillan," said the captain, "ever see a pink porpoise?" "No. sir," replied the paymaster. "I did. Saw a whole school of them a few minutes ago. "New one on me. Quite a sight." McMillan went out feeling toward the skipper as the skipper had felt about the bluejacket. Being a wise paymaster, however, he kept hie thoughts to himself. A few hours later he was summoned on deck by a message from the captain. "Wonder what the old man's seeing by this time?" was his thoughts as he obeyed summons. "Well, Pay, you didn't believe me about those pink porpoises?" the skip per said, as he walked to the rail, "so I thought I'd just show you. Look over there." They were there, all right, and un mistakably pink. Forgetting his own experience, McMillan ran down to the ward room and announced what he had seen. Nobody stirred. As he went into his room he heard a shipmate remark: •T thought that sun 'd get some of us yet." * "Pink porpoises ain't nothin'," said the Ancient Mariner, " 'longside o' Dick Williams' educated pig. Now that's a true story." Dirk Williams is in the service of the North Alaska Salmon company and makes the trip to Bristol bay every year on one of the company's windjam mers. The livestock taken north on his last trip included a small pig that was given the run of the deck. The pig soon gave signs of unusual intelli gence. On a sailing ship it is necessary to be careful with the supply of drinking water. This is particularly true on a salmon vessel, whre the ship's com pany includes 100 or more cannery hands. Every day at a certain hour each man js given his day's allowance of water. "The third day out," continued the Ancient Mariner, "all hands was mus tered for water. 'Step lively," says the mate, and as he says it we hears a loud squeaking. Then along comes mister pig shovin' his tub before him with his snout. He stops at the water butt an' squeaks like he'd bust till the mate gave him his whack. He does that every day. Thirty days out, so Dick Williams tells me, the old man calls all hands aft an , tells 'em he'd have to put 'em on half rations o' water. The next day the pig was on hand as usual, but instead of his tub he had a little lard pail. "Pink porpoises: That pig could have been any color he was a mind to," LINDSAY CAMPBELL. ' GOETHALS , NAME I don't know whether Mr. Goethals, of Panama canal fame, is a Belgian or not. If he is not, he ought to be, because Belgium is full of Goethalses. That name is common in my native town and province. No need, thus, of consulting the German language to keep in the right track for the pro nunciation of that name. Cut it into two syllables, namely, Goet and hals. Now, make goet sound as hoot in to hoot; suppress the sound of h in hals and say als with the sound of the a as in the word father. Be sure to put fully the accent upon the first syllable and let the whole word go as gootals. —Rochester Express. ABE MARTIN Next t' bein' a baseball fan ther liaint nothin , as remunera tive as bein , a chicken fancier. Th' ffller that keeps his mouth shut nearly alius gits a second term. Proposed Legislation I BILLS NOW UNDER CONSIDERATION IMPARTIALLY ANALYZED BY THE CA L FOR THE PEOPLE'S BENEFIT j GEORGE A. VAN SMITH The existing employers' liability law and the pending measures for its amendment or the substitution of a new law have resulted in the presenta tion of many bills designed to provide for Insurance against such liability. Here are the provisions of those pend ing bills which may be considered as characteristic: MUTUAL WORKMEN'S COMPENSA TION INSURANCE COMPANIES: SENATE BILL. 1089. By this bill is proposed a law for tlfe organization by employers of mutual insurance companies to handle the risks created either by the existing industrial accident law or by any of the pending measures that may be en acted to take its place. It is especially designed as a supplement to the man datory compensation law proposed by senate bill 905. It provides that any number- of em ployers, not less than five, subject to the approval of the insurance commis sioner, may incorporate for the pur pose of insuring its members against the liabilities imposed by workmen's compensation laws. The insurance commissioner may limit the membership of any such com pany to employers in the same general character of industry or to those within a certain district. The com panies must *be incorporated under the laws of California and maintain their principal offices in this state. The incorporation may not be for more than 50 years. The directors must not be less than five nor more than eleven in number.' Every employer accepting a policy in any company organized under the provisions of the proposed act is thereby made a member of the com pany and Is proportionately liable for its losses and operating expenses. No policy shall be issued until the company has received subscriptions from at least 200 employers for insur ance of an annual pay roll of at least $1,500,000. Mutuality of hazard is sought to bo preserved by the provision that no single risk shall be insured upon which the premium is more than 2 per cent of the premiums upon all the com pany's policies. This in effect means that no single risk may represent more than approximately one-flftleth of the company's liability. Every company must in its bylaws fix a mutual liability upon its members for losses and expenses in excess of its available cash funds. Assessments must be levied for the payment of losses when the available cash in excess of the unearned pre mium reserve and other liabilities is not sufficient to meet such losses. Every assessment must be approved by the insurance commissioner before collection. Dividends approved by the insurance commissioner may be declared under conditions which involve the transfer of 25 per cent of annual profit to a surplus until that surplus is equal to the amount of all the premiums charged on insurance in force. The funds of companies organized under the provisions of this act may be invested in.the manner provided by law for the investment of funds of savings banks. The expenses of companies are lim ited to 30 per cent of the gross pre miums actually received. This limit is upon operating and administrative ex pense and does not include settlement of losses or expenses incurred in the prevention of accidents. Officers and directors are made per sonally liable for expenses in excess of this limit. No officer or person whose duty it is to pass upon risks shall re ceive any commission upon the pre miums. His compensation must be a fixed salary, to which may be added a share in the net profits. When the liabilities of any company are greater than the admitted cash assets it is insolvent. The directors of mutual companies may prescribe and enforce rules for the prevention of injuries on the prem ises of members. Employers or em ployes objecting to such rules mey apply to the industrial accident board for a review. The board may affirm, amend or annul the rules complained of. The pay rolls of members are to be open to auditors and inspectors rep resenting the companies for the pur poses of verification. Any member may withdraw upon 30 days written notice and the discharge of all his obligations to the company. Such withdrawal will not release from liability for loses incurred while he was a member. The provisions of the act are not to apply to contracts for the protection of property made under the reciprocal or interinsurance plan nor to unin corporated indemnity compacts. ANSWERS TO QUERIES BLUING GUN BARRELS-J. P. D-. Bridgeport. The following is giTen as a method for bluing gun barn-Is by what is known ac the "staining process": Dissolve 4>£ ounces of hyposulphite of soda in a quart of water, also li ounces of acetate of lead in a quart of water, then mix the two solutions and bring to a boll in a por celain dieb or stone pot. Clean the barrel free from grease, oil or varnish, then warm tbe bar rel and emear the hot solution OTer it. using a piece of sponge tied to a stick. When the color develops, wash and wipe dry and finish, with boiled linseed oil. Another method i»: Apply nitric acid and let it eat into the Iron a little, then the latter will be corered with a thin film of oxide; clean the barrel, oil and burnish. BILLINGS— J. N. P., Oleta. Henrr W. Shaw, an American hnmorist, wbo wrote under the name "Josh Billings," was born in L*nesbor ough. Mess., in 1818. At tbe «ge of 15 lie started to "make a living." tried fanning, Tun ning a steamboat on the Ohio, store keeping and school teaching and made "a successful fail ure" of each. In 183S he established himself as an autcioneor in Poughkeepsle. N. V., and while following tbat vocation contributed to news papers and received liberal returns. Hie writings are characterized by a quaint shrewdness and a humorous cltraent. Intensified by crude spelling. He issved bis "sketches" in four volumes and also Issued an annual almanac, lie died In Mon tercy, Cal., in 1880. * * * COAL OIL SMELL—X. t,. Grangerrille. Bot tles or gla*B jars that have contained coal oil may be cleaned and freed from smell by washing with thick milk of lime, which forms an emul sion with the oil and removes evpry trace of it. The vessel should then be cleansed again with milk of lime aod a very small quantity of chloride of lime, allowing the liquid to remain In tbe VMKI for about an hour and then rinsing with cold water. BALDWIN'S THEATER—D., City. Baldwin , * Academy of Music, afterward known us the Baldwin theater. In Market street near Powell, was opened March 6, 1576, by Thomas Magulre, proprietor, and James A. Hearne, manager. The npeniDg play was "Richard III,"' with Barry Sullivan in the title role, Emily Baker as Lady Anne and Louise Hawthorne as Queen Elizabeth. THROUGH THE CANAL—S., City. How long it will "take a vessel to make tbe voyage from Southampton, Eng., to San Francisco via the Panama canal voder favorable circumstances," would depend upon tbe character of the vessel, her speed and the weather. CROXJE—Subsortber, San Mateo. Toe , surren der of Cronje, Boer general, daring the Boer war, was to Lord Roberts, February 27, lt>oo. At the time of the surrender Crooje had 4,000 men with him. . • * *-• 0 ORIGIN OF "O. X."—C. B. ML, City. '*O. X.." according to Prof. W. K. Wyman nf the UniTersity of Alabama, is derived from the. Choc taw word, "Okth," meaning "all right. "^ STATE RATING BUREAU FOR WORK MEN'S COMPENSATION INSUR ANCE: SENATE BILL. 1090. This bill Is designed to provide a state agency to make compensation in surance rates for indemnity companies, mutual companies and the state acci dent insurance fund, which is proposed in both types of workmen's compensa* tion bills pending. In addition to making rates to be charged for workmen's compensation insurance it is proposed to give the state's agency powers designed to de termine and maintain the solvency of companies and mutual associations doing indemnity insurance business. It carries an initial appropriation of $25,000. " It authorizes the industrial accident commission to organize and maintain a rating bureau. That bureau is to be known as the state workmen's com pensation insurance rating bureau. It is to consist of five members—the in surance commissioner or a member of his staff, three persons chosen by the industrial accident board and one chosen by the insurance companies and mutual associations affected. The members of the rating bureau are to serve without compensation. It is to be the duty of the bureau to make rates for workmen's compensa tion insurance upon working prem ises anywhere in the state. Such ratea are to be made upon the request of insurance commissioner, industrial ac cident board, any authorized insurance company or mutual association or the employer affected. The bureau may make basic rates for an industry with a schedule of credits and charges for favorable and unfavor able local conditions, or it may make flat rates in cases where It deems .schedule rates inapplicable. Tt may re rate a plant or working premises upon any material change in the hazard. The bureau shall review a rating upon the application of employer, state fund or insurance company or mutual association affected thereby. The rates are to be made in terms of percentages of payrolls and on the re serve as contradistinguished from tliq assessment plan. That Is to say, tlie premiums or rates are to be such that if Invested at per cent they will carry the claims to maturity, provide for the expenses of the company and for a surplus. The bill provides for the accumu lation of claim reserves by all com panies and mutual associations and the state fund. All companies and mutual associations authorized to do workmen's compensation insurance business must keep on deposit with, the state treasurer securities sufficient to cover their claim reserves. Failure to preserve such deposits involves revocation of license. Companies and associations must make quarterly reports to the insur ance commissioner covering the busi ness of the preceding quarter and in cluding an estimate of the conse quent changes in their reserve de poeits. Neither the state insurance fund nor any company or association may issue a policy of workmen's compensa tion insurance in which any other liability is covered. In the matter of reports covering rates, losses, expenses, commissions and earnings the rating bureau is to treat the state fund exactly as it treats insurance companies and mutual associations. All auch information made public jhall be published in a uniform way so as not to discriminate against the state fund or any company or asso ciation. PAYMENT OF DEATH BENEFITS TO STATE: SENATE BILL 1513. This bill is designed to augment a safety appliance and regulation fund by providing that death benefits for employes leaving no dependents shall be paid to the state. It is drawn to be applicable to the existing employer's liability law or to the law that may be enacted to take the place of the existing law. The existing law provides for death benefits of not less than $1,000 nor more than $5,000 for employes leaving dependents, but only for funeral ex penses for employes leaving no de pendents. Senate bill 1519 makes the dependent schedule apply to employes not leaving dependents and for the payment of the benefit, less funeral expenses, to the state. The funds are to be expended by the industrial accident commission in pro moting the bodily safety of employes. The provisions of the bill apply to the state industrial insurance fund as well as to employers, insurance com panies and mutual associations. DIVINING RODS—N. N.. City. It is a popular notion that water under tbe surface of tbe earth may be located by means of the "divining rod." wblch in the long ago was a forked branch of the rowan tree. It wae carried by an in dividual between bis thumbs, and when it passed over a subterranean stream the rod would move in the hand of the holder, and in that way In dicate the presence of water. Experiments of late yeare have proved conclusively that thN can not be relied upon. A few years ago Uμ experiment was tried on land In Santa Clara, county selected for a fraternal society. One mm held the forked rod and discovered indication* of water Iα several places. Other individual* stood on exactly the same spot, at tbe points, and held the rod Iβ exactly the kin* manner as the diviner, bat in neither instanm did tbe rod move. The only way to ascertain If there is water in a certain place is to make an artesian boring. * # ♦ BOYS IN THE NAVY—A. M.. City. A boy npder 18 wbo wants to enllat In the United State* navy with the consent of parents or guardian i<* in the service during minority. Boys over 18 may enlist without the consent of parents or guardlao, but must furnish certificate of birth >>r verifled statement of parents or guardian. Only American citizens arc enlisted in the navy. Th* applicant must pass a required physical examina tion, must be able to read and write the English language and must take the oath of allegiance. * -5f # ORIGIN OF "A NO. 1"—/' A 1," or "A No. 1." is the symbol of a first class vessel at Lloyd's. The letter A refers to the character of the hull of tbe ship, and is assigned to a new shtp for a number of years, varying from four to 15, according to the material used and tbe workmanship. The figure 1 refers to tbe statn of anchors, cables and other fittings. . "A 1" bas, from this, come to mean anything of undoubt edly good Quality. * w * THE WILLOWS—O. T.. City. It was on April 26, 1865, that Jacob Wlmtner, as manager, took charge of "The Willows," between Mission Hnd Valencia street at Eighteenth, a pleasure resort in wblch Lotta Crabtree, "Little Lotta," was for a time tbe star child attraction. * * * GRADES OP GOLD— F. W., Milton. Twenty four karat gold means all gold; 22 karat is -"-' parts gold. 1 part silver and 1 part copper; IS karat is 18 parts gold and 3 cacti of silver and copper; 12 I rat is half gold, with 3'i parts* silver and Bi£ parts copper. * ■» * BAKER—C. S.. City. Colonel Kdward Dick inson Baker, who whs killed durlug the civil war. at the battle e{ Balls Bluff, was not a native of this country. Bβ was born la Kng land, and was brought to I'ennsylvauia in carlr childhood. jf * * *■ AUDLBON—Subscriber, Cit.r, The address of the secretary of the Audiibrm National associa tion is 1974 BrrwHlway. New York city. J|». should be able to furni?* • Ha* of the brtnc* *v cletles in this couutcx $>'