The Great Round World and What Is Going On In It, Vol. 1, No. 18, March 11, 1897

State Senator Lexow was made Chairman of the committee. He is that Mr. Clarence Lexow, who was chairman of the committee which looked into the way the police were doing their duty a short while ago.

Senator Lexow has come down to New York City with full power to call the officers of the Trusts before him, and make them tell him how they manage their business, how much money it costs them to produce the articles they manufacture, and how much profit they make.

When the inquiry is finished, the committee will report to the Legislature at Albany, which will then decide what action shall be taken.

The Trust Investigating Committee has found out from the Sugar Trust, that the price of sugar has been lowered since the Trust was formed. But it has also been learned that sugar has not been allowed to fall in price as much as it ought to have, and that while sugar is cheaper than it used to be, it could be much cheaper yet, and still pay well for the making.

With all the Trusts the story is the same. They have slightly cheapened the price of the goods they handle, and have then controlled the market and prevented any further reduction.

Each Trust declares that it is a positive benefit to trade, and while it is true that they do employ a vast number of men, and make the best quality of goods at apparently the lowest possible price, it must not be forgotten that the public does not benefit as much as it ought by the low cost of production, and that all small manufacturers are driven out of the business by the enormous power of the Trust.

A man who wishes to succeed to-day dare not try to compete with the Trust; he must join it or be boycotted by it; that is to say, if he attempts to undersell the Trust, all retail dealers will be forbidden to buy from him, and he will have no market for his goods.

There has been a great outcry against this investigation, and the Trusts are very indignant. They declare that such investigations ruin trade, and make prices higher. To prove this argument, the Sugar Trust has put the price of sugar up an eighth of a cent a pound, or about forty cents a barrel.

This is, however, an argument that works both ways. If the Sugar Trust is so powerful that it can revenge itself for the investigation by putting the price of sugar up, it is then too powerful for the welfare of the people, and it shows clearly that it is high time that the government makes an attempt to restrict the power of the Trusts.

Admiral Bunce and his fleet of warships have been engaged in some very interesting naval practice off Charleston.

The especial object of the visit was to see if they could effectually blockade the port.

In making their trip down the coast, the fleet ran into a heavy gale off Cape Hatteras, and Admiral Bunce was able to see how the vessels under his command behave in a storm.

Arrived off Charleston, the Admiral arranged the fleet in a cordon across the mouth of Charleston harbor, and when night came, ordered the little cruiser Vesuvius to steam out to sea, and then try to steal back into port without being discovered by the big warships that were guarding the harbor.

In other words, the Vesuvius was ordered to "run the blockade."

In times of war, an enemy will often blockade a port by stationing big ships in such positions that they may prevent any vessels from entering or leaving the port, just as the combined fleets of Europe are preventing the Greek fleet, under Prince George, from entering the harbor of Canea.

In our late war the harbor of Charleston was actually blockaded, and vessels were regularly employed as blockade runners, many of them getting through without difficulty, and many having hair-breadth escapes.

The steamers selected to run the blockade in war times were light, swift, and built so that they lay very low in the water. They were painted a dull gray color, so that they could not be seen at a distance; their funnels were made like telescopes, so that they could be shut up, and be little higher than the deck, when the moment for actually running the blockade arrived. They burned smokeless coal, and could blow their steam off under water, so that it was very hard to discover them, and on dark nights they could often slip by the watching vessels without being observed.

Admiral Bunce thought that the search-light system which is in use on all our war-vessels would make it extremely difficult for a blockade runner to pass a modern blockade, and it was to test this that the game of blockade running was tried off Charleston.

When all was in readiness for the game to begin, the New York, which was the flagship, sent up a rocket, warning the other vessels to be on the lookout for the blockade runner.

The flagship of a fleet is always the one which has the admiral on board. The ships in a fleet are like a regiment of soldiers, and act under the orders of the admiral in command; and as the orders are always sent from ship to ship by means of flags or signals, the ship from which the orders are issued is called the flagship.

All the search-lights were in play, and there was the greatest excitement on board the various vessels as the little cruiser steamed out to sea to begin the game.

Back and forth the search-light flashed along the whole line of the blockade. Here and there, in every direction, the waters were searched for a sign of the little Vesuvius, which was surely steaming toward them to try and run the blockade.

No sign of the cruiser could be seen, and anxiety was felt lest she should have escaped all the searchers, when the signal came from the Maine that she had been discovered, and all the search-lights from the various vessels were turned toward the Maine's light, and there was the Vesuvius, defeated.

She showed her lights, which till then had been concealed, and steamed back to sea again for another trial.

This time she so nearly succeeded that there was consternation in the whole fleet; but still she was detected in time.

Five times she made the attempt, but defeat succeeded defeat; and at last Admiral Bunce declared the game over for the night, and the Vesuvius returned to anchor, with the rest of the fleet.

Admiral Bunce declared himself highly pleased at the success of his blockade.

The next night the game was played again. This time the Vesuvius won easily, for it was a foggy night, and the search-lights were not able to pierce the fog.

Admiral Bunce would not allow that this was a fair test, but as, in real war, blockade runners would be pretty sure to wait for a cloudy night, or for one that was dark or foggy, it would seem that the test was fairer than that of the night before, which was clear and moonlit.

Before the manoeuvres were over, the admiral ordered a practice with the big guns.

From all accounts it was a very fine sight, and our navy proved itself a great credit to us.

The guns were fired at targets, and the shooting seems to have been particularly fine, the targets being hit every time.

At last beyond any further question Major William McKinley has been elected President of the United States.

The last formality was complied with when, on February 11th, at one o'clock, the Senate of the United States, headed by the Vice-President, filed into the House of Representatives to count the vote of the Electoral College, cast in the manner described in The Great Round World, No. 13.

As the Senators entered the House of Representatives, all the Congressmen rose, and remained standing while their visitors filed in, two by two.

The little procession was preceded by the officers of the Senate, who carried the ballot-boxes.

The work of counting was then commenced by the tellers, and ere long it was officially announced that William McKinley was the choice of the people for President of the United States.

Genie H. Rosenfeld.

CRETE AND GREECE

Well, well, well! So little Greece has really done it! While the Great Powers have been worrying each other, have been forming alliances and triple alliances, have been threatening Turkey and shaking their fists at each other, have been trembling in their boots and calling conferences, little Greece has fired upon one of Turkey's ships, and "accepts full responsibility for all her acts."

The first shots came from Crete, that long, beautiful island south of Greece, called in the time of Homer the "Isle of One Hundred Cities." It has a most heroic history, remaining free long after Greece herself had become subject to Rome. Only in the year 68 B.C., after a long and determined effort upon the part of Rome, did Crete surrender.

And her islanders have the same heroic blood in their veins to-day. The trouble now is that Turkish misrule, since she was made over to the Turks in 1840 by the Great Powers, has fanned the old desire for freedom into flame.

The Greeks were most probably unwise in firing upon the Turkish transport Fuad as she was bearing munitions to the Turkish garrison at Canea; but we can hardly blame them.

There comes a time when patience almost ceases to be a virtue. The Cretans are human. They have waited long, though impatiently, and their very impatience has shown us how hard the waiting has been for men of such fiery character. They feel now that they would rather die in the struggle for freedom than submit longer to the injustice of their Turkish rulers.

I was in Athens when the coming of age of Crown Prince George, the brave, handsome young Greek of whom we hear so much, was celebrated.

The streets, from the palace to the church where the ceremonies were to take place, were most beautiful with triumphal arches. Rich tapestries floated from the windows all along the way, and the flags of all nations—among them our own dear Stars and Stripes—swung merrily to the breeze.

The city was full of soldiers. Among them were the Greek mountaineers in their picturesque costume of white linen, consisting of tunics with long, flowing sleeves, and kilted skirts so full and so starched that they stood out like the skirts of a circus rider.

Their long, pointed shoes, which turned up at the toes like a toboggan, had large red rosettes on the very points. Their caps were gayly colored, and a long tassel fell from the crown to their shoulders.

Not a very good fighting costume, you will probably think; but if you had looked into their keen eyes and determined faces, you would have forgotten the costume—especially if they had come to fight you.

They are hardy fellows, and although their enemies outnumber them four to one, we may depend upon it that, if battle comes, there will be as brave and heroic fighting upon the side of the Greeks, as when their forefathers fought the Trojans in the days of long ago.

But they will have need of all their courage, for the enemy is not only fierce, but cruel. The Turks are fatalists, who believe that whatever is to be will be, and that if they are fated to die in battle, nothing can save them.

If they die fighting bravely they believe that they are sure to go to Paradise.

With this belief you can readily see how little they are likely to run away.

Unless the Great Powers interfere, the conflict will be a terrible one. How much better it would be to settle the difficulty by arbitration, and prevent such a cruel war.

Izora C. Chandler

INVENTION AND DISCOVERY

Many new and interesting patents were shown at the Cycle Show at the Grand Central Palace, New York City.

One of the most ingenious was a new tire. It is called the Hose-Pipe Tire, and seems to be a very sensible and useful kind.

The feature of this tire is that it has a second tube laid flat inside the first one.

This second tube is not inflated, but kept as an emergency tube.

Should the outer one be punctured, the pipe inside can be inflated by means of a separate valve connected with it, and the rider can go on his way with little delay.

Should the second tube also become punctured, it is so arranged that it can be taken out, mended, and replaced without much trouble.

New saddles of all descriptions were shown. The Schlesinger Anatomical Saddle, with its spring cushion which does away with the jolts and shocks that the rider receives with an ordinary saddle, was voted the best shown.

There is a new foot-pump from which great things are expected. It is small enough to be packed in the tool-bag, and strong enough for all purposes.

Among other things, a bicycle cleaner made by the Ætna Company, of Newark, N.J., was particularly recommended to prevent rust, and to polish the steel and enamel parts.

The aluminum cyclometers made by the Trenton Watch Company made a very handsome display. They will register from 1 to 10,000 miles.

The League of American Wheelmen are preparing a set of road books which give the best roads and routes to various points of interest.

The New York Times published in their supplement for February 7th four of these route maps.

They are most excellent. The hills, the character of the roads, the railroad crossings, the trolley lines, are all marked with the greatest accuracy. Even the awkward corners where trolleys are to be met are marked, and the various rules and regulations of the villages which must be passed are also given.

These four maps give trips to Mt. Vernon, to Bronx Park, and to New Rochelle, over roads and byways with which the present writer is thoroughly familiar, and the accuracy of these charts cannot be too highly commended.

With such guides as these in hand, a wheelman can make delightful, safe, and speedy trips.

Our young readers would do well to secure copies of The Times supplement, and obtain these excellent maps.

The League of American Wheelmen has very generously decided to let the general public have the benefit of its road books, and they will put them on the market, we understand, as soon as they are published.

G.H.R.

LETTERS FROM OUR YOUNG FRIENDS

The Editor takes pleasure in acknowledging the pleasant letters received from Laura Van C. and Theodore S.

The Great Round World is always delighted to hear of any good books, and thanks Theodore for his recommendation of "In Mythland" and "Hans Brinker."

The Editor also wishes to thank Mr. Davis, of Bayonne, for his kind letter, and to tell him that if he will look at No. 3 of The Great Round World, page 46, he will find a fuller account of terminal buds, and the rings formed on trees.

It was hoped that the readers of The Great Round World would have remembered the previous article on the subject, and therefore the later one was not so explanatory.

Mr. Davis has very kindly sent us an account of the kite represented in our No. 9. We take great pleasure in publishing his statement. He says:

"I will tell you about Mr. William A. Eddy's kite, or rather about Mr. Hargrave's, whose invention was the kite represented in your late issue.

"Mr. Lawrence Hargrave, of Australia, began in 1892 some experiments in kite flying. His first attempt was with cylindrical surfaces. Not succeeding as well as he had expected, he changed his plans, and in 1893 perfected the kite as represented in your issue. He sent photographs to the Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893, where Mr. Eddy saw them. On his return to Bayonne, Mr. Eddy made several kites from the photographic pattern, and flew them a few days afterward. These undoubtedly were the first Hargrave kites flown outside of Australia. This is a powerful kite, but it requires a very strong wind to raise it.

"Mr. Eddy's kites are of a nearly plane surface, slightly convex in front, and without tails. His experiments with them are revealing wonderful facts regarding atmospheric electricity."

Dear Mr. Editor:

The Great Round World is very interesting, I think, when you commence it. I think as another little girl thinks, that the inventions made nowadays are wonderful; indeed, if I could I would like to talk to the people up in Mars, if there are any to talk to. My teacher's name is Miss Davis, and she reads The Great Round World to us.

Yours truly,Laura Van C.Troy, Ohio, February 13, 1897.

Dear Mr. Editor:

I have a book by the name of "In Mythland." I like it so much that I thought I would write and tell you about it, so as other children seven years old like me would know of it, and could read it. Mother reads The Great Round World to me every week, and I like it very much. Mother is reading me a book called "Hans Brinker; or, The Silver Skates." A story of life in Holland. By Mary Mapes Dodge. My book has many pictures of Holland in it.

Yours truly,Theodore S.K.321 West 82d Street, February 15, 1897.

BOOK REVIEWS

A new book has been sent us, entitled "Three of Us." The title is explained by the cover, which gives the bright faces of three fine dogs—Barney, a bull-dog, Cossack, a wolf-hound, and Rex, a St. Bernard.

The book has 327 pages, and tells the stories of the three dogs—the last one, Rex, telling his own "autobow-wow-ography."

It is written and also illustrated with many drawings by Izora C. Chandler, and published by Eaton & Mains, 150 Fifth Avenue, New York City.

The other day a number of letters were shown us which had been written about this book by some bright little people of Hanover, N.H.

The book was given to the school, and one of the teachers read it aloud to the scholars.

This pleased them so much that they each wrote a letter to the lady who had made the gift. We publish one of these letters:

"My Dear Mrs. Richardson:

"It was very kind of you to give the book, "Three of Us," to the school.

"I enjoyed Barney and Cossack very much. I was interested in Rex also.

"Barney was very interesting because he did so many brave deeds.

"I liked Cossack because the little boy's kindness to the dog saved the life of his own father.

"If I were to have a dog I think I would like Barney.

"I thank you very much for the book.

"Yours sincerely,"Emma M. Hall."

The Great Round World prize has been won by Miss Harriet W. Mygatt, age eleven years, No. 32 Sidney Place, Brooklyn, N.Y., who will please send the name of the book she wants.

Her selection of the important articles of commerce is very good, and the simple way in which they are marked on the map is also worthy of praise; for while perfectly distinct, the topographical features of the map have not been obscured. The map will be exhibited in the office of The Great Round World.

School Books Wanted

The following school books will be taken in exchange for subscriptions for "Great Round World" at prices named.

Send books by express prepaid. Send none which are much soiled or worn; pages must not be torn nor missing. Mark package—"Great Round World, 3 and 5 West 18th Street, New York City, care William Beverley Harison."

Put your name on package and send a list by mail with your subscription order.

We can use Standard School Books of all kinds, send List of any you may wish to dispose ofREADERS

HISTORIES, UNITED STATES

ARITHMETICS

GEOGRAPHIES—(These must have North and South Dakota)

GRAMMARS

PRIMERS—10 Cents Each

Appleton's, Cyr's, Interstate, McGuffey's Revised, Riverside, Swinton's, Monroe's.

SPELLERS—10 Cents Each

McGuffey's Revised, Gilbert's School Studies, Modern, Harrington's (2 parts in one), Babcock's, Patterson's Common School, Reed's, Sheldon's Word Studies, Swinton's.

We can use, in addition to the ones named in this list, all kinds of dictionaries, late editions of French and German books, Algebras, Latin and Greek books, and in fact all kinds of late text-books. If you send a list, prices will be given.

THE "ONE PIECE"ADJUSTABLE BOOK COVERS

are made of the strongest and best book-cover paper obtainable. This paper is made in large quantities especially for these book covers and will protect books perfectly. The book covers themselves are a marvel of ingenuity, and, although they are in one piece and can be adjusted to fit perfectly any sized book without cutting the paper, they are also so simple that any boy or girl can use them; as they are already gummed they are always ready for use.

A sample dozen will be mailed to any address for 20 cents (or ten two-cent stamps) if you write

WILLIAM BEVERLEY HARISON3 and 5 West 18th Street, New York City

LIST OF MAPS

Europe, Asia, Africa; North America, South America, East Central States, New England, Middle Atlantic States, South Atlantic States, Palestine, Australia.

United States, British Isles, Roman Empire, Western Europe, North America, South America, Asia.

(POSTAGE ON SINGLE MAPS, 5 CENTS.)

"I would advise Sunday-school teachers to use, in connection with the lessons of 1897, Klemm's Relief Map of the Roman Empire. Every scholar who can draw should have a copy of it. Being blank, it can be beautifully colored: waters, blue; mountains, brown; valleys, green; deserts, yellow; cities marked with pin-holes; and the journeys of Paul can be traced upon it."—Mrs. Wilbur F. Crafts, President International Union of Primary Sabbath-School Teachers of the United States.

DESCRIPTION OF THE MAPS

These maps are made in two forms, both with beautifully executed relief (embossed)—the cheaper ones of plain stiff paper similar to drawing paper (these are to be substituted for and used as outline map blanks), the others covered with a durable waterproof surface, that can be quickly cleaned with a damp sponge, adapted to receive a succession of markings and cleansings. Oceans, lakes, and rivers, as well as land, appear in the same color, white, so as to facilitate the use of the map as a geographical slate.

WILLIAM BEVERLEY HARISON3 & 5 W. 18th St. · · · New York City