long study, divides the country into 950 blocks, are no "bumper" yields in sight. As to each about fifty miles square. The rate from the cotton crop, it seems certain that the any express station in a given block, to any acreage planted is somewhat less than last station in another given block, is to be the year's, and the condition on July 1 was same. Commissioner Lane, who has devoted decidedly below the condition of a year three years to the investigation of this express ago, but still about equal to the average of business, is of opinion that the lowering of the the past ten years. So, although it is early charges on small packages will result in open- yet to make confident predictions as to the ing up a more direct trade between the city outcome of the cotton crop, it seems likely household and the farm, benefiting at the that it will be much smaller than in 1911. same time the express companies by increas- This it can well be without disaster, as last ing their traffic. year's acreage and yield were so great that with labor scarce and cotton prices lowering, hundreds of thousands of acres were not picked at all, the cotton being left to rot on the stalks. The 1912 The Basic The railroads have shown in their recent reports the effect of the several untoward developments By mid-July the great cereal Crops of crops and hay and potatoes have made such progress as to furnish some reliable indications of the agricultural output of the year, if it is assumed that no more than normal deterioration is to take place during the remainder of the harvesting period. On this hypothesis, 1912 will show a of the spring months: the great strike in the heavy excess in value of agricultural output anthracite coal mines, which brought the over 1911. The Wall Street Journal esti- shipment of hard coal in April down to mates that six leading crops, corn, wheat, 266,625 tons, as against 5,804,915 tons in oats, barley, potatoes and hay will alone April, 1911; the strike in the bituminous show, in their aggregate, an excess of $760,- fields, which was settled without so great a 000,000 over the values of last year, and that loss of production, and the disastrous overall the farm produce, except cotton, will, flow of the Mississippi, which seriously barring abnormal developments, give about affected the earnings of some of the Southone billion dollars more value than last year. western roads. Despite these handicaps the The greatest gain is shown in hay, which gross earnings of the railroads are showing last year was very short on account of the a small increase over the corresponding terrible drought throughout the country. periods of last year; 1911 itself was somewhat On July 1 last it seemed fair to expect a crop lean. The net earnings, however, show a of 63,000,000 tons as against only 43,000,000 decided shrinkage, as might be expected in a last year, a gain of $250,000,000 in value. situation where wages and materials,—the A corn yield for 1912 of 2,811,000,000 bushels cost of living for the railroad, are conwas indicated in July, a gain of about stantly tending upward in price, while freight 12 per cent. over 1911. The agricultural rates are being shaded here and there by the statisticians are figuring on a betterment of activities of State and national commissions. from 20,000,000 to 50,000,000 bushels of With fixed charges growing at the same time, wheat over last year; and 217,000,000 owing to the high prevailing rates of interest bushels of oats. The price of wheat was, on capital, it cannot be said that the outon July 1, 13 cents better than last year, the look for railroad dividends is extravagantly price of oats six cents less than last year. promising. The volume of gross earnings Potatoes show an increase this year of shows, however, that the country at large is 59,000,000 bushels, or 20 per cent. more enjoying a fair amount of industrial activity." than last year, with the price $1.10 per bushel, as against $.90 last year, and barley promises a 20 per cent. better yield with a present price 13 cents higher than last summer. Steel Prices This is also indicated in the Output and recent records of steel production. The second quarter-year of the Steel Corporation's operations shows shipments of 3,200,000 tons, the largest in The growing and harvesting ten years. This steel is being sold at very conditions have been splendid much lower prices than have generally during the first half of July, or obtained during the corporation's history. the two weeks following these estimates, The measure of this lowering in price is and the prospect is decidedly bright for strikingly given by the Wall Street Journal's A Smaller Crop received the average price of its past ex- of five men. The Akron had started out auperience, the earnings for the quarter just spiciously on an early morning trial trip, with reported would be $20,000,000 more than thousands of people looking on from the they actually were. This enormous out- beach. A misty haze hung in the air, and put of the Steel Corporation comes in spite the great balloon sailed in a soft wind under of the fact, as reported by the American perfect control until about half a mile from Iron and Steel Association, that the "Trust" shore. Soon the clouds scattered, the sun is now producing a decidedly smaller percent- shone out strong and clear, and the balloon age of the country's aggregate of iron and shot quickly upward. Suddenly there was a steel than in 1902. Some of the comparisons flash of light at the top of the balloon, then as between 1902 and 1910 illustrate the a burst of flame, and a great volume of smoke tendency of the independent steel companies completely covered the craft. The underto grow, in the aggregate, faster than the structure, containing the crew, became deSteel Corporation. In 1902 the "Trust" tached and fell, the bag crumpling up and produced 65.2 per cent. of all the steel ingots following later. The exact cause of the acciand castings; in 1910, 54.3 per cent.; in 1902 dent was not learned, but the theory of gas 67.7 per cent. of the country's total of steel expansion seemed a plausible one. Melvin rails, and in 1910, 58.8 per cent.; in 1902, Vaniman, it will be remembered, accom64.9 per cent. of the total of wire nails, and panied Walter Wellman in his attempt to in 1910 only 55.4 per cent. The only classi- cross the Atlantic in the balloon America. fication in which the Corporation's business Although that venture failed, no lives were is increasing at the expense of the independents is in iron rails, which show 31.2 per cent. for the corporation in 1902, and 37.6 per cent. ten years later. Harriet Quimby's Aeroplane Disaster sacrificed. This much-heralded transatlantic dirigible, Akron, however, with its many months of patient preparation and tremendous expense, ended in complete disaster before even attempting its transatlantic trip every man of the crew losing his life and the ship being totally wrecked. Uncle Sam Last month at Stockholm, the Victor in athletes of America for the fifth The month of July began badly with those who travel in the air. On July 1, Miss Harriet Quimby, one of the most daring and popular of American aviators, was killed in a flight at Boston aviation meet, her passenger, Mr. W. Olympic Games time scored a decisive triumph A. P. Willard, sharing the same fate. The in the world's Olympic Games, totalling 128 pair were returning from a trip over Boston points against 104 for Sweden, and 66 for Harbor to the Boston Light in a powerful Blériot military aeroplane of the latest model. In making a volplane, a gust of wind caught the tail of the machine, throwing it into a perpendicular position, and the occupantswho evidently had not been strapped into their seats, fell from a height of a thousand feet into the waters of Dorchester Bay. Miss Quimby was the first woman in America to win an aviator's license and had only a few months ago accomplished the feat of crossing the English Channel. In addition to her achievements as an air pilot, Miss Quimby was also a talented literary worker, being engaged on Leslie's Weekly as dramatic critic and writer of special articles. While men to the number of 155 have lost their lives in flying, (54 having been killed in this year alone) Miss Quimby is the fourth woman to meet this fate. Great Britain. Among the events captured by Uncle Sam's boys were the 100-metre run, Soo-metre run, 200-metre dash, 110-metre hurdle, running high jump, 16 pound shot, 16 pound shot, both hands, pole vault, running broad jump, 1600-metre relay race. The great Decathlon, an all-around athletic event comprising ten different feats, was won by James Thorpe, an Indian from the Carlisle School, with a total of 8412 points out of a possible 10,000. The classic Marathon, which has always been the feature of the Olympic Games, was won this year by a South African policeman, McArthur. Finland was represented by a wonderful runner, Kohlemainen, who captured three first prizes. The chief bright spot for England in the games was the marvelous spurt by which Jackson forged ahead of America's best runners in the 1500metre race. New records were made by the athletes in nearly every event. The Olympic The very next day-July 2-at Games closed with impressive ceremonies, man's Dirigible Atlantic City, N. J., Melvin Vani- King Gustav himself crowning the victors "Akron" man's enormous balloon, the and awarding the prizes, assisted by Crown Wreck of Vani The Canal at Would the The Panama bill providing for The official date for the opening hostile to the canal because of the comPanama Near of the Panama Canal has been petition it would bring about. Completion set for January 1, 1915. The event will be celebrated by the splendid exposition which the city of San Francisco is the complete regulation of traffic preparing. The progress of the work of conthrough the canal when comstruction on the canal, however, has been so pleted. (known in the House as the Adamson satisfactory that it will be possible, and it Bill, from Chairman Adamson, of Georgia, is the intention to permit vessels to utilize of the Interstate and Foreign Commerce the waterway just as soon as practicable, Committee), contained a drastic anti-railway which, it now seems likely, will be during the clause which, as amended by the Senate, delatter half of 1913. The chairman and chief clared that "no railroad-owned ships should engineer of the Isthmian Canal Commission be permitted to pass through the Panama is of this opinion. Shipping interests will, of Canal if engaged in the coastwise trade becourse, be fully advised when the exact time tween ports of the United States." This rehas been definitely determined. According striction has been contemplated with conto figures on the construction work completed cern by the Canadian railroad systems, since by May last, the amount of excavation it would prevent their ships from using the actually accomplished on the whole canal is canal unless they plied only between points now more than eleven-thirteenths of the in their own country on the Atlantic and total. At that date the construction work Pacific. The fruit trade of the British West on the locks at Gatun, Pedro Miguel and Indies, likewise, might be expected to suffer Miraflores had been 82 per cent. completed. severely from such a restriction. But the interest of the American people, as well as of the rest of the world, in the canal has now advanced beyond the stage of the progress of construction to the subjects of fortification and operation. The work of fortifying the big ditch will probably be undertaken as soon as the excavation is complete. Under what conditions is the great waterway at Panama to be opened to the ships of the world? No ship can be barred. But will all have to pay the same toll? Or will it be wise and permissible to favor American shipping in any way? Protest Against nation" As to the Treaty Although there was no provision Hay-Pauncefote for free passage of American ships in the Senate bill when the British request for delay was made, it was the general conviction that, as adopted, the measure would either provide for such exemption from tolls, or that other legislation would arrange for the refunding of money paid, so that in effect American ships would pass through the canal without toll charges. It is against these two points that it is believed the British protest will be lodged. It was expected that the Senate would reach The British This question was brought forci- consideration of the Canal Bill some time "Discrimi-bly to the attention of the civil- during the closing days of last month, and ized world on July 10, when it Senator Brandegee, of Connecticut, Chairwas known that the British Chargé d'Affaires man of the Senate Committee on Interat Washington (in the absence of Ambassador Oceanic Canals, who had the bill in charge, Bryce) had sent a telegram to Assistant acknowledged the British telegram without Secretary of State Huntington Wilson re- promising delay in the consideration of the questing that the Panama Canal bill (at the measure. It was stated that the full text of time on the Senate calendar) be held in abey- the British representations would be laid ance until a detailed protest might be sub- before the Senate about the first of the presmitted through the British Embassy against ent month. The two points referred to, it what were held to be "clauses inimical to the had been publicly stated in Great Britain, rights and interests of British subjects." would mean, in the opinion of the British There had been considerable discussion both government, a violation of the Hay-Pauncein Congress and in the public press on the fote treaty, negotiated in 1901 and proclaimed question whether American ships passing the next year. In this treaty it was agreed through the canal should be subject to the specifically that the canal should be same tolls as the ships of other nations, and open to vessels of all nations on "terms of whether any discrimination was to be made entire equality," and that there should against vessels owned by the great railroad be "no discrimination in respect of the systems of this country and Canada which conditions or charges of traffic or other LORD HALDANE BIDDING GOOD-BYE TO MR. CHURCHILL AFTER A Perhaps a disagreement will come out of the matter. Great Britain occupies a position of exceptional interest and influence in the matter of the Panama canal, and she will undoubtedly be supported in her representations by Germany and France, and perhaps other European powers. On the other hand as the Pall Mall Gazette, of London, puts it: "England recognizes the entire reasonableness of the American contention that, having supplied the capital and the skill to build the canal, Americans have the right to every consideration not conflicting with the treaty obligations of the United States." Any radical difference of opinion which could not be reconciled by diplomacy, would, of course, find pacific and dignified expression at The Hague. Since the proclamation of this The elections in the Republic of Panama passed treaty the land through which the off in the main quietly, although one American The Hague canal passes has become Ameri- soldier was killed in an altercation with the can territory. President Taft and his ad- police in Panama City, accidentally, it is visors, moreover, particularly Secretary of claimed. The returns from the municipal elecWar Stimson, after careful investigation, tions which determine the general results show have committed themselves to the openly that Dr. Belisario Porras has been elected expressed categorical assertion that "the president of the republic for the next four United States has full right to regulate traffic years. Meanwhile the government of Presiin the manner provided in the pending bill." dent Madero, who has the support of the great There will undoubtedly be a cordial, if not lively, exchange of diplomatic notes when the full text of the British protest is known. mass of the Mexican people, seems to be putting down the Orozco insurrection, and the news from the rest of Caribbean America (This shop of Maduro shown in the picture was one of the polling places during the recent presidential election) British In the fourteen bye-elections held and so wording the law that women also may in Great Britain during the first vote. Several important changes have taken Affairs half of the present year, the place in the Ministry during the past weeks, Liberals lost one seat. They had increased the most noteworthy being the transfer of votes, however, in the districts retained, and Lord Haldane from the head of the War considering the crucial character of the poli- Department to the Lord High Chancellorship tics that are characterizing Britain's progress to succeed Lord Loreburn. Lord Mersey's at present, the government is generally con- report upon the loss of the Titanic declares ceded to have done well. Liberal finance has that the speed of the vessel was the direct made an enviable record. Thanks to the cause of the accident. It goes on to say that budget making ability of Mr. Lloyd-George, the crew should have been better organized all obligations have been met, and there and that the lifeboats should have been "filled has been a reduction of £78,000,000 of the to full capacity." It further recommends that national debt. Several of the most important problems confronting the government are still unsolved, including the "votes for women" issue and syndicalism. To the latter we refer more in detail in one of our Leading Articles this month. Irish Home Rule and With the descent of Italy's warWelsh Disestablishment are still wending ships upon the North African their laborious way through the House of coast the Mediterranean once Commons. The government, moreover, has more assumed its historic character as the introduced a new bill to simplify all parlia- center of Europe's contending ambitions. mentary suffrage by abolishing plural voting, Ever since the beginning of Rome's suprem all vessels should be equipped with Marconi apparatus with operators always on duty. The regulations of the Board of Trade are declared to be "antiquated and inadequate.' Mediter runean Politics |