CHANCE FOR INVENTORS

 

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Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, February 26, 1895.

CHANCE FOR INVENTORS.

$100,000 to the Successful Inventor of an Air Ship.

   WASHINGTON, Feb 26.—In the senate yesterday Mr. Brice from the committee on interstate commerce reported without recommendation, the bill introduced early in the present session authorizing the secretary of the treasury to pay the sum of $100,000 to any inventor from any part of the world, who shall, prior to 1900 construct a vessel that will demonstrate the practicability of safely navigating the air at a speed of 30 miles an hour, and capable of carrying freight and passengers.

   The object of the report is apparently to print the information that has been gathered on the subject of aerial navigation. The report says: To those who have not given this subject much attention it may seem somewhat visionary to seriously entertain the idea of navigating the air safely since efforts in this direction have been, in most instances, failures. Still the committee maintains that the eventual solution of the problem will result in one of the greatest social, economic and industrial revolutions of the history of mankind, and will have the greatest possible influence in the civilization of the world.

Changes In Baseball Rules.

   NEW YORK, Feb. 26.—The rules committee of the National Baseball league met in this city in the Fifth Avenue hotel. The committee made numerous changes which will be voted on by the league at its meeting tomorrow. They recommended among other things that the pitcher's plate be enlarged; placed restrictions upon noisy coaching; give to the umpires greater power to discipline "kickers," and change the wording of many rules, some of which [were] heretofore vague and ambiguous.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

Protein and Carbohydrates.

   We are glad that the United States government itself has at last taken them in hand in farmers' bulletin No. 23, and informed common people just what they are. We have had those words under our eyes so much in descriptions of cookery and scientific cow feed that we are tired of seeing them around. Farmers' bulletin 23 relieves our minds. It is called "Foods, Nutritive Value and Costs" and was written by Professor W. O. Atwater.

   In brief, protein is that part of our daily food which contains compounds of nitrogen. The albumen and gelatin of the animal body may be named as nitrogenous compounds. The idea of the professor seems to be that the best kind of food is that which contains the elements of the human body in a proportion nearest to that in which they exist in the human body.

   The "carbohydrates" are those elements of foods which contain carbon and hydrogen. Since coal is mostly carbon, the foods that contain the most carbohydrates are naturally most heating in their nature. The carbohydrates are composed largely of starch and sugar, and chemically starch and sugar are very much alike. Besides protein and carbohydrates, food contains fats and water. All these elements are needed. The proteins or nitrogenous compounds build muscle more than other foods. Fat is simply fat and reproduces itself in the body when it is eaten, unless it is too strong to digest, then it makes the person who swallowed it wish he hadn't. The carbohydrates are transformed into fats. The fats serve as fuel to keep us warm and give us energy. That is why the scientific Eskimo enjoys above all things a diet of tallow candle—because it keeps him warm.

   In a general way vegetable foods, except potatoes and turnips, contain more nutriments than animal foods. On the other hand, however, animal foods, milk, flesh, eggs, etc., are more easily digested than vegetable. The great fault with the American diet is, first, that we eat too much. We knew that before Professor Atwater told us, but it does no harm to be reminded of it afresh. Another fault is that we eat far too much fat and starch and sugar and too little protein. Milk, cheese, fish, eggs, lean meat and peas and beans contain protein, while wheat, corn and the potatoes we devour by the peck contain large quantities of starch. Sugar we Americans consume in inordinate amounts.

◘ With Bill Cook in jail for 50 years, it is to be hoped we have heard the last of that gang. It is also to be hoped that another gang like it will not spring up to take its place. There would be less likelihood of the coming up of another such band of cutthroats if the benevolent Miss Nancys of both sexes, who take tracts and flowers and cake to notorious criminals in prison, would give a little more of their pious attention to the rising generation. The way to reform criminals is to catch them before they become criminals and give them a mental, moral and physical education and a good trade. If there is one thing more calculated than another to discourage the well wisher of his race, it is the sight of fruit, flowers, cake and piety dosed out to burglars and cutthroats in prison, while boys of tender years are allowed to run untamed, mischievous and hungry on the streets.

◘ The fathomless capacity of mankind for being gulled shines out like the headlight of a locomotive in the history of the so-called Matrimonial club of New York city. The "club" consisted really of a shrewd old swindler and two women. Their plan was to advertise that wealthy husbands and wives could be obtained by all who joined their concern. Initiation fees, dues, etc., had to be paid by applicants for membership in this club of three. Many joined, paid the sums demanded, and that was how the precious trio made a good living. Rich men and women, though they be "homely as fury," can secure wives or husbands without advertising for them in these hard times.

◘ Oklahoma shows already the symptoms of being prepared for statehood. Rascally corruption has been found among her public officers. A legislative investigating committee have discovered that thousands of dollars have been dishonestly spent on the agricultural college, and that places on the supervising board of the institution were bought and sold. Besides that, when members of the board and their sweethearts and wives wanted to go on a pleasure trip they simply went and charged expenses to the agricultural college. If Oklahoma keeps on, she will soon be as civilized as the state of New York, with its $20,000,000 capitol at Albany and its blackmailing police captains and inspectors in New York city.

Supervisor's Report.

   Annual report of the supervisor of the town of Cortlandville for the year 1894:

GENERAL FUND.

   Balance on hand last report—$342.39

   Received of town collector—22,453.23

   [Total] 22,795.62

   Paid on town orders audited and approved by town board, 22,513.16

   Balance on hand, 282.46

LICENSE MONEY.

   Received license money, 140.00

DOG FUND.

   Balance on hand last report, 43.22

   Received of collector, 143.55

   [Total] $186.77

   Paid on sheep orders approved by town board, 174.00

   Balance on hand, 12.77

   [Indemnity for stray dog attacks on sheep—CC editor.]

SCHOOL FUND.

   Balance on hand last report, 10.60

   Amount received from county treasurer, 6,587.29

   Interest local fund, 92.56

   $6,690.45

   Paid on school orders approved by town board, 6,671.13

   Balance on hand, 9.32

   The town local fund is used for school purposes and consists of securities to the amount of $1,964.50.

   The bonded indebtedness of the town upon bonds issued to aid in building the Ithaca & Cortland and Utica, Chenango & Cortland railroads amounts to $178,700. There was retired and cancelled in the year 1894, $10,000 of the bonded indebtedness.

   There is now in hands of railroad commissioners in sinking fund account sufficient funds to retire $10,000 more of the 5 per cent indebtedness of the town and a call has been issued for same.  

   The whole amount of levy for year 1894:

   Town expenses, $7,248.57

   Memorial day voted at town meeting, 100.00

   Erroneous tax  "       "     " meeting, 62.81

   Interest on town bonds, 81.85

   To pay on principal of town bonds, 8,000.00

   [Total] $23,596.38

   For a more detailed account of said expenditures reference is made to the itemized report made by me to the town board and now on file in the town clerk's office and on pages 39, 65, 66 and 67 of supervisor's Journal for 1894.

   R. B. SMITH,

   Supervisor of Cortlandville.

BREVITIES.

   —The Choral society meets to-night at 7:30 o'clock in the Y. M. C. A. parlor.

   —The remains of Frank E. Harris, whose funeral was held at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon were taken this morning to Cazenovia for interment.

   —While Mr. John Hare was painting in G. M. Hopkins' new store late yesterday afternoon the staging broke and Mr. Hare sustained a sprained ankle.

   —The mothers' meeting (north) will be held Wednesday at 3 P. M. at the home of Mrs. M. A. Morehouse, 15 Wheeler-ave. Subject: "Science of Motherhood."

   —Workmen from Utica are busy at the Universalist church setting up the new pipe organ. It is hoped that it will be up and tuned by Sunday. The organ recital will be held March 5.

   —Revival meetings are to continue in the Free Methodist church on Schermerhorn-st. [Grace Street] the rest of the week. Some interest is manifested. The quarterly meeting will begin on Saturday at 2:30 P. M. District Elder H. W. Fish will be present.

   —The Crescent club gave another of their delightful parties in Empire Hall last evening. Over thirty couples were present, and the usual number of dances were enjoyed. The music, which was furnished by McDermott's orchestra, was exceptionally good.

   —Mr. George Crossman, while removing some decorations over the stage in Taylor hall, fell a distance of about twelve feet. He struck on three chairs making toothpicks of them. He sustained a number of severe bruises but none have proved serious.

   —Near the Delaware Water Gap an immense ice gorge chokes up the Delaware river. The banks of the river for a distance of twelve miles are filled with ice. It is feared much damage will be done unless the gorge breaks up before the time for spring freshets.—Binghamton Republican.

   —H. P. Goodrich yesterday bought of James S. Squires the lot and buildings on Main-st. on which Mr. Squires now has his grocery store and storehouse. The purchase price was $8,000. Mr. Squires has rented the store and storehouse for a year and will continue his business as heretofore.

   —To-morrow, Ash Wednesday, there will be service in Grace church at 10:30 A. M. After to-morrow service, will be held every day during Lent at 4:30 P. M., except on Fridays when it will be at 7:30 P. M. The rector purposes to preach on the Sunday evenings during Lent and on Good Friday evening a series of sermons on "The Seven Last Words." Seats free and all are welcome.

MORA'S OVATION.

Stronger Support than Ever—"Fire Fly" To-night.

   A good sized audience turned out last night to greet the "comedy sunbeam," Mora, in "Dad's Girl." She was exceptionally fine in her role and completely captivated her audience. Mr. Fred Williams is well known to Cortland theatre goers, and, notwithstanding a severe cold, kept the audience in continual peals of laughter while he was on the stage.

   The company has been greatly strengthened by the addition of Miss Minnie DeHaven, who made her first appearance in Cortland with the Rice Stock company, a number of weeks ago. Miss DeHaven, together with the balance of the cast, proved Manager Williams' statement when he said that he has now the strongest company that he has ever had on the road.

   Tonight the Western comedy-drama "Firefly" will be presented for the first time in Cortland. It is one of the best pieces in the company's repertoire and Mora will be at her best in the title role.