Oddities in Inventions Safety Spark and Draft Damper Threatened with a fire in his own home by sparks passing up through the stove pipe into the chimney and alighting on the shingle roof, an inventor recently designed the damper illustrated in the accompanying photograph. It consists of two parts, one f which is the damper proper and the other the spark arrester. The spark arrester .has a perforated disk which along the center line is stamped to form a square socket or a spindle. Mounted on this spindle is a handle that operates the draft damper. In use, the spark arrester normally lies crosswise in the stove pipe and the draft damper may be operated at will by turning the handle on the sleeve. A perforated plate prevents the sparks from passing up through the chimney and it also collects soot which would otherwise clog the chimney. Whenever it is desired to clear the plate of soot, the spindle may be turned, causing the spark arrester disk to strike against the draft damper and thus shake off the soot. Shears With Compound Leverage Scissors or shears as ordinarily constructed r present the simplest type of leverage. Two inventors living in Oregon have sought to improve on this by producing a compound leverage; at the same time the blades are so arranged as to afford a draw cut, thereby improving the efficiency of the device, particularly when cutting heavy materials. As will be noted in our illustration, one of the blades is integral with the handle, while the other blade is fulcrumed on a screw in the first blade and is hinged to the short arm of a lever that constitutes the other handle. The fulcrum of the blade jus referred to is not fixed; instead, the blade is slo te so that it is movable endwise upon its fulcrum, to co pensate for the arc of travel of the short arm of the handle lever. When the handles are brought together there is a toggle action on this blade, while its movement upon its fulcrum produces the desired draw cut. Pistol Handles for Fishing Rods Heretofore no particular care has been exercised in designing the handle of a fishing rod to suit the convenience of the fisherman; but a patent has just been granted to a Western inventor on a unique handle for a fishing rod, which closely resembles that of a pistol. Extending from the butt of the pistol grip is an auxiliary handle, of the type commonly used on fishing rods. Many advantages are claimed for this double form of handle. The fisherman in ordinary still fishing may support the auxiliary handle under his forearm while grasping the pl.tol grip in his hand. This will give him a much better leverage for handling a fish, and will be less tiring. Thumb Knife for Picking Fruit ;A very convenient device for picking fruit has been designed by a man living in the fruit regions of California. It consists of a thimble, which may be tied to the thumb and which terminates in a blade with a keen edge. The fruit is seized in the hand and the stem is severed by means of the thumb knife. With such a device as this the picking of fruit is materially expedited and there is no danger of tearing the branches or marring the fruit when it is plucked. Stairway Skids for Baby Carriages.—It is always a precarious task to take a baby carriage, step by step, down a stairway. Not infrequently the handle gives way and the carriage is dashed to the bottom. Furthermore, the jar of bumping down the steps cannot be entirely avoided, and is injurious to the child. A better scheme seems to be to employ a device, such as illustrated herewith, which consists in a pair of skids that slide smoothly down the steps. The skids are permanently secured to the carriage and normally occupy the position indicated by dotted lines. When it is desired to use them, they :y<e adjusted to the position shown in full lines. The skids are held in this position by bars attached to the front axle, which have sliding connection with the skids and hence, under normal condition, may be telescoped with them. Self-setting Target.—Under certain conditions it is inconvenient, and sometimes impossible, to provide manually operated target resetting devices, particularly for long ranges. In such circumstances, the self-setting target here illustrated should prove of' value. The targets, which may be of any number desired, are mounted on bell-crank lovers, weighted to keep them upright. When a target is struck by a bullet, the lever is swung on its axis, and the toe of the weighted arm snaps past a leaf 3pring, which serves to retain the target- in depressed position. Target after target may thus be depressed, but when the last of the set has been shot down, the entire series of targets is reset. The leaf springs which hold ;he individual targets are mounted on a framo which is normally held in horizontal position by a counterweight. The accumulated weight of the entire series of bell-crank levers is sufficient to overbalance this counterweight, causing the frame to swing on its axis and liberate the levers, which thereupon swing back to their normal position.' Razor-stropping Device.—The advent of the safety razor has made necessary the use of special forms of razor strops, particularly adapted for sharpening the short handleless razor blades. One of these razor stropping devices is illustrated herewith. The razor blade is gripped by a small carrier connected by a pair of links to a framo around which the razor strop is stretched. Owing to the double link connection with the carrier, the razor blade is always maintained at the proper angle with respect to the strop, as it is moved along the leather. At the end of the stroke the two links serve to lift the blade clear of the strop, permitting it to be turned over to bring the opposite side to bear. Ever-level Table for Ships.—Many different types of tables and chairs have been invented, for use on ships in time of storm. As a rule they are designed on the pendulum principle and are arranged to swing relatively to the ship, under the action of gravity, thus maintaining a constant horizontal position. The objection to this scheme is that the table or chair is apt to sway, and is never perfectly steady. Seeking to overcome this difficulty, and inventor in Texas has designed the table pictured in the accompanying drawing. The table top is mounted on a ball joint, which is supported on four legs secured to the deck or floor of the vessel. Extending from this ball joint is a rod supporting a heavy weight at its lower end. This is the pendulum that holds the table top level. However, in order to damp the oscillation of the pendulum, four oil cylinders are attached to the table legs, while the plungers that play in these cylinders are connected by ball joints to the pendulum rod. The cylinders are filled with oil and the plungers are provided with perforations, to permit .the passage of the oil through them as they move in and out of the cylinders. The viscosity of the oil tends to make the pendulum move sluggishly, but not so sluggishly as to prevent the table from keeping its horizontal position as the ship rolls. Notes for Inventors Attitude of Patent Office Toward Perpetual Motion.—The Patent Office regards perpetual motion as meaning a mechanical motion which creates energy, that is to say, a machine which works and operates without the aid of any power other than that generated by the machine itself and which machine, when once started, will operate for an indefinite time. The Patent Office also holds that these views are in accord with those of the scientists who have investigated the subject and are to the effect that mechanical perpetual motion is a physical impossibility. These views can be successfully rebutted only by the exhibition of a working model, and while many persons have filed applications for patents on perpetual motion, such applications have been rejected as being inoperative and as opposed to well-known physical laws and in no instance has the requirement of the Patent Office for a working model been complied with. The Patent Office will not now permit an application for patent on perpetual motion to be filed without a model, this practice having been adopted by the Patent Office to save appli-can ts for patent the loss of fees paid with their applications in cases where perpetual motion has been claimed. After an application for patent has been considered by the Patent Office Examiner, the first government fee of $15.00 cannot be returned. Five Patents to a Montclair Inventor.— Among the patents issued September 5th, 1911, are five patents, No. 1,002,246 to No. 1,002,249, and No. 1,002,506, to Carle-ton Ellis of Montclair, N. J., assignor to Ellis-Foster Company, for continuous process and apparatus for making white lead, Agricultural Spray Composition, Inoculated Humus and Process of Making Same, Electrical Oxidation of Nitrogen and Seasoning Material and Making Same. A Telephone Mouth-piece Improvement. —Gustavus A. Duryee of New York city has patented, No. 1,002,238, a telephone attachment in which the mouth-piece is yieldingly supported in a casing, mounted upon the transmitter, so that the mouthpiece can adjust itself to the mouth of the speaker. A New Carwheel Molding Flask.— Alfred Cordingly of Denver, Colo., has secured a patent, No. 1,003,709, for a car-wheel molding flask with upper and lower sections, with upwardly projecting portions on the lower section which are beveled to engage the upper section and maintain the sections in proper relation. A Safety Device for Flying Machines.— In patent No. 1,003,714, to Josiah W. Dal-son of New York city, is shown a parachute having a lock for holding it normally collapsed and close to an aeroplane, together with means for automatically opening the parachute when the lock is released and for spreading the parachute w hen the lock is released, the parachute being detachably connected to the aeroplane and having secured to it a take-off connection for supporting an a.viator. High Speed Trolley Wheel.—The patent, No. 1,003,862, to Albert H. Armstrong of Schenectady, N. Y., assignor to the General Electric Company, presents a high speed trolley w.heel which carries at its periphery independently pivoted blades which form freely movable contact making means that can be projected outwardly by centrifugal force to make contact with the trolley wire, irrespective of its varying distances from the axis of the wheel, and a motor is provided to positively rotate the trolley wheel. An Automobile Door Indicator.—Patent No. 1,003,867, to Leon L. Bories of San Francisco, Cal., provides for notifying a chauffeur when an automobile door is closed. This is done by providing a door actuated mechanism which serves, when the door is closed, to operate a suitable indicator. Paper as a Substitute for Laths.—A novel plaster support for wall covering and forming a support for plaster, comprises a flexible, laminated sheet of paper board, capable of being compactly rolled and spaced, thin, flat strengthening strips extending transversely of and secured to one surface of the paper board. This was patented, No. 1,003,754, to Frederick L. Kane of Huntington, N. Y. A New Barber's Comb.—A hair-cutter's comb is shown in patent No. 1,003,568, to James L. Woods of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It has teeth which-gradually diminish in length from end to end of the comb, with one edge of the teeth formed with inclined portions and the remaining portion straight or parallel with the opposite edge of the teeth, so the comb can be utilized as a gage in cutting hair. Metal Railroad Ties.—Three patents, No. 1,003,637 to No. 1,003,639, have been granted to William Henry Morgan of Alliance, Ohio, for metal railroad ties, all three of the ties being characterized by cross or transverse portions and end portions which extend lengthwise the rails for supporting the latter. A Two-part Medicine Bottle.—A medicine bottle, having a bottle within it with the stopper of the inner bottle seated in the inner end of the stopper of the outer bottle, is shown in patent No. 1,002,293, to Richard P. McGrann of Lancaster, Pa. An Electrically Heated Hot Water Bag. —Patent No. 1,002,253 presents a hot water bag having a removable stopper and an electrode carried by the stopper and exposed within the bag, the stopper having on its outer side special means for connection with an electric circuit, the electrode being removable with the stopper. A Novel Lubricating Material.—Henry P. White of Kalamazoo, Mich., presents in a patent, No. 1,002,349, a packing material which includes crumpled sheet metal, coated with oil and powdered graphite and folded and compacted together. A New Mergenthaler Line Caster.— John R. Rogers of Brooklyn, N. Y., has assigned to the Mergenthaler Company a patent, No. 1,002,320, for a line casting machine which has a magazine for use in an inclined position, which has a straight channeled body portion and a straight receiving end in alignment with the body portion and vertically partitioned. Detection of Counterfeits.—Patent No. 1,002,600, to Edward Robert Morris and Alfred Edwin Bantree of London, England, provides for detecting counterfeits by applying to the fabric of the document distinctive identifying characters or designs and a ground work as specified, the characters and designs being discernible only by aid of a detector in the form of a special light. Two New Edison Patents.—Thomas A Edison has in the Gazette of September 5th, 1911, two patents, one, No. 1,002,504, for an apparatus for crushing and separating fine materials, and the other, No. 1,002,505, for a composition for sound records and other objects. The latter is assigned to Thomas A. Edison, Incorporated, and the composition includes shellac and a halogenized Napthaline, crystallizing as fibers distributed through the shellac. An Allis-Chalmers Turbine.—Max Rotter of Milwaukee, Wis., has assigned to Allis-Chalmers Company, of the same place, a patent, No. 1,002,813, for a turbine in which an exhaust pipe extends from an engine and is divided into two paths, one of which communicates with a condenser and the other path leads to the turbine, while a governor controls valves which limit the flow through the two paths. Wanted: An Automatic Doffer.—If someone could invent an efficient, satisfactory doffing machine for cotton spinning machines that would be automatic in its operation, it would doubtless quickly come into general use. It should be applicable to the various styles of spinning frames and should not be limited in its usefulness to any particular style of bobbin, but should be capable of operating in connection with any of the different forms of bobbins met with in the modern spinning machine. Legal Notes "Collier” a Descriptive Term for Dynamite.—In the case of the Sinnamahoning Powder Manufacturing Company, the Patent Office has held that the word Collier, as applied to dynamite, is descriptive and not registrable, since it would indicate to the trade that it was intended for use in coal mining; also that the color of the package in which goods are placed cannot constitute a trade-mark for such goods, and that the Examiner of Trademarks properly refused to allow the applicant to describe the mark as appearing on a red package. Acquiring Trade-mark Rights.—In acquiring the exclusive right to the use of a trade-mark, the important act is the actual use of the mark on the goods to which it applies, in commerce. This, of course, includes the adoption of the mark, since it cannot be used until after its adoption, but the adoption alone of the mark, apart from a bona fide use thereof does not give any trade-mark rights therein. When once begun, the use of the mark must be continuous, since any cessation in the use tends to abandonment. The continuity of use depends on the goods; the market for some goods, fertilizers, seed corn and the like, has seasons of aetivity and seasons of quiet and the use of the mark follows the seasons. Lecture on Trade-marks.—That the systematic study of trade-mark law is receiving more attention in the established schools of law, is evidenced by the announcement that this season Mr. William L. Symons, the Assistant Examiner in the Trade-mark Division of the Patent Office, will deliver courses of lectures on the subject of Trade-marks, Prints and Labels and Unfair Competition in Trade, in the Washington College of Law, Washington, D. C.; the Richmond College, School of Law at Richmond, Va., and the Washington and Lee University School of Law, at Lexington, Va. An Important Decision on Reissues.— In the U. S. .Circuit Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit, in Moneyweight Scale Company, the Court affirmed the decree below, sustaining the Reissue Patent, No. 12,137. The Court said: "Authority to grant reissues is now derived exclusively from the statute. (R. S. 4916; U. S. Comp. St. 1901, p. 3393.) And the Com missioner goes beyond his jurisdiction if he grants a reissue for an invention (though conceded to be the invention of the applicant) which is not the same invention that was disclosed and described as the applicant's invention (not merely that lurked in the drawings or description of the machine as a machine) in the original patent, which, by reason of inadvertence, accident, or mistake, is inoperative to secure the monopoly it shows on its face was intended to be secured." Referring to the original patent, the Court says: "The two claims allowed do not fulfill the promise. They are only for combinations of less than the total number of elements in the complete scale and are expressed in general terms. The original patent on its face was therefore inoperative to protect 'the details of construction' which the specification has particularly pointed out and which individualized the machine that appellee was manufacturing thereunder." As to some of the claims presented during the prosecution of the original application, it is said: "We have examined each of the twenty-seven rejected claims and have failed to find one that would be adequate to secure a monopoly of the DeVilbiss computing-scale, that would cover 'the details of construction' in which the in vention as an entirety resided." The decision refers to the fact that none of the reissue claims corresponds with the subject matter of any abandoned claim; and that no reissue claim is broader than the allowed claims, and points out that— “Where none of the original claims presented by an applicant for a patent was adequate to cover the invention disclosed by the specification and drawings, acquiescence in the rejection of such claims is not an abandonment of the invention as an entirety, and the failure of his solicitors to submit adequate claims is an inadvertence which may entitle i the applicant to a reissue." RECENTLY PATENTED INVENTIONS. These columns are open to all patentees. The notices are inserted by special arrangement with the inventors. Terms on application to the Advertising Department of the Scientific American. Pertaining to Apparel. TREAD FOR BOOTS AND SHOES.-W. B. Acker, Washington, D. C. The primary object of the inventor is to obviate many objectionable features and to present to the trade a heel or tread having a plurality of longitudinal wear resisting strips embedded therein so as to prevent slipping when walking on smooth or wet pavements, the invention being particularly adapted for use with cushion heels, as the strips do not impair the elastic or resilient properties thereof. REINFORCEMENT FOR GARMENT FORMS.—E. T. Palmenbeeg, New York, N. Y., and F. W. Kreusch, Bayonne, N. J. The object here is to provide a reinforcement for forms arranged to prevent cutting into the cloth covering of the form by the shears of the fitter, at the same time permitting the insertion of pins or similar fastening devices, generally used for holding the garment temporarily in place on the form during the fitting process. SKIRT.—A. Goldberg, New York, N. Y. The aim of the improvement is to provide a simple and durable skirt, petticoat or the like, which can be easily put on and taken off, the waist band of which is adjustable so that the skirt can be worn by persons having different waist measurements, and which provides pockets for carrying valuables and the like. TROUSERS CREASER.—A. Dombrowsky, Las Cascadas, Panama. In this patent the invention is an improvement in trousers creasers and is fully shown in the side view illustration of the device as in use. The inventor's object is to provide a simple and novel construction which will be efficient in use, made in sections which can be conveniently detached to permit the device to be packed In small space and which can be quickly set up for use. By adjusting the clasp shown in the dotted line position at the bottom of the right hand side, it will operate to hold the side bars of the clamp firmly upon the trousers. If desired, the clamps may be made one longer than the other to adapt them for use at the front and rear edges of the trousers leg as shown. NECKTIE.—I. Lewin, New York, N. Y. This article is an improved form of reversible entirely woven necktie. One of the objects of the invention is to provide an all-woven necktie which comes from the loom completely woven, having the neckband thereof the common tubular construction and the ends forming with the neckband a reversible open-ended four-in-hand tie. Of Interest to Farmers. AUTOMOBILE PLOW.—Oliver H. Lincoln and Edson O . .Parkhurst, Brownell, Kan. This invention, the sectional side view of which is illustrated herewith, relates to automobile plows, and it has for its object to provide one, with traction wheels disposed near the front and at all times in the same position relatively to the engine, whether the plow is being driven in a straight line or is being turned to on-e side or the other, the plowshares being disposed under the engine and SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN 875 being held down to their work by the weight thereof. By a movement of a lever the plowshares may be moved up or down to a position where they will engage the earth and will do the general work desired, these plowshares being secured to the lower frame having the transverse members. DEVICE FOR AERATING, COOLING, AND CLEANING MILK.—C. W. Ticknor, Mount Kisco, N. Y. The intention in this case is to provide a conduit having ribs for collecting any dirt which may be in the mllk, the conduit being cooled by an adjoining receptacle containing water, so that the milk will not only be cleaned, but will also be cooled and aerated when passing through the conduit. CULTIVATOR.—W. E. Brown, Herrick, S. D. In this machine the operator has an easy and complete control. He can follow a row closely without covering or plowing up plants that may be on one side of the row. The disks may be guided to follow a row, -regardless to a certain extent of the position of the supporting frame. In this movement both hands are left free for operating other_ parts of the machine, thus effecting the saving of time and the operator's strength. MOTOR DISK PLOW.—J. M. Henton, Edgemont, S. D. This invention provides a carrying frame and traction mechanism with means arranged to propel the frame intermittently and as controlled; provides means for, at will, varying the position of the driving wheels of the traction mechanism relatively to the grinding wheels of the frame to vary the pivot on which the frame is swung; provides rotary plowing members and a rotary driving mechanism arranged to rotate the plowing members independently of the traction mechanism of the carrying frame; provides devices for gripping the ground in a manner to form traction devices auxiliary to the main traction mechanism; and provides rotary plowing devices having means for shearing surface vegetation and shattering subsoil. CULTIVATOR—Clifford A. Corwin, p. o. Box 466, Riverhead, L. I., New York. The cultivator shown in rear perspective view in elevation, is of the adjustable type. The purpose of the inventor is to provide one with a series of hoes connected together so as to be adjusted simultaneously with means for locking them In an elevated position out of con tact with the ground, and with means for locking them in a plurality of adjusted positions intermediate their uppermost and lowermost positions. A plurality of hoes connected together is provided with means for taking up the shock incident to the change of position of the hoes. A cultivator with a plurality of wheels, forming a carriage to support the same, the wheels being adjustable relative to the frame so as to guide the cultivator. Of General Interest. DISPLAY RACK.—T. N. Figuers, Jr., Columbia, Tenn. This rack is for use in shops or stores for displaying dry goods, gents' furnishings, or other articles. The same is preferably constructed and applied as an attachment of a show-case, it being composed of foldable and detachable parts which adapt it to be extended vertically above the show-case for use, or partly dismembered and folded on the back of the show-case in such manner as to remove it from view. TRUSS.—L, L. Baker, Denison, Texas. This invention refers to trusses and is particularly useful in connection with devices intended for the alleviation or cure of abdominal hernia. The aim is to provide a truss in which the pads are resiliently secured to the frame of the device. Further, to provide a truss to which may bo removably secured abdominal wings, and, if necessary, a suspensory. BALANCING TANK.^L. F. Ragot, Milford, Pa. This inventor seeks to provide a tank suitable for use upon flying machines and the -like, for carrying hydrocarbon fuel used for furnishing power for the machine, the parts being so constructed and arranged that as the liquid Is gradually used up and consequently the tank becomes lighter, the center of gravity of the tank remains in Its original position relatively to the framework of the machine. EYEGLASSES.—L. B. Becker, New York, N. Y. The purpose in this case is to provide improvements in eyeglasses, whereby the pivoted nose clips can be readily placed in position on their supporting studs or removed therefrom and interchanged with a view to locate the nose clips nearer to or farther from the bridge, as required or desired by the user. PNEUMATIC ACTION.—Herman Meyer, New York, N. Y. This improvement refers to self-players, self-playing pianos and like instruments, and its object is to provide a pneumatic action having a bleed hole adjustment, to permit accurate and quick regulation of the diaphragms and valves from the outside, with a view to insure proper opening and closing of the pneumatics. AUXILIARY STOPPING DEVICE'.—Herman Meyer, New York, N. Y. This invention relates to piano players, self-playing pianos and like instruments, and the inventor provides a device more especially designed to enable the performer to stop the motor quickly while playing and when music calls for a rest, and without the performer changing the position of the tempo lever or removing his hand therefrom, TRADE MARK FOR A LUBRICATING OIL FOR MACHINERY.—J. A. Fleming, Room 308, No. 328 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa. Mr. Fleming has adopted and used this trade-mark for a lubricating oil for machinery, in Class 15, oil and greases. The trade-mark is applied or affixed to bottles containing the lubricant by placing thereon a printed label on which the trade-mark is shown. MOUSE TRAP.—H. A. Questroy, New York, N. Y. An object here is to provide a means to kill the rat or mouse at the time it is caught. The trap is simply constructed and has <few parts which might get out of order. It is set by opening a hinged cover, drawing a closure open against the action of a spring and holding the closure by engaging a bracket with a lever, which In turn is held by a bait-holding lever. MOLDING FLASK.—L. J. Kreutzberg, Easton, Pa. An object of this inventor is to provide a flask made up of a number of copes, said copes being fastened together so as to form practically a unitary cope with means for fastening the cope thus made to the dag. A further object is to provide a novel form of fastening means so that the several parts of the flask may be quickly clamped together, or unclamped, as occasion demands. STUMP BURNER.—F. P. Rand, Spokane, Wash. This is an improved device for use in burning the bodies and roots of stumps, both dry and green. It enables a stump to be destroyed quickly and easily, without the use of any dangerous explosive, while the construction is such that it may be easily manipulated and may be produced at small cost. Hardware and Tools. WRENCH.—F. W. Fritchey, Sandusky, Ohio. This wrench has a fixed jaw and a movable jaw, the latter being so connected to the handle that when it is pulled to turn a pipe, rod or other contrivance, the act of pulling not only exerts a leverage on the handle but also exerts a leverage action on the pivoted end of the movable jaw, causing the hold of the wrench to be tightened. The wrench is shown in side elevation in the accompanying engraving. It is simple in construction and efficient in action. It can be cheaply manufactured and is well adapted for all purposes to which tools of this description are applied. SAW TOOL.—D. R. Williams, Whittemore, Mich. One of the objects of this inventor is to provide a simple and inexpensive saw tool, by means of which the jointing or aligning of the teeth of a saw can be effected rapidly and easily, and by means of which the cleaner or raked teeth of a saw can be filed down uniformly to any desired point. DOOR GAGE.—Carl E. Rose, P. O. Box 194, San Diego, Cal. An object here Is to provide a gage which may be extended In either direction and which is provided with means for marking the position of the hinges, etc. Tile gage has parts which may be used for other purposes than for gaging doors, windows, etc., as for instance a bevel square, straight-edge, plumb and level, grade finder, and slide rule. The invention provides a scale which may be folded into a small compass when not in use, and one having a novel form of marking device. The engraving herewith represents a side view of one embodiment of the invention, the level and marking device being applied thereto. DOUBLE LINE STRIPER.—Howard E. King, Somerville, Conn. This invention is illustrated herewith in a perspective view. The improvement relates to a form of double-line stripers for use more particularly by carriage painters for striping the wheels and bodies of carriages, automobiles. wagons, or in any other place where a double line is desired. An object is to provide a double striper, the distance between the brushes of which may be varied at will. The inventor attains the above outlined object by disposing two brushes on a support, and by means of a rack and pinion movement, separate the brushes as desired. PLATE LIFTER.—Joseph E. Wenman, New Philadelphia, Pa. The accompanying engraving represents the plate lifter in a perspective view. The invention relates to a form of lifter or detachable handle for articles, especially those which are too hot to be readily handled without the interposition of some such tool. The object is to provide a utensil having parts, which may readily be constructed from metal wire without the use of any connecting pivots. The relative parts are so constructed -that they may be mutually traced, and the parts are so constructed that they may be readily and removably locked in position. In the construction each member is made continuous of one length of wire, and there are no drilled joints. BLADE HOLDER.—Paul R. Buchholz, care of Chattanooga Mcd. Co., Chattanooga, Tenn. In this instance the invention relates more particularly to a holding device for flexible blades such as are used in safety razors. It will securely hold a blade in position for shaving or stropping. The blade is shown in the illustration herewith inserted in the holder. This is done by merely flexing it sufficiently to enter the slot and then pushing it in as tar as It will go. It may be removed therefrom by pressing against the inner, upper corner, of the blade, with one finger, thereby swinging the blade outwardly above the lower corner thereof as a pivot. Heating and Lighting. LAMP.—F. M. Euler, Elizabeth, N. J. This invention relates to an adjustable and quick-detachable incandescent lamp. An object is to provide a lamp of any suitable type, such as an incandescent lamp, in which the lamp proper. and in this case the bulb, is adjustable to a plurality of angles, whereby the light may be directed to any desired point. machines and mechanical Devices. LISTING INDICATOR.—Joseph Arnst, 516 North Clark Street, Chicago, Ill. The accompanying view is of an indicator constructed and arranged in accordance with the invention, the same being shown in conjunction with a stanchion for an aeroplane. The invention provides an instrument with indicators having visible scales and indicating members mov- able thereover to show the lateral list of such a machine as an aeroplane, and simultaneously the pitch of said aeroplane on its median transverse axis; provides an instrument, the bodies of said index member being arranged in vertical planes, the last being perpendicular; and provides for the indicator being folded into compact form. Pertaining to Vehicles. WAGON BOX FASTENER.—Harvey E. Bart, Broken Arrow, Okla. This invention is an improvement in wagon box fasteners, and its object is the provision of a simple, inexpensive and easily operated device for use in holding the parts of the box firmly together, without injury to the same, which may be quickly applied or removed. The accom- WAGON BOX FASTENER. panying illustration shows the fastener in its front view. The device consists essentially of a pair of telescoping members or bars, each having a clamping jaw at its outer end, cooperating with the jaw of the other member, and a clamp for holding the members or sections in adjusted position. Designs. DESIGN FOR WALL PAPER.—H. Wearne, Rixheim, Alsace, Germany. In this ornamental design for wall paper the entire width shows a streaked effect interspersed with slightly undulating dotted lines composed of small square white dots. DESIGN FOR AN IMAGE.—H. C. Anderson, Pensacola, Fla. In this ornamental design the image is a male figure of a dog in the complete costume of hat, suit and shoes of the French court type of Louis XIV. Note.—Copies of any of these patents will be furnished by the Scientific American for ten cents each. Please state the name of the patentee, title of the invention, and date ol this paper. }Notes and Queries, 1 Kindly keep your Queries on separate sheets of paper when corresponding about such matters as patents, subscriptions, books, etc. This will greatly facilitate answering your questions, as in many cases they have to be referred to experts. The full name and address should be given on every sheet. No attention will be paid to unsigned queries. Full hints to correspondents are printed from time to time and will be mailed on request. (12551) W. E. W. Y. says: On the evening of September 7th, at 7 :30 o'clock, there appeared a beautiful lunar rainbow in the western heavens. At about 7 P. M. a dark cloud arose in the west, and rain fell heavily for some minutes. It was perfectly clear in the east, and the full moon, coming up from the under world, shot its rays through the rain drops, with the result of a gorgeous rainbow at night. This is the first time a phenomenon of the sort has been observed here, so far as investigation discloses. Are there many instances of lunar rainbows on record? A. Lunar rainbows are not a frequent occurrence. This one seems to have been unusually brilliant. Generally but a few colors are seen. The moon on September 7th was within one day of the full, and hence gave almost the maximum of light. This would account for the brightness of this lunar bow. The noted geologist, Edward Hitchcock, formerly president of Amherst College, Massachusetts, once said in an address, “He who has seen one total eclipse of the sun, or one transit of a planet over the sun, or one November shower of meteors, or one splendid comet, or one lunar iris, or one volcanic eruption, may be satisfied, and cannot hope for a second sight.” The writer of this note has seen all of these grand phenomena of nature, excepting a meteor shower of the first rank, and a great volcanic eruption; but he has had the privilege of seeing a lunar iris on two occasions, and ha s seen volcanoes in action and many smaller meteor showers. The geologist was right in his list of rare natural phenomena. (12552) F. R. K says: I desire to copper-plate glass plates, 20 inches by 26 inches, for use as a condenser in wireless telegraphy. Will you please give some method of coating the glass to render it a conductor, and also give voltage necessary? A. Glass may be prepared for copper,plating by giving it a coat of copal varnish or of gutta percha in benzole. When this ,is .dry, it will take plumbago in the ordinary way. Copper-plating with an acid bath requires from 0.5 to 1.5 volts. With a cyanide .bath, 2 to 5 volts are needed. Various processes and formulas may be found in Watt's “Electro-Plating,” price $4.50. It would seem necessary to have some good manual at hand for the numerous details of the work. It would be much easier for a novice to coat the glass with silver, as in a mirror. This process is fully described in our Supplement 1671, price ten cents. The silver surface would be just as effective as a copper coating. The silver could be plated with copper. It might be the easiest way to obtain a base for the copper plating to deposit a thin coating of silver on the glass and plate the copper upon that. (12553) W. A. S. asks: Have you a Supplement that will give detailed information in regard to magnetizing magnets, such as are commonly used on such magnetos as are used for gas engine ignition? A. Unless one has a powerful direct current of electricity at his disposal, it would be better to send magnets away to be magnetized. The process. however, is simple. A coil of wire should he made of such size that it will slip over the magnets, so that the magnets may be passed through the coil. No. 16 B.&S. single cotton-covered copper magnet wire may be used, and 100 turns will be sufficient. Wind as compactly as possible and in four layers, This will make a coil about an inch and a half long' and less than a half inch deep. If made for permanent use it should be well filled with shellac and dried before taking it from the form or spool upon which it has been wound. It should also be secured from unwinding by binding it with fine cord. This coil will stand ten amperes or more for some little time without overheating. F'or most convenient use it may be connected in .series with an arc light as a resistance. It cannot be connected directly to a lighting circuit; its resistance is too low. It would be made very hot in a few seconds, or the fuses would be melted out, Pass the magnet to be charged through this coil several times. A small compass will give you the polarity of the coil and magnet. (12554) A. D. asks: Can you give me a formula to make a solution to do electro silver plating with wet batteries 'I A. A solution for silver plating may he made to contain 3 ounces of silver chloride and 9 to 12 ounces of potassium cyanide per gallon of water. The mode of preparation and the care of the bath are fully given in Van Horne's “Modern Electroplating,” which we will send for $1. It is quite as important to keep the bath- in good condition as it is to have it right at the outset. NEW BOOKS, ETC. Yellow Fever and Its Prevention. A Manual for Medical'Students and Prac titioners. By Sir Rubert W. Boyce, M.B., F.R.S. New York: E. P. Dutton&Co., 1911. 8vo.; 380 pp.; illustrated. Price, $3.50 net. The distinguished author of “Yellow Fever and Its Prevention” has had exceptional opportunities for the observation of this scourge in New Orleans, Central America, the West Indies, and Africa. His high standing in pathology and tropical medicine gives the volume an authority which no student or practitioner can afford to ignore. Many will recall his previous work, “Health Progress and Administration in the West Indies,” in which was sketched the history of' yellow fever in the West Indies and Central America. The present work deals more particularly with the scourge as observed in West Africa, although its general history and geographical distribution are first given. In succeeding divisions the disease is discussed from the viewpoints of symptomatology and treatment, pathology, epidemiology, and entomology, while not the least interesting and perhaps the most practical division is the closing one, under the head of prophylaxis. In this division a successful plan of campaign is drawn, which includes prompt official notification of the danger, the enforced retirement of non-im-munes to a place of safety, an organized attack upon the breeding grounds of the Steg-om1j»o, the evacuation and fumigation of infected bungalows, and the perforation of gutters. Plates, maps, and fever charts elucidate the text and add materially to its value. Gas Engines. By W. J. Marshall and Capt. H. Riall Sankey, R.E. New York: D. Van Nostrand Company, 1911. 8vo.; 278 pp.; illustrated. Price, $2 net, "Gas Engines” is addressed primarily, not to designers and manufacturers, but to purchasers and users, that they may gain a better understanding of the possibilities and peculiarities of the internal-combustion engine and acquire more satisfaction and profit in its use. The intending purchaser is given information that will guard him against impossible claims for power and economy. The theory of the subject is carefully set forth, with the fundamental principles of its thermo-dynamics. The descriptions of typical cycles are accompanied by that wealth of illustration which is absolutely necessary to thorough instruction in any complicated device. The operation of the engine is given the space and consideration worthy of its importance. Gas and gas producers form the subject of the final chapter. The work is a very condensed and satisfactory presentation of a subject of universal interest. Mathematics for the Practical Man. By George Howe, M.E. New York: D. Van Nostrand Company, 1911. 12mo.; 143 pp. Price, $1.25 net. The author has been impressed by the scarcity of published courses in the fundamentals of mathematics, and the tendency of these courses to treat the subject in a popular rather than a scientific way. The attendance at night schools is made up of such diverse bodies of men, of such varying degrees of training or lack of training, that instruction must always begin with studies already familiar to a large number of the students. The textbook in hand is designed to meet the requirements of night classes, in that it begins at the beginnVng, assumes no mathematical knowledge beyond arithmetic on the part of the student, and strives to eliminate the vagueness and diffuse-ness of the average elementary work. It contains the fundamentals of algebra, the first principles of trigonometry, logarithms, and the elementary principles of co-ordinate geometry and of the calculus. Les Lois Experimentales de l'Aviation. Par M. Alexandre. See, Ancien Elevede l'Ecole Polytechnique. Paris: Librairie Aeronautique, 1911. 8vo.; 348 pp.; il-lustrated. M, See's papers constitute a thoughtful and well-arranged presentation of the laws governing the science of flight. The five divisions of the work are “The Laws of Air-Resistance,” “The Theory of the Aeroplane,” “The Flight of Birds” “A Study of the Propeller,” and “The Problem of Stability.” The conclusions at which the author arrives, and the expression of these conclusions in principles and equations, occupy far too much space to be summarized here, But the work will well repay study, and should be in the library of all experimenters. It is characterized by its Parisian reviewers .as a remarkably clear and complete exposition of flight and the laws by which flight is governed. Rand-McNally Official Indexed Pocket Maps and Shippers' Guides. New York: Rand, McNally&Co., 1911. Price, 25 cents each. We are in receipt of the following pocket maps and guides : Alberta. Colorado, Florida, Illinois. Indiana. Manitoba, Massachusetts, Mexico. Michigan. Minnesota, Newfoundland, New Jersey. New York, Ohio, Oregon, Saskatchewan. Texas. and Washington. These are detailed and very legible maps. showing the steam railroads and proposed extensions. with all stations and junctions plainly indicated. Electric roads are given in red. The new divisions and boundary lines, and the new post offices and express offices, are entered. Population, based upon the figures of the latest Census, is given for every city and village, Shippers, travelers, Civil Service students and others will continue to appreciate the cheap and handy form of this up-to-date information as they have done In the past. Electroplating. By Henry C. Reetz. Chicago: Popular Mechanics Company, 1911. 12mo.; 99 pp.; illustrated. Price, 25 cents. This treatise describes the process of electroplating and tells how to make a small outfit with a glass fruit jar and a wet battery. The more advanced phases of the subject are also entered, with a description of shop equipment and specific directions for nickelplating, silverplatt'1g, and goldplating, and a chapter of suggestions that may aid in establishing the beginner upon a business basis. The Whistler Book. A Monograph of the Life and Position in Art of James McNeill Whistler. Together with a Careful Study of his more Important Works. By Sadakichi Hartmann. Boston: L. C. Page&Co., Inc., 1910. 12mo.; 272 pp. ' The art of Whistler Is very much in the public eye in this country at the present time owing to the remarkable Whistler exhibition which was held last year in the Metropolitan Museum. The writer is admirably equipped to perform a most difficult task. The illustrations are admirably chosen and are beautifully executed, being printed on coated paper; the illustrations are inserted. Like all the books in this series, it is beautifully printed and bound. Wood-working for Amateur Craftsmen. By Ira S. Griffith, A.B. Chicago: Popular Mechanics Company, 1911. 12mo.; 121 pp.; illustrated. Price, 25 cents. The student is first taught the care of tools, the laying out of rough stock, and the uses of the plane and the saw. Several simple objects are then pictured, such as a bird an umbrella stand, a table, a cabinet—and in taking the beginner through the details of their construction further knowledge of the handling of tools and material is easily and naturally imparted. The Boston Museum of Fine Arts. By Julia DeWolf Addison. Boston: L. C. Page&Co., Inc., 1910. 12mo.; 454 pp. The present work gives a descriptive and critical account of the treasures of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, which represent the arts and crafts of remote antiquity to the present time. A work of this kind is of the greatest possible value, as it can be taken right into the gallery, where it serves as an amplified catalogue. The collections in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts are too well known to call for any praise. The collection has been admirably made and is admirably housed, particularly in the new buildings. The illustrations in the book are wisely selected and are beautifully reproduced and printed. Like all the books of this publisher, it is an excellent piece of book making and is attractively bound. Molding Concrete Chimneys, Slate and Roof Tiles. By A. A. Houghton. New York: The Norman W. Henley Publishing Company, 1911. 61 pp. Price, 50 cents. This handbook is No. 4 of the series, and is explanatory of the ways in which roof tiling and chimneys are manufactured of concrete. The text is fully illustrated by original drawings, and in this, as in the other numbers of the series, a feature is made of easily constructed molds. The factor of safety has been steadily kept in mind. Molding and Curing Ornamental Concrete. By A. A. Houghton. New York: The Norman W. Henley Publishing Company, 1911. 58 pp. Price, 50 cents. This, No. 5 of the “Concrete Worker's” series, tells the proper proportions of cement and aggregates for different finishes, with the methods of mixing and placing in the molds, and of curing and remedying defects in the surface finish. Also the manner of coating the molds with non-adhesive compound to prevent the concrete from sticking to the molds, Train Rule Examinations Made Easy. By G. E. Collingwood. New York: The Norman W. Henley Publishing Company, 1911. 18mo.; 234 pp. Price, $1.25. Practical Instructor and Reference Book for Locomotive Firemen and Engineers. By Charles F. Lockhart. New York: The- Norman W. Henley Publishing Company, 1911. 12mo.; 362 pp. Price, $1.50. Up-to-Date Air-Brake Catechism. By Robert H. Blackall. New York: The Norman W. Henley Publishing Company, 1911. 12mo.; 352 pp. Price, $2. These three books are of the practical kind that will appeal to men who are actually engaged in railroading. Mr. Blackall's “Air-Brake Catechism,” which has long been a standard work, describes the air-brake equipment and how It is operated. Mr. Lockhart's book is a text book for locomotive engineers and firemen. Mr. Collingwood's book is in the nature of a quiz, and follows tile question and answer method. The three books may be recom -mended for giving a vast amount of information in a very compact form. Immune Sera. By Dr. Charles Frederick Bolduan. New York: John Wiley&Sons, 1911. 226 pp. Price, $1.50. It is probably safe to say that in the scientific world there are few subjects of greater importance, as far as the great public is concerned, than that of the bacteriological treatment of diseases. The advances made in thi field, particularly during the past few years, have been greater, or at least as great as, those in any other field of research. Naturally a subject which touches the well-being o the race so closely as this has provoked a widespread interest, not merely in the medical profession, but throughout every walk of life -Because of the highly scientific character o f the investigations and achievements of the bacteriologist, his work is not easily explained-and is difficult of understanding, not merely by the average citizen, but even by many practitioners whose greatly occupied time prevents them from keeping in close touch with the progress which has been made. Consequently-there has been a call foJ; a work on the subject which would be accurate, simple and concise, yet sufficiently comprehensive for a clear understanding of what has been done and o the ' reasonable expectations of future progress . In the work under review, Dr. Bolduan ap -pears to have successfully met this need. The present volume is the fourth edition of a which first appeared in 1904, and which deal t only with certain anti-bodies, whose discovery had aroused a great deal of scientific interest-To this was added in subsequent editions a discussion of anti-toxins, agglutinins, and op sonins, all of which were naturally embraced under the title “Immune Sera.” In the pres ent edition the scope of the subject matter has been widely extended, and the work contains a clear exposition of the main facts of inf'ec-tion and immunity. Every one who has sufficiently interested to read even cursorily the broader literature on this subject is familia r with the side-chain theory of Ehrlich, which u-' late years has dominated the investigations in this particular field. While admitting the value of Ehrlich's work, the author considers that some of the deductions from his theory have led to conclusions which seemed to violate established biological facts. Therefore, in giv -ing a lengthy presentation of Ehrlich's views, he makes it clear just why and wherein other investigators have differed from him. 0 f particular interest at the present time is a chapter dealing with the principles underlying the treatment of syphilis with Salvarsan, o r 606, as it is popularly called. The value o f this drug is now generally conceded, and leads one to hope that further work along simila lines will sooner or later bring to light specifi c therapeutic agents in other diseases. Those of our readers who have followed the newer conceptions of physical chemistry wil-be interested to see how quickly and extensively these have been taken up by the workers in this fascinating department of medicine. Dr. Bolduan has succeeded in fulfilling the aim of this work, which is to present a broad, clear outline of the main facts and theorie concerning infection and immunity. An excellent feature of the book is the fact that i t i& presented in clear, concise, and forceful English that is not overburdened with technical phraseology. Theorie Physico-Chimique de la Vie et Generations Spontanees. By Ste-phane Leduc. Paris: A. Poinat, '1910. 8vo.; paper. In the introduction to his remarkable book, Prof. Leduc states that the essential phenomenon of life is nutrition. If food is to be assimilated, it must be introduced in the liquid state; hence the elementary phenomenon of life is the contact between alimentary liquids and living substances, and the knowledge of life is subordinated to the knowledge of the physico-chemico phenomena which result from the contact of different liquids. Biology. in Prof. Leduc's opinion, is therefore a part of the physical chemistry of liquids, The physical chemistry of life, therefore, comprises a study of all non-electrolytic solutions and electrolytic solutions, of colloidal solutions. of we molecular forces at play in these solutions. osmotic pressure, crystallization, and the phenomena produced by such forces as diffusion and osmosis. The Tennessee Shad. By Owen Johnson. New York: The Baker&Taylor Com. pany. 12mo.; 310 pp.; illustrated. Price, $1.20 net. When Owen Johnson's “The Varmint” first immortalized the American preparatory school as a few classics had immortalized the so-called “public schools” of England. not the least inspired episode was that of the Tennessee Shad's “sleep prolonger"- and its exploitation by Doc Macnooder. Doc. it will be remembered, so skillfully engineered the financial end of the business as to divert to himself all the profits of the enterprise, In this later story the Tennessee Shad's imagination continues to effervesce, and the development of Macnooder's business instincts is calculated to make a pall-bearer chuckle. Johnson's handling of school themes is delicious and inimitable. October 21, 1911 SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN 377 LEGAL NOTICES OVER 65 YEARS' EXPERIENCE Trade Marks Designs Copyrights Ac. INVENTORS are Invited to communicate with Munn&Co., 301 Broadway, New 'York, or f;25 F Street, Washington, D. C., in regard to securing valid-patent protection for their inventions* Trade-Marks and Copyrights registered. Desi g n Patents and Foreign Paten rs secured. A Free Opinion as to th e probable patentability of an invention will be readily given to any inventor furnishing us with a model or sketch and a brief description of the device in question. All communications are strictly confident!aL Our Hand-Book on Patents will be sent free on request. Ours is the Oldest agency for securing patents; it was established over sixty-five years ago. MUNN&CO., 361 Broadway, New York Branch Office. 625 F St.. Washington. D. C. PA T F N T ^ SECURED OR FEE ATE N 1 S RETORMEX) Free report as to Patentability. Illustrated Guide Book. and What To Invent with Lbt of Inventions Wanted and Prizes offered for inventions sent free. VICTOR . T. KV ANS&CO.. Wash in gton. D.C. Classified Advertisements Advertising in this column is 7;'fJ cents a line. No less than four nor more than 12 lines accepted. Count Beven words to the line. All orders must be accompanied by a remittance. AERONAUTICS. BAMBOO. Special erades of Bamboo for Aeronautic Work.Reed, Rattan and Split Bamboo for models. All a e a d c diam.,anylenKtb. 1. Deltour, Inc., 49 6th Ave., N. ft. C. BOOKS. GET WISE-*1.00 BUYS SEVERANCE'S GREAT Woi'k on Rapid Methods in Mental and Written Arithmetic. 192 pages; size Sent postpaid on receipt of price. D. N. Severance, Detroit, Mich. DEAFNESS. THE DEAF HEAR INSTANTLY with the Acousti-con. For personal use. also tor churches and theatres. Special instruments. You must hear before you purchase. Booklet free. General Acoustic Co.,207 Beaufort St., Jamaica, N.Y. City. Paris branch, 6 Rue d 'Hanovre. PATENTS FOR SALE. VALUABLE PATENT FOR SALE-Machine without competition. Good trade established. Big market. No experiments. An absoi utely clean proposition. Best reasons for selling, R. Winkler, Covington, Ky. CONCRETE BUILDING BLOCK PATENT. Designed for efficiency, strength. and simplicity. Substantial improvement, suitable for basis of permanent business. B.J. Forbes, 76 Campbell Ave., Revere, Mass. FOR SALE. Patent No. 1.002492 Land i ble, pivotal ly mounted. to sti addleany :r i. in cultivation; may operate close to or ^Tii'.^ ti..... sides of plants ; by slight rearrangements ;j --l .....i>'.-:; fields. Jay Brooks, Lafayette, Oreson. FOR SALE. FOR SALE-10,OOO tons Pea Coke; 10.000 tons Slaked Lime. Very cheap. Big - bargain to whoever can handle either of these materials. For full particulars and terms of sale. write Goetz Bros., New Albany, tnd. FOR SALE—A Patent Curtain Hanger or Holder where no pins, hooks or rings are needed. Full particulars and terms on request. I. Krajkowski, 4558 East Thompson street, Brideshurg, Philadelphia, Pa. HELP WANTED. WANTED—Laboratorian, M.OO per diem. A competitive examination will be held for this position October 30, 1911. For further information address Commandant, Navy Yard, Brooklyn, N. Y. LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE WANTED.-Splendid income assured right man to act as our reprpsentative afrer learning our business thoroughly by mail. former experienoe unnecessary. AH we require is honesty, ability, ambition and willingness to learn a lucrative business. No soliciting or traveling. This is an exceptional opportunity for a man in your section to get into a big paying business without capital and become independ'-ent for lite. Write at once for full particulars. Ad-et Real Estate Company,L 378 Mardeu Building.Wasbing-ton, D. C. WANTED. MUNN&CO.—Desires to secure the services of a competent patent attorney, skilled in the preparation of patent specifications. Address Munn&Co., Patent Attorneys, 361Broadway, New York City. WANTED—Manufacturer to make an article. mostly brass, some steel and wood, nickle plated. Steady proposition. On market several years. Communicate witnAlden, care of Kastor's,St. Louis, Mo. WANTED—A man or woman to act at'! our information reporter. All or spare time, No experience necces-sary. $50 to $300 per month. Nothing to sell. Send stamp for particulars. Hales Association, 693 Association f'.lii:. Indianapolis, Indiana. MISCELLANEOUS. THE LOXOGRAPH TRIANGUL AR RULER.- Saves time tracing mechanical drawings. Can be moved over fresh ink lines without blotting. Send for circular. Tbe Loxograph Instrument Co., Wilmington, Del. JUST INVENTED a bottle or cork that cannot be refilled after emptying, useful for ail liquids. Write for particulars. Address. J. Soula, Flat 10, 125 West 28th Street, New York City IN \- ENTO RS, our experience of ten years developing and building inventions is at ;.:ikt-service. Send for estimates, lowest h:ki^_ Ben;). itr. iwiim rin. Mechanical Engineer and r.iLi .i f t. Ellwood City, Pa. MOTORCYCLES CHEAP.—Send to-day for free catalog ol new and used motorcycles. Also motorcycle accessories and attachable motor outfits for converting bicycles into motorcycles, Shaw Manufacturing Company. Dept. 24, Galesburg, Kans. GINSENG Raising is the surest way to make Big Money on Little Capital. One acre will yield 5000 lbs. Sella at $6 a lb. I will buy all you raise. Grows anywhere. Requires your spare time only. If you are not satisfied with your pr' sent income. write me today. T. H. Sutton, 780 Sherwood Ave. , Louisville, Ky. MAKE BIG MONEY operating a Daydark Post Card Machine. Photo postal cards made and delivered on the spot in ten minutes in the open street, No dark room necessary—it does not require an experienced photographer to make first-class pictures. Pays a gross a catalogue. Daydark SpeeialtvCo., Dept. 2 V, St. Louis. FRE*K-"INVESTING FOR PROFIT” Magazine. Send me your name and I will mail you this magazlne absolutely free, Before you Invest a dollar anywhere — get this magazine — It is worth 110 a copy to any man who intends to invest f6 or more per month. Tells you how tl,000 can grow to f22.O00 —how to judge different Classes of investments; the ee six montbsfreo Ifyou wrileto-day. H. l'Barber. Publisher, 423, 28 W. Jackson Blvd .. Chicago. Frank Juliar. Sprague (Concluded from page 363.) Sprague developed the high-speed screw elevator, the automatic house elevator, the double motor drum elevator and other devices. While all this was going on Mr. Sprague had offered to run the Manhattan Elevated Railway electrically, but having to deal with progressives of the type of Gould and Sage, he did not get very far. Turning his efforts to Chicago, he there put into service on the South Side Elevated his “multiple unit” system, under forfeiture contract. Once more he made good, with startling results, so that not only in Chicago, for elevated railway work, the multiple unit system is the only one known, but it is the sole dependence of the roads in New York and Boston. Then came the Manhattan Subways, and all the river tube systems—every one an example of multiple unit application. Mr. Sprague's fundamental and basic patent on this contains nearly 300 claims, a good multiple unit In itself, and a fair exhibition of reticence on the part of a man who would rather talk and fight and invent any time than listen to musk and the drama—though he dotes on both. Of course such an inventor and engineer was early drawn into the work of changing over for electricity the big terminals of the trunk railroads; and hence he is found on the consulting staff of the New York Central. He was also retained by Harriman as to similar work on the Southern Pacific. In these developments he has been understood to stand strongly for the use of the direct current, against the alternating, as used on the New Haven road, but at the same time he has advocated hitting up the potential for direct current work, and has jumped it from 600 to 1,200 volts, with very satisfactory results. He has also been a stout advocate of the protection of the third rail, with devices exemplified on the New York Central and several other roads. More lately, Mr. Sprague has returned to the subway problem, by tongue and pen has advocated reforms and improvements, and has even offered to undertake, with full financial responsibility, the construction needed to relieve the frightful congestion on the older lines. There is not much of Sprague to look at, but it is all fighting weight, nerve, grit, go, snap and confidence. He has crossed the 50 line, but does not suspect it; and the dark hair, flashing eye, equi-line nose, sharply-cut chin, alertness of movement, tenseness of poise, all tell of a very live human being. He has an acutely mathematical mind, tempered, fortunately, by humor and imagination; but he is concentrated, and no matter what you may want to talk about, has no difficulty whatever in swinging the conversation back to the thing he is interested in. A more loyal and generous friend could not be imagined, but there are some persons he will omit from his will. To this day he maintains the keenest interest in the profession of his early years, and his appointment as visitor to the Naval Academy is still regarded by many conservatives as perhaps the saving feature of the Roosevelt administration. Relative Strength . of Italian and Turkish Navies (Concluded from page 371.) Of less important cruisers of the protected type Italy possesses ten, of from 2,250 to 3,500 tons, and from- 17 to 20 knots speed. 'Their. armament consists generally of from four to six 4.7-inch or 6-inch rapid fire guns. The navy includes two 23-knot torpedo cruisers and eight gunboats, the latter fitted for laying mines. The torpedo fleet is made up of twenty-three destroyers, of 28 to 30 knots speed and about 350 tons displacement. Also twelve destroyers of 620 tons and 30 knot speed are under construction. The torpedo fleet also includes eighty-one completed torpedo boats and thirty under construction. In the submarine flotilla are the “Delfino,” 107 tons, 6 and 9 knots, the five “Glaucos,” 150 tons, 9 and 14 knots, ' the “Foca,” 230 tons, 9 and 15 knots, and eleven vessels under construction or about to be commenced. At the present writing no engagements of any' importance appear to have taken The Postal Life Insurance Company pays YOU the Commissions that other Companies pay their agents 45%% 0f the lirst year's premium is the average Commission-Dividend being paid to each POSTAL policyholder on entrance into the company. Other companies would pay this sum to an agent— as his commission. That's for the first :year: in subsequent years POSTAL policyholders receive the Renewal Commissions other companies pay their agents, namely, 7%%, and they also receive an Office.Expense Saving of 2%, making up the Strong Postal Points first: Old-line, legal-reserve insurance — 110 t fraternal or 1 second: Standard policy reserve - now more than $10,000,000. third: Standard policy provisions — approved by the state Insurance department. Fourth: 7Vnwdiptxt St'iti'liird* iit \hp aeLitL'liifii of risks. but rffdnc*l by f^mnns-taon 'lii-idi'iiita, i/itnTitnt?*d iu policy, as • herein. Annual Dividend of Guaranteed in the Policy And the POSTAL pays the usual contingent dividends besides—ranging up to 20% of the annual premium. Such is the POSTAL way; it is open' to you. Call at the Company's offices or write now and find out the exact sum it will pay you at your age—the first :year and every other. POSTAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY The Only Non-agency Company in America 35 NASSAU ST., NEW YORK Assets: #70,839,000 Insurance in force more than #55,000,000 ' BUILT FOR PERMANENCE" $1800 flbboir rwiroir “44" A Standard American Car with the Best of Europe Added A symphony of mechanical excellence and refinement —that's the Abbott-Detroit “44", the sumptuous seven-passenger, fore-door, torpedo car built for permanence and guaranteed for life by the Abbott Motor Company, Detroit. The cardinal features here enumerated and which are frequently embodied in cars of the $4,000 type are seldom incorporated in cars selling at Abbott-Detroit prices. Exceptionally large and roomy body, hand buffed leather upholstery, with thick cushions; black walnut natural finish—dash and trimmings; highest class finish—24 painting operations; springs, oil tempered; three-quarter elliptic springs in tear, giving exceptionally easy riding qualities; full floating type rear axle; chrome nickel steel drive shaft; multiple disc clutch; three-bearing crank shaft; unusually large valve openings; Timken roller and imported Schaefer annular bearings throughout; extra large tires, reducing tire expense; gear shifting device noiseless, easily handled; large, strong, artillery wheels; latest type of fore-door body with inside control. This car IS THE SERVANT—not the MASTER OF ITS OWNER It is the policy of the Abbott Motor Company at all times and at whatever cost to keep its product representative of that which is best and most up-to-date in American and European automobile construction. We constantly work for the improvement in design and materials, and add the improvement the moment its particular reliability has been demonstrated, and at the same time proved to be a valuable adjunct of the car.” The rigorous application of this policy keeps the Abbott-Detroit line of models always timely and new. The customer does not have to wait for anew season in order to see predominating features of standard construction — refer to the Abbott-Detroit at any time — the standard car that's always up-to-date. Send for 1912 Art Catalog Abbott Motor Co., 613 Waterloo St., Detroit, Mich. 878 October 21, 1911 WIN' THIS $1200.00!, Thousands Already Won—Going on Daefy, TEN PEOPLE GET $40,000 They Tell You /low to Win. I IQTPM ! Stoneman(Nebr, photog'ph'r) LIOILI1. actually received $1300one month, $51.50 in 15 minutes, $800 in II days; Korstad (Minn, solicitor) $8212 in 2 weeks; Sevcgne (N. Y. telegrapher) $100 dally. Not a fairy tale, fako or humbug, but proven absolutely true by sworn statements. Government patronage, statesmen, judges,1 bankers, world's famed institutions,1 local references. Costs nothing to in- I vestigate. This gigantic money-making contest no longer controlled by a few—now open to any honest, industri- M et. ous man or woman. Big money made m' JlOneman by mechanics, clerks, farmers, teachers, doctors, lawyers, people from all ^ walks of life. Experience, capital,business training unnecessary. Yon can own, operate and control same private enterprise that broughtWilson(banker) *3,000 in 30 days; Kasp( agent) «1«85 In 73 days; Oviatt (minister) $4,000. Rogers (surveyor) $2800; Juell (clerk) $6800; Hoard (doctor) $2200; Hart (farmer) $5,000. Schleicher ( minister) $11)5 first 12 hours. Hundreds '' sharing similar prosperity — banking money, buying homes, automobiles. fl|. Juell Don t wonder. Same appointment should mean same money for you — same power, prominence, dignity, respect, influence. Kise to big earnings, wage freedom, ownership and private monopoly. Knowing the reason dispels all doubt. Wonderful, but true. Strange Invention gives every home a bath room for only $6.50; excels others costing $200, Abolishes tubs, bowls, buckets, wash rags, sponges. Turns any room into a bath room with hot or cold running water. Think of itl So energizes water, one gallon ample; cleanses almost automatically; no plumbing; no water-works; self-heating. Gives cleansing, friction, massage and -~ shower baths. So simple child can operate. Truly marvelous. A modern home-bathing without drudgery, inconvenience, muss or lugging water, filling tubs, emptying, cleaning, putting away. Could anything be more popular ? Think of millions who want bathrooms 1 At sight people exclaim: ''There, there, that'swhat I've been longing for.” Little wonder Wilson sold 102 in 14 days; Hart, 16 in 3 hours. Think what you could do. Come— fall in line—make a fortune. Don't let another get there first. Tour chance now to secure exclusive sale. Devote all or spare time. Means phenomenal earnings; no competi-t i o n; fascinating, high-grade business-Credit given active distributors. Send no money — investigate first. __ Send to-day lor remarkable offer—it*s valuable but free. Address ALLEN MFG. CO., 3391 Allen Building, TOLEDO, OHIO CAN YOU HUNTS every shot goes straight to the mark. Makes trigger work right—keeps barrel bright inside and out. Write to 3-IN-ONE OIL CO., 42 A Z G, Broadway.New York City, for generous sample bottle—FEEE. ROTARY PUMPS AND ENGINES • Their Origin and Development An important series of papers giving a historical resume of the rotary pump and engine from 1588 and illustrated with dear drawings showing the construction of various forms of pumps and engines. 38 illustrations. Contained in Supplements 1109, 1110, 1111. Price 10 cents each. For sale by Munn&Co ., Inc., and all newsdealers. DURYEA BUGGYAUT No other rig in its class for practicability. Unsurpassed in simplicity. Send for printed matter. C. S. DURYEA AUTO CO., SAGINAW, MICH. lilif'Ttl'IIJIlH Corliss Engines, Brewers and Bottlers' Machinery ShVILTER MFG. CO. 899 Clinton Street, Milwaukee, Wis. ItlBRlUTlsVo"? Anything ----118.184 North Clinton St. CM BES tva CO EK'&Wt.USA Expert Manufacturers Fine Jobbing Work PARKER, STEARNS&CO., 288-290 Sheffield Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. RUBBER DADVCD CT Your PATENTS and BUSINESS : ARIZONA Incorporate Laws the most liberal. Expense the least. Hold meetings. transact business anywhere. Blanks. By-Laws and forms for making stock full-paid for cash. property or services, free. President Stoddard, FORMER SECRETARY OF ARIZONA. resident agent for many thousand companies. Reference: Any bank in Arizona. STODDARD INCORPORATING COMPANY, Boi8000 PHOENIX, ARIZONA Expansive - Breathing A book that fully explains how to vitalize the BLOOD through proper breathing (both sexes) described by diagrams, etc. Book contains 64 pages of important information on ChestExpansiou, Lung Development, and Internal Exercise. Endorsed by Physicians. Accepted by the National Medical Library. Sent on receipt of 10c — coin or stamps. P. Von Boeckmann, R.S. 1310 Terminal Bldg., 103 Park Ave., New York |f Young Man! Here is the King of Professions. Our complete, practical and easy HOME INSTRUCTION CORRESPONDENCE COURSE, studied _ during spare time, will make you an expert—if you have the desire and the will. Why be tied down to menial work, at small pay, when you can be a trained man at a big salary? Ourschool is one of the largest and best-known home instruction institutions in the world—teaching all branches of Business and Engineering. TUITION PAYABLE OUT OF INCREASED SALARY WE ENABLE YOU TO EARN. Write today for illustrated booklet: “FROM FOUNDATION TO FLAGSTAFF “-it tells you how to make the light start. AMERICAN SCHOOL OF CORRESPONDENCE Dept. 220 Chicago, 111. place between the two navies, and it is not likely even in the event of a protracted war, that the struggle will shed much light upon the leading naval problems of construction, tactics and strategy. Small Isolated Electric Power Plants (Concluded from page 372.) main battery. Each cell may consist simply of two plates of sheet lead suspended in a jar of electrolyte. At W is indicated a variable resistance which must be used during the process of forming the home-made battery previously described. This will need to .'have a resistance of about seven ohms and a current-carrying capacity of six amperes. When the switch, S, is closed to the left it connects the battery directly to the load through the upper blade. The lower switch point is not used for anything on this side, tout its clip makes, a most convenient place to keep a spare eight-ampere fuse. When it is desired to charge the battery the dynamo is started, and, by manipulation of the field regulator, R, is brought up to a voltage sufficient to light the lamp, V, to about half its candle-power. The switch is then thrown to the right, connecting the battery to the dynamo through the upper blade, and both battery and dynamo together to the load through the lower blade and the three c. e. m. f. cells. The charging of the -battery may be done during the day or at night, as may be most convenient. When fully charged, a 36 ampere-hour battery will run seven 16 candle-power lamps for eight hours, and it will require a current of five amperes for eight hours for the recharge. Assuming an average evening's use of four lamps for 3% hours it should suffice to charge the battery twice a week. In winter, when the evenings are long, it may need to be charged every other day. On occasions of unusual demand, such as parties or receptions, to prevent the battery being exhausted too rapidly, it is necessary for the dynamo to be run in the evening to carry a part of the load. The same thing is true in cases where it is desired to use an electric flat-iron or vacuum cleaner, which easily can be done by keeping tlhe dynamo going all day on “ironing day” and “cleaning day." The foregoing specifications, as stated in the beginning, apply to a small sized installation where lighting is the principal requirement. Before installing a 32 volt plant, careful consideration should be given to the subject of future extensions. Electric cooking and other heating appliances, motors and the like not only require a larger plant to run them, but it is desirable to operate them at a higher voltage in order to keep down the size of the copper conductors necessary to carry the large currents imposed by low voltage. Ji1or larger -plants sixty volts has been adopted as a standard, and makers of lamps, heating appliances, etc., now carry these in stock made for this voltage. The following specifications will give a .good idea of what is needed for a 60 volt plant: Battery, 30 cells two-plate type 36 ampere-hours capacity and 6 c. e. m. f. cells, or 60 cells of the home-made battery, connected thirty in series and two in multiple, with i(i c. - e. m. f. cells all in series. 'Generator, shunt wound dynamo 77 volts, 5 amperes, speed about 2,000 r. p. m. Engine, one horse-power. Ammeter, 10-0-10 scale; voltmeter, 80 volt scale. This outfit will 'have twice the capacity of the one previously described. It would be suitable for a connected load of forty 16 c. p. lamps where the maximum demand is limited to twenty-five. The battery alone will be large enough to handle light intermittent loads through the day, such as coffee-percola-ter, electric toaster, or a one-half horsepower pump motor for the house tank supply. This outfit is adapted for future enlargement by the addition of more battery, but if this is anticipated in the very beginning it would be better to install a larger charging equipment—say a. 2 horse-power engine with a 77 volt 10 ampere dynamo, and to have the ammeter scale marked 20-0-20. The Electrical Show in the New Grand Central Palace THE N-E)w York Electrical Show, this ye'tr, was used to open the new Grand Oentr.J Palace, located on Lexington Avenue, between 46th and 47th streets. This handsome structure was brilliant with myriads of electric lights, which were reflected with great brilliancy by the white walls of the interior. At the .top of the building on the outside the arched gallery was illuminated with mercury vapor lamps, the bluish light of which gave a soft, delicate effect when viewed from a distance in the light of the full hunter's moon. Several of the large electric companies have excellent exhibits of all kinds of household electrical apparatus. Along the south side of the building there is a row of rooms illustrating the equipment of a modern house from kitchen to bedroom. In the former room there is an electrical washer, a churn, a chopping machine, and a full equipment of cooking utensils, while in the bedroom there is an electric massage instrument, a miniature hair-drying fan, an electrically-operated sewing machine, etc. The company also has a complete electrically-operated printing plant along the west side of the building. A small paper is printed every day, giving the latest news, many of the despatches being received by wireless. A particularly interesting display was the historical exhibit in the gallery. This consisted of old books dating back to the time of Franklin, and various electrical apparatus. The most interesting feature, perhaps, of this exhibit was the development of the arc lamps, from the original Brush twin-carbon lamp, to the flaming-arc lamp of the present, day. Storage batteries and electric automobiles occupy a considerable part of the floor space, there being exhibits by the Edison, Exide, and Gould storage battery firms, as well as electric automobiles of most of the leading makes. The recent record of 110.9 miles made on the Ocean Boulevard between Brooklyn and Coney Island by a Fritchle electric car carrying four people, which was made with a lead battery, has been exceeded under actual touring conditions by the Edison battery, which, about a year ago, received a thorough testing under Edison's supervision, in pleasure vehicles. Some time after, a run of 244% miles at the rate of 12 miles an hour, was made with 'a Baker electric auto on city streets in Cleveland, with a 40-cell 225-ampere-hour Edison battery.' This is the record for tests of the kind just mentioned, while for touring purposes, from 125 to 150 miles, it is claimed, can be made on one charge. Plates taken from a cell which has been in continuous use in delivery service in New York city for two and one-third years, and which has run a delivery wagon 25,000 miles, were exhibited and showed no depreciation. The capacity of these- cells is said to have risen from 225 to 300 ampere hours after this long-continued use. In addition to this increase of capacity with use, the Edison battery has the advantage that it can b-E) charged whenever convenient, and is not ruined if left standing in a discharged condition. The Electric Storage Battery Company also exhibited vehicles and stationary cells. A barber shop equipped with all the latest electrical appliances, was located in the middle of the main floor, while on a raised platform above there was exhibited a novel combined electric piano and violin orchestra. Three violins were mounted upside down in a circle above the piano, and were played by means of a revolving ring, rotated at various speeds in producing the different notes. Whenever a note was struck on a violin, the instrument was moved about its neck as a pivot until the strings contacted with the ring. Meanwhile, electrically-operated levers fingered the strings. The music produced by this orchestra was excellent nd the amount of expression secured was surprising. As a whole,, the show this year is made-up of small apparatus. There are none-of the big motors and generating sets that have sometimes been exhibited when t ' the show was held in Madison Square i Makes and burns its own gas. Pure white 500 candle power light, more brilliant than electricity or acetylene, and cheaper than kerosene. Casts no shadow. Costs two cents per week per lamp. No dirtj no grease, no odor. Used m every civilized country on earth. Over 200 styles. Every lamp . warranted. Agents wanted. Write for catalog. THE BEST LIGHT CO. 87 E. 5th St., Canton, 0. Why notenjoy absolute comfort in your automobile over all kinds of roads t You can accomplish this if your automobile is equipped with the The New 1912 FLENTJE Automatic Hydraulic Jounce &: Recoil Preventers In a class by itself “BEST IN '11IE WORLD" In a short time you will save the cost of the preventers on tires and springs and engine and body of your car. Try a set on thirty days' free trial and three years' guarantee. and be convinced of the correctness of my claims. S5000 a side to any shock absorber manufacturer to disprove that “ The Flentje “ is the best in the world. For for further particulars, apply to ERNST FLENTJE, 1643 Cambridge St., Cambridge, Mass. New York Branch: 1926 B'way, cot. 64 h St., Room 400 N. Y. City Thekind of true dories young folks love, and parents approve. Stories of Useful Inventions By S. E. FORMAN Profitable and entertaining stories of the beginnings of everyday things—the match, stove, lamp, plow, etc.—tales which make the most of all the history and humanity wrapped up in these inventions. A regular p/clare book oj asefUl in'lJentions, I00. $1.00 net, postage 11 cents PuMisAed by THE CENTURY CO., New York A Fascinating Booklet: “WAYS AND MEANS IN PHOTOGRAPHY" Full of helpful hints.—Write Burroughs Wellcome&Co. 85, West 33rd St., New York, or 101, Coristine Building, Montreal SPENCERIAN STEEL PENS IN EVERY STYLE FOR EVERY HANDWRITING Sample card of 12 SPENCERIAN different pens and . 2goodpenholderB £ sent for 10 eta. PEN CO., 349 Broadway New York. AIRCRAFT THE WORLD'S GREAT FLYING MAGAZINE contains a complete review of everything taking place throughout the entire world in aeronautics, It contains the most beautiful illustrations from every quarter of the globe. It gives complete Records and Statistics of the movement from its inception. Its construction work is accurate beyond question. It describes minutely the newest types of flyers. It contains articles written by the most famous men connected with the Science of aerial flight. At the present time all progressive men are studying this great new art of flying. Aircraft is generally recognized by the leading authorities on the subject as being the organ of the movement itself. IT IS PUBUSHED MONTHLY. Its subscription price is $1.50 per year or $1.00 for eight months. The Lawson Publishing Co. 37-39 Eat 28th Street, New York, N. Y. Wood-Working machinery For ripping, cross cutting mitering, grooving, boring scroll-sawing, eoVe moulding, mortising; for working wood in any manner. Send for Catalogue A. SENECA FALLS MFG. CO. 695 Water Street Seneca Falls. N. Y , U. S. A. SEBASTIAN LATHES 9 to IS Inch Swing High Quality Low Prices Catalog Free THE SEBASTIAN LATHE CO 120 Culvert St., Cincinnati, O. For Gunsmiths, Tool Makers, Experimental&Repair Work, etc. From 9-in. to 13-in. swing. Arranged for Steam or Foot Power, Velocipede or Stand-up Treadle. W. F.&J. Barnes Co. Established 1872. 1999 Ruby Street Rockford, III. Practical PROTRACTOR for FIELD ENGINEERS ' Especially designed for plotting drawings requiring lines to radiate from the center of a working point _______to any degree point uesired. When not in use needle is tele ped in hub. Lies fiat on paper, 6 in. bbide, weight 3oz. ONLY. Positively accurate . Indis-to field engineers and draftsmen. Price '3.00. 274 page catalog, No. THE L. S. STARReTt CO., Athol, Ma..., U. S. A. THE BEST EQUIPPED SHOP For Mechanical and Electrical Manufacturing Special Machinery, Jigs, Tools, Repairs, Experimental Devices e.lgntiij? and Commercializing a Specialty THE UNIVERSAL TELEGRAPHIC COMPANY ' Sii«e»« ,.(” Th” Rowland TolosrnphU Co. BAWIHIORK, JID. FREE SAMPLE Goes With First Letter Something new. Every firm wants it. Orders $1.00 to $100. Big demand everywhere. Nice pleasant business. Write at once. METALLIC SIGN CO., 438 N. Clark, Chicago WANTrn To manufacture METAL £_§,-• W J\IV 1 VAJ SPECIALTIES, 20 year. experience in making Dies. Tools and Specml Machinery. Expert work. Complete equipment. NATIONAL STAMPING&ELECTRIC WORKS Dept. 2. 412 So.Clinton Street, - Chicago. III. Patented Articles and Metal Specialties MANUFACTURED BY CONTRACT Stamping Dies, Metal Stampings and Screw Machine Work 567 W. La keSt. CHICAGO H. CARSTENS MFG. CO., NOVELTIES 8: PATENTED ARTICLES MANUFACTURED BY CONTRACT. PUNCHING DIES. SPECIAL MACHINERY. E.KONIGSLOW STAMPING &TOOL WORKS, CLEVELAND, 0. Models&Experimental Work INVENTIONS DEVELOPED SPECIAL MACHINERY ... E.V. BAILLARD CO., 24 Frankfort St.,N.Y. M.»*iai(.»s.tii..i ner of Special Machinery, Metal HianUiaClUring Specialties, patented Devices, Dies and Tools, Stampings, Screw Machine Work. Model and Experimental Work. M. P. SCHELL MFG. CO. 509-511 Howard St. - - - - San Francisco, Cal. INVENTORY We build models, do 111 V Lill 1 UlW experimental w o r k, light manufacturing dies and tools. G. SCHWARZ&CO., 123 Liberty St., N.Y. Manufacturers of Metal Specialties, Stampings, Dies and Tools. - Thirty Power Presses at your service. Hoeft&Company, inc. cgc:* 141-143-145 West Michigan Street, corner La Salle Avenue BOYS DON'T DROWN your tools in cheap oil. A few drops of “3-in-One” makes brace and bit, plane, saws, all tools work perfectly-keeps them bright and clean, free from rust. Write to 3-IN-ONE OIL CO., 42 AZB, Broadway, New York City, for generous sample bottle—FREE. SMALL GENERATORS FOR — ISOLATED PLANTS Special 42 volt and 77 volt dynamos in any desired ampere capacities for charging storage batteries. etc. Crocker-Wheeler Company Ampere, N. J. Branches Principal Cities "RED DEVIL" NO BROKEN BLADES WITH THIS HACK SAW FRAME No. 1045 (Same make as the famous “Red Devil “ glass cutters) The rigidity of the frame and the properly fashioned hand grip insures absolute control — adjustable from 8” to 12". If your dealer hasn't it, send us $1.40 and his name. It's just one of many “Red Devil “ Tools. SMITH&HEMENWAY CO. 150 Chambers Street New York City Garden. The myriad uses of electricity in the home and office, however, have never been so well illustrated as now, ana this alone, together with the historical exhibit, makes the show interesting to laymen. The Glidden Tour and the Fair-mount Park Automobile Race MORE than fourscore automobiles started in the 1911 Glidden tour from New York city on October 14th. The route this year extends 1,456 miles from New York to Jacksonville, Florida. The trophy will be contested for by teams, the team having the best average of prompt arrivals being the winner. There are various divisions for runabouts and touring cars, besides which there are several three-wheeled motorettes and a number of trucks and baggage cars. It is expected that the 1911 tour will be the most successful of any held thus far, as the roads of the South have been greatly improved during the last few years, which should assure the motorists an 'enjoyable trip. On October 9th, there was held in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, the automobile race for fast cars, that has been run annually for the past several years. This race was notable for the fact that there were no accidents of any sort, and yet the speed records were 'broken, principally by amateur drivers. The winner of the race was Erwin Bergdoll, in a 90-horse-power Benz. His time was 3:18: 41.35—an average of 61.25 miles an hour. He beat by 10 minutes 26.53 seconds the time of Zengel, in a Chadwick car last year. In fact, no less than six of the nine cars that finished this 202112-mile race, beat the time of the winner last year, which was 3:39: 07.88. Spencer Wishhart, in a Mercedes, secured - second place in 3:20: 11.42. He held the lead for three laps, but was finally outdistanced. Ralph Mulford, in a Lozier, obtained third place. His time was 3:21:52.78. He stood a good chance of coming in second, but was obliged to stop for gasoline and oil near the end of the race, and in so doing lost his position. Last year Mulford finished but six seconds behind the winner. Mr. Bergdoll beat the best record for one lap no less than six times, besides equaling it once during the race. The time of 7:36 for the 8.1-mile lap, made by Harround in a Marmon car last year, was reduced to 7 minutes and 28 seconds by this amateur racing driver. Several other well-known automobile racing men finished in the remaining places. Zengel, in a National, was fourth, and Disbrow, also in a National, was fifth, while Harry F. Grant, twice the winner of the Van-derbilt cup race, was sixth. A small car, the Mercer, obtained seventh place in 3:29: 45%. This race was particularly interesting from the fact that the first and second places were won by amateurs. The next big race of this kind ' will be held at Santa Monica, Cal., shortly. Repairing Old Bridges by Injecting Cement AT Hamburg there are two bridges the masonry of which was threatening to fall in ruins, being traversed by innumerable cracks of varying size. A rather remarkable process has just been made use of to rejuvenate these bridges. A number of holes were bored throughout the structure so as to give access to the interior, and cement was injected by pumps under pressure. Reports on the present condition of the two bridges thus treated are entirely favorable.—La Nature. (Enrrrapxmbrttr? [The editors are not responsible for statements made in the correspondence column. Anonymous communications cannot be conSidered, but the names of correspondents will be withheld, when S0 de-tired.] The Harvest Moon To the Editor of Scientific American: I beg to call your attention to Fig. 7, illustrating my recent article, “The Harvest Moon.” My drawing showed the illuminated hemisphere on the left. Of , course, I see how it happened, but it is misleading. Feedebic R. Honey. Hartford, Conn. Comparison of the Distance Traveled by Earth and Bell Telephone Messages The Orbit of Universal Service In one year the earth on its orbit around the sun travels 584,000,000 miles; in the same time telephone messages travel 23,600,000,000 miles over the pathways provided by the Bell system. That means that the 7,175,000,000 Bell conversations cover a distance forty times that traveled by the earth. When it is considered that each telephone connection includes replies as well as messages, the mileage of talk becomes even greater. These aggregate distances, which. exceed in their total the limits of' the Solar system, are actually confined within the boundaries of the United States. They show the progress that has been made towards universal service and the intensive intercommunication between 90,000,000 people. No such mileage of talk could be possible in such a limited area were it not that each telephone is the center of one universal system. AMERICAN TTmPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY And Associated Companies One Policy One System UmtJer.sa? SertJice BAKELITE (REG. V. S. PAT. OFF.) the new synthetic substance of many applications. Write for booklet. GENERAL BAKELITE COMPANY, 100 William St., New York, N. Y. WELL DRILLING MACHINES Over 70 sizes and sty les, lor drilling either deep or shallow wells in any kind of soil or ruck. Mounted on wheels or on sills. With engines or horse powers. Strong, simple and durable. Any mechanic can operate them easily. Send for catalog. WILLIAMS BROS., Ithaca. N. Y. Nulite Gasoline Table Lamp. A beautiful lump for homes, hotels, offices, stores, banks, cafes. Portable, safe; can be turned upside down or rolled on the floor without danger ("r affecting the light. 3OO C. P. of soft, brilliant light, one-third cent per hour. Also 'l00 different styles of lamps and systems. ACENTS — “e want town, county, and traveling salesmen. Best proposition ever offered. Sells everywhere. Wrttu for Specinl Offer. National Stamping&Electric Works 412 So. Clinton St. CHICAGO LEARN A TRADE BEY011 OWN BOSS n Work,'riiiuibing, Bricklaying, Pftint- a c e instrnction. Actualworktalee place of books. We help gracluates to good positions. Easy e materials furnished free. Write to-day fur free catalogue .1 .._ NATIONAL 60 IlHnoisStree' In use by the United States Army, Checks the muzzle blast, preventing report noise and recoil. Wonderful aid to marksmanship. Makes rifle practice possible anywhere. Attaches to any rifle. Write make, model and calibre of your rifle (giving dealer's name). We will tell you what Silencer you need, price, etc. MAXIM SILENCER, Hartford, Conn. Afff GAS! Latest Invention Standard Vacuum Gas Machine rasautomatically! Uses 97% ordinary Cheapest,safest,mosthygieni” *-- akes -------------most hygienic for lighting, heating cooking! All conveniences of city gas! Non-poisonous non-asphyxiating, inexplosive and inodorous! Machine always ready! Gas can be made forloc per 1000 cu.ft.! 25 times cheaper than acetylene! Cheaperthan kerosene lamps, electricity or city gas! Saving will pay for the machine in a few months! Agents wanted everywhere in the -United States and abroad! Machine of 25 light capacity, $125.00. GOES LIKE SIXTY SELLS LIKESIXTY* SELLS roil SIXTY "i.irilW*^GILSON ' ' *I GASOLENE "ENGINE fFor Pumping, Cream ^parators, Churns.Wash Machines, etc. FEEEJTBIAL _ Ask for catalog-all sizes SOS Pari St. Fori Washington, Wis. DON'T Bill' A GASOLINE ENGINE Until You Investigate The Temple Make. Its Great Advantages are: 1st—Lowest Fuel Cost; pays for itself in Fuel Saving. 2nd—Delivers Steadiest Power Stream. adapting it especially for operating farm machinery. 3rd—Easy on the machine it operates. 4th—Uses Gasoline. Kerosene or Gas. 5th—Perfect Lubrication. 6th—Starts Easily and Quickly, occupying minimum space. 7th—It is the King of Portable Engines. No engine has so wide a range of use. You will make a mistake If you do not write for Information. We make 1 to 5 JJ H. P. single cylinder engines; 6 to 20 H. P. two cylinder engines; 30 to 50 H. P. four cylinder engines. All heavy duty, slow speed engines. For surety of operation and low fuel cost our engines lead. Temple Puiup Co., Manufacturers. 439 West 15th St., Chicago, U. S. A. This Is our 59th year. INVENTORS' NUMBER NOVEMBER MAGAZ/NE NUMBER of the SC7EN77F/C AMER/CAN /SSUE OF NOVEMBER 18th, 1911 Although every number of the Scientific American discusses the inventions and inventors of the day, there will be published on November 18th a mid-month magazine number which will display the inventor in a new light. Articles will 'be. published which will show how much he suffers from our antiquated legal system and will explain his need of sympathetic governmental support. His foibles, too, will not escape notice. There will • be an arraignment by Mr. Melville Church of our marvelously complicated method of trying patent infringement suits. Mr. Church is one of the most eminent patent lawyers in this country, a man who has figured prominently in some of the most important patent cases that have been tried in this country. He points out what a burden is imposed by the present method of taking testimony in chambers without any Court supervision and how enormously expensive a trial may be before the infringer is successfully brought to book. We need only mention the scores of volumes of printed testimony taken during the trial involving the validity of the Selden patents, to drive home the utter absurdity of our Court procedure. The inventor who has suffered because of the slowness of our judicial machinery will read Mr. Church's article with interest and profit, for he will learn what steps are being taken to protect without impoverishing him. The great industrial corporation (the “Trust” of whom we have been hearing so much of late) has changed the aspect of invention. It now pays to invent thousands of little feeding devices, thousands of little trains of gears and levers and cams, which, fifty years ago, might not have proved so profitable. An invention that means a saving of one cent per ton in the handling of raw material becomes of industrial importance for the simple reason that the “ Trust” deals in gigantic masses. In an article entitled “The Industrial Corporation and the Inventor” this aspect of modern invention is treated. Fascinating is the story of making big fortunes out of patents on small and apparently unimportant things. Every time anybody in the United States pulls the cap off a beer bottle or a soda water bottle, he puts the fraction of a cent into the pockets of a Baltimore inventor. Elias^ Howe, who first made the sewing machine practical by placing the eye of the needle near the point, admitted that he had collected $ 1 ,-185,000 in royalties. The man who invented ingrain carpet with the threads so interwoven as to prevent wrinkling, is now better off by $4,000,000 for his thought. A government clerk named McGill found it hard to hold together many pages of thick documents. He got over the difficulty by inventing the little brass paper fasteners which we all use. He died rich. His invention made money. These are but a few of the facts taken from a striking article by Mr. William Atherton DuPuy on the big fortunes that have been made on little inventions. Perpetual motion is the inventor's Will-o'-the-Wisp. In the Inventors' number will be found an article in which the various forms of perpetual motion apparatus that have engaged the attention of dreamers for years are explained and their fallacies set forth. There is a funny side to invention as the Inventors' Number will tell you. What possible use could there be in encouraging birds to infest the farmer's grain fields by providing fence posts with birds' nests in them ? Or of table knives with mirrors in the handles to permit the users to inspect their teeth now and then ? Or of a telescopic anti-collision pilot for railway trains running in advance of the locomotive and bearing an automaton that rings a loud gong? These and even more ridiculous inventions will be described in the article on “ The Funny Side of Invention. “ In addition to these articles, there will be the usual Scientific American material—the articles on current scientific discoveries, the Department of Curiosities of Science, the Science Abstracts and the rest. Price Fifteen Cents On A// News Stands
The Inventor's Department- October 21, 1911
Simple Patent Law; Patent Office News; Inventions New and Interesting
This article was originally published with the title "The Inventor's Department" in Scientific American 105, 17, 373-379 (October 1911)
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican10211911-373