p. 22 | News and Miscellany by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · May 9, 1912

News and Miscellany

By Editor

Notes and clippings from the daily and weekly press

— Four hundred plots of land, each an eighth of an acre in size, will be placed at the disposal of Chicago working men this spring, to be used as gardens. The rental will be $1.50 for each plot.

— By the tragic death of John Jacob Astor, one of the victims of the "Titanic" disaster, his son William Vincent Astor becomes the head of the Astor family in the United States, and heir to $100,000,000.

— Italian emigration to the United States is reported to be again increasing. Attempts of the Italian government to divert emigrants to Tripoli, in spite of liberal inducements, have not so far been successful.

— There are about 600,000 automobiles in operation in the United States at the present time. Those in close touch with the industry predict that during the present year pneumatic tire sales will amount to more than $120,000,000.

— The regular army of the United States numbers 77,500 men, though under the existing laws a maximum of 100,000 is permitted. This is by far the largest regular force that the country has ever authorized or maintained.

— A graphic word-picture of the wreck of the "Titanic" is contained in a 2,500-word message supposedly received from the eminent London editor and Spiritualist, William T. Stead, by prominent Spiritualists in different parts of the country.

— Dr. Daniel K. Pearsons died on April 27. This eccentric philanthropist and millionaire, but excellent man, gave away between six and seven million dollars to small schools and colleges in the United States, in order that he might die penniless.

— What is intended to be the deepest hole in the world is being drilled near Charleston, W. Va., by William Seymour Edwards, owner of extensive oil holdings in this country. The well is now 5,230 feet deep, and is being drilled for geological investigation. At present the deepest hole in the world is in South America, and is 6,001 feet deep.

— Congress has authorized the expenditure of $1,500,000 for the rebuilding and repair of levees along the Mississippi River and its tributaries. The flood situation is still serious, and reports state that in many sections it will not be possible to reestablish regular mail service within thirty days. The government is feeding 160,000 refugees daily.

— The closing of the Dardanelles is causing such costly interference with international shipping that it is reported the powers have decided upon a joint effort to induce Italy to abstain from active operations in the Ægean Sea and restrict the Turco-Italian war to Tripolitania.

— The preparations that are being made by every port on the Pacific Coast, in both North and South America, for increased trade as a result of the opening of the Panama Canal will aggregate in expenditure, it is estimated, $125,000,000.