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About The monitor. (Omaha, Neb.) 1915-1928 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 11, 1915)
r~i GERMANY AS NATURE’S COM PETITOR. An admitted fact it is that no na tion was better prepared than Ger many to be isolated from the outside world and, in company with her allies, forming the group known as the cen tral powers, compelled to rely almost entirely on her own resources. To her remarkable self-sustaining pow ers, Germany credits the Teuton chemist as having contributed in a greater degree than any other single factor. And since the German chemist has for years been establishing an ascendency over the chemists of other nations, until we have come to look upon Germany and chemistry as synonymous words in the broader sense, this would seem logical. While fully appreciating the skill of German chemists and their numer ous past achievements, it is inevitable that scientific men the world over should be rather skeptical regarding the wonderful discoveries claimed to have been scored in the isolated em pire since the opening of the Euro pean war. It is inconceivable that so many problems long baffling solu tion at the hands of the foremost scientists of the world should sudden ly be mastered in the Teuton labora tories in so short a period as sixteen months. Admitting that the very ur gency of the demand for synthetic products has spurred the German chemist to a point of frenzy and the will to conquer that have been un known to other chemists, still, the great number of achievements and their remarkableness alone would give rise to incredulity; let alone the fact that Germany has striven both openly and in secret to secure the much needed commodities from the outside world in every conceivable way. We have heard of the new gas used in the latest super-Zeppelins which is lighter than hydrogen and positively uninflammable, eliminating at one stroke the very feature that has rendered lighter-than-air craft liable to accidental explosions at any moment, as well as most vulnerable to hostile fire; of the successful sub stitution of alcohol and benzol for petroleum, paper for jute, and newly discovered formula for artificial leather and rubber; of the discovery of microbes that convert sugar into important life-sustaining fats; of wonderful compressed food that is at once both inexpensive and most nourishing; of explosives made from wood pulp, and other feats of chem istry too numerous to mention. In view of the foregoing facts, the question naturally arises: Why does Germany .exert every effort in her power to obtain the necessary ma terials and certain foodstuffs from the outside world? Is this not in di rect contradiction to her boastful claims that, in German laboratories, and not on the sea and land, has the blockade of the allies been defeated? The seeming mystery is simple of explanation. It is safe to assume— and to some extent is borne out by the United States consular reports— that the achievements claimed by the German chemists have actually tak en place; but, and here is the vital point, in most instances the cost and difficulties inherent to the making of the synthetic products have been so great that they limit these discoveries to the laboratory, rendering them practically valueless in the commer cial sense. And in this respect the Teuton chemists are in a position that is not unique; recent years having witnessed the appearance of many substitutes for natural products, few of which ever ventured forth from the laboratory and into the commer cial world, because of the cost of production. Thus the work of Germany’s chem ists while commendable in the high est degree cannot hope to compete successfully with nature and to aid the central powers against the en forced isolation which the war has brought on them. ARTIFICIAL PEARLS. Large artificial pearls have been made by filling thin glass bulbs with a solution of fish scale nacre and they are very clever imitations. An easy way to detect them is to note the spot where the bulb was sealed. Liesegang has now made artificial pearls by another method. The glass bulb is coated on the inside with 10 per cent gelatin solution, allowed to dry only partially and then a small amount of sodium phosphate added and the coat ing dried very slowly. The iridescence is an optical phenomenon caused by minute wrinkles, parallel, formed on the gelatin.—Scientific American. Event Extraordinary. Mr. William H. Lacey, a trained artist of exceptional ability, will sing at the extraordinary entertain ment at Mt. Zion Baptist church Friday evening, December 17. Mrs. W. T. Osborne has in charge the oc casion and will be supported by the DuBois Dramatic club in a one-act comedy-drama, “The Veiled Lady,” which shows—well, come and see what it does show. Other trained artists in both vocal and instrumental music and in read ings and sketches from Shakespeare will appear on the program. A com mittee from the trustee board of Knights and Daughters of Tabor suc ceded in getting Mrs. Osborne to give this entertainment for the benefit of the Taborian lot. We are sure of a large attendance, as Mrs. Osborne’s entertainments are always the very best. Admission will be 15c. Committee and board of trustees: Chairman, Mrs. Hattie Kitchen; Mrs. Lenora Gray, Mrs. Rachel Harrold, A. M. Harrold, D. G. M.; W. M. Jack son, C. M.; Charles Kitchen, P. P.; Lulu Roundtree, P. P.—Adv. DR. CONDRA’S MOVING PICTURES AT NEBRASKA FARMERS’ CONGRESS Omaha, Neb., Dec. 4.—One thou sand farmers of Nebraska attended the sixth annual convention of the Nebraska Farmers’ cnogress, which convened in Omaha November 30 to December 2. This organization, while only six years old, and having started with a mere handful of members, is now a very large and influential body, which has a great deal to do and say about the destinies of the state. A very interesting program was given. Some of the important subjects discussed were “Marketing of Farm Products,” by Hon. C. J. Brand, chief of office of farm marketing, United States department of agricul ture; “The Relation of the State Uni versity to the Agricultural Interests of the State,” by Chancellor S. Avery, University of Nebraska, and “Rural Credits,” by Hon. F. G. Odell, secre tary of the American Rural Credit association. Dr. George E. Condra of the Uni versity of Nebraska brought his moving picture films to Omaha the evening of December 1, and showed and explained important things in ag ricultural development. Dr. Condra is secretary of the Nebraska Public Welfare commission, which is doing effective work to make the people of Nebraska conversant with the re sources and opportunities of their state. SILAS JOHNSON, SUC CESSFUL HEADWAITER “Men may come and men may go” applies to the frequent changes that have been made in headwaiters at the various Omaha hotels. One hotel has proven an exception. It is The I Merchants. The management of that hostelry has changed three or four times in the last twenty-two years, but despite change of management, there was one man whose services have been retained because of the sat • 'sfaction he gave to patrons—a most important consideration—and em ployers, and that man was Silas John son, whose cut it gives us pleasure to publish in this issue of The Moni tor. He is a man who has “made good” in his chosen calling. And one of the chief purposes of these bio graphical sketches which we are pub lishing from time to time is to show that success in any given line of hon orable employment is to be won only by competence and strict application to business. Mr. Johnson became headwaiter at the Merchants hotel in 1893, when it was under the management of Pax ton, Hulett and Davenport, and re mained there, serving most accept ably in that capacity until a few weeks ago, when he resigned to ac cept the position of haadwaiter at an increased salary at the new Hotel Castle. For twenty-two continuous years he held the one position, which is the record for headwaiters in Oma ha. In point of continuous service he is the oldest headwaiter in the city, if not in the state, and he is not an old man by any means. Silas Johnson is the son of Cyrus and Parthenia Johnson and was born in Owensboro, Ky., and is proud of his native state, although he is not fond of the beverage which has given that state distinction. For a few years he was in the employ of a railroad company. He has resided in Omaha for twenty-five years. In 1894 he was married to Miss Ida M. Bell, oldest daughter of Cyrus D. Bell, and they have a cosy and attractive home at 2304 North Twenty-ninth street. Mr. Johnson has a wide acquaint ance throughout the state. His cor dialty has made him many fas*, friends. Being punctual and regular himself at business, he has insisted upon the same traits in his subordi nates and it is a noteworthy fact that his waiters have been pleased to re main with him. He is a type of our self-respecting, home-loving, indus trious citizens of which Omaha has many. NEBRASKA PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION TO MEET IN OMAHA EARLY IN YEAR Omaha, Neb., Dec. 10.—The Ne braska Public Health association will meet in Omaha some time early in 1916. Public health officers of cities and towns, as well as physicians throughout the state who are inter ested in public health questions, will attend this meeting. This meeting is fostered by the State Board of Med ical Examiners and the State Board of Health proper. Experts in public health and sanitation matters will be asked to participate in the meeting. The attendance at these meetings usually averages 250. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES—1% cents a word for single insertions, 1 cent a word for two or more insertions. No advertisement for less than 15c. Cash should ac company advertisement. FURNISHED ROOMS FOR RENT. Mrs. L. M. Bentley-Webster, first class modern furnished rooms, 1702 N. 26th St. Phone Webster 4769. Nicely furnished room for respect able lady; private family; home privi leges with board if desired. Web. 7881. Nicely furnished front room. Mod ern except heat. Mrs. R. Gaskin, 2606 Seward street. Webster 4490. Furnished rooms for rent, modem, reasonable, for men only. 2809 Cum ing St. Hubert Thompson. Modern furnished rooms, 1819 Izard street. Tyler 2519. Nicely furnished rooms with hot and cold water, $1.50 and up per week. Close to car line. Mrs. Hayes, 1826 North 23rd street. W. 5639. FOR SALE—REAL ESTATE FOR SALE—An eight-room house, strictly modern, 2722 North 30th St. Terms. Webster 3602. If you have anything to dispose of, a Want Ad in The Monitor will sell it. WANTED. Respectable young widow woman wants position as housekeeper. Will exchange references. Mrs. Esters. Call Harney 6385. Barber Wanted—Good position for the right man. Apply 1918 Cuming. Mason, also carpenter, all around repair man; jobs on hand for each to pay down payment or rent on good small home or lot that I have for you. Address at once. Call 507 Paxton block. WANTED—Correspondents and sub scription solicitors for The Monitor in Nebraska cities and towns. SUBSCRIBE FOR THE MONITOR. OMAHA TRANSFER CO. I ‘•The Only Way” | baggage: I Checked to Destination | l Phone Webster 850 | We sell nothing but the very best Meats and Groceries I. BERKO WITZ j 24th and Charles Sts.