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About The North Platte semi-weekly tribune. (North Platte, Neb.) 1895-1922 | View Entire Issue (March 15, 1912)
J !V G . AMUNDSEN WINS SUN POLE BKE The Norwegian Explorer Tells of His Antarctic Dash. GRAPHIC ACCOUNT OF THE TRIP Captain Amundsen's Own Narrative of His Attainment of the South Pole December 14, 17, 1911. (Dy Roald Amundsen. Copyright 1912, by The N. Y. Times Co. All rights reserved.) Hobart, Tasmania, March 8. At 2 a. m. on the 10th day of February, 1911, we commenced to work our way toward the south, from that day to the 11th of April, establishing three depots, which In .all contained n quantity of provisions of about 3,000 kilos, Including 1,100 kilos of seal meat, were cached In 80 degrees, 700 kilos in 8i degrees and 800 kilos In 82 degrees south latitude. As no land marks wero to be seen these depots were marked with flags, seven kilometers on each side In the easterly and westerly direction's. The ground and the state of the barrier were of the best and special ly well adapted to driving with dogs. On February 15, we had thus travel ed about 100 kilometers. The weight of the sledges was 300 kilos, and the number of dogs was six for each sledge., The surface of the barrier was smooth and fine with no sastrugl. The crevices were very local and were found dangerous In "only two places. " For the rest long, smooth undla tlons. The weather was excellent, calm or a light breeze. The lowest tem ?jeraturo on these depot trips was minus 45 celslua or centigrade, (49 Vegrees below zero, fahrenhelt.) On the 4th of March, on our return from the first trip beginning on the loth of February, we found out that the Fram. had already left us. With pride and delight we heard that her smart captain had succeeded in sailing her furthest south and there hoisting the colors of his coun try, a glorious moment, for him and his comrades, the furthest north and the furthest south, good old Fram the highest south latitude attained was 78 degrees 41 minutes. Winter on the Ice Barrier. Before the arrival of winter wo had 6,000 kilos of seal meat in the depots, enough for ourselves and 110 dogs. Eight dog houses, a com bination of tents and snow huts were built. Having cared for the dogB the turn came to use our solid little hut. It was almost entirely covered with snow by the middle of April. First we had to get light and air. The Lux lamp, which had a power 200 standard candles, gave us a bril liant light and kept the temperature up to 20 degrees celslus (G8 degrees Fahrenheit) throughout the winter, our excellent ventilation system gave us all the air wo wanted. In direct communication with the hut and dog houses on the Barrier weVe workshops, packing, rooms, cel lars for provisions, coal, wood and oil, a plain bath, a steam bath, and observatory. Thus we had everything within doors If the weather should be too cold and stormy. The sun left us on tho 22nd of April and did not return until four months later. The winter was spent In changing our whole outfit, which on tho depot trips was found to be too clumsy and solid for the smooth surface of the Barrier. Besides this, as much scientific work as1 possible was done, and some astonishing meteorological observations were taken. Open Water all Winter. There was very little snow, and there was open water close by throughout the winter. For the same reason higher temperature had been expected, but it remained very low. In five months there were observed temperatures between minus 50 and CO degrees celslus, (58 and 7G de grees below zero Fahrenheit) tho lowest temperature on the 13th of August, being minus 59 degrees celslus. It. was then calm. On tho 1st of August tho temperature was minus 58 degrees Celsius, and 'there were six meters of wind. The mean temperature for the year was minus 2G degrees celslus. (14.8 below zero fahrenhelt.) I had expected hurricane after hur ricane, but I observed only two mode rate seorms and many, excellent auroras, in all directions. Tho sanitary conditions were of the best all tho winter and when tho sun returned on the 24th of August he met tho men sound In mind and body ready to set 'about tho task that had to be solved. Already the day before wo had brought our sledges to the stnrtlng place for our march toward the south. Only In the beginning of September did the temperature rise to such an extent that there was any question of getting out. First Start for the Pole. On tho 8th of September eight men, with seven sledges, ninety dogs and provisions for four months started. Tho ground was perfect. Tho tem perature was not bad. The next day It appeared that wo had started too early, aa the temperature of the fol lowing days fell and was kept steady between minus 50 and CO celslus (58 degrees and 76 degrees) bolow zero fahrenhelt. Personally we did not suffer at all from this cold. Our good furs protected us. But with our dogs It was a different matter. It could enslly be seen that they shrunk from day to day, and wo understood pretty soon that they could not stand tho long run lo our depot at 80 degrees south. We agreed on returning and to wait for tho arrival of spring. Tho provis ions wero cached and off wo went for the hut. With the exception of the loss of a few dogs and a couple of frozen heels everything was all right. Only in the middle of October spring came la earnest. Seals and birds ap peared. Tho temperature was steady between 20 and 30 celslus (C8 degrees and 86 degrees fahrenhelt). Tho orlginnl plan that all of us Bhould go toward tho south had been changed. Five men had to do this work, while the other three wore to start for tho east and visit King Ed ward VII land. This last mentioned trip was not Included in our pro gram, but owing to tho fact that tho English had not renched It, at least thl summer, as was their Intention, we agreed that tho best thing to do was also to make this trip. On Ocober 20, tho southern party started, fivo men, four sledges, fifty two dogs, and provisions for four months, everything in excellent order. The Journey to the Pole. We had made up our minds to take the first part of tho trip as early as possible in order to give ourselves and tho dogs a rational training, and on the 23rd we made our depot In 80 degrees south. We went right ahead. In spite of tho dense fog an error of two to three kllomeeers happened once in a while, but wo wero caught by the flagmarks, and found these on our way without dilllculty. Having rested and fed the dogs on all the seal meat they were able to eat, wo started again on the 20th, with tho temperature steadily between minus 20 and 30 celslus (4 degrees and 22 dgrees belowe zro, fahrenhelt). From the start It was tho intention not to drive more than 30 kilometers a day, but it appeared that this was too little for our strong, willing ani mals. At 80 degrees south we began to build snow cairns of a man's height, in order to have marks on our re turn trip. On the 31st wo reached the depot at 81 degrees, and stopped there one day and fed the dogs on as much pemmlcan as they wanted. We reached the depot at 82 degrees on the 5th of November, where tho dogs for tho last time got all they wanted to eat. On the 8th, southward again, with a daily march of50 kilo meters. In order to light our heavy sledges we established depots at each degree of south latitude. Like a Pleasure Trip. The trip from 82 to 85 degrees be came a pleasure trip, excellent ground, fine sledging, and an even tempera ture. Everything went like a dance. On the 9th, we sighted South Vic toria land and the continuation of the mountain runge which Sir Ernest Shackelton mentioned In his chart as running toward the southeast from the Beardmore glacier, and on the same day we reached 83 degrees and established here depot No. 4. On tho 11th wo made an Interesting discovery that the Ross barrier terminated in a bight toward the southeast at 8G degrees south latitude and 1G3 degrees west longitude, formed between tho southeast mountain range running from South Victoria land and a rango on the opposite side running in n southwesterly direction, probably a continuation of King Edward VII land. On the 13th we reached 84 degrees where we established a depot, on tho lGth wo were at 85 degrees, where also, we made a depot. From our winter quarters, "Fram helm," 78 degrees 38 minutes south latitude, we had been marching due south. On the 17th of November, at 85 degrees, we nrrlved at a place where the land and barrier wero con nected. This was done without any great difficulty. Tho barrier hero rises in undultatlons to about 300 feet. Some few big crevices indicated the limited boundnry. Here we made our head depot, tak ing provisions for sixty days on sledges, and leaving thirty days' pro visions on tho spot. The land under which wo lay and which we had to attack looked quite imposing. Tho nearest summits along the barrier had a height from 2,000 to 10,000 feet but several others further south were 15,000 feet or more. Tho next day wo began the climb. Tho first part of it was an easy task, light stops and well filled mountain sides. It did not take a long tlmo for our willing dogs worked their way up. Further up, wo met with some, small but very steep glaciers. Here wo had to harness twenty dogs to each sledge and take tho four sledges in two turns. In some places it was so steep that it was dIHlcult enough to uso our skis. Some big crevices forced us from time to time to make detours. Tho first day wo climbed 2,000 feet, tho next day mostly up some small glac iers, camping at a height of 4,500 feet. The third day wo were obliged to go down on a mighty glacier, "Axel Helberg's Glncler," which divided the coast mountains and the mountains further south. The next day began tho longest part of our climb. Many detours had to bo made In order to nvoid broad cracks and crevices. These wore ap parently taostly filled up, as tho glaciers In all probability had long ago stopped moving, but wo had to bo very careful, never knowing for cer tain how thick was tho lawer that covered thorn. Our camp that night lay In very picturesque surroundings nt a hclghth of 5,000 foot. Tho glacier hero was narrowed In between tho two 15,000 feet high moimtnlns, tho "Frldtjof Nansen" and the "Don Pedro Chrlsto pherson." From tho bottom of tho glacier rose mount "Olo Englstad" a big snow cono 13,500 foot high. Tho glacier was very much broken In this comparatively narrow pass. Tho mighty crevices seemed to stop us from going further, but it was not so serious as it appeared. Our dogs, which up to this tlmo had covered a distanco of about 7,000 kilometers, tho last few days very hard work, ran this day 35 kilometers, tho ascent be ing 5,600 feet, an almost incredible record. It took us only four days from the barrier to get up on tho vast Inland plateuw. Wo camped that night at a height of 10.G00 feet. Hero wo had to kill twonty-four of our brave com panions and keep eighteen, six for each of our threo sledges. Wo stopped here four days on ac count of bad weather. Tired of this wo set out on the 28th of November. On tho 2Cth in a furious blizzard and in a dense snow drift absolutely noth ing was to bo Eeen, but wo felt that contrary to expectations wo wero go ing fast down hill. Tho hypsometer gave us a fall of 800 feet. Tho next day was similar. The weather cleared a llttlo at dinner time and exposed to our view a mighty mountain range to tho east, and not far off, only for a moment, and then It disappeared In the dense snow drift. On tho 29th It calmed down and tho sun shone, though It was not the only pleasant surprise he gave. In our course stretched a big glacier running toward the south. At its eastern end was tho mountain rango going in a southeasterly direction. Of the western part of it no view was to be had, it being hidden in the dense fog. At the foot of this glacier, the "Devil's Glacier," a depot for six days was established, at 86.21 degrees south latitude. Tho hypsometor in dicated 8,000 feet above sea level. On November 30 wo began to climb tho glaclor. Tho lower part of it was very much broken and dangerous. Moreovor, the snow bridges very often burst. From our camp that night we had a splendid view over the mountain to the east. There was "Helmer Han sen's Summit," tho most remarkable of them all. It was 12,000 feet high and covered with such broken glaciers that In all probabilities no foothold was to bo found. "Oscar Wistings," "Sverro Hassels," and "Olav Hjan lands" mountains also lay here, beautifully Illuminated in the rays of the bright sun. In the distance, and only alternate ly to be viewed in tho fog, appeared from tlmo to time "Mount Nielsen," with Its summits and peaks about 15,000 feet high. We only saw tho nearest surround ings. It took us three days to sur mount the Devil's glacier, always in misty weather. On the 1st of December wo left this broken glacier, with holos and crevices without number, with its height of 9,100 feet. Before us, look ing In the mist and snowdrift, like a frozen sea, appeared a light, sloping ice plateau filled with small hum mocks. Tho walk over this frozen sea was nut pieusum. rno ground under us was quite hollow, and It sounded as though wo were walking on the bot toms of empty barrels. As It was, a man fell through, then a couple of dogs. We could not'use our skis on this polished ice. Sledges had tho best of It. The place got the name the "Devil's Dancing Room." This part of our march was tho most unpleasant. On December G we got our greatest height, according to the hypsometer and ane roid 10,750 feet at. 87 degrees 40 minutes south. On December 8 wo came out of tho bad weather. Onco again the sun smiled down on us. Onco again wc could get an observation. Dead reckoning and observation wore ex actly alike, 88 degrees, 88 minutes, 1G.G seconds south. Bofoi;o us lay an absolutely plain plateau, only hero and there marked with a tiny sastrugl. In tho afternoon wo passed 88 de grees 23 minutes. (Shackoleon's fur therest south was 88 xlegrees, 23 minutes.) Wo camped and establish ed our last depot, depot No. 10. From 80 degrees 25 minutes tho plateau be gan to slope down very gently and smoothly toward tho other side. On tho 9th of December we reached 88 degrees 39 minutes, on December 10, 88 degrees 5G minutes, December 11, 89 degrees 15 minutes, December 12, 89 degrees 30 minutes, December 13, 89 degrees 45 minutes. Up to this tlmo tho observations and dead reckoning agreed remarkably well, and we made out that wo ought to bo at tho polo on December 14 In the afternoon. That day was a beautiful one, a light breeze from southeast, the tem perature minus 23 celslus (9.4 degrees bolow zero, fahrenhelt), and the ground and sledging wore perfect. The day went along as usual, and at 3 p. m. we mado a halt. According to our reckoning wo had reached our destination. AH of us gath ered around the colors, a beautiful silk Hag, all hands taking hold of it and planting It. Tho vast plateau on whljh tho pole Is standing got tho namo of tho "King Haakon VII Plateau." n Js a vast plain, alike In all directions, milo after mile during tho night we circled around the camp. In tho fine weather wo spent tho following day taking a series of ob servations from 6 a. m. to 7 p. m. Tho result gavo us 89 dogrces 55 minutes. In order to observe tho polo as closo ns possible we traveled as near south as posslblo, the remaining 9 kilo meters. On December 16 thoro wo camped. It was an excellent opportunity. There was a brllllano sun. Four of us took observations ovory hour of tho day's twenty-four hours. Tho exact result will bo tho matter of a professional private report. This much Ib certain, that we ob served tho polo as closo as It Is In human power to do it with tho Instru ments we hnd, a soxtant and artificial horizon. On December 17 everything was In order on tho spot. We fastened to tho ground a llttlo tent wo had brought along, a Norwe gian flag and tho Fram pendant on the top of It. Tho Norwegian homo at tho South polo was called "Polhelm." Tho distance from our 'winter quar ters to tho pole was about 1,400 kilo meters. The nverago march a day was 25 kilometers. We started on tho return trip on tho 17th of December. Unusually favorable weather mado our way homo considerably easier than tho journey to tho pole. Wo nrrlved at our winter quarters, "Framholm" on the 25th of January, 1912, with two sledges and 11 dogs, all well. The dally averago speed on tho re turn trip wns 36 kilomotors, tho low est temperature was minus 31 celslus, (23.8 degrees below zoro Fahrenheit.) Tho highest minus 5 celslus, (23 do grces above zero Fnhronholt). ( Among the results are tho determi nation of tho extent ind character of the Ross Barrier, and tho dis covery of the connection of South Victoria land and probably King Ed ward VII Innd, with their continua tion in the mighty mountains running toward the southeast which wore ob served as far as 88 degrees south, but which in all probability continue across tho antarctic continent. Tho entire length of tho nowly dis covered mountains is about S50 kilo meters. They have been named "Queen Maud's Rango." Tho expedition to King Edwnrd VII land under tho command of Lieut. Prestud has given excollent results. Scott's discoveries have been con firmed, and tho survey of the bay of Whales and of tho Banior Dome by the Prestud party are of great Inter est. A good geological collection from King Edward VII and South Victoria land is being brought home. Tho Fram arrived at tho Bay of Whales on tho ninth of January. Sho had been delayed by tho "roaring forties" on account of tho easterly winds. On Jnnuary lGth tho Japanese ex pedition arrived at tho Bay of Whales and landed on tho Barrier near our winter quarters. Wo left the Bay of Whales on January 30th. It was a long voyage with contrary winds. All are well. RAOLD AMUNDSEN. A Full Line. Mnrch Is busy showing weather With much glee. Hns arranged tho styles together, As you see. Snow In winter, hent In summor, Rain in fall. March has samples, like n drmumor, Of them all. On the Firing Line. "Son, I hear you havo Joined tho boy scout movement." "Yes, dad." "Well, s'pose you scout ahead now nnd see what sort of humor your mother 1b In." Belnn Pressed. "I like to examine tho dictionary i during spare moments. You find many unexpected things In It." "Yes; I've noticed that. I somo times find queer-looking fcmlnino ap parel in ours." Great Progress. "Developed your gold mine any as yet?" "Yes, Indeed. I stnrted with desk room, and now I havo a lino suite of olllces." There are no blizzards In thn Yukon Valley In winter, and thoro is llttlo wind. Snow about two feet deep covers everything from early October till spring. The Political Situation. Are tho times uplifting? Hero wo go. Whither are wo drifting? 1 dunno. This Slim Craze. "HIpB and curvoB havo had to go." "Yes; modem woman Is almost back to the orlginnl rib." All of Borlln'o sowago 1b pumped out of tho city to disposal farms which have a total area of about 40, 000 acres. Paris bakerB havo formed a syn dicate to malntnin a laboratory in which all their Hour Is scientifically tested. An Educated Bird. "Polly want a cracker?" "Naw; glmmo (wo cards." Poking, tho only capital in tho world without a street car Bystem, soon Ib to havo an ol"trp line. Tho cost of Italy's Tripoli fxp"Il tion Ib estimated at $2,500,000 a day, FORGET OLD DMS Must Taft and Roosevelt if They Do Kind of Fighting That's in Them. LIKE DAMON AND PYTHIAS flea of Affection Broken by Colonel's Candidacy Not Equalled by Any Who Have Served for Friend ship's Comparison. By GEORGE CLINTON. Washington. "If William 11. Taft and Theodore Roosevelt are to do tho kind of fighting for tho next threo months that It is in them to do they must keep their mlndB off tho old days." It was tho politician-legislator who has known both men lntlmatoly from tho day when thoy began their Washington life, who said this. President Toft did not bollovo until six o'clock Sunday, February 26, that Theodore Roosevelt waB to declnro himself, oven In otlect, an nctlvo can didate for tho nomination. Ho hung on nftor other men had lot go tholr hold to a faith that something in friendship would keep tho colonel from saying tho dofinito word which would put him Into tho Hold ns a rival of tho man who as secretary of war sustnlncd him In cxecutivo endeavor. Mr. Roosevelt's friends Bay that Mr. Taft broko tho bonds or friendship whon ho departed threo years ago from tho promised path. Tho blamo is thrown ono way by somo men and nn othor way by others, but wherever it belongs tho friendship seemingly fins gono, though It may bo, as Mr. Taft Is reported to havo said recently to ono of his friends, that ono dny nrtor tho troublos tlmo when retirement comes, It will return. Damon nnd Pythias, David and Jo nathan, Aeneas and Fldus Achates and all tho rest who havo Borved bo faithfully for friendship's compari sons muBt pass whon tho onco exist ing affection of Theodore Roosevelt nnd William H. Tnft for each other is Considered. The Ranking Officer. Thoro is n Washington nowspaper story to the effoct that tho society editor of a local journal wont to tho White House ono morning when Mr. Roosovolt wns president to got somo information on precedenco nnd whllo there ho asked somo ono who tho ranking ofilcor of tho cabinet was. The president overheard tho question and turning said; "Tho secretary of war." So ho was to Theodore Roose velt. Many things showing the affection between Mr. Roosevelt nnd Mr. Taft are brought to mind today by tho breach between two men who onco caino ns near to bolng ono bb human circumstances would admit. Ono night In December, 1907, two or three months before Mr. Taft becamo an announced candidate for tho nomina tion, President Roosevelt, tnlklng to somo friends In tho Whito Houbo, said that tho country was calling certain legislative pollclos "tho Roosevelt policies." Then ho snld that ho did not know whether thoy wero Rooso volt policieB or Tnft policies. His un certainty as to tho proper name was duo, ho said, to tho fact that long be fore ho hnd nny thought that ono day ho might bo president of tho United States ho was thinking nlong linos of what ho considered to bo proper pub lic policioB, and wondoring If over they might bo given legislntlvo effect. Whllo wondering ho found out that another man was thinking .along tho same linos nnd also wondering If his thoughts might ono day take tho form of legislation. Tho othor man, Mr. Roosovolt said, wns William H. Taft. As tho story camo from Mr. Rooso volt, ho entered into n correspondence with Mr. Taft, exchanged vlewB and opinions and round thnt they wero Identical. Roosevelt said that from that dato until tho dny ho was speak ing tho two had been close In counsel,, In friendship and in endenvor. 8tory Pleased Taft. It was only a fow weoks ago that President Tnft wbb told this story of tho words of tho man whom oven thon it was expected might bo hiB rival in tho 1912 Hold. Ho liked tho story nnd said it was good to hoar It. Before tho country know generally that Mr. Roosevelt hoped that his secretary of war could bo lnducod to becomo a candidate for the presidency a visitor nt tho Whito House asked him what progressive Republicans wero to do on election dny tho fol lowing November provided tho party insisted on nominating a reactionary. Tho president said that ho hoped it would not bo necessary for anybody "to go fishing"; that if tho party should nomijinto as ho hoped It would, William II. Taft, it would havo a progressive candidate and if ho was elected tho country would havo a pro gressiva prosidont. Then he added that hlB associations with Mr. Tnft and his closo friendship with him mado him know Just how ho felt about real progressiva legislation and Just what ho would do to furthor Its causo If over ho becamo president. There are a fow Washington bollov era of a story soraowhat widely told that Mr. Roosovolt broko with Mr. Taft before Inauguration day, 1909. It Is pretty well known that tho prede cessor watched with somo misgivings tho successor's cabinet mnklng en deavors, but It Ib to bo doubted if Mr. Roosevelt said, ns ho Ib reported to hnvo said, "A cabinet lllto mine does not serm to bo good enough tor him and it may bo that in a fow weeks pollclos llko mlno will not bo good enough for him." Want a Third Fort. Tho refusal of tho house of repre sentatives to Incorporate In tho fortification bill tho appropriation of $150,000 for n Bite for a const dofenso on Capo Henry was a sharp disappointment to most of the good Virginians In tho houso, to a good many army officers nnd unques tionably to tho ontlro population of tho tido-wntor section of tho Old Do minion. Fort Monroo today has tho safety of. several American cities in its keop lng. It is tho outpost defense of Washington and Baltimore, nnd with Fort Wool It Btnnds as a eontlnol keeping wntch over Norfolk and Rich mond. Tho nrmy men nnd tho Vir ginians think that a third sentinel should be posted, but congressmen havo taken issue with thorn. Across tho mingling wntors of Chcsapcako bay and tho ocoan lies Capo Charles, whoso rough coaBt Is visible on clear days to tho gunners on Monroe's par apets, but If what haB been said by supposed exports Is truo, no projectllo which tho big guns of tho fort can, hurl over is likely to prove effective ngainBt battleships steaming into tho chnnnol closo undor tho Charles pro montory to make tho run up tho wn tors leading to tho capital. Tho forts at Cape Henry southward ncross tho entrnnco to tho Inland wn tors, army men seem to think, would nearly porfoct tho syatom of defense, but tho proposal for a Capo Henry fortification is only ono of several plnns which hnvo been mado from tlmo to timo to complete tho defenses of tho harbor, bay and river. Hints at Selfish Interest. There wns a plan first to build a fort on Capo Charles Itself, but later this was changed in favor of n plan to plant big guns on a half submerged Island midway of tho entrnnco to tho Chesapeake. This plan was consid ered by congress sovornl years ago, and there wero hints thnt somo selfish interests wore connected with it, but no ono over mndo a direct chargo, and thoro nover was any proof advnncod of what were but whispered Insinua tions. It seems to bo the full bollef of many army officers that ono day an ad ditional fortification in tho vicinity of tho Virginia capes will bo author ized by congress. As things nro now it is said that a foreign licet with a' pilot deserving the namo on board tho lending ship, could slip into tho Chosapcnko under cover of a hazo whllo tho shore artillerymen, no mat ter how watchful, would know nothing of the movomont until thoro waB no tnrgot to fire at, but tho brond wakes of tho invndlng vessels. Fort Monroo is Bald to be a bul wark of dofenso in itself, but it seems oven to the layman that tho picture drawn by somo of tho congressmen of n capital laid wasto by the guns of a foreign fleet, or by troopB which had secured a landing back of tho present fortlflcntioiiB, is drawn with a freo hand guided by n freor imagination. If vessels should succeed In getting by Fort Monroo thoy would havo a hard tlmo getting up tho Potomac river, for below Washington tho Potomac's channel is safe-guarded. Make an Easy Target. Pictures nlso havo boon drawn of tho demolition of Richmond and Nor folk by hostile guns. It would Becm that tho Virginia capital and Its sea port might bo ablo to rest In confi dence that no foo can como up tho wa ter to thoir troubling. Tho main ship channel at tho mouth of tho James Is within easy groat gun rango of tho parapets of Fort Monroo, and the gun ner who could not hit so fnlr and con fronting n mark aa n battleship or a cruiser at doublo tho distanco would bo discredited after ono pushing of tho electric button, and his plnco would bo taken instnntly by a man ablo to drivo every projectllo homo for tho army Is not worthloss, thcro are many such men in tho artillery ranks. If tho marksmen at Fort Monroo should hnppen to fall In their gunning thoro Is perhaps llttlo chanco that tholr brother artlllorymen at Fort Wood would fall in theirs, for tho on omy that would attempt to force a passage of tho James would almost bruBh tho muzzles of tho smaller fort's guns'. Artlllerymon havo occasional chances to test their skill. A govern ment tug tows red triangnlnr pyra mids made of cloth stretched on n framework of wood across tho Jlno of firo, whllo tho mon at tho big rifles peg away at tho targets drawn through tho fire zono at a ton knot gait. In order to mnko a hit it "Ib not necessary "to hit," for if it Ib found that tho shot has made Itself "effectlvo" In spneo fore and aft of tho target, not greater than that which would havo been covered by tho bnttleshlp, a hit Is credited. It seems to bo a fair system of marking, and is tho only ono used by tho land and sea artillerymen of tho world when firing at moving marks, Hits at Commerce Court. Ropresentatlvo Thotus Wllretta SlmB of Tennessco is tho repre sentative In congresB who intro duced tho bill to abolish tho com merce court. It probably will bo re membered by most newspapor read ers that tho commorco court disa greed with n good many of tho find ings of tho interstate commerce com mission, and that tho Supremo court stood by tho commission, In somo in stances at any rnto, and ns a rosult there ban been a good deal of agita tion in favor of abolishing tho so called tallroad court. This tribunal was created in part by tho direct recommendation of President Taft, and thoro Beoras to bo llttlo likeli hood at this session nt any rato that any strong attempt will bo mado to get a bill through congress which, shall wlpo tho court out of existence,