Topical Thoughts and Irony From the Times Column
A collage of witty observations on Russia and revolution, prices, art, and manners. Notes on hop shortages, Helsingfors, a painter’s $200000 fortune, the Corbett comeback, Uncle Sage, Bryant, universal peace, battleships, a $2000 sea cow, a Danish old maid policy, a public kiss arrest in Atlanta, anarchists in verse, rain prayers by Chinese Christians, a Wisconsin lecturer’s flippant feminism, and the swell of Portland cement demand tied to San Francisco rebuilding and US production timelines.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
San Francisco
United States
Kansas City
Surplus, deficits and Panama Canal cost shape 1903-04 budget
The article details a pattern of large year end surpluses and deficits driven by high import and tariff receipts. It notes a $25 million surplus and near equal deficit the prior year, with 1903-04 showing a deficit unless a $40 million Panama Canal payment is excluded. It critiques a fixed revenue system linked to fluctuating receipts and references child labor laws, vital statistics, and calls for universal age verification. It recounts a shopper’s tale about clothing and a musician, then shifts to a travelogue on a German steamer with cultural contrasts and on board rituals, pools, and a famous passenger.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Panama Canal
United States
Treasury
Pennsylvania
Iawmakers
Kaneas
Hutchinson News
Europe
Deutschland
Julia Marlowe
Julia
John D. Rockefeller
John
Embarrassing Tales and Odds and Ends in Philadelphia
A Philadelphia business tale about two telephone companies and a new office boy who can't tell which line rings. A joke about a doctor’s risky prescription with no cure, no pay. An oyster age quip and a quip about looking comfortable in heat. A pun on mathematicians as figureheads.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Philadelphia
Togo Objects to Portrait Wealth and Loss of Negative
An autocratic admiral protests at the sale of his photograph. He buys back the negative for 20 yen to prevent further copies. The tale contrasts Maruki’s profit with Togo’s humility, and echoes a Washington Star anecdote about wealth and art. The clipping also quips about autos and social misreads.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Togo
Hugh Fraser
Maruki
Washington Star
Spelling reform trends in British and American usage
The Baltimore Sun notes F Sturgis Allen finds British spelling less prone to change than American usage. He cites American publishers adopting e forms to reach British markets, while Americans move toward British spellings like honour centre traveller. The piece discusses publishers, dictionaries, and the influence of usage on spelling reform.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
F. Sturgis Allen
Australia
Canada
South Africa
United States
Carnegie
Mr. Allen
Baltimore Sun
Future of San Francisco optimistic rebuilding urges strong construction
San Francisco plans to rebuild with earthquake resistant mortar and reinforced concrete. Japanese expert Nakamura warned about poor mortar and hollow tiling, urging solid foundations and braced steel frames. Fire risk addressed by replacing gas with electricity and by broad boulevards to limit conflagrations. Water pipes to be secured on concrete foundations.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
San Francisco
AN Francisco
Nakamura
Imperial University of
Do Plants See Light Why Leaves Track The Sun
The article argues plants appear to sense light. Leaves function as a primitive eye through lens like cells in leaf tissue. Haberlandt suggests the leaf surface concentrates light, distinguishing brightness and darkness, guiding growth toward light. Some plants have eye spot structures resembling real eyes and can print bright spots on photographic plates.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Temperate
Tropics
Haberlandt
Professor Haberlandt
Polite Japanese Children Impress Foreign Visitor
A foreign observer recalls Japanese childhood manners showing courtesy from infancy. Children bow to strangers at school exits and demonstrate respectful behavior with gifts and greetings. The piece contrasts Japanese politeness with a cautious view of Western reactions.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Japan
Albert Tracy
Also Mentioned on This Page
the Times
Helsingfors
Russia
Czar
Russell Sage
James J. Corbett
William Cullen Bryant
New York Aquarium
Denmark
Atlanta, Ga
University of Wisconsin
Ian
Jigsby
Philadelphia Ledger
Milwaukee Sentinel
Chicago
Liberal Party
Trussia
Saxony
Wurtemberg
Italy
Massachusetts
Supreme Court
Collier's Weekly
Colege
CSI
Mrs. Skrappy
Skrappy
Great Scott
Cleveland
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