The Giddings Star (Giddings, Tex.), Vol. 7, No. 49, Ed. 1 Friday, March 7, 1947 Page: 2 of 8
eight pages : ill. ; page 20 x 13 in. Digitized from 35 mm. microfilm.View a full description of this newspaper.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
THE GIDDINGS STAR
Fete Recalls Strides in Telephony
Bell’s Varied Achievements
Revealed During Centenary
By BAUKHAGE
News Analyst and Commentator.
WNU Service, 1616 Eye Street, N. W.,
Washington, D. C.
WASHINGTON. — Everybody has
been talking telephones because of
the well-publicized Alexander Gra-
ham Bell centenary. Reading the
pounds of publicity. I learned more
about Alexander Graham Bell than
I ever knew before. I had read of
how he dreamed of making the tele-
graph instrument “talk” and how
and why his dream came true. I
didn't know about his father's deep
study of phonetics and his own in-
terest in “making speech visible,”
in teaching the deaf to talk, or that
he was an accomplished musician or
many other facets of this remark-
able man's remarkable history.
I already knew a little about the
telephone business from first hand
observance.
It was just about 20 years before
I ever used a telephone that Bell,
thanks to his harmonically trained
ear, found on that day in 1875 that
what he thought could be done, had
been achieved in his own laboratory
on Court street, Boston. From then
on it was just a question of re-
moving “the bugs." The next year
he was demonstrating his instru-
ment before audiences with conver-
sations over several miles of wire.
Before he died at the age of 75,
people were talking over an under-
water cable from United States to
Cuba.
I doubt if the great inventor were
to return to earth today he would
in later life shows how he spent
many hundred “man-hours” of his
time—tabulating statistics concern-
tag the deaf. At one time he pro-
duced a “Memoir Upon the Forma-
tion of a Deaf Variety of the Human
Race.”
be greatly surprised at the strides
in telephony which have been made
since his death, great as they have
been. He may not have considered,
however, one of the temporary prob-
lems (electrolysis) which created
many a headache for the telephone
companies and which helped, indi-
rectly, to provide the writer of this
column (who was to be a future ex-
tensive user of telephone facilities)
with a part of his education.
To explain the above remark:
(1) 150,000 miles of program trans-
mission circuits now are provided by •
* *
Jones Finally Gets Birthday
One day recently I received a tele-
phone call from my friend Capt. E.
John Long, USNR, who is assistant
curator of the United States naval
museum at Annapolis. I detected
exultation in his voice and, sure
enough, when I joined him at the
club he was wearing that “Eureka-
I-have-found-it" expression which
blooms only on the face of a Bell
discovering the telephone, a Lord
Carnarvon (and-or) Howard Carter
exclaiming as he leans over the
mummy-case: “King Tut, I pre-
sume?”—or possibly you or I when
we finally get a firm hold on the
end of our vanished pajama cord.
What happened to Long was com-
parable. He had recorded the con-
firmation by his chief, Capt. H. A.
Baldridge, chief curator, of the long-
suspected but never-proved date of
birth of John Paul Jones, father of
the navy. And it was fortunate he
had, for the post office department
was demanding it for the next
memorial stamp.
Baldridge already had a letter of
Jones’ containing this sentence:
“America has been the country of
my fond election from the age of
13.” Since it was known he sailed
from Whitehaven, England, in 1760
that would make the birth date (1760
minus 13) 1747.
But the birth date was not actually
recorded in any authentic writing,
not even the early Jones biography
by Charles Sands. However, there
came into temporary possession of
Captain Baldridge a copy of that
work, upon whose margins Janette
Taylor had written some caustic
comment. Miss Taylor was a niece
of Jones who had been a close and
meticulous student of her uncle's life
and many of his papers which she
possessed.
One of her holographic statements
re the picture of Jones in the frontis-
piece was this:
the Bell system for use of radio
networks. (It's “wireless” to your
home from your radio station, but
it’s “wired” between stations.) 1
(2) The writer has been using a
lot of these circuits five days a week
for most of the last 14 years.
(3) He worked two college vaca-
tions as “electrolysis inspector” for
the telephone company.
To explain further:
(1) You know how electroplating
is done? The object—say it's a spoon
—to be plated is suspended in a
“bath” containing the material with
which the spoon is to be plated. An
electric current is passed through
the substance in the bath into the
spoon. The substance follows the
current as far as it can, which is
the surface of the spoon. Anyhow
it moves.
(2) You’ve seen the lead-sheathed
cables containing telephone wires
being pushed through the manhole
into conduits that lie under the
pavement. The sheath on the cable
protects the insulated wires that
carry the current which rings your
phone bell and carries your voice.
(3) But other electric currents get
loose and run all over the place.
You'd be surprised but almost every
foot of earth or anything that will
conduct an electric current in a city
has some electricity flowing through
it. When the power companies were
careless about preventing leaks in
their wires it was worse. Stray cur-
rents left power wires or the rails
of electric railways and took a short
cut back to the power house.
(4) Wherever they found a good
conductor like a lead cable that was
like thumbing a ride for the wander-
ing volts and amperes. So far so
good. But eventually they had to
leave the cable, to find their way
to a better conductor or just to say
“so long” and struggle back to the
dynamo.
(5) When they did that, “electro-
lytic action” set in. The lead in
the cable sheath followed the cur-
rent as far as it could (like the sub-
stance in the bath) and left-the
sheath porous. Dampness and de-
struction came in and soon your
telephone line was out of order.
My job consisted of sitting by the
hour watching the face of an am-
meter (which registers the direction
and flow of electric current) and
discovering where the current was
escaping. Then I had to get the
power company to do what it could
to stop leaks and the telephone com-
pany did all it could to keep stray
current out or to provide a safe exit
for what got in.
In the process I learned much more
than I earned—not much about elec-
trical engineering but I had a fine
worm’s-eye view of several Middle
Western cities—bird's-eye views, too,
for I worked in cable boxes up on
poles, as well as down in manholes,
and also learned that it isn’t only
newspapermen who “meet so many
interesting people.”
When I ponder on my electrolyt-
ic age and also when I "address
the mike" Mondays through Fri-
days now, I am deeply and doubly
grateful to Alexander Graham Bell.
“. . . it is even too old, making
every allowance for his mode of life,
for a just representation of his ap-
pearance at the time of his death, he
was then only 45 years and 12 days.”
(His death, 1792, is of record.)
That tied it. No wonder the cap-
tains tossed their scrambled eggs in
the air like graduating midshipmen.
John Paul has an official birthday
only two centuries late-and his face
on a stamp for a present.
• • •
In an attempt to end mess hall
griping, the army aims to make
kitchen police a respected and re-
spectable army chore. We'll have
to wait on the critical judgment
of the long-suffering mess lines be-
fore we really know; but meanwhile
we’ll offer a toast of powdered
K-ration lemonade to General Ike
and his staff—just for trying.
SHORT OF DEMAND.
Improved Medical Care Urged
WASHINGTON. - Present-day
medical personnel and facilities fall
far short of the demand, Thomas
Parran, surgeon general of the
United States Health service, de-
clared in calling on congress to
provide better medical care for all.
In his annual report on the na-
tion’s health, Parran asserted: “We
have yet to solve the economic
problems of medical care. We have
yet to make it possible for every-
one, regardless of income, to obtain
the basic services needed for pro-
tection of his own health and that
of his neighbors.”
The two major problems con-
fronting public health workers were
DIVERSIFIED DIET . . . Anything from Russian borsch to Italian
spaghetti is contained in the lune* pails of students at the American
school in Tsingtao, China. The reason: Eighteen nationalities are repre-
sented among the students.
NEWS REVIEW
Clash on Budget Looms;
Union Merger Advanced
CONGRESS:
Budget Trouble
As in the case ot reducing per-
sonal income taxes, the Republican
congress divided on the extent of,
slashing President Truman’s 1948
budget request of 37.5 billion
dollars.
While GOP members in the house
led by Representative Taber (Rep.,
N.Y.) favored a 6 billion dollar cut,
senate Republicans led by Senator
Taft (Rep., O.) stood out for a 4%
billion dollar decrease. It was ex-
pected that a compromise figure of
5 billion would be reached, permit
ting a 20 per cent income tax reduc-
tion and a sizable surplus to be
applied against the national debt.
House Republicans charged their
senate colleagues with having suc-
cumbed to military and naval pres-
sure against substantial reductions
in army and navy expenditures.
Declaring there was room for econ-
omy “and an end to extravagance”
in every federal agency, including
the army and navy, they asserted
that the services could take a 15 per
cent slash in appropriations with
hampering national defenses in
Taft replied any cut in military
appropriations be held to 10 pr
cent to assure national security aid
fulfillment of overseas obligations.
LABOR:
Discuss Unity
Divided in 1935 over the issue of
vertical (mass) organization of
workers, the “House of Labor” was
another tortuous step closer to unity
with CIO acceptance of an AFL in-
vitation to merge the two great
American labor movements with a
total membership of over 12 million.
Significantly, John L. Lewis of the
United Mine Workers, who left the
AFL to head the new CIO and then
returned to the AFL, was named
on the AFL negotiating committee
headed by Pres. William Green. Fa-
CONFIDENT OF VICTORY ...
Marion Schultz—freckles and all
—has her pet kitten “Hoby” all
bundled up against the cold win-
ter winds as she prepares to enter
her in a New York pet show.
listed as the extension of necessary
health services and the battle
against chronic diseases, particu-
larly those of old age.
"As we have gained victories
over the major communicable dis-
eases, conditions such as heart dis-
ease, cancer and diabetes have
moved to the fore as the causes of
death,” he said.
The surgeon general noted three
public health milestones in the past
year: Passage of the 375 million
dollar hospital survey and construc-
tion act, the national mental health
act and drafting of a constitution
for the World Health organization.
He reported a generally favorable
miliar with the mechanics and per-
sonalities of both unions, John L. is
in a strategic position to pave the
way for unification.
Representatives of two former
AFL unions were named on the CIO
committee led by Pres. Philip Mur-
ray. They included Emil Rieve of
the Textile Workers and Jacob Patof-
sky of the Amalgamated Clothing
Workers. As former units in the
AFL, these two CIO unions also can
bring their combined experience in
both labor movements into the dis-
cussions to reach a common ground
of agreement.
WHITE HOUSE:
Emergency Ending
Continuing to keep abreast of the
GOP, President Truman paved the
way for an early end to the national
emergency proclaimed in 1939 and
extended in 1941.
With the Republican congress
bent on restoring normalcy, Mr.
Truman again anticipated GOP
ection by asking the legislators to
repeal 24 temporary laws, tempo-
"Mrarily extend 12 others, permit an-
1F other 10 to run out their course,
J and cut back 12 appropriations.
Among the 24 laws the President
tabbed for repeal were those au-
thorizing the secretary of agricul-
ture to buy and distribute food for
U. S. territories and possessions;
disposal of ships under lend-lease
and accumulation of 90 days annual
leave for government employees.
Laws which he said should be
allowed to run their course include
restriction of active duty of re-
serves to emergencies; government
construction and use of petroleum
lines, and temporary maintenance
of housing on public lands.
Trimming of emergency laws
would reduce the President’s war-
time powers still in effect to those
covering the official war period,
which will end with ratification of
peace treaties.
POTATOES:
Seek to Avert Loss
Seeking to avert the loss of at
least 20 million bushels of surplus
potatoes taken over by the govern-
ment in support of the 1946 crop,
the department of agriculture of-
fered them to commercial exporters
and processors for 5 cents a hun-
dred pounds. The support price was
$2.20.
The department’s latest offer com-
pared with a price of 35 cents pre-
viously set for export sale. Because
of the low food value of potatoes,
their perishability and high handling
costs, foreign governments have pre-
ferred to purchase more nutritious
and less cumbersome supplies of
grain.
Inasmuch as they can buy wheat
flour at five to six cents a pound,
the foreign governments also have
been hesitant about paying 15 to 20
cents a pound for dehydrating po-
tatoes. Sale of the potatoes to
processors at 5 cents per 100 pounds
will bring the price of the dehydrat-
ed potatoes down appreciably, pro-
viding a stimulus for export.
situation in checking communicable
disease. Outstanding exceptions
were a winter epidemic of respira-
tory diseases, an increase in the in-
cidence of diphtheria, an outbreak
of oriental small pox on the Pacific
coast and continued prevalence of
infantile paralysis on an epidemic
scale for the fourth consecutive
year.
Farran said research in the year
indicated new and better treat-
ments for malaria, tuberculosis,
ringworm and shock. He also noted
a new treatment to prevent dental
cavities and a narcotic which may
prove a valuable substitute for
morphine.
Electric Power Is Stopped;
Tenants Must Buy Own Coal
VANCOUVER, WASH —The Van-
couver housing authority has de-
clared its tenants can buy coal or
sit in the dark.
Originally, the war built housing
projects furnished coal for heating.
But last year the authority decid-
ed tenants should buy their own coal.
Electricity, however, is included
In the rent, and the houses have no
meters. So many tenants, officials
said, simply stopped using coal,
bought electric heaters and let them
and ovens run constantly.
The power load got so heavy that
three transformers burned out in
one week. So from now on stations
will use smaller fuses, and if ten-
ants use too much electricity they'll
be left in darkness.
Pilot Saves Airliner After
It Strikes Tree, 45 Escape
MOBILE, ALA.—A Pan-American
airways DC-4 passenger plane,
which struck a tree in an attempt
to land at New Orleans, made an
emergency landing here.
Some 45 persons were said to have
been aboard the plane when it was
brought down here shortly after 1
a. m. None was reported injured.
The craft, arriving at New Or-
leans from Balboa. Canal Zone,
came to Mobile on three engines
after damaging its left outboard en-
gine at New Orleans where bad
weather prevented a landing.
Two Robbers Make Off With
$250, Miss $50,000 Parcel
CHICAGO.—A $250 robbery went
off without a hitch but the robbers
passed up $50,000.
Two men entered a branch office
of the American Express agency
and cowed Mrs. Theresa Mar-
chetti, manager, and James Mur-
ton, company agent.
They tied both with clothes line
and cleaned out the cash register.
But they left without searching
their victims. Murton had been
deliverying a supply of travelers'
checks to branch offices and had
$50,000 worth in his pocket.
Woman Weeps at Holdup and
Softens Heart of Young Thief
CHICAGO.—Ruth Fagan, lingerie
shop employee, wept when a young
robber ordered her to "give me all
the money in your cash register."
Miss Fagan handed him $11 and
sobbed. "That's all I took in today.”
The man looked at his loot, then
said gruffly. "Take it back, you need
it worse than I do."
Smoking Yen
TOKYO.—The government ciga-
rette monopoly announced that the
only two brands ot cigarettes in pro-
duction would retail at $1.33 a pack-
age of 10. The price marks a five-
yen increase.
REWARD
Will be paid to any person who can
prove, after using one bottle of
“MAYO BROTHERS’ HOME
PRESCRIPTION” for PYORRHEA
that it failed to do what MAYO
BROTHERS CLAIM IT WILL DO!
Get a bottle today at your drug
store, or if your druggist cannot
supply you, mail $1.00 direct to
MAYO BROS. PRODUCTS CO.,
fled that Japanese army officials vis
30414 Main, Houston, Texas. Post- ited the camps repeatedly but made
age prepaid. Sold on money back
guarantee.—(Adv.)
Graduating Class of
Lydia Houston Academy of Beauty Culture
Lydia Houston, Past Executive Member of Texas State Board of
Cosmetology, offers you an education that assures you a successful
future. Our graduates own and are employed in the best of shops
throughout the country. Consider this when you contemplate becom-
ing a beautician.
No age limit, no educational requirements, position assured.
Monthly payments accepted or discount for cash.
Enroll on or before April 14th for next graduating class. Start
now, don't waste precious time.
Write, phone or come in and see us.
LYDIA HOUSTON ACADEMY OF BEAUTY CULTURE
Phone K. 3-5050
HOUSTON, TEXAS
1010 Elgin St.
Subscribe to Your
Home Town Paper
!! Now!!
Box Used in Rescuing
Infant From a Blaze
TITUSVILLE, PA.—A newborn
baby, among seven patients res-
cued when fire destroyed an os-
teopathic clinic, was placed in a
cardboard box and carried to
safety in near zero temperatures
and a biting wind.
Other patients were taken out
in their beds- the handiest way
of keeping them warm. Insur-
ance men said the five-story
Bashline-Shrum clinic was valued
at about $80,000. It was formerly
the Fieldmore hotel, widely
known as a resort because of its
mineral springs.
Firemen drained a well dry in
a futile attempt to halt the ■ J
Hames.
‘Jewitt Nail’ Helps
Cure Shattered Hip
Surgeons Are Told of Success
With New Device.
CHICAGO.—Badly shattered hip
joints of elderly people mend faster
and safer with a new steel device
known as the Jewitt nail. American
Academy of Orthopedic Specialists
were told here.
Three bone specialists of St.
Luke's hospital. New York, said that
the appliance does away with the
method of using pulleys on the leg
while the patient remained in bed
for as long as 14 weeks.
• "It was estimated that about 40
per cent of elderly patients die while
In traction," the doctors said. "Oth-
ers develop pressure sores from ly-
ing in bed so long and many develop
bladder inflammation and irritation.
"About 11 per cent have to be
transferred to mental institutions be-
cause of a severe psychotic state
which develops.”
Using the Jewitt device, a combi-
nation three-flanged nail and bone
plate all in one piece, the doctors
said they have been able to reduce
mortality to about 12 per cent and
prevent crooked healing.
The time the patient must stay in
the hospital has been cut almost half,
they said, and the cost proportion-
ately reduced.
Although the hip fracture is tra-
ditionally one suffered by old peo-
ple. the injury often Is sustained by
individuals in the prime of life, the
surgeons said.
About 95 patients with shattered
hips have been operated on in New
York, using the Jewitt nail, they
added.
Surgeons making the report were
Dr. Mather Cleveland, Dr. David
M. Bosworth and Dr. Frederick R.
Thompson. .
Japanese Guards in Sumatra
Beat Children, Court Told
TOKYO.—Japanese guards beat
and starved Allied civilian women
and children internees with the
same savagery they used on men
in Sumatra, a witness told the in-
ternational war crimes tribunal.
Maj. Cornelis Leenheer, former
Dutch water polo Olympic star, tes-
tified he was an employee of the
United States Rubber company at
Kisaran on Sumatra, when the Jap-
anese invaded the Dutch East Indies
in 1942.
As supervisor who looked out for
the interests of women and children
in Sumatra’s camps, Leenheer testi-
no effort to correct conditions.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Preusser, Theodore A. The Giddings Star (Giddings, Tex.), Vol. 7, No. 49, Ed. 1 Friday, March 7, 1947, newspaper, March 7, 1947; Giddings, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1633987/m1/2/: accessed July 9, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Giddings Public Library and Cultural Center.