The Religious Spirit

938 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

Still Wonderful. The discovery and inventions of wireless telegraphy seemed the most wonderful in the history of the world, and it continues to be a source of marvel and wonderment. Marconi, the great Italian inventor, recently landed in the United States from Queens- town. During the entire voyage, he was in constant communica- tion on board ship with the United States and England. The yacht races, at the time, invited universal attention, both here and in Great Britain, and the results of the races were posted on the bulletin board of the steamer the morning following the contest. Mr. Marconi announces that he has come to this country to talk with Mr. Edison about some new inventions that he has made to improve his wireless telegraphic system. One of them, he de- clares, will revolutionize the system and make it a commercial success throughout the world. It is all still a wonder. A chapter of modern history read at the beginning of the last century would have been more marvelous than anything the world had ever known.

Not so Bad. Not least among the objections to the acquisition of terri- tories not contiguous to the United States was the large expense which it was believed such territories would impose upon this country without giving to the United States any adequate compensation by way of trade relations. Now that our recent down to the stabler conditions of peace possessions are settling and commerce, we are permitted to gain some definite knowledge of our commercial relations with them. The Department of Commerce and Labor through its Bureau of Statistics has given our commerce with these territories for the eleven months of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1903. The total commerce with Porto Rico, and Hawaii, the Philippines and Alaska, for eleven months amounted to little more than $90,000,000. The twelve months would easily, therefore, render a total commerce between us and them of $100,000,000 during the first uninterrupted year of our trade. We sent to them during the eleven months thirty millions and they sent to us, including four and one-half millions of gold from Alaska, nearly fifty-eight millions.

CURRENT STORY OF THE WORLD. 939

It is interesting to know that every dotfar's worth of our trade with Alaska was carried on in American vessels. Alaska sent us in fish alone during the eleven months $9,200,000. This istwo millions more than we paid for Alaska thirty years ago. Such commercial relations are highly encouraging; and whether or not our political institutions shall suffer as a consequence of the annexation of foreign territories, it is gratifying to learn that they are not likely to be so much of a financial burden as many feared they would be. The report says that only one per cent of what we sent to the Philippines, and only one-fourth of what those islands sent to us was carried in American vessels. The acquisition of these islands will undoubtedly have a strong influence in creating a supply of American vessels with which to carry on commerce between this and foreign countries. The Trackless Trolley. Sometime ago, it was reported that experiments were under way in Germany looking to the establishment of the trackless trol- ley. It is now announced that such a system is in full operation

near Dresden. In the new system,it has been found unnecessary to have such a track of steel rails to run upon as is used in this country. The common highway is sufficient for the purpose, and the cars turn to one side on their way to permit approaching vehicles to pass by. It is said that the new system is a perfect success, and has the advantage over the steel rail trolley system in that it can be operated much more cheaply. The cars are de- scribed as a sort of omnibus used for carrying passengers. Then there are freight cars used for the transportation of freight. The wire through which the motor power is carried runs over head, and there are projecting poles which extend upward, and at the end of which is a wheel that runs along the wire in the ordinary fashion. It is said that the average speed of these cars is from nine to

twelve miles an hour. It is believed that the new trackless trol- ley will not only prove much more effectual in suburban traffic, but that it may be also extended into many places where the pat- ronage would not justify the expense of the ordinary system. It

is delightful to experience the contributions of invention to the welfare and progress of man.

STATISTICAL REPORT OF THE Y. M. M. L A.

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Totals, 277 598 29573 1046 1026 2335 11467 7209 3178