Evening Star Newspaper, September 15, 1921, Page 18

pentier. They are insects. A horse weighing fifteen hundred pounds can pull on a level a weigkt of two and a half tons- That is a load equal to about flve times his own weight, allowing for the welght of the cart. But a bee can draw more than twen- ty times its own weight, a caterpillar has been known to be capable of pull- ing twenty-five times his own weight, while a blow-fly has been harpessed and found able to drag more tkan one hundred and fifty times its own uny weight. In an experiment with a small horn- beetle, weighing two grammes, this insect was found to be able to faibe and lower a piece of stick weighing two hundred times as much as itself. in order to rival such a feat a man would have to lift a railway truck laden with about eight tons of coal. He calls attention also to the feats of agility whick insects perform. These outdo anything men are able to accomplish. For instancd, several of the smaller species of grasshopper can jump as much as two_hundred times their own THE STRENGTH OF THE LITTLE FOLK. DR. FRANK CRANE. (Copsright, 1921.) T have just witnessed a tremendoys feat of labor. It was not the digging of a Panama canal, the building of a Roosevelt dam nor erection of a Wool- worth building. But, in some re- spects, it was more amazing. It was two Sexton beetles burying a dead mouse. And it could only be compared to two men digging a grave for an elephant and burying him in and with their bare hands. The strongest creatures in ‘the ‘world, in proportion to their size and weight, are not government mules, bulls, hippopotami, Dempsey nor Car- BY it. in half an hour, Diamond Bargains 1%-carat Perfect, Pure-White Solitaire Diamond Ring ..$390 2Y;-carat Perfect, Pure-White Sohhlre Dumond Ring $625 1-carat Blue-White Solitaire Diamond Ring.........$200 1Y%-carat Blue-White, Solitaire Diamond Ring. ..$250 3Y;-carat Perfect, Solitaire Diamond Ring..........$750 Y% -carat Blue-White Lady’s Solitaire Diamond Ring $75 $235 Platinum Dlamnnd Dinner Ring (Blue-White Dlamends)f -0 o 73-carat Pure-Wlnte Solitaire Diamond Ring.. Platinum Top Watch Bracelet (12 Diamonds) Diamond Earrings, weight about 1 carat. ... ... ..$100 $750 Diamond Flexible Bracelet (all platinum). .. ...$600 $700 Diamond Bar Pin (all platinum)..............$500 ..8135 .3150 $72 Goods Laid Aside on Deposit for Future Delivery Kahn Optical Co. 617 7th St. NW. Phone Orders Promptly Filled Main 5998 Main 5933 West 495 North 4593-W. Lincoln 6319 THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1921, length. The best a man can do is about four times his own length. To be up to the grasshopper's mark, be would have to jump a little under half a mile, which.is not being doi You have admired the lelv. flight of birds, such as the swallow and the swift, but a dragon-fly dnlh\l’ around over a summer pool gives a much more astounding performance. Probably the “haver” fly excels in speed any otter living thing. And ‘the muscle power he puts forth must be nlmvly prodjgious. 4 the exploits of quick leaping lnd rapid aviation of the common house-fly are wonderful enough when We stop to think_ of them. As architects and engineers the in- secte as far excel men as they are beyond us in. muscular strength. The cell building of the honey-bee has been the subject of many a vol- ume, and the extraordinary craft and social organisation of ants has often been described. A termite or white ant raises its hills to a height of fifteen feet, and constructs them so solidly that even a heavy beast like the buffalo can stand on it without breaking through. The pyramid- of Cheops is but ninety times the height of man, but these anthills are more than six hundred times the height of their tiny builders. Runnymede at Auction. From the New York World. Old times must be considerably | changed in England and old manners gone when it becomes necessary for a peer to rise in the House of Lords and protest against the sale of Runny- mede Meadow. Is there a more sacred plece of ground in the British Empire than the spot where the barons exacted the Magna Charta from King John seven ceutries "ago? Putting { Runnymede up at auction for sale as part of the crown lands would seem to come near constituting govern- mental sacrilege. It is as bad as a proposal to sell Independence Hall in Philadelphia_for a skyscraper or let out Bunker Hill Monument to an ad- vertising syndicate. If the historic site | American might appropriately be- come the purchaser. As the editor of the London Spectator says in a public letter, “Magna Charta is part of the law of the United States as it is part of the law of every English- speaking community.” To let the place of its origin go into private I hands would show a queer conception of national trusteeship. Was there a serious basis, after all, to the sug- gestion made last vear of selling Westminster Abbey? Is even St. Paul's safe? It will not bé forgotten that various historic churches in Lon- don were recently marked for disuse if not demolition. No doubt a country rich in historic assoclations accumulates patriotic landmarks which become obsolete with the passing of time. But in the United States, where every Washing- ton's headquarters is preserved and where new commemorative tablets go up almost monthly, the proposal to sell Runnymede Meadow will ex- cite amazement. There are some na- tional shrines, after all, which should be proof against profanation. Reinforced. From Harper's Magazine. Two contractors of a type unfortu~ nately too familiar were talking of some buildings which had collapsed before they were finished. l “Well, Billerton,” said one, “you al- ways have better luck than T do.” “Better luck? How's that” “Why, my row of new houses blew down in last week's wind, you know. while yours weren't harmed. All were bullt the same—same woodwork, same mortar, same everythin, “Yes.” said the other. “but you for- get that mine had been papered.” to be sold, an Largest Distributors o | AIRPLANES OUTSPEED BIRDS. Feathered Fliers Have Best of It in Ascent'and Landing. From the Sclentific American. Every one surely who has watched the flight of the swifter birds has made his own estimate as to their speed. The speeds attained by the carrier pigeon, the duck and the faster of the sea birds have formed the subject of-endless guesswork and inevitable exaggeration. Birds which are incapable, even when at. full stretch, of doing more than forty to fifty miles an hour have Reen credited with 100 and more. Now the fact of thé matter is that nothing is more difficult than to judge of the speed of any object through the air by mere human observation. Fore-shortening due to perspective alone renders (it impossible to tell just when a moving object passes above some fixed point on the ground, and almost invariably the estimated speed Is far beyond the ac- tual. At the present time the highest well-authenticated speed is that of homing pigeons, some of which have reached a speed of sixty miles an hour over comparatively short dis: tances. But now comes Col. Meinertzhagen, a noted ornithologist in Great Britain, with the statement tbat during his| anti-aircraft duties in the war, he| trained his men in instrumental work by making them take observations of the flight of birds. These he col- lected_and then confirmed their re- sults by Instrumental work himself. He tells us that the speed of birds, as thus accurately ascertained, is far below what it is popularly believed to be, varying from twenty to forty miles for the smaller passeres to from forty to fifty miles an hour in the case of waders. Those speeds repre- sent steady flight, but when a bird is frightened by an enemy, or when it is pouncing upon its prey, it can ac- celerate greatly for a limited time. He estimates that for a short dis- tance the swift can reach a speed of 100 miles an hour. The airplane, therefore, has greatly surpassed the swiftness of the birds both in its power of sustained speed and in its maximum speed. From 100 to 120 miles an hour can be main- tained by many of the standard ma- chines, and we know that last year the racing speed was carried up to from 180 to 190 miles per hour, while recent models are credited to be even faster. Where the birds still greatly sur- pass the human flying machines is in the matter of taking off and alight- ing. The seabirds, and all birds in fact, by changing the angle of in- cidence of their wings, are able to reduce their landing speed at a rate | which_the airplane and the seaplane cannot at present approach. The Place for Alpnonse. From the Pittsburgh Chronicle-Telegraph. “Alphonse d the heiress, “I have been th:nki “Thinking of me, precious?” asked Alphonse. “Indirectly, yes; T have been think- ing that if you married me, everybody would say you only did so to get my mo| at care I for the unthinkable world? “But, Alphonse, T will marry you.” “My ‘own dar- ATl ot have people say un- | kind things about you. so I have ar- ranged to give my fortune to the mis- sionaries. Why, Alphonse, where are you going?" Alphonse paused long enough on his way to the door to look back and mutter: “I'm going to be a mission- ary.’ Perils of the Links. From the New York mbflue So the insurance cnmnnnle- are of- fering to write ®olf insurance—have been able to assess in dollars the risk a’ golfer assumes when he goes on the links. But this, perhaps, is less grotesque than scoffers will assume. Golf has its hazards, as every duffer knows. Bunkers, traps, ponds, brooks, ditches, swamps and bramble bushes—that's what up-to-date links are made of, it Seems to the twenty-four-handicap man. There are other hazards. Any one who has intercepted a drive with his skull can testify that a golf ball is a dangerous missile. And the back-swing of a brassie resembles in impact the kick of 'a Missouri mule. A round on one of the congested public links is often a bit of trench adventure. ‘When thousands of persons are lfilnr one another from tee to tee with irons and baby cannon balls somebody is likely to be hurt, But certainly life is becoming compli- cated when even the sport that the physicians commend for its health- gIving qualities gets tangled up in the actuaries’ mortality tables. A Chance for AllL From the Philadelphia Ledger. The young man who says he has no chance willfully ignores the fact that no “golden age” of the past, in any land, ever presented such golden opportunities as America offers him today. If there 18 “no chance” for those who come on the stage to play their part in the drama of life today, what chance is there for those who are born a thousand years from today? Many, many centuries ago Solomon, in a fit of the blues, said there was nothing new under the sun. But so0 much has happened since Solomon that it sometimes seems as if hardly anything happened before Solomon. The best thing about America is not a mountain or a river, a magnificent city or a renowned cascade, a noble building or even a great man; the best thing is the chance it offers to each on a level with all to make his way to thé front and to win a success of the right sort. One who is aware of America and the privilege of an American becom very weary of the talk of pessimis who rail at fate because their lot has been cast in with the manifest destiny Stetson Shoe Shop 1305 F STREET The Elite Black Patent with Nickel Buckles. ...$12.50 Black Ooze with Gilt Buckles........$12.50 Black Satin with Black Buckles.......$11.00 Hand-turned soles; mili- tary wood-covered heels. Women’s Gray Silk Full Fashioned Hosiery, $2.23 value. Very Special, $200 — 3 for $5.50 I These Special Prices for Friday and Saturday Only I ARMY AND NAVY GOODS WASHINGTON SALVAGE CO. Five Stores The Footwear o/t Guarantced Shop Satisfaction 933 Sth St. N.W. 3053 M S5t. N.W. South of New York ofllhh! glorious land of ours. £ they would but look abroad and £ they could but realize how olhhers they yearn for the blessed boon scorn! To stricken races and heritage. —_—— It Cured Her. From the Edinburgh Scotsman. Not a hundred miles from Folkstone | a few months ago a wife lay very il up a clever orphan 8irl, the sick woman called the young Having bought Wwoman to her and said: “I shall goon leave my little chil- | ‘They know you and love you, and after I am gone 1 Jwant dren motherless. you and my husband to marry.” The young woman, tears said: about that.” The wife recovered. “We were just talkin; to peoples bending low under the yoke of the burden of life from day to day it is_inconceivable that an American should be blind to the blessing of his bursting into Fiction Takes Slump. From the Atlunta Constitution. Fiction writers are discouraged abou the outlook for their wares for the next year. Several New York magazin.s have hinted that they were well sup- plied with articles and stories. And or top of this the tendency is downward !in prices paid the author. One mag: {zine, noted for its articles, sudden!y | appeared with its last issue in entire ficton forp:. The announcement Wiy made that the newspapers so thoroughls | covered the article field that the ma | zine saw 1o reason to run articles. {movie rizhts for authors have slumped. The movie producers are | a standstill and it will be many mont | before they begin casting about for new scenario material. But in the meantiin. las_one philosophic author rema ‘There is nice green grass for gra: in Central Park, and there is alwa room for one more on the park benches You can be sure of the quality—that’s what makes our pnm 3o remarkable. Satisfaction and saving is the P-K Famous Brand Smoked Hams Morris’s = “Supreme” and \\|l~nns “Certified.” _ Nothing finer cured. 8 to 10 pound sizes. Prime Steer Beef Prime Rib Roast. Chuck Roast. . Bouillon Roast. ...Ib,, 35c .Ib., 18¢ Fresh Eggs Carnation Milk Tall cans. Each, 11c 6 for 65¢ Best grade of Cane Granulated 10 Ibs., 63c P-K Coffee it is 1348 U St. N.W. 303-5 10th St. N.W. 1109Y H St. N.E. Open Fri. and Sat. Nights Until 10 P.M. At Georgetown, Northeast and U St. Stores “Other Stores Open Until 6 P.M. Fresh Spring Leg o' Lamb.. 0ps. Rib and Loin Chops. lb 50c Stew Lamb; breast. .Ib., 15¢ Shoulder Ront. 5534 .lh, 30c Chickens Spring Fryers; fresh 4 sc dressed. Lb. Sliced Simply delicious. Hawaiian Pincapple. Stock up at this Special price— No. 1 Can, 15¢; 7 for $1.00 No. 2 Can, 21c; 5 for $1.00 No. 3 Can, 26¢; 4 for $1.00 You don’t know how good until you try it. lb 25 Govermmant Shckers Reclaimed. Perfect. Oiled. Waterproof. 18{ l Officers SBOCS New Cordo tan. Soft toe. Dress style. All sizes 495 l Govemnwnt‘Shove Long handles Government Rain Coats =<t Fericet Ofed Waterprool. 1.85 | Government Breeches Khaki asnew colored Riding Breeches. As good 75c ] Government Lalltems Railway style. Brand new Government Canteens or motorists Aluminum. A prim 3 nece | Officers’ Puttees ! sizes : New leather. Lordow n Puneca. Uark tan. Al 495 Goverllment Roast Bee 2-b. Can .. Government Mess Ki Aluminum. t.umplelc with covers and handles zsc | Amy Shlrts New. Khaki \\ork Shirts. All sizes 95c | Government Corn Beef Hash ™™ &~ Govemment Mattress Reclaimed. Cotton pad. Size 2 ft. 6 in. by 6 ft. 4 in. 1 75 | Govemment Gas Masks New, complete. Can be put thousand practical purposes o 25c | Government Hob-nailed ghoes el Real navy. Government Hammoc Heavy white duck. Ready to use. L8 | Govemment Barrack Bags Perfect. In white .. Government Ponchos Practically new, khaki color. With straps, school bags . costume. Government Canvas Cots .coiMsial colpiie. Cov Covered wnh heavy 12- 3 00 | Government Mosquito Tents New.. Extra large size 75¢c | Govt. New Leather Gloves An unusually good quality at our price. Per Ib. .... Coffee e - 23c | Government Pepper Vs-pound can of Red Cayenne Pepper. 9¢c | Government New Steel Axes - Blue Denim with bib. New Over Jumpers to match. All sizes, each..... 145 | Government J ~—Pure Jam. 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Dozen...s.:.-ec..z.. Towels “ = 75c | Chambray Shll'ts New; extra heavy .......ceeeeeeeeconsens o 89c | Congoleum Rllgs 4% feet square ......... P 69c 1.50 [ Government Wool Breeches 1.50 | New Riding Breeches New. Canvas. Government Bucke Collapsible Water Buckets... l 00 | Government Wool Underwear = 75¢ | Mohawk Empire Shee Government Underwear 7. New. Perfect. Summer-weight shirts and drawers 45c | Govemment Tents Reclaimed, 9x9-ft.; of 16-0z. canvas .......... 20 00 | l_lb Cans of Baked Beans Govei'nment Jackets Khaki colored. All sizes. coat........ All perfect. An ideal work K Pill, . A d li ki 5 Govemment Plll()ws apoc Pillows. gou quality ticking cover “50c | Government Shoes ™" "ot shoes; strangest shoes made.... 4 50 | 72x90 Full Size Heavy Sheets - Govemment l-egglm New. Canvas. Leggmgs. AlE1Ze8: 10 00 heseee soc ' Govemmmt Blankets Slightly damaged All wool, gray, tan and mixtures. 2.25up | Men’s Government Pajama Pan?mwmc Govemmqlt Shlrts All-wool Bhaki color. Every shirt perfect...... 1.25 | Government Jam 5 oz Pure fruit sugar nothing else; Austra]lan 8 1b. 1.25 | U.S. New Gray Wool Shirts Govment vafof extra heavy khaki drill.. 5%1 Govmt Boots New, ruhbcr knee boots first quahty. Al sizes. 3.25 ‘ lom sa]t Cellars Large size; f CAN Extra Heavy, Corrugated, Galvanized—With Tops - 25,018 Purchased From U. S. Gov't NEVER before has such an opportunity been offered the Washington public. $6.50 is their actual worth:and. $5 is the lowest price asked for them at sales. , “Uncle Sam” sold them to us, and they are every one protected to stand the hardest knocks. to make dentmz unpoulble. 52 The tops and bottoms are reinforce. 05 At Any of Our Stores