The Decatur Daily Review from Decatur, Illinois • Page 14

Edison Studies Rubber Vine; Work On Harvesting Machinery British Dam Project Planned On Blue Nile, Sacred African River Port Myers, Edison, has found the plant from which he Hopes the United States can produce its own rubber. He believes that if apparatus can be perfected for harvesting the Mad- agascarensis, imported "rubBer vine, and for extracting and separating the fluid it contains, American industry can declare its independence of the British-controlled rubber market upon which tt always has relied. He is taking the problem with him into the old frame laboratory here where in years gone by he has labored over acid-eaten and tool- scarred benchesjo perfect the electric light, the talking machine and other I devices which have made him the foremost inventor of his day. Into the building, surrounded by patois, shrubs and clinging vines on Edison's estate beside the Caloosahatchee river, a carload of machinery is being moved for use in the experiments. Edison will arrive at his estate this month instead of coming in January for a month or two, as he usually has done, and he has notified his caretaker, that he will remain until May.

Across the road from Edison's es- SCHUMANN -HEIMK tate is a three-acre tract upon which flourish plants and shrubs collected by the inventor from every corner of the world in his search for a substitute for rubber. He has selected for Madagascaren- sis, brought into the United States from Madagascar, as the plant with which he will experiment. It is capable, he says, of producing six per cent pure rubber. The vine is a perennial with dense fobage, winding into a thick labyrinth and climbing to great heights on nearby poles or Floral Symbol Of Christmas Is Dying Out A i a a to liani the Blue Nile in Abjssinia lor electric power fell when Auston Chamberlain British foreign minister dneclcd the a i of Has Tafari (left), regent of Abvssima, to a treatv under which i i i a has prior power rights. A dam likely will be built howcicr, hy British i i at or near the site indicated in the aboie map A i impoitcd irom Madagascar will give the United States its own rubber supply, Thomas (inset) believes, if economical means can be found to harvest if and'extract" its He will spend the trying to invent such equipment in the old laboratory (lett) at his Fort Myers, winter home.

The rubber vines nro bhown at the right growing on his Florida estate. The. base grows to abous an two in thickness and is easily cut. When its branches are broken a thick milky fluid flows freely. This fluid, when dry, is plastic and resembles pure rubber both in color and elasticity.

Edison's self-imposed task is to build a machine which will harest the plant for rubber production. He wants to dense a way of gathering the entire vine by mechanical means and feeding it--leaves, branches and all--into presses which will squeeze out the sap. The sap will be run. then through a process which will remove rosin and other impurities, and. when this is done the, fluid will be ready for the tests which will reveal whether it can replace in automobiles and paving bricks, and a thousand and one other uses the refined juice of the rugger tree of the tropic? Success in his experiment will give the south an agricultural industry, Edison believes, to share supremacy with cotton-growing for he is sure the plant can be grown throughout Dixie.

"One of the greatest needs in the United States today is an American- grown of commercial value," the aged inventor says. "It can be had, and I lake, and then Irom the southern end of the lake the Blue Nile emerges to begin its long journey to Soudan. Films Rob Ranch am going to do my part to see i The Blue Nile falls over high cat- through if I have to work 24 hours; aracts, courses- under Portuguese a day until it is accomplished." bridges erected by the Jesuits of the sixteenth century, and hastens to the I south through canyons 3,000 to 4,000 I feet deep and four to eight miles. oT region Gorgora tinguiihed fiom the waters of the Blue Nile, sacred river of the Abys- siruans, has suddenly 'emerged into the practical twentieth century world of dams, dynamos and hydro-electric powei. Plans of an''American company, said once to have the approval of Ras Taffari, regent of Abyssinia, for erection of a dam'on the have stirred to action the British 'government, which under a treaty signed" in 1902 has the sole right to make use of the river because it is a tributary of the White Nile, which a Egypt.

its attention, was called to ihe treaty by Sir Austen British' secretary for foreign affairs," and Abyssinia, reaffirmed its friendship (toward Britain and now an English company has presented to the government for approval its own plans for harnessing the waters of the Abyssinia stream Young British Women Add Zest To Court, Trade and Politics wi Oklahoma lastes still stand beneath the mistletoe at Christmas time, but the state exports less of the famous shrub than in days of yore. It is becoming extinct with the clearing of where it thrives. 'Oklahoma City. will not find its way to east- em and northern Christmas markets this year in the quantities in which it once was shipped from Oklahoma. The mistletoe is disappearing from this state, and its haunt among native timber is being destroyed as farmers clear their wooded land for agricultural purposes.

Pioneers a third of a century ago earned a small income from sale of mistletoe, and the plant was chosen as the state flower, the choice receiving legislative confirmation. Booted not in the earth, but in the branches of growing trees, mistletoe produces each year a bushy growth of green leaves and pearly berries. Popularly termed a parasite, it is so only In according -to George Phillips, state forester. The Oklahoma species obtains its moisture and possibly some food from the host tree, but manufactures most of its own food by means of chlorophyll contained in its green leaves and stems. It damages its host, however, by starving the branch on which it grows.

The mistletoe is found upon many species of hardwoods from-New Jersey southwestward to the gulf of. Mexico. Its sticky berries adhere to the feet of birds, and in this way it is spread from tree to tree. the winter the r.ver is a raging torrent, literally alive with crocodiles, but when the liver is low the natives cross it on "jandis," ox-skins stuffed with straw. The river brings down a a amount of water, estimated at 140.000,000 cubic meters a day of which the greater part comes from the great tributaries which eat their way through the rock walls of the abyss which encloses the Blue Nile.

The cradle of the river is a strange spot in the Abyssinian highlands. -A spring in the heart of a bog is where the Blue Nile has its birth, at the foot of Mt Geesh, nearly 9,000 feet above sea The people who lived at the source of the river in past centuries sacrificed great numbers of animals to i the spirit of the waters. Even today i they sacrifice a bull in times of drought. Hundreds of pilgrims visit the headwateis ot the Nile to get "holy water," and their visits bring steady revenue to the church and the piiests. After running 100 miles the little Abbai, as the Abyssmians call this headwater, pours into Lake Tana.

It runs through the lake for 20 miles, JAY WARD Fort Worth, old Jay Ward, who was the mascot of the American Legion at the Pans convention, has signed a movie contract He learned to twirl a rope when he a Texas ranch recently, and confided to his parents that he will be a cowboy when he is a man. Jay's parents aie members of a vaudeville team known as Ward and Dooley. He has appeared with them its stream being distinctly dis- on the stage. Indian Women of Oklahoma Active Workers In Clubs The Nations Voice Mme, Schumann-Heink Plans Opera Main Street and 'Vocal Fame for Hinterland-Hidden Songsters New York--At 66, Mme. Ernestine Schuraann-Heink is planning the most "glorious' adventure" in a life that has been a continuous round ol vivid experience.

The most beloved of the a singers going out into tho highways and byways of A i a in search of "the voice of the people." She is going into the mill towns and the cities, where pavements end and where traffic Jams the sidewalks; she is going to hear the voices of factory drudges at their looras, tho rolces of stenographers as they hum tunes over their typewriters, the voices of debutantes and seamstresses, of shop girls and telephone operators. OPERA FOR MAIN ST. To Main Street she is going takn the great songs and the great operas, but she is going to make Main Street, ting them. There will be no famous names; Just home-folk turned sons- birds. Mme.

Schumann-HeSnk envisions a new interest In the. classics and a appearance of the self-consciousness which inhibits potential artibts in humble walks of life. These, in brief, we the outstanding features of an interview Mmr. Schumann-Heink granted me exclusively for The Review. The famoin diva is just completing her farewell tour of the song circuits, after whlclt she will return to Europe for a year of research and study at the leading festivals.

CAN STILL LEARN. "For I need to refresh my mind." she says. "Thank heaven I con still leam and in that attitude I Bhall approach this new work, Rlvlnc to the girls of America the interpretation as well as the voice production needed in our opera whore one delineates the temperaments of a nations." Mme. Schumann-Helnk conceived her "glorious adventure" while tour several seasons ago. "A girl from a small i came back-stage one afwrnoon nncl asked for an audition," she related.

"To my amazement I found her volco one of the greatest I have ever heard in my long career. She was then only 16 years old. I sent her back to her mother to help with -the household work until my farewell tour is completed. Then I shall help train her to be a great singer." JUST FIND THEM. Mme.

Schumann-Helnk th.it (here nro scores of grout voices hidden the hinterlands and that onlv an organized effort is nrccBsury to It's to the small town opera house that Mme. Sclmmann-Hcink plans to fccls fl 0 bring classical music as her "final Rift" to Amenca. f. wher( the are not Rreat. the general cultural and esthetic ef- fect of operatic knowledge would be of great value.

"I am icady and anxious to help discover this talent," she said. "But, of course, it will be out of the question for me to hear everyone or trnlii any percentage of those who might seek training. Neither time nor economic circumstances permit." "How then, is it to be done?" I asked. HOW TO DO IT, "Civic clubs could sponsor a Incnl opera company. Clubs and lociRrt should offer their nudltortuinn rehearsals and tho populacs shouln attend.

The costumes could be rowed," she explained. "Chorus inasieis from the chinch, or school could tnko charge of work and selections could be intuit- from among any who show of talent. "There is plenty of tnlent in i city where there is Main. Street I believe everyone has a. voice, but low of them are developed.

The trouble with American students if, they do not it takes nt ICUM. three years of serious study Ix-foin they can sing. HER FINAL GII-T "It Is my desire to lend a lirlplns hand to young girls who have but who arc without the monrv in advance themoc-lvos. They will Ix' my final gift to America. "With community operas in i Canada Honors U.

Volunteers A ucw monument (right) at Arlington ccnictciy, presented ly Canada, nmeitioratcs Americans who died in the Canadian army in tile World war. Vincent Massey i Canadian minister to the States, unveiled the Young women of England aic becoming Important figures 111 various endeavors. Lady Kathcrme Hamilton (above) is the new to Queen Mary, Lady Margaret Binghnm (lower left) is proprietor of a millinery shop and the Hon. Lois Slurt (lower right) seeks a scat in the London county council. Oklahoma City, Okla.

A I dian women have had a share in the westward spread the General Federation oC Women's Clubs, an organization that came out of the east. Many states have on their club membership rolls a few women with Indian blood, a few have clubs made up wholly of Indians, but Oklahoma has the largest number of these colorful women Mrs Czarina C. Conlan of Oklahoma City, a Chickasaw-Choctaw, was the organizer 'and first president of the Indian Territory Federation of Women's Clubs When statehood came, the organization was amalgamated with the Oklahoma federation, London (A.P.)--Young women have made great strides in Britain since it was proposed to give them the vote at twenty-one. For the first time since the days of Queen Elizabeth, youth has invaded Buckingham palace, much to the surprise of mid-Victorean dowagers who take as great an interest in the queen's household as they did when in their prime. Furthermore, youth, represented by two titled young women, is struggling to push itself into the chambers ot the staid old London county council where many customs of centuries past are still in practice Then again, a society girl, just out of college and daughter of an earl, has opened a fashionable hat shop.

She is the youngest titled-milliner in the metropolis. When the appointment was announced of Lady Katherme Hamilton as lady-in-waltmg to Queen, Mary, it was quite clear that there had been another, break with with old court tradition. Lady Katherine, daughter of the Duke of Abecorn and not yet 26. is the youngest person to have held this coveted post in the royal household in more than 400 years. One of her duties Is to accompany but the interest and activity of the the queen on shopping expeditions.

women continued. and ----'Queen Mary round her. 1 creased Particularly are they active. i in movement looking toward better- conditions among their own peo- I The Hon. Lois Sturt, who is but 25, and a friend of Lady Diana Coop er, is a reform candidate in Shore- Conlan is chairman of Indian ditch for a seat in the London county welfare in the Oklahoma federation council, together with her brother, and this committee, in co-operation Lord Alington.

She once appeared with the health and maternity bu- with Lady Diana in a film called i reau.ls responsible for the health and shutt gn Aimistice Day. 1--A monolithic cross of granite, six times the height of a tall man and faced with a superimposed crusader's sword, was unveiled Armistice day near the tomb of the unknown soldier in Arlington national cemetery as a memorial to Wild Cat Is Pet. United States citizens who enlisted in the expeditionary forces early in the world war Vincent Massey, the Canadian minister here, unveiled the monument; Col the Hon. J. L.

Ralston made the address of presentation, and Secretary Davis of the war department ac- young people would kept cepted States. away from crime, dissipation foolish amusement. Tho muitic is inspirational. Jazz i lilr like nU unhealthy things and Americans will find themselves. "Why cannot our cllir'.

i moia talent and wealth, rqunl If not sm- it on behalf of the United pass the achievement 1 of pean villages?" "The Glorious Adventure" and is one of the best dancers in society. Lady Amherst, another society leader, will contest in South ney for a seat the Londpn county council. Lady Maigaret Bingham, the latest recruit from Mayfair socie girls to the ranks of trade, is the younger daughter of the Earl and Countets of Lucan. She is but 23, and has opened a hat shop. Miss Ishbel MacDonald, daughter of Ramsay MacDcnald, the former Labor premier, and Miss Megan Lloyd George, daughter of the leader of the Liberal party, have shown activity in politics and frequently make platform speeches behalf of their respective interests.

MRS CZARINA CONLAN. others could not have," says Mrs Conlan, and they have had faith what I am trying to-fio, namely the hygiene instruction by a trained nurse building of a true and worthy collec- now given to girls in all Indian schools of the state. Artistic and educational Indian programs have been presented through- cut the state and the club women have encouraged bead and basket weaving so that these pnmitive arts may not be lost. Indian hospitals and sanitariums are supplied with books and magazines and a motion picture machine was installed in the Indian sanitarium at Shawnee. Mrs.

Conlan's most notable work is that of supervisor of the Indian department in the museum of the state historical society, a position which she has tilled for eight years. "It is quite true my Indian blood has-given me entree into homes that 'ada and Mexico, tion reflecting the early Indian life of the state. "One of the greatest thrills I ever had was when the state Board of ag-1 Little Rose Rutledge of Brownsville, nculture and the state department "is shown with the 30-pound Modern Cinderellas Plan Future planted 100 trees a few years ago, each in honor of a citizen who had Mexican wild cat that she keeps for a Jean (lott) and Catherine Buchanan of Janesville, are planning investment of a "surprise fortune." Their grand uncle, Huron invited them to London and presented them wsth $130,000. rendered outstanding service who said Texas development and uplift of the state I had the honor to be one of the five I Wlld? Lady Luck Smiles. women thus honored and the only In- Columbia, Mo.

(A.P.)-The' proprie- dian tor of a basement restaurant in Co- Mrs. Conlan was educated in a pri-jlumbia, embraced bad lupk and turned vate school for Indian girls and at failure into success. His place was the Mary Baldwin Seminary at Sa- little patronized and was known as a tauton, Virgina. Fond of travel, she "Jinx," so he renamed it "The Jinx," has been abroad twice and has trav-. had the telephone number changed cled extensively in this country, Can- to 1313, and now finds business booming.

Janesville, Wis. (A )--Janesville's modern Cinderellas have come back to their fireside, but "not in tatters and sorrow as did the heroine of the fairy tale. Instead, Jean and Catherine Buchanan, home from a visit in London with their grand uncle, Baron Wol- lavington, are planning how best to spend the income from a $150,000 dot which he gave them. The baron, formerly Sir James Buchanan, asked the girls, daughters of a Janesville wid- him. He had been fond of their fn- ther.

They went to London and enjoyed a month of dazzling entertainment, with every wish gratified bjrv. wealth. When they got home it became known that he had given them the trust fund. Jean, 17, plans a college education. Catherine, 22, has not decided what she will do.

but turned her back on oflice work which) enabled her to help support a fam- ow in modest circumstances, to visit I ily of five before the visit to London, IN SPA PERI NEWSPAPER! canted--easy to tska DAYS Fri. IOC CHILDREN and ADULTS A GREAT COMEDY I Stuart Holmes in.