r
Chewing of Cordite
in Munition Plants
Makes Women Drunk
*
%■—— I ■■ ——
Dangerous Practice
Said to be Spread
ing Among Over
strained Workers,
and Authorities to
Take Sharp Meas
ures to Prevent It.!
LONDON. Drink is not the onl\
temptation to which overstrained
Dntish munition workers are exposed,
(j i to rocentl} it lias been discovered
that a good deal el’ the "drunkenness”
attributed to women and comparative
ly vouug girls is due to another and
hitherto unsuspected cause the
chewing of cordite, the smokeless ex
plosive used in the shell of cannon and
the ammunition of small arms.
The fact that cordite has a pleasant
taste tending to sweetness has been a
real discovery to many of the women
workers and the primary source of
their danger.
“1 did not know at all what the stud
was made of." said a woman who had
been handling cordite for six months
or more. “l»ut one day l happened to
put a litt’e bit of it into my mouth
and to begin chewing it. It felt nice.
Then 1 began to be a bit lively. I
could not understand what the thing
meant. After tea 1 chewed a bit
more, and it was nice. too. Next day
l did the same thing; and then l got
a fright. I began to feel headachy
and—well, drunk. That was the end
of it; vos. for me it was. Hut my
mate. well, she just laughed; but
when she took a bit home with her]
and chewed it hard she gave us a time
and a half, that she did."
The explanation of all this is. ol
course, simple enough. Cordite, when
chewed, has all the exhilarating ef
fects of a highly stimulating drug and
cannot be tampered with except at
great risk. Its effects on the nervous
system are immediate and ultimately
deadly, llesides. like all such drugs,
it has to be taken in increasing
quantities if the exhilaration is to be
maintained. And herein lies the great
peril of the worker in cordite wno
forms the chewing habit.
How far the habit has spread it i
difficult to say. Equally diff icult ,s it
to ascertain whether the authorities
have become alive to the fact that the
peri t xists. In the north it is under
stood that several cases have had to
be sharply dealth wtih. Hut quite
obviously there is need for greater
caution on the part of workers and
stricter supervision on the part of
factory managements.
The effect of cordite as an “intoxi
cant” was first discovered during the
South African war. Some ttritish
soldiers found to their surprise that
by eating cordite they could get all
the exictement of the most powerful
WATCHES
Howard
Hamilton
Verithin Crut»n
Full Line of Nugget
Goods
Special Order Work
Promptly Executed
C. E. ORLANDER j
SIVCKSSOR TO
( GEORGE THE JEWELER
1
narcotic—and all the terrible effects,
i too.
Cordite consists roughly of about 58
parts of nitro-glycerine, 37 parts gun
cotton. and 5 parts of mineral jelly.
Kach cartridge contains 60 cylindrical
strands of cordite, and when Major
Jennings learned that the men were
eating these he experimented on him
self by sucking a strand. He found
that it tasted sweet, pleasant and pun
gent. but it resulted in giving him the
most racking, splitting headache and
it lasted for thirty-six hours.
*ht severe atr*in under which all
classes of munition workers, and not
least the women among them, have,
been laboring for long is un-1
doubtcdly beginning to tell. Fatigue j
is fast becoming, if it has not j
already become, the enemy of
the workshop; and some of its reac-!
tions are being manifested in ways I
that should give occasion for ex cep-\
tional carefulness if not for anxiety, j
‘ You must have something to keep!
you going,” is the feeling of many a |
tired worker; and the something
most readily sought in a !'op of
spirits or a glass of beer. Th‘s no1
doubt accounts for the growing habit!
of women especially to tak** * dr»»ps”:
of whiskey and brandy into the fac ■
tones and put them into their after j
loon tea, just to keep them up for the j
rest of the day.
*
VIRGIN ISLANDS !
TO BE NEW BASE
-- . -
WASHINGTON. — Rear Admiral
James H. Oliver, chief of navy intelli
gence, was recently named by Secre
tary Daniels as governor of the Dan
ish West Indies, which were taken
over by the United States.
Important fortifications will foe con
structed and the islands used as a
naval base for further protection of
the Panama canal and for general
military purposes.
In designating Rear Admiral Olive’
as governor of the islands, the depart
ment referred to them as “the Virgin
Islands of the United States,” a title
suggested by the many islanders.
Congress in appropriating for their
acquisition failed to give them a new
name, and the department’s title will
stick, at least until there is congress
ional action to change it.
12 BIRTHS, 11
DEATHS IN 1916,
REPORT SHOWS j
• ...
The report of the health officer for
the calendar year 191(3 shows that
there were 10 marriages, 11 deaths
and 12 births in Seward during that
period. If the same ratio can be
maintained our town is assured of a
steady growth, and the first three
months of 1917 indicate that last
year’s figures will be exceeded con
siderably.
The health officer requests the peo
ple to be particular about their yards,
and keep them free from a condition
that would lend aid to the breeding of
flies. I*ast year we were practically
free from the fly nuisance due greatly
to absence of garbage and other re
fuse which was not allowed to gather.
As spring is here and warm weather
will soon be with us this matter is de
serving of our immediate attention.
GERMAN PEOPLE
URGED TO EAT
SPARROW MEAT
THE HAGUE—In an issue received I
here the Hanover Courier advises the j
organizing of sparrow hunting parties'
among the school children to eke outj
the war diet. (
Oyster cocktail* at The Branch.
IS THE PERCH SAFE?
m vw Liu* mi mi / ,
— Los Angeles Time*.
TEUTON MINISTER
SAYS U. S. AID
IS IMMATERIAL
LONDON. — The possibility of
American participation in the war on
the side of the allies was dismissed as
a minor matter by General von Stein,
Prussian minister of war, in an in
terview with the the Berlin corres
pondent of a Budapest newspaper, ac
cording to a Berlin dispatch to Pou
ter's by way of Amsterdam.
General von Stein said hi* did not
know whether the American fleet
would support the British fleet, but
that there could be no question of an
American continental army in the
near future. He added:
“Our military situation on all fronts
is good and justifies our best hopes.
It appears that the enemy is prepar
ing an offensive, but we shall resist
even a stronger attack, not only at the
front but also at home. What nay
happen then we do not 1 now, but
come what may we shall con l ion’
everything imperturbably. Our suf
ferings are great and our sacrifices gi
gantic, but it is just in these thing,
that the greatness of a nation finds
expression.”
In discussing the battle of th^
Somme the minister said that the Gor
mans had no lack of supplies, but that
their guns, as compared with those o!
the enemy, were insufficient.
BACON SMUGGLED
TO GERMANY IN
DUTCH NEWSPAPER
AMSTERDAM—Here’s the latest in
smuggling. A copy of a Dutch news
paper addressed to a man in Germany
was intercepted and between the
leaves were found several thin slices
of bacon, each wrapped in oil paper.
—
Cake Won’t
Fall
I
When you
make it with
Crescent Baking
Powder
I
Bat it will come
out “light as a
feather” even un
der adverse
conditions.
23c. lb. can
At all grocers.
CRESCENT MFG. CO.
Seattle, Wash. |
JEWS ARE GIVEN
ADVANTAGES OF !
OTHER RUSSIANS
WASHINGTON, March 2«.—Abso
lute equality of Jews in Russia with
all others to own property, to reside in
any place, to serve in the army and
navy, to participate in educational ad
vantages and at the polls has been
proclaimed officially, says advices re -
ceived at the Russian embassy.
Therefore, it is understood, there
will be no further restrictions on the*
issue* of passports to Russian or
American Jews who desire to visit
Russia than those common to other
persons.
An Honest House
Guest in country hotel—1 say, land
lord, I left my boots outside my room
door last night and this morning they,
hadn’t been touched.
Host—Sure, what d’ ye expect? Ye
cud a’ lef them there fer a year if
ye’d liked, an’ nobody’d touched them.
We’re honest people here!—(Judge.)
Andy’s Express, phone Madison 143. j
■
Proof of labor blanks for sale at
Gateway.
LISTEN
ACREAGE—If you are looking fr*r
acreage that is ideally located for a
suburban home.
ACREAGE—That is particularly suit
ed for truck gardening.
ACREAGE—That is bound to in
crease in value in the near future.
ACREAGE—Fronting on the Gov. R. -
R. and Lake Kenai Boulevard.
ACREAGE—That is most desirable j
for re-subdividing—See me. Will be
glad to show you the land, or fur
nish particulars on request. J. A.
Stewart, Phone Red 147.
Remodeling of ladies’ and gents’
clothes, by a tailor, a specialty, next
to Alaska S. S. office. tf
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF
ADMINISTRATOR
Notice is hereby given that Bank
of Seward has been duly appointed j
administrator of the estate of. Flor
ence Foote, deceased. All personsi
having claims against the estate of:
the said Florence Foote are hereby i
notified to present said claims, with
the proper vouchers attached, to said j
Bank of Seward at its place of busi
ness, in the town of Seward, in Kenai
Precinct, Third Division of the Tern-1
tory of Alaska, within six months j
from the date of this notice.
Dated this 10th day of April, A. D.
1917.
BANK OF SEWARD,
H. S. Balderston, Cashier.
vApril 10-30
Ladies' and gents’ clothes cleaned,
and pressed and repaired; next to Al
aska S. S. office. if
—
Andy’s bxpross, phone Madison 143.!
--
THE KEY
HOT and COLD
DRINKS
THEKEY
PHONE MATH ISON 115
HENRY FATHERS I
KXCI.IISl VK
Paint and Wall Paper Store
I’icunv I’nimlrur. Puiniiujr. Tin ting
ikkI l'apcrtmnifinif
-,
Broadway Bakery and Coffee House
and the Pest Coffee in the City.
Cakes, Pies, Cookies, Doughnuts
Hot Proud II A. M. Every Day
--1
D. C. BRYANT |!
Taxidermist - Tanner - Kuginaker
25 years practical experience
Animals, Heads, Birds, riBh set up
naturally and artistically
2132 Westlake Ave. Seattle !
-J|
The RAINIER BUFFET
Ashland Block, corner of !
Broadway and Railroad Ave.
WINES, LIQUORS,
CIGARS, ETC.
The House of Good Service.
Quality Goods Our Motto.
- J>
-- ,
For a Good Haircut go to
JUNTE
Broadway Near Adams
_I
— ■ ■ —— ■■ ■■ ■■ ■ i■■ ■ —n ■ ■ i ■■ — i————mm m
TRADE AT
THE BAZAAR
5c to 25c Variety Store
and over
Almost Seattle Prices
JOE re^To
MILE 75 R0A0H0USE
GENERAL MERCHANDISE
GIRDWOOD
Everything for Dog Muthers
and Travelers
Best Roadhouse on the Line
I Seward
{• ] | Geo. A. Mitchell
% I I Proprietor
Open Day anti Nigirt
Phone Adam* i 19
Service Cleanliness
Prirau? Itorr.H for ladles or Parties
CAKCO OF
LUMBER
Inures Seattle March .'*0
on Freighter Valdez, lor
BROSIUS & NOON
DfcAI.EUft Iff
LUMBER-HARDWARE
SEWARD
■ 'i ■ .i . - . —J
Hotel Seward
Zbindeo Bros. Prop.
Comfort ami Hospitality at
Moderate Cost.
M Third Ave Seattle Wash.
ANTON JOHANSEN
Seldovia, Alaska
First-class merchandise at rea
sonable priced, prompt service.
Courtesv Food Service
PACIFIC STEAMSHIP CO.
THE ADMIRAL LINE
' Admiral Evans, April 17
SAILINGS , Admiral Farragut, April 25
FROM SEATTLE: ) Admiral Watson, May 3
^ All boats go to Anchorage.
Admiral Farragut, sailing April 25, goes to Kodiak.
Through Tickets to Eastern Points at Reduced Rates.
For full information on sailings from .Seattle to San Francisco, ad
dress Wayne Blue, Agent, Seward, Alaska.
HOTEL OVERLANI
E. L. WHITTEMORE, Proprietor
Headquarters for Mining Men
SEWARD, - - - ALASKA
H. V'. Hobkn A. F. Davis
ALASKA TRANSFER
H. V. HOBKN, Manaoeb
Coal, Wood and Ice
General Transferring. Phones, Main 1< and 41
The Seward News Company
GEORGE PHELPS
Booksellers, Newsdealers and Stationers
___ -_j
CAFE — ROOMS I ||L | it I Ml | ShBrm«« Haynes
Pool and Billiards | _ | f \ | f \ |j | Proprietor
Best Liquors and Cigars
i —mmmmmmmm■————————«mm———rnmrn^m
Lunch Counter in Connection
V