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100 Years Ago | 14 October 1918

On this day a century ago, these were some of the news items The Statesman readers got to read about India and the world.

100 Years Ago | 14 October 1918

COMMON ESTIMATES OF SIZE

To The Editor Of The Statesman

SIR, – I hope you will manage to find space for a question on a subject which has often puzzled me, and which has been brought back to my mind by Sunday’s article on “The Rising Moon.” The explanation given of the apparent difference between the size of the moon when near the horizon and when in the zenith sounds very satisfactory. The writer refers to the common estimates of the size of the moon as varying from “as big as a cartwheel” to “as big as a shilling.” But of course the comparison can have no real meaning unless the distance at which these objects are viewed is stated and one’s first idea would be to add “at the distance at which such objects are generally viewed.” The only explanation I can suggest of our habitual over-estimate is that we combine our estimate of the visual angle subtended with our knowledge that the moon is really very big, and arrive at a compromise – but I should have expected greater variations in different people’s estimates.

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ISABEL C. FORTEY.

Diocesan College.

 

THE DANGERS OF DARK ROADS

To The Editor Of The Statesman

SIR, – When driving along Red Road last evening, I noticed a man had been knocked down by a passing car. Can this be wondered at considering the fact that one side of the road is in darkness? This applies to all roads on the Maidan and under the present lighting arrangements, accidents of a more or less serious nature are bound to be frequent. I suggest that alternate lamps should be lighted on both sides of the road. This would possibly minimise the present dangers.

Another point of danger caused by restricted lighting is at the Chowringhee entrance to Corporation Street. Here there is an excess of traffic and the crossing is specially used by bullock carts. In former times this corner was illuminated by the shop windows being brilliantly lighted. This however is now not permitted by the Controller, and, in consequence, this portion of Corporation Street is very dark.

MOTORIST.

 

THE APPEAL FOR A LADIES’ DAY

To The Editor Of The Statesman

SIR, – The appeal for a Bengal Ladies’ Day by way of bringing up the rear of the Second War Loan Campaign has not had a sufficient response so far. If, in the appreciative words of H.E. the Viceroy, “the closing day is to be marked by a notable addition to Bengal’s record of her ten millions sterling” supreme efforts on the lines indicated would be immediately necessary. The intervention of the riots may have interfered with the working out of the idea, but the riots have also furnished a gruesome object-lesson in what the war or revolution brought home to India would mean – not the least to ladies and children. Organised and sustained disturbances are but a first step towards catastrophe, to guard well and betimes against which is everyone’s duty.

DEVA PROSAD SARVADHIKARY.

Calcutta.

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