this lamp may be a source of danger, owing to the fact that it will burn more brilliantly in a vitiated atmosphere than other flame-lamps.  Another disadvantage is the possibility of calcium carbide accidentally spilt coming in contact with water and thereby causing the generation of acetylene gas.  If this is produced in the mine in sufficient quantities it is a danger which may not be suspected.  If ignited it will explode and may also cause severe burns.

The electric lamp, being an enclosed light-source capable of being subdivided and fed by a small portable battery, early gave promise of solving the problem of a safe mine-lamp of adequate candle-power.  Much ingenuity has been applied to the development of a portable electric safety mine-lamp, and several such lamps are now approved by the Bureau of Mines.  Two general types are being manufactured, the cap outfit and the hand outfit.  They consist essentially of a lamp in a reflector whose aperture is closed with a sheet or a lens of clear glass.  The battery may be of the “dry” or “storage” type and in the case of the cap outfit the battery is carried on the back.  The specifications for these lamps demand that a luminous intensity averaging at least 0.4 candle be maintained throughout twelve consecutive hours of operation.  At no time during this period shall the output of light fall below 1.25 lumens for a cap-lamp and below 3 lumens for a hand-lamp.  Inasmuch as these are equipped with reflectors, the specifications insist that a circle of light at least seven feet in diameter shall be cast on a wall twenty inches away.  It appears that a portable lamp is an economic necessity in the coal-mines, on account of the expense, inconvenience, and possible dangers introduced by distribution systems such as are used in most places.

Although the major defects in lighting are due to absence of light in dangerous places, to glare, and to other factors of improper lighting, there are many minor details which may contribute to safety.  For example, low lamps are useful in making steps in theaters and in other places, in drawing attention to entrances of elevators, in lighting the aisles of Pullman cars, under hand-rails on stairways, and in many other vital places.  A study of accidents indicates that simple expedients are effective preventives.

XVIII

THE COST OF LIVING

A comparison of the civilization of the present with that of a century ago reveals a startling difference in the standards of living.  To-day mankind enjoys conveniences and luxuries that were undreamed of by the past generations.  For example, a certain town in Iowa, a score of years ago, was appraised for a bond-issue and it was necessary to extend its limits considerably in order to include a valuation of one half million dollars required by the underwriters.  On a summer’s evening at the present time a thousand “pleasure” automobiles may be