were not remaining inactive. The manufacture of lace curtains and dress laces, a comparatively new industry which was only started in 1891, has achieved an annual output of $65,000,000, the product of 10,000 employees in ten mills. The general clothing output amounts to $40,000,00c, while the state makes 80 per cent. of the world's hats. The coal output has increased to 244,000,000 tons and 357-740 miners find employment in the industry.

The amount of sugar refined here makes an interesting study. One billion pounds is the annual output, which is eleven pounds for each man, woman and child in the United States. This product is valued at $49,000,000. Much of this sugar goes into the $15,000,000 worth of confectionery manufactured in the state each year, which includes upwards of 90,000 pounds of chocolate made in Philadelphia each day. In the cement belt the increase in output is in proportion to other lines. In 1896 the production was 1,000,000 barrels, and this had increased to 27,000,000 barrels at the present time.

In upwards of 250 textile mills manufacturing worsteds and woollens the product is annually $77,447,000; in rugs $24,000,000, and hosiery and knit goods. nearly $50,000,000. Nearly 75 per cent. of the world's product of leather and glazed kid is made in Philadelphia, the excellence of the goods making them sought after in every civilized part of the globe. The railroads have increased to 6,000 miles within the borders of the state, while Pennsylvania-made bridges are known and used on four continents.

Pennsylvania started forestry conservation in 1876, and the result of the educational work along this line has been concerted action on the parts of huge holding companies to restore the vast woodlands cut off for manufacturing purposes or destroyed by frequent fires. Pennsylvania was the first state to assist in fish propagation and now has a department devoted to that important work. The state system of public education has been greatly improved, and it is now rare to find a child above the age of ten years who is illiterate.

The State Board of Health, one of the best in the country, is using effectively every known scientific means for protecting the public health from communicable and preventive diseases, and the result has been a two per cent. reduction in the annual death rate since the advanced methods have been adopted.

The Board of Public Charities has supervision over 328 penal, reformatory and charitable institutions which receive state aid, and these are models in their

way.

In keeping with this progress is the increase in the religious sects which has been remarkable and constant, demonstrating clearly the uplifting influences of education.

The one stain on Pennsylvania's name was the lynching of a negro at Coatesville, Pa., in 1911. While the crime for which he suffered a horrible death. was a most brutal one, the law-abiding citizens of that locality objected to the lawless manner in which justice was meted out and deplored the use of methods that are now seldom resorted to in the Southern states, where they originated. According to the religiously inclined the nego did not die in vain, however, as the lynching caused a movement against the saloons in the county which resulted in the court's refusal to grant a single license.

The re-union of the Blue and the Gray at Gettysburg, Pa., on the 3rd, 4th

and 5th of July, 1913, was one of the most notable events in the world's history. Here the grizzled veterans of two of the greatest contending forces that ever met in battle assembled and fraternized. They fought over the battles of half a century before and visited the spots where they had opposed each other valiantly and parted at the end of the re-union, friends, despite the rancor that had lodged in their hearts half a century previously.

In reviewing the improvements in Philadelphia, mention must be made of the water supply which now ranks among the best in the country. The movement to improve this service started in 1899, and since that time sand filter beds have been equipped at Belmont, at Roxborough and at Torresdale on the Delaware River.

In its efforts for higher and more thorough education the city has spent vast sums on new school buildings. These include the William Penn High School for Girls at Fifteenth and Mount Vernon streets, the New Central High School for Boys at Broad and Green streets, the West Philadelphia High School at Fortyseventh and Walnut streets, and manual training schools in various parts of the city. It has also in contemplation the erection of sectional High Schools in South Philadelphia, Germantown and Frankford. The Bureau of Compulsory Education is most effective in its work and the next decade will probably witness the passing of illiteracy among the children.

Philadelphians have much to boast of and should not remain quiescent when the reputation of their city is assailed. The best paved streets are here. The best homes are owned in large proportions by their occupants and other things to boast of are: a good and adequate water supply, well lighted thoroughfares, ample educational facilities; good street railway service; efficient fire and police departments; good hospitals and charitable institutions, the best hotels, fine churches, elegant club houses and all forms of indoor and outdoor amusements; extensive parks and nearby resorts. Can any city claim more?

I

BIOGRAPHY.

N preparing a history of the greatest state in the Union, it is but natural that more attention should be paid to the city where Penn first landed and established his colony. This city, commercially and industrially great, the financial centre and one period, and for a long time the seat of the National Government, has always led in movements that have made history. The first banks, fire and life insurance companies, and the earliest medical college, were established here and the first demonstrations of steam for water propulsion were made on the Delaware. In fact, Philadelphia has been the leader in every scientific, commercial and social

movement.

An attempt has, therefore, been made in this work to give portraits and penpictures of the men who have contributed to the up-building of the city and made it famous the world over. Those who were mighty in the financial and business life of the last two centuries are given together with some of its famous physicians and lawyers, its authors of high repute, its explorers and famous scientists and those social leaders who formed an exclusive set so select as to give it an international repute.

In the last half-century a new impetus has been given to business life here. The city has expanded wonderfully and its institutions and factories have largely increased while efforts are being made to restore its lost maritime supremacy. The men who labor assiduously for these results are worthy of more than passing note and it was the author's intention to present their histories and life work in such form as to perpetuate them, and make their efforts stand out as object lessons to future generations.

Of course, difficulties attaching to such a work are apparent. Many who were asked to furnish biographies did not respond in time to be included in the work and others may have been overlooked, but enough are given in the pages. that follow to show the character of men who are vitally interested in the city's progress. They are from various professions and engaged in all kinds of manufacturing, financial and commercial lines, and all are men who have done and are continuing to do things, yet they find time to respond to every call where the city's interests can be advanced and are entitled to full credit therefor.