and Wecker, and the works are expected to be completed by October 1, 1916.
***
The circulation of the daily newspapers published in Petrograd, is as follows: Kopeika (Copeck) 170,000; Birzheviya Viedomosti (Bourse Bulletin), morning edition 52,000, afternoon edition 119,000, evening edition, 109,000; Viecherneye Vremia (Evening Times) 135,000; Selsky Viestnik (Rural Bulletin); 102,000; Petrogradsky Listok (Petrograd Sheet) 80,000; Sovremennoye Slovo (Contemporary Word) 76,000; Rech (Speech) 45,000; Den (Day) 40,000; Zemshchina, 7,000; Russkoye Znamia (Russian Banner) 3,000; Petrogradskiya Viedomosti (Petrograd Bulletin) 1,900.
It is interesting to note in this connection that there is a weekly magazine published in Petrograd, Ogonek, which has a circulation of over half a million copies. The largest Russian daily newspaper is published in Moscow. It is the Russkoye Slovo (Russian Word), with a circulation of over eight hundred thousand copies.
***
The Zemstvo of the government of Moscow is working out a plan of constructing or purchasing a factory for the production of concrete. At the present time the price for concrete is very high, and the Zemstvo fears that its work of introducing fire-proof buildings will be greatly hampered, unless it takes the situation in hand by owning and operating its own factory.
***
The Ministry of Commerce proposes the establishment of a special commission to find means of facilitating the utilization of electrical energy. A practicable plan in this matter is considered very important, since it would simplify greatly the problem of the shortage of fuel, which has become so acute recently. The commission will include among its members specialists in electrochemistry and electrical engineering.
***
Many village communities in the government of Odessa have decided to conduct a vigorous campaign against gambling. It is proposed to punish offenders by a fine of one rouble or imprisonment of two days.
***
One of the consequences of the increase in the cost of living in Russia has been a rapid growth of consumers' leagues all over the country. At present the number of such leagues has reached eleven thousand.
***
The last annual report of Moscow University shows an enrollment on January 1, 1916, of 11,184 students, which means an increase of 2,055 over the figure for the preceding year. The Department of History and Philology has 1,066 students; that of Physics and Mathematics has 1,594; that of Natural Sciences has 1,829; that of Law has 4,111; that of Medicine has 2,524. The faculty of the University consists of 114 professors and 228 privat-docents.
***
The Department of Customs Duties has published the preliminary data concerning the foreign trade of Russia during the first half of January, 1916. The figures show a great diminution of the amount of exports, due to the War, and a very large increase in the amount of imports. During the fifteen days, the exports along the European frontier amounted to 8,400,000 roubles, as compared with 4,800,000 roubles during the corresponding period of 1915. On the other hand, the amount of imports increased from 10,300,000 roubles in 1915 to over
