This state of affairs had reached such desperate straits, that the public suddenly awakened on the subject. It started first by the protest of the rougher element in the mountain districts, who defied the hired authorities with an organized force. The people committed acts of violence and incendiarism it is true, but by their overt acts they awakened the dormant public to realize the enormity of this scandalous condition of deeding away to millionaires, without the consent of the commonwealth, the common and inalienable heritage of its citizens. By a unanimous uprising and public mandate the Federal and State authorities were compelled to condemn and confiscate these stolen public lands. New laws were then enacted by which the acquiring of extensive lands was limited, except for agricultural purposes. 1931 The Discovery of the North Pole The North Pole, that mysterious geographical locality which for centuries had baffled scientists and explorers, was located and verified by the combined efforts of American and British Governments. The expedition was on a gigantic scale, the force of the explorers being in round numbers two thousand five hundred persons who by a system of depots and rendez-vous for supplies, formed almost a continuous chain. All the latest devices in the form of dynamo-vans and motor-sleds, with balloon attachments were employed in the undertaking. Strange to say the casualties did not exceed more than ten per cent of the expeditionary force. It was discovered, to the great surprise of scientists, that the locality was nothing more than a plateau, studded with cones of ice! 1932 Cure for Laziness The discovery, by an American, of a germicide for indolence was announced during this year, by which lethargic persons were regenerated into acute activity. It was a concentrated double extract of pitch-blend, containing the radio active element, and when applied to certain parts of the body, it instantaneously transformed the feeling of laziness and ennui, into one of hustling energy and alertness. The negroes of the Southern States, the natives of tropical countries and also officials in the police departments of large cities, were the ones benefitted by this "golden medical discovery!" 1933 Capital Punishment The abolishment of capital punishment in many States of the Union, through the impulsive sentimentality of a minority, had given birth to an old time evil, that of feudalism. It was well for people preaching mercy for murderers, when somebody else was the victim, but when the crime was perpetrated against one of their homes, their feelings were entirely changed. The increase of vendetta was the result, and it occurred with such a lamentable degree of frequency, that the old uncontrovertible Mosaic law, blood for blood, and life for life was re-established. 1934 Abolition of Hereditary Titles In England