A machine that comes nearer performing the functions of the human mind than probably any other ever invented is the Tate Arithmometer, one of which has just been placed in the offices of the Conservative Life Insurance Company in this city.

It adds, subtracts, divides and multiplies, with absolute accuracy, up into the quadrilllions.

It is a compact little machine, case and all occupying a space about 6x8 inches by two feet long, weighs thirty pounds, and cost near $1,000.

In the hands of Mr. Hann, who was brought from New York to operate it, it will perform the work of ten expert accountants.

Its most remarkable work is shown in multiplications and divisions. As a sample, a visitor suggested that Mr. Hann multiply 79,833,426 x 73,245. He set down the figures on his machine and produced the correct answer, 5,847,399,287,370, in less than fifteen seconds.

The computations are made by turning a small crank, and the only possible way in which to make a mistake is to fail to turn the crank once for each unit in the several figures of the multiplier, but these figures are recorded in plain sight, and to verify the result he simply verifies the figures in the multiplier, and an error may be corrected in an instant.

The machines are made entirely by hand in England, and the order for the one in question was given six months prior to its receipt.

“Tate’s Arithmometer,” C & E Layton, 10x17x58 cm, Brass and Wood, (B82.80). This machine, which is of the Thomas type, embodies the modifications patented in 1884 and 1903 by S. Tate, who in 1883 was the first in England to manufacture this type of calculating machine. His patents were later taken over by C. and E. Layton. From Ed Thelen.

Hollywood people appealed to the Board of Supervisors yesterday for money for the Hollywood boulevard [the present Sunset Boulevard].

There is a gap of three-fourths of a mile between the end of the boulevard and the city. If this were filled, there would be a splendid road reaching from the city and through the valley of the Cahuenga, on through the historic Cahuenga Pass, on through the San Fernando Valley and up to the summit of the Santa Susanna Pass.

This will connect the traffic of Chatsworth Park, Calabasas, Burbank and many other towns.

The completed portions of the long turnpike make one of the finest thoroughfares in Southern California.

The Hollywood people have had little or no financial assistance from the county. From their own pockets they have put many thousands of dollars into their precious boulevard.

The uncompleted gap . . . lies between the city limits [the southeast corner of Hoover and Fountain] and the corner of Prospect and Vermont avenues [the northeast corner of the present Barnsdall Park].

The supervisors agreed to go out with the County Surveyor . . . to inspect the place. They will leave the city today at 12:45.

    More than $200 was taken in at the Los Angeles Theater last night at the benefit for Mrs. Alice A. Fitch, held under the auspices of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Women’s Relief Corps and the Sons of Veterans. . . .

The Venetian Ladies’ Mandolin Orchestra played a medley of Steven C. Foster’s melodies, and a ladies’ trio . . . sang several songs.

George N. Briggs recited, and Edna Laubenheim, a tiny tot of a girl, said “I Want to Be the Leading Lady,” in a delightful child manner. . . .

Carson and Willard came from the Orpheum with a swap-joke act, and Josephine Williams had a sketch in which she impersonated a runaway widow at a New York Hotel. . . .

Mrs. J.B. Wood, who came up from San Bernardino, . . . [sang] a mellow song, “When the Heart Is Young.”

Trilby Fowler concluded the long bill with a “Foxy Grandpa” specialty on a bicycle. [From a popular comic-strip character.]