COMPASSES 92 COMPIEQNE COMPASSES, a mathematical instru- ment used by describing circles, measur- ing lines, etc. They consist simply of two pointed legs movable on a point or pivot. For describing circles the lower end of one of the legs is removed and its place supplied by a holder for a pencil or en. — Hair Compasses are compasses having a spring tending to keep the legs ipart, and a finely-threaded screw by which the spring can be compressed or relaxed with the utmost nicety, and the distance of the legs regulated to a hair's breadth. — Boiv Compasses are compasses having the two legs united by a bow passing through one of them, the dis- tance between the legs being adjusted by means of a screw and nut. — Proportional Compasses are compasses used for reduc- ing or enlarging drawings, having the legs crossing so as to present a pair on each side of a common pivot. By means of a slit in the legs, and the movable pivot, the relative distinces between the points at the respective ends may be ad- justed at pleasure in the required pro- portion. COMPASS PLANT (Silphium lacin- iatum) , a plant of the order Cotnpositx, It is called compass-plant because it is said that it presents the edges of its leaves N. and S., while their faces are turned E. and W. It grows freely on our western prairies. COMPENSATION, that which is given or received as an equivalent for services rendered, losses sustained, sufferings endured, or in payment of a debt; amends, remuneration, payment, recom- pense. COMPENSATION BALANCE, a bal- ance-wheel for a watch or chronometer, so constructed as to make isochronal (equal time) beats, notwithstanding changes of temperature. This effect is usually attained by having the balance- wheel cut into two segments, the arcs being fixed at one end each. This allows space for the expansion and contraction with no variation in size of the wheel. COMPENSATION PENDULUM, a pendulum constructed of two different metals, as brass and iron, which so work against each other, that the expansion of the one downward is counteracted by that of the other upward. By this ar- rangement the pendulum does not vary in length, and consequently in frequency of vibration, whatever the temperature may be. COMPETITION, the act of endeavor- ing to gain what another endeavors to gain at the same time. In political economy it is simply the form taken by the struggle for existence as applied to industry. Formerly, prices and gener- ally the economic relations of men to each other were regulated by custom or authority. The growth of freedom has now brought it about that these rela- tions are determined by individual effort. In mediaeval times the relations of men were fixed by custom or authority. But the restraints of custom and authority were felt to be vexatious, oppressive, and injurious, and in the various spheres of human activity, in religion, politics, and economics, the free individuality of men sought and found wider room to develop itself. This great movement began with the revival of learning, the discovery of America, and the Protestant Reforma- tion and has been continued through the revolutions of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. In the industrial sphere it means that whereas in former times a man's calling, place of residence, and the remuneration of his industiy were fixed for him, he is now at liberty to decide them for himself as best he can. The English trades-unions are an attempt to regulate competition in the interest of labor. Employers' combinations have a like object in the interests of the capital- ist. In the United States especially the development of "trusts" tends to make competition a dead letter, but recent leg- islation has curbed their power. The protective systems of France, Germany, and the United States are intended to maintain native industries against Brit- ish competition. COMPIEGNE (komp-yan'), a pictur- esque town in the French department of Oise, on the Oise river, a little below its junction with the Aisne, 52 miles N. N. E. of Paris. Of its churches three de- serve notice, St. Germain (15th cen- tury), St. Antoine (12th century), and St. Jacques (13th century). But the chief pride of Compiegne is its palace, built anew by Louis XV., and splendidly fitted up by Napoleon, who often occu- pied it. Its facade toward the forest is 624 feet long. The forest extends over 30,000 acres. Compiegne manufactures canvas, cordage, and sugar. Compiegne is mentioned in the times of Clovis under the name of Cotnpendiutn. It was at the siege of this tovm, in 1430, that the Maid of Orleans was captured; and here, in 1810, Napoleon first met Maria^ Louisa of Austria, on occasion of their mar' riage. The tovm was captured by the Germans in 1914, and suffered heavily during the battles of the Marne and Aisne. The French later captured the place, but almost lost it in the great German drive in June, 1918. Pop. about 18,000.
