ATKARSK, a port and railway junction on the river Medvyeditsa, with a grain elevator, in the Saratov province of the U.S.S.R. Pop. (1926) 19,326. Lat. 51•52° N. Long. 44.58° E. ATKINSON, EDWARD (1827-1905), American economist, was born at Brookline (Mass.) on Feb. I o, 1827. For many years he was engaged in managing various business enterprises, and be came, in 1877, president of the Boston Manufacturers' Mutual Fire Insurance Co., a post which he held till his death. He was a strong controversialist and a prolific writer on economic subjects. He was appointed in 1887 a special commissioner to report upon the status of bimetallism in Europe. He also made a special study of mill construction and fire prevention, and invented an improved cooking apparatus, called the "Aladdin oven." He died at Boston on Dec. II, 1905. His principal works were Right Methods of Preventing Fires in Mills (I 88 1) ; Distribution of Products (1885) ; Industrial Progress of the Nation (1889) ; Taxation and Work (1892) ; and Margin of Profits (1902).