The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-04-13 00:00:00

THE TELEPHONE IN JAPAN.

The Japan Hcrald says that the Telephone was no
sooner brought under the notice of the Japanese
Government by the agents for China and Japan of
tel,.phone, than experiments were at once
ordered by Mr. Ito, the Minister of P-ablic Works, to
be made under the direction of Mr. Gilbert, the super-
intendent of telegraphs. The first essay was made
along a wire stretched from the office of the Great
Northern Telegraph Company in Yokohama to the
telegraph station in Honcho Dori, and subsequently
conversation was held between this place and Tokio
along the ordinary line wire. The experiments having
proved to be entirely successful, a number of llastru-
meats were purchased; and the police-stations in the
metropolis, the Emperor's palace, and the Government
Departments are, or will soon be, in telephonic com-
munication with each other. On the Public Works
Department being put into connection with the palace,
the Emperor and Empress were present, and expressed
their surprise at the result. It may be expected, as
soon as the requisite number of instruments can be
procured from the inventor, that the telephone will be
brought into general use throughout Japan wherever
the telegraph wires reach.

One of the most interesting and valuable applica-
tions of Professor Bell's telephone in the United
States was seen in a recent railway disaster near Hart-
ford, Connecticut. An excursion tram, returning
from Moody and Sankey's revival meetings, plunged
through a bridge, killing or wounding many passengers.
Brought by telegraph wires to Hartford, the news was
taken up by a system of telephone wires connecting a
chemist's shop with the residences of twenty-one
physicians. So prompt was the summons that in half
an hour the physicians, fully equipped, were at the
railway station, where a wrecking-train conveyed them
to the scene of death and suffering. Thirteen thousand
telephones are now in operation in the United States.

THE NEW TAXATION.

The Statist observes that an increase in taxation was
certain, and the Budget arrangements will excite no
surprise. Increased armaments have recently become
necessary, and the expenditure incurred for them
must be met. The income tax is the very best tax
that can be imposed in the case of an emergency, on
account of the ease with which it can be withdrawn
when no longer required, and on account of the in-
considerable effect it has on trade. In times like,
these the duty of protecting the British Empire can-
not be performed without some sacrifice of individual
comfort. And it would be very discreditable if the
richest nation the world ever saw were to try to evade
its responsibilities, and out of mere dislike to incur
expense lull itself into the belief that its possessions
are in no danger.

The Saturday Review remarks that both direct and
indirect taxation having been increased, it may be said
that all classes of the community are made to con-
tribute to the public burdens, though certainly in very
unequal proportions. While, however, we may be
permitted to hope that the addition to the income tax
is only temporary, it is far less probable that the
tobacco duty will again be reduced. In the selection
of this impost for augmentation the Chancellor of the
Exchequer shows sound judgment. An article of
general consumption amongst rich and poor alike,
which is yet a pure luxury, is most suitable of all to
bear a heavy rate of taxation. More difference of
opinion will be excited by the addition of twopence to
the income tax. The country was prepared for some
increase of this tax, but many will think that it is
made to contribute more than its fair proportion.