New-York tribune., 1870-09-02
THE TRUMPET TELEGRAPH
A CARD FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE WESTERl
UNION TELEGRAPH COMPANY.

A CARD FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE WESTERN
UNION TELEGRAPH COMPANY.
TO me EdftOr Of The Tribune
SIR: More than q year ago the air in tele-
graphic circles suddenly became tremulous with whis-
pered rumors of A greet Discovery! the results of
which destined to starto the world by advance,
at single leap, as far beyond the achievements OF
Morse the latter over the Post Boy ana Stage
Coach As the subject OF these threatening hints ana
ominous ns nuations began 20 from the realms
OF the ilimable and the aintest outline OF
tangibty il was discovered that this latest
addition to the family The Wonderful was an ancient
member rejuvenateG-well known twenty years ago as
"Tbe Automatic Telegraph" Only this and nothing
more II is now considerably more than half year
since Mr. d. H. Craig commenced the publication OF that
apparently infinite series OF sOnorous prophecies con
cernng the capacity of this venerable novelty the latest
chapter OF which appeared in The Herdidkof Aug. 20
1t is not my purpose to attempt to catalogue the
marves which he has recorded az achieved The object
of this letter will he accomplished by referring briefly To
a very few of them.
telegraph line with one wire has been constructed
between New-York and Washington for the express
pose of demonstrating the vOrcous capacity OF the long
ago exploited idea OF this line MI Craig says that Is
more than 900 per cent superior to any one OF ne Hhes
Of the Western Union Compdny;" also, that he lean
transmit over a single wire, from Washington to New
York trenty-fonr thousand Dords per hour! which Is
eoual 10 the average working Of than thirty iorcs
by the Morse system Of tclegraphy" But as II these
miracles were not enOugh to overwhem with shame ard
modification the slow coaches" OF the Western Union
who are compelled 10 employ the most sfu operatois
and the hest teeraphc talent in the country, and, in
fact in the world, he m6rcessy adds But the most
nportant feature system Of teleGraphy is IT'S
extreme simplicity and unerrng accuracy bog or girl
of deen years Of age can master he machinery and me
rhoIe siStein ia a JeU hours! ~
Now the public are deeply interested In knowing
whether these declarations plain truths, whether
inca Mt
specuation whose golden fruit is only TO be plucked by
ito nromoters" while the unfortunate stockholders
sooce Themselves with the reflection that they not
the first who have " gone wooling and come back
ally interested to know whether 10 70 on putting up
additional wires, in view OF the dancer mat they may
10 accomplish all the Utilities OF the electrical glnut
on string The truth can he ascertained postlvey
newspaper department Of the demonstration has not
been carried ii ehoug nr I TnIrer m pass II o' 'o "
The function Of The te cgdh, as understand IT, is TO
in the shortest possible time II cannot concern THE
TRIBUNE to that the electrical signals representing
sneciaI of "a 600 words, which its Washington
sp5ndent wishes forward at 1nght, could be trans
mted to York in an hour olt boy or girl OF l5
years of age had spent IS hours In punching ransla
lion into the characters through st1of paper
2OO feet long and which %oglS d take rs 6 endre Of
from a labyrinth u paper ~ "1ua length AT TINS end
oige before me TkBUSE eos To pres and claim hat
this can done more certiin and at less expense by
M de ~ Tte nv confidence as to the correctness of
this opinion and aso to give Mr. Craig an opportunity to
prove my ignorance and his superior knowledge offer
the following ,,,,,
THE TRIBUNE, Herald and World shall be, shall ap-
point Committee Of Three TO arrange aud superntend
tal between the wire line and fast" system OF
Mr. Cralg and wire of the Western Union Company,
from Washington New-YOrk each party To deposit
with the Committee 81 900 to abide the result OF the trial.
The Committee shall cause to be delivered dispatch i'll
dnncate to Mr. Craigs line and the Western Union at
Washington simultaneously neither OF the lines TO have
nv nrcyous knowledge Of the contents OF the dispatch,
which may DC in writing or printed, and must contain
not less than 1900 than 5000 words.
The Western Union will Use but one wire, and employ
hnt two operatOrs-one at each end, who shall not be
changed or relieved during the trial Mr.. Craig shall be
sIlowed sir OperdOrs-three IN Washington 10 prepare
and transmit and three at NewYork to receive trans
nta and copy the dispatch and whichever party
- The offices Of THE TRIBUNE. Herald and World respec
tiyIy shall receive the 5000. IL awarded 10 the West
80 b More statue in Central Park aud the other half
70 tn the Ielegraphers' Lfo Insurance Fund.
frtisr guaranty Of good faith both Sides each
s,a he I@rmittsd 20 have represe ntatye in both
ihe and Washington offices OF the Qther party
JmTne the Transmission md reception Of the dispatch
MI Craigs sne having but one wire, In the event OF
rnaL he would unable 10 complete the test To meet
snch contingency the Western Uipn will place at his
III snpsa c0 t1rd w,res 30 arranged that one OF them
suDsg!ea -9E 9s S own wa.sr IN iew ,fe seconds
lS nneeIoi,rs asaist M Cgs 200 per cent superior"
,,Tc and siI operators for ~ which must Assume;
occupy y, e words in discussion. And II he declines,
~ ~ fcar he w the public Will not be likely to err III
Judgment concerning tbe @ mers t " , '' H.
whose only achievement ,ius i'i N - aug QAL'
hs oer VIII opsh l6f acceptance ten days the
trial 70 be ms,ic within 80 days thereafter. very
re5ps fSsoss once Tssern Union Telegraph Co.. Aug 30,
Isl@