New-York tribune., 1872-04-13
PROF. MORSE AND THE FIRST TELEGRAPH LINE


TO the Ediior Of The Tribune.
SIR: In one of the obituary notices OF
Prof Morse published in the newspapers. noticed the
following statement: "Thirty thousand dollars had
been appropriated to help him in his scheme, but
the House had evidently considered tho money wasted
and him sadly deluded Iu executing his plans he bo
came associated with Ezra Cornell They first intended
ncosng the wires in leaden pipes buried in the ground
but found that mpracticabe. They spent all but $1,000
I'm fruess experimenting before the insulation OF tho
wires on poles conceived and tho line successfully
constructed The first message sent % years ago."
This statement does Mr. Cornell injustice, since he
was not associated with Prof. Morse until after the
s3 900 had been expended. Prof. Morse was appointed
superintendent of the first line Of telegraph at salary
Of sOO All contracts for lthe purchase Of materials
the preparation Of the conductors In lead pipes, the
manufacture OF Instruments &c, &C., were conducted
under his direct supervision, with the assistance
OF Prof L. d. Gale, DR.. Fisher. and Alfred Vailc
The lead pipe with the four insulated conductors
In it was to be laid between Baltimore and Washington
along the line railroad track at depth OF two feet
below the surface The worO laying the pipe thus was
mile The question Of how to lay pipe was the first
question H%f s fS %hs kS Sso fSFns IN Ee
where Mr. Smith put the que eston to MT Cornell by an
machine for the purpose Of laying this pipe. The ma
chine was completed and ready for trial In August and
for the 0r first ff time met Mr. Cornell The trial was
successful and Prof. Morse decided TO allow it
to ap be- ans the in neS Sy the Rsds to
Ar. Cornell went TO Baltimore with the machine and
began the work. laying about mile OF pipe per day
Prof. Morse with his assistants. began TO solder the
wires and pipes together to make continuous ine This
work Of soldering slower process and advanced
not more than one-fOurth OF mile per day. Thus the
two classes of work progressed until the ppe-aying had
reached the Relay House, when consultation was held
which lasted several days and resulted in the discovery
that the graph could be worked in the ground
the wires then insulated and that there was only
s. 900 OF the appropriation unexpended. which, IN the
opinions OF Prof Morse's assistants not sniff
IN insl
finish the lne-they estimating that 1t would
require from $4,000 TO $4,000 to carry the enter
prise to successful issue, and that it was unwise to
attempt to go further without new appropriation.
While this discussion going on between Prof. Morse
Prof. Gale, DIR. Fisher Mr.. yale and F. o. ]. smith, ut
the Relay House, Mr.. Cornell made series of expert
ments which satisfied him that the additional insulation
requisite could be secured and the telegraph competed
with the 5000 yet In hand II couid be used for that
purpose The conference terminated by the resignation
OF Prof Gale and DR. Fisher and the appointment Of
Ezra Cornell, to whom committed the entire charge
OF the work and his were realized by the
successful completion Of the telegraph between Balti
more Washing gon in April following, leaving enough
Of the 1900 to pay the salaries OF Prof Morse and Mr.
Vae to the end Of the year. HIsTORIcUs.
April