National Republican., 1884-04-19
THE SCIENTISTS PLEASED.
Successful Tests OF the Standard Under
ground Cable Mt the Smithsonian Insti-
tuition.

Successful Tests OF the Standard Under
ground Cable mt the Smithsonian Insti-
tuition.
The members Of the National Academy OF
Sciences, interested in physical matters, made
q series of interesting experiments last night
with the new electric cable running from Col.
Rocltwell's office to the capitol, Smithsonian,
and public buildings, laid by the Standard
Underground Cable company of Pittsburg,
Pa. ALI tho scientists and practical persons
present expressed themselves as more than
pleased. Prof Barber said the insulation in
this cable was so perfect that it would be
possible to belt tho earth twice without
serious loss Of current. This opinion expressed
the views Of all tho specialists present, among
whom were Profs. Sillimau, Young Row
land, and Newcomb. Gen. Meigs was also
present. an interested spectator, while such
practical electricians rs Mr.. Royce and Mr..
KHAN, of Baltimore; Mr.. Marean and Mr..
Kennedy, of Col. Rockwell's Office; Col.
Clarke, manager of the Baltimore and Ohio
Telegraph company, and Mr.. Whitney, of
tire Western Union. were equally interested.
Mr.. w. j. McElroy, the electrician Of the
company, explained its workings in graphic
manner
To obviate any possible objections arrange.
ments were made to use all tho varieties of
ments were made with tho Bell telephone,
the Baxter tho Rogers. the Shaw, and the
Eccard instruments All worked equally
we'll, and one gentleman said he had not up
to that time known the capabilities of his
own telephone.
One part of the performance excited much
amusement. This was when Mr.. McAvoy
sang several choice selections. Tho clear,
strong tenor of the singer was transmitted
so perfectly and was withal so enjoyable that
hardly had one grave gentleman placed 1t to
his ear than the next one tried to get hold of 1T
and the instrument circulated rapidly from
hand to hand, while the faces of the listeners
passed through all the shades of astonishment
and pleasure. From tho conversation of
Profs. Barker, Silliman, and Young, couched
in iaw-breaking terms the reporter made out
that tho trouble with most underground
cables is that tho electrical condition OF
the earth draws off tho current and makes
the wire act in very irritating and provok-
ing way, but that the result of last
present form of cable does not
pay tribute to the general obstructiveness
of mother earth. Prof. Baird, the secretary
Of the Smithsonian, who has weakness for
improved electric appliances, could not rest
until no had the buildings under his control
united by the new cable One of the princi-
pal advantages of this cable, rs shown by the
eAperluient ihsp nlBut, 10 pho iaOp thaV vhS
different wires in it do not interfere with
each other.
Hitherto the trouble has been that If two
persons talk at the same time through the
same eablo although on different wires in it
the sounds become confused, resulting in
cidentelly in much profanity. A trial wat
made by sending n telegram over Morse
instrument through one wire while the ex
perimenter talked over another. Tho result
was perfectly satisfactory, there being not G
fraction of confusion.