Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-03-28

SUCCESSFUL TRIAL OF THE PHELPS SYSTEM
A MESSAGE CARRIED THROUGH THE AIR BY
INDUCTION.
An interesting experiment in telegraphy was
made on Wednesday by the Baltimore and Ohio
Telegraph company officials. They succeeded
in telegraphing on a railroad train while going
at the rate of forty miles an hour by the Phelps
induction system. The experiment was con-
Quoted by Mr.. Phelps the inventor, and under
the direction Of the Baltimore and Ohio officials
The experiment was tried, the Baltimore Ameri-
can says, on the Harlem river branch of the
New York and New Haven railroad. A insu-
lated wire, encased in rubber, was laid in a
wooden box, or trench, on the ties in the center
sition by iron clamps. Twelve miles of this
wire was laid baggage car fixed up for
making Circuit was run around the car az S and
extending under 1t by means OF an iron rod
This rod was within seven and a-half inches of
the wire in the wooden trenches on the ties
The telegraph instrument was in one corner Of
the car. Sson after the train was started and
ha gog at the fh rate Of ss hour
direct wire had been furnished through to Bal
tinaore and into President CARROTS private
answer with anxiety. Soon the instrument
osgan pNaEing as loudly as If in stationary
| on the train, then indited a telegram to Pres-
dent Garrett, saying that the Phelps induc-
direct 70 NJ W." aarrst and an answer Was
'.Your telegram. has been delivered to Presi.
born then wrote another: president Garrett
ana teleEraphing TO You, on q train going forty
niles an hour, by the Phelps induction system.
The wire in our car is seven and a-half inches
from the wire laid on the ties Of the track"
While the operator was sending the dispatch,
its twelve miles, and that it would soon pass
over the wire In the wooden trench. He said
nothing bnt let the oPerator, continue The
end there was fainter sound Of the ticking of
the Instrument, but the message continued
gone % the wire On the telegraph pole forty feet
ffoia tbs; track. II seemed marvellous to the ex-
periment ers. Sitting in a car with no wire
ceivs messages! when the train returned the
experiments were continued, and It was found
track. The message was sent over the w wire In
the wooden trench On the other track, eleven
feet aways OF course, there was . difference in
the oar was over the wire and when eleven feet
from q. On the return the telephone was con-
sage 81 wire SHY fesa away was heard T Tss
sender was in New York, and he was sending a.
message 70 his vile in New Rochelle: 81 will not
Mr.. Phelps stated that system Of bells could
Induction SYSTEM % that trains could teiesrapS s
when trains were within LOCO feet Of each
Of the train ahead. Major Rsngborn, in talk
Ing OF the systena, SAID: 'sWhat q wonderful
thing u would DO to have telegraph ofkice on
moving train, and this system enables that
u b put on the new Baltimore and Ohio New
xorE unes passengers could sit In the cars and
see the market quota items flashed to them over
the wires every second. They could have the
yieker On the train and conduct their business
win tnear brokers while travelling. The pub
wisnod 70 send message, ell you would have
te 90 would % 70 walk forward 70 the telegraph
receive an answer before you get to the next sta
u0nc I on newspaper men could be continually
sen0fnS bulletins or news and get ahead Of