Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-05-17
THROUGH AIR AND WATER
Experiments In Transmitting Messages
Made by the Signal Corps.

Experiments In Transmitting Messages
Made by the Signal Corps.
Signal service officials are watching Just now
with keen interest the result Of the most eX-
tensive experiments ever undertaken in optical
biography. This is the operation of a hello
graph line over 200 miles in length, extend
ing from Fort Stanton in New Mexico TO Whip
pie barracks in Arizona, with ramiications
leading to Forts Mcdowell, Lowell, Huachuca
| and Bayard
''The entire line" said Mr.. Bernard Bunne-
meyer to STAR reporter, ''places in communi-
cation twenty-five signal stations and COM
mands section OF country Of the utmost i'm
portance in warfare against hostile Indians.
The terminal stations connect with the general
telegraph system OF the country, and thus
bring the Utmost recesses Of Arizonas and New
Mexlcos yastness into close relation with the
seat OF government fact, OF which message
received few days ago at the signal Office
from Gen. Greedy, who is at present III Arizona
witnessing the practical operation of the line,
is an incontestable proof The message was
written by the general on Bowie peak and
flashed from summit to summit over gaps
from 40 to IS miles in extent to the western
terminal station, touching successfully Mount
Graham, Table butte, Saddle peak, Pinal
mountains. Lookout peak, Bakers butte,
Squaw peak, Bald mountain and Whipple bar
racks, where it was transferred to the electric
telegraph for transmission TO this city.
HOW THE PLAN WAS CARRIED OUT.
"The plan of this gigantic undertaking was
conceived and carried out by an able and ener-
getic officer, Col. ". ]. Volkmar, who is well
remembered in this city aud has charge of the
signal service in the Department of Arizona.
Gen. Greedy, recognizing the possible advan-
tages offered, in "a military point, by the WELL
planned project, left nothing undone to make
the experiment a success and furnished the en-
tire line with the best equipment at his dis
posal. He provided each station with one or
more photographs of the latest pattern for fash
Ing messages, reports and information of value
onward This mysterious little instrument is
extremely simple to manipulate, when under
stood, and in the hands Of an experienced sig
nalist yields the most surprising results and
becomes potent factor in the field.
THE HELIoGRApH.
Imagine mirror about four inches square
so arranged on tripod or other support that
the rays of the sun reflected from its surface
may be thrown on any point desired and kept
there by means OF revolving screws to compon-
safe for the apparent motion of the sun. This
Is a Photograph. To transmit message it will
only be necessary to intercept the reflected
rays by means of Al screen and operate the lat
ter so as 10 reveal to the distant station flashes
OF various duratlons representing the dots and
dashes of the American Morse telegraph CODE
Any telegraph operator may therefore become
expert in the manipulation of the instrument
with but little practice, and 1t was this fact
that led Gen. Greedy to recommend the adop-
ton OF the American Morse code for signaling
purposes. In addition to photographs the line
was also equipped with telescopes, field glasses,
compasses nnd in fact. every thing necessary
to enable the signal officers to scan the sur
rounding country from their lofty stations and
make correct reports of any unusual occur
FENCES within the radius of vision to the near
est military post or to the authorities in this
city, If required.
GREAT EXPECTATIONS.
"The possibilities of the Photograph are not
yet fully developed, and only within the past
two years have messages been exchanged over
a range of 10 miles, while quite recently Col.
Nolkmar has demonstrated that the instrument
Is quite effective at distances of over 50 miles.
The instruments in use were designed at the
signal Office and although it is not generally
known, the officials are always on the qui vive
Tor improvements of value to the army. The
latest device is field telephone equipment.
but the name walking telephone is much
more suggestive. 1t consists of a receiver,
transmltter and key lngenlOusly arranged in
small sole leather pouch. soldier provided
with this equipment and reel of very light
double conductor wire carried in a knapsack on
his back may move all over the field and still
be enabled to maintain constant commuuica-
ton with the central station starting point.
A mile OF wire is carried without difficulty. On
the field of battle or for outpost duty this
equipment will be indispensable; it fulils the
requirements of instant and constant commu-
nlca;lon. The commander chief of an army
watching the progress of battle from his station
need no longer send his adjutants to and fro
with orders Tor the disposition of his forces;
this equipment will do it without loss of val
liable time.
SIGNALING THROUGH THE WATER.
"Another de vice, still in the embryonic state,
contemplates the utilization of water as the
transmitting medium, and the result of pre-
liminary trials speaks well for the inventor
The construction of the contrivance is a secret.
tut some idea of its usefulness may be obtained
from the fact that it will effect communication
between vessels, from shore to vessel, or be-
tween any two points separated by body OF
water at distances of several miles.
''Since Gen. Greedy has assumed charge OF the
signal corps many valuable improvements have
been effected in the appliances for commune
cation in the field, and from the efforts made
Ill keeping abreast of the progress i'll science 1t
is evident that this corps will do honor to its
present chief in active service"