The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1892-10-21
LONGEST TELEPHONE.
Opening OF the Chicago-Evew york
Telephone Line.
Airs Played and Responded Co-Ihs
Mayors OF the Two cities E.E-
change ConEratuIatIoua-

NEW YORK, Oct l8.-The cities of
New York and Chicago were united
yesterday afternoon. Figuratively
speaking it was a civil marriage, the
mayors OF the two great cities a thou
sand miles apart performing the cere-
mony. 1t was a distinguished gather
ing in the Office of the American usle-
phone and telegraph Office IN this city
which acted as witnesses to the csre-
Inony. Gathered within an arched glass
cham Der, made brilliant with cOloreu
electric light, and whose sides were or
namented with potted plants and dow
ers, were many men famed In electrical
science and skilled with the pen. In the
center of the rOOms placed at the base
of column, profusely decorated with
golden ribbons and yellow chrysau-
themums, was a handsome cabinet re-
ceiver constructed especially for the oc-
casion. Radiatiug from this cabinet
were twenty or thirty receivers tuat
were distributed among the guests ln
order that they might hear for them
/ selves what science had accomplished
/ The test was an absolute success not
| withstunding that the weather condi-
/ tious in Chicago and along the way
! were decidedly against the experiment
/ In the New York Office of the com
pany were gathered Mayor Grant, Com
t missioner Walter Storm and Electrical
] Expert Schuyler >. Wheeler of the
/ board of electrical matters Prof. era
I ham Bell, the inventor of the telephone
: l.. L. RldgeWuyr of the Consolidated
. Subway Co, John T. Hudson, president
. of the American Bell Telephone Co..
/ Col. Edward Parker, E. j. Parker, vice
/ president of the Long Distance Iele-
1 phone Co., w. j. Seatou, Ralph Pope,
George NJ. Phillips and T. c. Martin of
the Society of Electrical Engineers
|. d.
company and score of newspaper men
Altogether about 100 persons We're as
sembled- Tt was learned by telephone
that a precisely similar gathering was
in the Chicago Office.
President Hudson explained to the
ussemblago in the New York office that
this new connection between New York
and Chicago was the longest telephone
line in the world. The long distance
| telephone between Paris and MarseilIes
was, he said, only 900 miles and that
/ between London and Paris less than 25O
miles whereas the New NOrlz-ChicagC
line was nearly J. 900 miles long
With these preliminary remarks the
test began with the soft strains of a
Coruet floating through the room, car
[ rying the familiar strains of the ''Star
Spangled Banner" Hardly had the
last note died away when it was au-
/ uouuced that the music would be re-
Peuted from Chicago. The uuEiliaEy
receivers were placed to numerous ears
and clear and distinct came the famil-
[ lar arr A hush was asked for and the
auxiliary receivers disconnected Then
the wonderful carrying power was
fully demonstrated A small thread
like note came from the cabinet re-
ceivcr, but it was the familiar tone and
was distinctly heard by all i'm the room,
America" was sent and received in lhl
to the cabinet His honor sat down,
clappcd the receiver to his ear, his
mouth to the sender and said in "a low
distinct voice; Hello, ChicagOi is that
you, Mayor Washburne2'
The Chicago mayor was evidently not
familiar with long distance telephones
as he did not get sufficiently near to
the instrument to make his voice carry
at first.
The city of Chicago greets the city
of New York. said Mayor WashburHe,
in Chicago
The eity of New York returns the
compliment and wishes you all success
in the great cele oration you are to have
there this week." was Mayor Grants
reply.
THE city of Chicago extends its
greeting and congratulates the nation,
said Mayor Wash burue, impressively,
con an American invention which shall
supplement the telegraph and enable
the people OF this continent to commur
nicate orally where they now resort to
the post and telegraph"
Mayor Grant responded no less inn,
Pressively; 81 congratulate you and
the people of the United States upon
the opening of this great wire"
| Mayor Grant in conclusion made q
graceful personal expression OF regret
at his inability, owing to press of OH
Cial business at not being able to bs
present in person as well as by voice i-
Chicago during the worlds fair dedica
] rfDr7 vvaaTr