Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-10-19
HELLO! NEW YORK
Illustration of the Development
of the Telephone.
A LINE FROM CHICAGO TO GOTHAM

What the Mayor of the Eastern Metropolis
Said to the Mayor of the Western
Home of the Hustler-The Longest Tel
ephone Liue in the World Opened and
the Faith of Believer in Great Posi-
biIities NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. at a 900
Mile Range.
CHICAGO, Oct. 19-An interested COM
pany of professional and scientific gentle
men occupied themselves on the first floor
of the Rand-McNally building at 8 o'clock
yesterday afternoon in the absorbing amuse-
ment of annihiiating space. 1t was men,
orable occasion. 1t marked great stride
in electrical science. The longest telephone
line in the world was completed and for
the first time in practical use. The man.
agement of the long distance lines had in
vited the representative newspaper, scien-
tific. and official men of the city to a prac-
teal demonstration of the possibilities of
long distance telephoning. They turned
out in force. In the New York Office, at IS
Courtland street, similar party was gath
cred
The Mayors Make Connection.
The inaugural test was made shortly
after O'Clock. Mayor Washburne sat in
front of the Chicago transmitter and Mayor
Grant, of New York, occupied the post of
uOHOT IDt OlLeT emu tne ilne- " men
everything was in readiness Superintend-
ent C. L. Mosley, who will have general
charge of the Chicago office of the line, di-
rected the party to stand around the fun
nel-shaped receiver, and presently the
sound of a piping voice, thin and squeaky,
but distinctly audible to all within ten
feet of the receiver, could be heard. The
voice said:
"Hello, This is Mayor Grant With
- 7 1. J.
Immediately Mayor Washburne replied
through the transmitter:
"Mayor Washburne is talking to you.
How are you.n
every well, thanks"
Compliments of the Occasion.
There was slight pause while everybody
said "marvelousn or "admirable!" or seems
Incredible" or words to that effect, ard
then along came the thin clear voice again:
"On behalf of the citizens of New York
city i extend congratulations to you, as the
representative of Chicago's hustling thou
sands, on the memorable completion of the
longest continuous telephone line in the
world, and the placing of Americas two
greatest cities in touch one with the other.n
There were several more compliments J
expressions; then cornet played in tie
New Iork Office filled the room with mel
ody, and cornet player from Johnny
Hands orchestra sent the music back with
his compliments.
Lunched After Their Labor.
After that everybody wanted to talk into
the receiver and have a little chat with the
New York office all to themselves. Super
intendent Mosley and Special Agent
Francis j. Hovey accommodated all the
curious while they explained the operation
of the line and the difficulties that had been
encountered in its construction. After
every one had tried the telephone and had
it explained to him to his hearts content,
and the first feeling of wonder had worn
away, very agreeable luncheon WIS
served in an adjoining room to ali who
cared to partake. Among those who were
present were representatives of nearly
all the leading telephone and telegraph
companies west of Pitts burg, as well as
official and professional gentlemen