The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1893-06-30

TAIN manner too technical here to explain
may be passed from one conductor to am
other without any intermediary connection,
IKE awre. IL VII! 20 through n stone wall
precisely us lighI goes through glass.
The pOssibilities which lie in this discov-
cry are simply enormous, and they may
refolutloni2e some forms OF development.
For instance, it may have powerful influ-
ence In the conduct Of the wars which may
break out in the Twentieth century, if any
do. If it is possible to convey the electric
current from one disk to another in room
without any medium, it might be possible
TO direct 1t from proper motor upon shore
10 the iron sides of great war vessel and
with such intensity as instantly to melt
The iron or steel plates as though they had
been struck by lightning
The use of the hashlight and the great
electric reflectors is sure to be very general
IN military operations in the next century,
and some of my acquaintance have some
times suggested-not wholly in fippant
spirit-that electricity itself may be the
great destructive agent employed in mill
tary operations in the Twentieth century.
But more practical than this suggestion
is another which is perfectly reasonable. l
am inclined to think that the development
of the trolley railway is going to be one Of
the mightiest factors in the urban civiliZa-
ton of the next century. The indications
now are that it may solve some of the prob
lens of overcrowding which have vexed
the social economists, and, on the other
hand, may give to those who live in rural
districts just that relief and recreation of
which they are now deprived and which
they so greatly desire.
l suspect that the trolley railway will be
found extending from the hearts of our
great cities far out into the country dis
tricts and over the highways, so that it will
be possible for man to step from his front
yard or farmer to go from his driveway
directly into one of these cars and at the
rate of twenty miles an hour or therea-
bouts be conveyed to the city. He will not
be obliged to bother about time tables. The
cars will run with frequency and at trihing
expense. They are simply going to ami
hilate distance and to make the man who
lives in the country to all intents and pur-
poses an inhabitant of the nearest city. 1t
is easy to see what an important effect this
will have upon the problems of great mu-
inequalities.
The Destiny Of the Twentieth Century.
The conquest of the elements so that
they may be made to serve mankind is
manifestly to be continued in the next CEN
tury. That has been the distinguishing
feature of the Nineteenth century. How
far men will subdue the forces of nature
and compel service from them within the
next hundred years is as inconceivable as
it would have been for the men who fought
the battles of the Revolution to understand
how it could be possible to exchange intel
ligence with Europe on the instant, or to
chat understandingly with a friend 1000
miles away.
The destiny of the Twentieth century is
plainly for the higher and more majestic
development for mans joy and comfort of
the secret, unseen powers that control the
movements of the earth, and which, now
operating by what are called natures laws,
cause the fields to blossom, the trees to bud
and leaf, the storms to come, the rain to
fall, and do all these things, which we do
not esteem marvellous because we are used
to them, but which nevertheless give to the
earth it's life.
1t is to be the province of jour:"I.'':: to
report these mighty works of man, perhaps
to stimulate them, and NAlen 100 years
have passed the newspapers will have made
the world, if not kin, at least neighbors.
1t is quite within the bounds of POSSIBLE
ity that by the year 1903 the mechanical
work of publishing newspapers may be
done entirely by electricity, and the dis
tributing of the printed papers may be
accomplished with such celebrity as to vast
ly extend the legitimate field of any given
journal.
1t is quite possible that by the agency of
forces just beginning to be understood the
reporter and editor will no longer be COM
PEELED to write, but that the spoken word
may appear imprisoned in cold type
In one respect the newspaper of 1898 will
differ but little from that of today. 1t may
report news with greater accuracy of state
ment and have the world and it's doings
more completely subject to instantaneous
report, but the newspaper of 1903 must be
as is that of today, nothing but the story of
human achievement, and the story of hui
man nature, and of the happenings of earth.
The object of the business of journalism
cannot change, but the methods of the
business and it's future development are
likely to share the benefits which are to
come from the mighty struggle of man
with the elements to subdue them to his
use. Il. j. EDWARDS.