New-York tribune., 1896-05-05
ELECTRIC WONDERS SHOWN.
OPENING OF THE NATIONAL ELECTR1-
CAL EXPOSITION.
GOVERNOR MORTON TURNS THE GOLDEN KEY
WHICH LETS IN THE FLOOD OF LIGHT


Governor Morton followed TO the letter last night.
when. by the pressing of a golden Key, he hoodea
the Grand Central Palace. Lexington-aVe anu
Forty-thlrd-st. with q wealth OF light that' more
economically distributed, would have sulnceu ~
illuminate the thoroughfares OF goodly sizea Town.
The occasion the opening OF the Na"o"a'
Electric Exposition, which has been organized IN
connection with the nineteenth convention OF 'he
National Electric Light Association
For tho last week several hundred men have
been busly employed in the work OF preparation,
and although It had not been entirely coinpie'eu
last night the exhibition, nevertheless, proved a
source of wonder and delight TO the crowds in at
tendance.
Tho spacious main floor Of the building Is almost
wholly devoted to the exhibits OF electrical hp-
p.iances To attempt to enumerate or describe
even superfcially the innumerable exhibits used IN
te.egraphy and telephony, in street and railway
transportation, in electric lighting and motive
power in the thousand and one other uses 10 which
electricity is now applied, which are there shown
would prove an almost impossible task. Sunce IL
to say that every invention and improvement that
have marked forward steps In the practical use OF
electricity arc represented there. Nearly two hum
dred sections are filled with samples of electrical
mechansms constructed by the leading firms OF thc
United States
SIDE SHOWS PROVIDED.
While the scientific and practical electrician will
find IN this branch Of the exposition mine OF In
terest numerous side shows have been provided ior
the lay visitors who concentrate their attention on
the novelties that electricity produces In the centre
Of the main hall model of the great power plant
recently completed at Niagara Falls was erected
and proved n great attraction. The model shows
section of the city Of Niagara with the river and
islands and Canadian shore. On each side of tho
model were twenty-four telephone transmtters. tho
receivers OF which, placed near the Fails enabled
those witnessing tho movements OF the machinery
to hear at the same time the roar OF the cataract
Tho current which set the model In operation was
generated directly from the Falls and was trans
mitted over tho commercial wire Of tho Western
Union Company The line Of transmission was thus
462 miles in length and was the longest ever per-
feoted for power purposes. The current also put In
motion a miniature model of section Of the Erie
Canal showing galloway line bearing motor
towing a feet Of three cana-boats.
Neither Nkola Tesla nor Mr. Edison had got their
promised exhibits In working order last night,
greatly TO the disappointment OF the multitude In
the course Of day. however. Mr.. Edison will dis
play on the second lcor OF The Palace samples OF
his numerous scientific inventions. Including his
adaptation of the rays TO practical use by means
OF the Horoscope. There Will be four OF these in
struments in use. ard visitors will have tho op-
portunity OF examining for themselves the bones OF
their own arms and hands. Mr. Tesla proposes TO
chine by of which he Is able to develop
current OF 100000 voltage. Mr.. Tesla vii! also
hibt his machine. by the cid OF which he hopes TO
do away with metallic circuits In telegraphng. Not
the least interesting portion OF the exposition IL tho
historical and loan department. These include
score OF Morse relies relating 10 the early days OF
telegraphy; relics OF Alfred Van. who vas the as
socate OF Morse in the invention and perfection o.
the electromagnetic telegraph; a large number OF
valuable and important apparatus. much ot which
Is of hlstoricsl well OF experimental Interest.
lent by Cornell University: relics relative 10 tho
pioneer stages OF the inclndesccni ltsh; while other
collections Of historic interest have also been lent
by A. Is. Chandler. president Of the Postal Tele
graph Company: Clarence II. Mackay. Professor
Elihu Thomson Professor +. B. Croclor. Pro
fcssor NJ. l. Pupln, the Ncw-York University. Iu-
ther Stcrnger. T. c. Martin. L ]. Hall. Miss Mary
- Henry. OF Washington. and Professor Dcrcinus.
GREAT CROWD OF PEOPLE
Long before the time announced for the opening
OF the doors the main entrance In Lexington-ave.
was surrounded with a vast crowd OF people. and
in less than half hour after admission was grant
cd the great hail. with It's spacious galleries. was
filed almost TO suffocaton. It estimated tha,
there were between 1000 and 500 people prescn;
when at 7:i5 o'clock Governor Morton's arrival
announced by the playing Of HAL to the Chief"
which was in turn quickly drowned 10y the cheers
OF the assemblage.
Governor Morton was accompanied by several
members of his stan. and among those who were
present with him in the reserved !nclosurc on the
first gallery Commodore Sicard. representing
the Secretary OF the Navy: General Kugcr. repre-
senting the Army: Thomas y. Edison. Nikola
Tesla Professor a. 4. Anthon. Mayor Wurster. Of
Brooklyn: DR.. Park Benjamin. DR.. T. D. Crocker.
!. Il. Deavey Herbert l.. Webb. cx-Mayor Thomas
L. Gilroy Fire Commissioner La Grange. G. II.
Wilmerding, OF Chicago president OF the associa-
ton: Frederick Nicholas. first president To-
ronto: f. +. Peck. second vce-presldent. Brooklyn;
George i. Porter. secretary and treasurer. and C.
o. Baker. jr. OF NewYork City.
REMARKS OF MAYOR wURsrER.
The opening formaties were begun by brief in
PRODUCTION of Mayor Wurster chairman by Mr.
wilmerding. Mayor Wurster in responding said:
feel greatly honored by the opportunity which
you have given me OF being present ut the opening
OF this exposition This is the electrical age With
subtle fluid called electricity successfully applied
to the uses OF men in connection with various me
chanical and Industrial enterprises. and yet We have
scarcely crossed the threshold OF It's possibilities;
Tonight for the rs qe IN ,hf & h his9,y 9i in
distance Of is mSi ana ana an an eIecorc ,d aP1m , gn
shc"frS she future rn" of 5Be Industrial and
world the events OF this evening are hs important
as the fret spark OF Intelligence transmitted 10y
Morse by means Of his crude ana imperfect apparatus
Those very Instruments OF Morse have today been
20 improved and utilized that the pulse OF the world
would cease to beat should they be suddenly with
drawn l believe that the future Will show much
progress In the Of electricity applied 10 our
Industries as the last halfccntury has shown IN the
perfecting OF the Moree alphabet we shall ook to
the men OF brains and energy whose names are con-
nectcl with this exposition 10 accomplish these re-
suits
GRAFTON OF COMMODORE p. vEDDER
Commodore Perry Vedder then introduced
by Mayor Wurster and delivered the orat,on. which
was founded the subject OF The Electric Era
lie spoke In part follows:
This exposition invites you 10 see the physical In
strumenfalties by which the mighty miracles OF
Liam ..Aaarhf