Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-14
THE NEW FIELD For x-RAYs.
Frances Scheme to Use Them In the
Customs Service,

| From the New York Sun.
Several months ago the French govern
! ment began a series Of experiments with
the X-rays with the object of learning
whether or not these could be employed to
advantage In the customs service particu-
larry in the examination of small parcels
coming into France through the packet
post. These experiments have proved SO
satisfactory that more are to be tried soon
on a more extensive scale in the regular
working of the service, and should they be
found practical. all travellers baggage and
imports of general merchandise coming into
France will be examined in this way.
The apparatus used in the experiments,
according to the statement of George Pal
lain. director general of customs, was the
ordinary Crookes tube, with fiuorescent
screens to receive the images projected.
NJ Pallain is not a scientific man. and his
much to be desired, but at the present
stage of the work he declines to be more
explicit. He describes the apparatus used,
In general way, to be a machine some
the circular ends of which were fitted with
the nourescent screens. The object to be
examined was placed between the Crookes
tube and the large opera glass.
THE result. says NJ. Pallain was as
tonishing. The first thing l looked at was
an ordinary box of cigars wrapped in
heavy paper. l was able to see them dis
,inctly and to count them, first on the top
layer and then on the ends. Afterward
we placed plush arm chair in position
and was able to see the interior springs
ana all. Last We took small box that
mad come by packet post: it was tightly
sealed, and the x-rays disclosed the fact
mat II contained pair of sleeve buttons.
which were perfectly distinct
The practicability of this mode of ex-
ANIMATION is What makes the experiments
SO van able. The apparatus used Is simple
In construction. easily manipulated. and
quick In results. The operation requires
but Few minutes. and it may be conducted
IN any room which may be made semi
aark: In the room which we have used for
experimenting we dhi nothing in the way
of preparation but draw the curtains.
II Is undoubtedly true tina: smuggIers
and other evil-disposed persons would be
a .. 10 circumvent the certainty of de'ec-
ton OF contraband articles In trunks and
packages by such an examinations; but
that does not disturb us. because should
we adopt the X-ray method 1t will be
merely used as an aid and in no sense re-
garded as determinativc and infallible
AZ present, for instance. our inspectors are
otilged to open everything. This takes a
great ceal of time. and makes trouble for
ofhciais and travellers alike; and, even at
the best. such an inspection must be very
often superficial. Now. that is Just where
the new method comes in. Every article of
baggage Will first be subjected to the X
idSS. tIitil II tle rays disclose nothing, the
article VIII be passed without opening. If
on the other hand, the rays disclose duti-
able articles. or evidences which are sus-
picious-and 1 believe that any agency
which smugSlers would use to render the
trunk imperviorS to the RAYS would of IT.
self necessarily look suspicious when out
lined on the fiuorescent screens-that trunk
or package will he opened just as 1t is now
So you see, after all. the device is mainly
a labor saver. At the same time it will
he r
because even the expert fingers of a GUS
toms inspector do not always land on the
contraband article. and as for his eyes. the
X-rays re so far the only spectacles with
which one may look through wood and
paSteboard.'
NJ Pallain's apparatus is now being placed
in the customs rooms of several of the
larger railway stations. and. providing that
further experiments prove its practicablity
it will he adopted generally by the customs
service.