The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-05
THE NEW FIELDFORX-RAYS
FRANCIS SCHEME TO Use THEN IN
THE CUSTOMS SERVICE
Experiments Show That They VIII save IassR
In the Exaninatien or BaEgnge and Postal

Experiments Show That They VIII Save LahsR
In the EKaminatien or BaEgnge and Postal
Parcels-Only o Few Minutes Required.
PARIS. juno 25.-Several months ago the
French Government began o series Of expert.
ments with the X-rays with the object OF learn.
ing whether or not these could be employed TO
advantage in the customs service-particularly
in the examination Of small parcels coming into
France through the packet post. These expert.
ments have proved SO satisfactory that more
are to be tried soon on Q more extensive scale in
the regular working of the service. and. should
they be found practical. all travellers baggage
and imports o. general merchandise coming into
France will be examined in this way.
The apparatus used In the experiments, 40
cording to the statement OF George Pallain.
Director-General Of Customs, was the ordinary
Crookes tube, with fuorescent screens to re-
ceive the images projected. M. Pallain is not .
scientific man. and his explanation Of the ex.
periments leaves 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 something in tho
form Of q large opera glass. the circular ends OF
which were lifted with the auorescent screens.
The object to be examined was placed between
the Crookes tube and the large opera glass.
THE result" says NJ. Pallain. was astonish.
ing. The first thing / looked at was an ordinary
box Of cigars. wrapped in heavy paper. ! was
able to-srs them dist6acuy. and to count them.
first on the top layer and then on the ends.
Afterward we placed a plush armchair in posi-.
ton, and 1 was able to see the interior, springs
and all. Last, we took q small box that had
come by packet poA it was tightly sealed. and
the A.rays disclosed the fact that ii contained q
PAIR OF sleeve buttpns, which were perfectly
THE practicabilik of this mode of examina.
ton Is what makes The experiments SO valuable.
easily manipulated, and quick in results, The
operation requires but a few minutes, and 1t may
be conducted II in IA any room a.S Mnteh h. may be SsI MADE Dc
preparation but draw the curtains.
1T Is undoubtedly true that smugglers and
other evil'disposcd persons would DO able to cir
cumyent the certainty OF detection, of contra.
examinations; but that does not disturb, us, be;
cause. should we adopt the X-Tay method. IL VIII
garded as doternipative and infaliibie. At
present for Instance, our inspectors are onliged
To tim open anS sy n9sys I4Sib Isi 1or ta ]at,.; I Sre and d trsys 81
speetion must be very often superficial Now.
subjected 70 the X.rays; then, il the ray;
Without %ishou} opening opening. Il, on nth tho other hand, the
rays disclose dutiSble articles, or evidences
agency which smngglers would use to render
the trunk impervioIs to the rays would OF itself
necessarily look Suspicious when outlined on
the tiuorescent scrodns-that trunk or package
will be opened just a%it Is now; So you see.
after all. the device is maiIiyH labor saver. -,
the same time II will make the inspecton-fnOrn
more thorough. because even the expert, fingers
OF a customs inspector do not always land on
tho contraband article, and as for his eyes, the
X-rays are so far the only spectaeles with which
one may look through wood and pasteboard..
the customs rooms Of several of the larger rail-
way stations, and, providing that further, eN.
periments prove its practicabiIity. ~ will DO
adopted generally by the customs service.