The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-01-14
POLAR MAGNETISM.


Region.
The magnetic needle always points north,
probably to large deposit Of magnetic ore
about is degrees from the north pole that
distributes magnetic force over our globe.
The needle Is one Of the principal guides to
the navigator Of the ocean.
1t Is question to be determined wheth-
or magnets Of sufficient force to counteraot
the air currents, suspended In space, would
travel In the same direction. In my opin-
ion there Is nothing to hinder It, II this
should prove the correctness OF my opin-
ion, the problem of air navigation from
south to north would be solved, rad great
point would therefore BIO gained
The velocity Of motion would probably
be greater than that Of the most powerful
locomotive but could be regulated by the
size and shape of the airship which would
have to carry the magnets, and the end of
voyage could be determined by lowering
and using them as anchors.
Aside from the possibility of reaching by
these means in a very short time the mag
netic deposits in the north, which would
probablyDroye to be of great value, and
accessibility land Or water, and Of reach
ing the north pole itself, mode Of air
navigation could thereby be established
that would invariably guide the balloonist
from the south to the north. We would
thereby be enabled to carry mail and mer-
chandise quicker than any railroad or
steamship.
1t would not surprise me If the magnetic
force would produce velocity Of more than
100 miles an hour, ut which rate we could
carry tropical fruit in less than day from
Venezuela to New York OF Boston and
Distribute 1t by rail to points west.
Valparaiso could land Its goods in less
than two days at points between the FORTH
eth and tiftieth degrees of latitude. Lima
md Panama products could be landed at
points in North Carolina, Virginia, Penn
sylvania and New York.
Chicago could have its depots of trans-
portation to Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Hon
duras Louisiana and along the Mississippi
as far as st. Louis. Omaha could establish
direct communication with Mexico Texas
and Arkansas Denver could be In direct
communication with points near Acapulco
and COlima.
This mode of transportation would open
Immense fields for all Central and South
American countries 1t would remove the
expensive and difficult transportation Of
the product from the inland plantations to
railroads and seaports.
Enterprising North Americans would go
south and cultivate on fertile soil such
products as would pay them best. They
would carry their harvest by balloon to
home markets, and send the airship ex-
hausted of it's gas, back by rail or steam
ship to fetch new Gargoes.
New distributing centers would be estab
lished in the north at such points as are in
direct northern line with large distribute
ing centers in Central and South America,
and many northern town with II small
populaticN may become by these means a
large commercial city.
Not alone would we be benefited by an
increased commerce with these countries,
but we would also use this magnetioalIy
guided airshp at home. We would use it
for excursions and for the transportation
of mail and merchandise on short trips, as
we'll us OH those have described. Boston
Globe.