The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-25
WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY
EXPERIMENTS OF NJ. DUCRETET AT
HIS PARIS LABORATORY.
His Apparatus and Method of Value
Tor Lighthouse and Naval Sta
tiOns-French Women Voters.

WASHINGTON, Dec. PA report on the
French development of wireless telegraphy
is submitted to the State Department by
Commercial Agent Atwell at Roubaix Mr.
Atwell quotes a French scientific paper,
giving briefly the progress of wireless cleo
trlcai transmission since the discovery of
the Hertz waves in 1885, Practical work in
this line is now being done by NJ. Ducretet
IN his Paris laboratory, where he has in
successful operation a wireless telepra phic
plant sending messages four kilometers
Gas miles). The success of NJ. Ducretet's
system depends a spe cial radio conduc-
tor. generally known in this country as 1.-The
Granly tube" This takes the place of the
soft iron magnet in an ordinary telegraph
Instrument. The special receiver is con-
nected with an ordinary Morse sounder and
is operated from the distant sending sta
ton without any other conductor than the
atmosphere. 1t is interesting to note that
the report mentions that the message is
written out with the old paper tape and
pencil receiver. although this device has
been practically discarded i'll telegraph Of
hces in this country for many years
The sending station of Nj. Ducretet's Of
fee is equipped with mast sixty-five feet
high above the roof of his laboratory. This
Is said to be necessary TO start the current
above the interference OF surrounding
buildings, as the electric waves will pass
through an ordinary wall but are detected
by iron constructions. NJ. Ducretet says
the British government has been expert
menting with a practically identical appa-
ratus Tor the transmission of naval signals,
and has sent messages between Bourne
mouth and the Isle OF Wight distance not
giVen). lie says tnat while his experiments
90 not indicate that the hertz telegraph
Will IN the near future take the place OF
ordinary wire lines, 1t has already been
demonstrated of practical value for light
mousse ana naval signals, Tor exploring SSrV-
Ices and like uses. He further says that
his machine may be utilized, not only for
sending messages, but that a series OF in
candescent lights may be lit at distance,
or mine charges may be exploded, ii being
only question OF obtaining sufficient
power
In view of this report it may be interest
ing to note the fact that during the early
days of the late war the Navy department
save serious consideration to a scheme for
the use OF d system of wireless biography
to enable warsnipS TO communicate with the
shore. This was suggested by Tesla and his
colleague, but with the retirement of kooSe-
VelC the negotiations were dropped.
Commercial Agent Atwell, IN another re-
port 10 the State Department, says that for
the nrst time in that country women paying
d tax on the profession or trade in which
they are engaged will be entitled to vote.
Judges or a class which CONSIDERS CONNER
cial matters are to be elected during De-
cember, and women will be allowed to vote
for them. In RoubaiX, although there are
several hundred women entitled TO suffrage,
adds Mr.. Atwell, it is a remarkable fact
that not one has yet inscribed herself. The
women of TuTCoing, an adjoining town,
seem to be more progressive twenty
have complied with the necessary formali-
ties French women. it is stated, as rule
are not enthusiastic concerning the right of
suffrage
The Bureau of Foreign Commerce of the
State Department has just published in the
advance sheets of consular reports an inter-
esting compilation of reports from various
consular officers in regard to the policies
adopted by the respective governments to
come from the consuates general in France,
Belgium, Great Britain, Netherlands, Aus
trla-Hungary, Germany, Switzerland, Rus
STA and Japan. Wherever there is an eStab b.
nShed Bureau of Commerce the conSulS have
given a full outline of its scope and working.
Perhaps the most valuable information con-
tanned in the reports is that relative to the
effect of technical schools in extending for
eign trade. The reports from Germany and
Great Britain are particularly full in the
latter case, embodying various circulars and
regulations issued by the British colonial
offices to foster trade between the mother
country and the colonies. Another series of
the advanced sheets contains a series of
special reports, indicating the method of
collection of debts in foreign countries by
aliens.