The evening times., 1899-10-16

1t is said that an extensive series of ex-
periments with the Marconi system of
wireless teiegraphy, for which arrange
ments have been made by Col. James Al
len, OF the Signal Corps, Of the army, will
begin in this city soon after the inventor
completes his present work in connection
with reporting the yacht races at New
York. A number Of new automobiles pur-
chased by the War Department are to be
used in conjunction with the experiments.
There is no doubt if the Marconi method
OF communication proves as acceptable as
the signal officers expect, the system will
be applied where it is practicable by the
Signal Service.
The automobile Sigani Corps wagons are
to be supplied with the electric appliances
of the Marconi system, md each of the
storage wagons wil) IN addition, be pro-
vided with a balloo which will raise high
in the air the coil o. an electric wire nee
essary for the transmission of the mes
sages. BY the use of the balloon the wire
may be sent up as high as necessary and
thus be at such an elevation as to be above
any eminences that might tend to interfere
periments will take place near Arlington
and Fort Myer. Fort Myer was the origi-
nal experimental station of the army.
In the coming experiments it is proposed
to have an automobile wagon go into the
field several miles from the station and
then send into the air one of the balloons
with the electric wire attached. From this
wagon to another wagon similarly equipped
II is intended to forward the messages by
the wireless system.
Three automobile wagons have been re-
ceived by the War Department and they
were constructed under specifications pre-
pared by Colonel Allen. Two wagons are
shaped like regular covered delivery
wagon and are designed to carry the Sig
nal Corps instruments and equipment. The
other wagon is without cover and designed
for the conveyance of officers and working
force.
The equipment OF the first wagon is to
consist of forty cells of storage battery of
sufficient capacity to run these vehicles
thirty miles on one charge Of the battery,
carrying 1900 pounds transportation load.
The motor equipment consists of two three
and one-half horse power motors, attached
directly and independently to either rear
wheel. and SO wound and designed that
they can be worked on grades and bad
~
The estimated maximum speed of the au-
tomobiles is ten miles an hour.
A novel feature Of these vehicles Is the
absence of anything like bicycle construc-
tion or what is commonly expected in
automobile construction. Every piece of
iron work in the wagon was hand forged,
and the wheels are made with steel hubs,
the inside Of which form receptacles for
the ball bearings. Instead of pneumatic
tires the wheels have solid hard rubber,
which make them heavier, but far less
liable to injury and accident. Each wagon
is fitted with electric lights in the side
lanterns, and in the larger vehicle in the
interior also. and it is understood. that
later they will have a searchlight attach
ment for travel at night. The larger wagon
may be used for any purpose required Of the
Signal Corps in the field. and can be con-
yerted into field telegraph station should
the occasion require 1t.
Admiral Bradford. chief of the Naval
Equipment Bureau, will authorize expert
ments for the navy soon after the army
tests have been made. The officials of
both departments are confident the sys-
tenn will be applied eventually to both
arms of the service