The Washington times., 1901-12-15
THE EARLY DAYS
OF TELBGRAPHY.
A TEST WHICH CAUSED WONDER,
Communication Established with
New York Through baltimore
and pbiIudeIpIiin-Dcsp
to Prof. Morsc's Daughter.

The remarkable claims of Nikola Tesla
regarding the possibility of communica-
tion with Mars excite no more interest
and wonder today than did the achieve
ments Of Prof. Morse ifty-fve years ago.
In June, 1916, the Washington Union,' a
copy of which is in the possession Of a
clerk in the Pension Office. gave the fol-
lowing account of what was probably the
| first practical test OF telegraph line be-
tween the National Capital and New
York:
On Saturday evening last, June 6, Prof.
Morse, the inventor and superintendent
of the magnetic telegraph, and his as
sistant, Mr.. Vail. in their office at Wash
ington, wished to test The integrity of the
telegraphic line the whole distance
through to New York. a distance Of no
less than 250 miles. The better to under
stand the singularity OF the scene VIZ are
about to record. the reader must imagine
four individuals. one at the office at
Washington, one at Baltimore, 30 miles
distant; one at Philadelphia, los miles
Jersey City, opposite New York;, liz miles
farther.
Instantly Understood.
The teIegraphic lines pass through the
instruments at the offices at each of these
places, and communication despatched
from anyone is written and instantly IN
derstood at all the others. We shall
designate the operators by the names of
the places at which they are stationed.
shington-Baldm6re, are you in.
communication with Philadelphia?
Baltimore-Yos.
Washington-Put me in connection with
Philadelphia.
Baltimore-Aye, aye. sir; wait minute.
(After pause.) Go ahead. You can talk
with Philadelphia.
vashington-How do you do. Philadel-
phia?
Philadelphia-Pretty well. 1t that you,
Washington?
washington-Aye. aye. Are you con-
nected with New York?
Philadelphia-Yes
Washington-Put me in connection with
New York.
after a pause.l Go ahead; now for it.
Washington-New York, how are you?
(New, York does not answerJ
Philadelph lphia-Hallo. New York. Wash
ington is talking to you. Don't you hear
him? Why don't you answer?
a Min-U1.
New York; don't get anything from
him.
Washington get that from New York. !
PhlIadelphia-New York, Washington |
says he gets that from you.
Baltimore-How is it that Washington |
hears from New York, and New York does
not hear from Washington?
Philadelphia-There where I'm loored. |
Baltimore-What is the reason, Wash
ington?
Washington-Because New York has not
properly adjusted his magnet.
Philadelphia-l'vu been hard at work
al day. / feel like bricks. Had no sup
per. have had stiff evenings work;
here have been many messages tonight
me alone gave us sl7 / want to go.
Washington-Wait little,
Baltimore-Go it, ye cripples.
Philadelphia-Who is writing?
Washington-Don't all talk at once.
Baltimore-Mary Rogers are a case; SO
ire Sally Johnson.
General jackson are a hoss, so are
5olcnel Johnson
Philadelphia-Who is that? 1 will dis
.uss that pint.
Adjusting the Magnet.
ashlngton-Baltimore keep quiet
tell New York to ask me 10
write dots THAT is to adjust his magnetJ
Philadelpha-Aye. aye, sir. Washing
on, write dots washington begins to
write dots) That's it; o. X. Now have
ou; go ahead.
Washington-New York, do you now get
,hat l send!
New York-Aye, aye, sir.
Washington-Did you get Prof Morse's
Message for his daughter?
New York-Yes, from Philadelphia; hut |
is too late to send it over the river to-
light. ! am all alone, and the two boys | s
re gone.
Washirgton-Vory well; no matter.
Baltimore-Good night. I'm going.
WashinEton-Goo night. all
Philadelphia night.
New York-Good night.
And so ends a curious scene; not an =
imaginary one but one Of actual occur ]
ence Let anyone reflect upon the fact
hat all these questions and answers oc-
urred in a space OF time but very little /
Ingor than that in which this unique {
rama has been related.