New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-13
TELEPHONING ON TRAINS.
ANOTHER CHICAGO PLAN TO SAVE
TINE FOR BUSINESS MEN WHO
HAVE TO TRAVEL.

Chicago April u (SpeciaD.-While Marconi is en-
ploying his genius in developing wireless teieg-
raphy, and those other wizards OF science. Tesla
and Edison engaged in the solution OF equally
difficult electrical problems the less eminent but
intensely practical electricians who are very re-
sourceful. are constantly finding uses for the
most rapid and convenient agent of communication.
the telephone.
1t was only a short time ago that the table tele-
phone became adjunct of the restaurants where
business and professional men spend a few neces-
sary moments away from the busy affairs of the
day. This made the leisure time devoted to lunch
con part of the business hours, for IT made 1t
possible for busy eat and attend TO
his affairs while doing so, without any intermsson
Now another development in the telephone
service, which promises to become universal and
indispensable feature of all the railways OF the
United States. Quick communication is as essential
in the operation Of a railroad is the motive
power for the trains. The Chicago and Northwest
Railway recently equipped new train, known
as the Overland Limited for service between
this city and the Pacific Coast The coaches, pala-
tial in furnishings and provided with every con-
venience and comfort, unequalled for making
travel an absolute pleasure.
But what aroused wonder than anything
else was the telephone service installed original
and novel feature in railroad travel The instru-
ment is In the observation special wire OF
the local telephone company is dropped over tho
roof OF the and run through an opening to the
instrument in the car, and by means Of a monkey,
wall jacket, connection is made. The passenger
desiring telephone any part of the city or
communicate with long distance point is thus en-
abed TO do so. When the Northwesterns car tele-
phone tested officials Of the road talked d.
rectly from the with in New-York
City. The experiment made then demonstrated the
practicability and convenience Of the scheme 1t
will be the plan hereafter in using the tele
phone string the special wire and make connec-
ton forty-fve minutes before the departure OF the
train. The connection will be with the main offices
of the telephone companies from the terminal sta
tons of the Chicago and Northwestern roads in
Chicago and San Francisco.
This innovation calls attention to the fact that
many sf the Western roads using the telephone
almost entirely instead Of the telegraph Tor COM
muncatior between various points along the lines.
notably for train dispatchers' orders: making the
latter clearer and certain, and less liable to
errors In this connection ii may be noted that 1t
is projected by some Of the railroads to develop
and utilize teephoning by stringing telephone
wires to all the telegraph poles and providing
each pole with Jackets into which the end Of the
wires can be inserted and connection made. so
that instrument in the car can be used to COM
rnunicate with any point the road when the
train Is stopped of accidents other
trouble at any place distant from station, the
value of telephone communication would be great.
This was demonstrated few days ago. when a
passenger train the Northern Pacific road was
caught and held fast in a snow blockade for sew
eral DAVIS All the occupants Of the train suffered
from cold and hunger and there was no RELIEF until