New-York tribune., 1902-07-13
MARCoNFs TEMPORARY DELAY.

After Marconi had convincingly demonstrated
the possibility of transmitting definite messages
for 1900 miles and recognizable signals nearly
2100, it seemed probable that the initiation OF
a commercial transoceanic service by his sys-
TEN would be deferred only two or three
months He himself hoped that the coronation
of King Edward might be made the occasion OF
establishing the first formal communications
between Europe and America. Both his Cape
Breton and Cape Cod receiving stations were
in apparent readiness month ago. Yet even
before the Kings sudden illness rendered neces-
sary postponement of the ceremony in which
he was to be the central figure 1t was known
that Marconi would not attempt the execution
of his original plan Inasmuch as no eXplana-
ton of the delay has been vouchsafed, one can
only indulge in conjecture concerning It, But 1t
is not unreasonable TO suppose that the young
inventor wished to devote little more time to
the perfection of certain technical details.
Fer instance. in his talk at the Royal Insttu-
ton in London last month he mentioned tri-
fling embarrassment which he had experienced
while on board the Philadelphia last February
He had observed at that time that he could not
send so far during the day time as at night
Darkness permitted the Poldhu station to send
1850 miles, but not more than 700 miles could be
covered after sunrise under the same circum-
stances Perhaps this difference can be ac-
counted for in more ways than one. Marconi's
own theory Is that sunlight partially diselec
trifies the vertical wire at his sending station
It is not inconceivable that the conducting
power OF the earth and ocean is also impaired
This is matter calling for careful inveStiga
ton. but the difficulty is not insuperable. One
method of surmounting IT, suggested by Mar
conf himself, is to use more power at the gen
Grating station In this way. theoretically at
least it is feasible to extend the range of the
ether waves indefinitely. However, with
little study, 1t may be possible to find some
plan that will render unnecessary the enlarge
ment Of the plants at Poldhu, Table Bay and
South Wellfeet. The last named station Is
fully $500 miles from Cornwall, distance four
times as great that over which daylight
messages were obtainabe In February. Since
the force OF ether waves diminishes as the
square of the distance, II would at first seem to
be necessary to multiply the power expended by
sixteen. The desired result, however, might
possibly be secured by employing a higher
voltage than was originally designed, which
would require merely fresh transformers. not
additional steam engines. The increased sensi-
tiveness Of Marconi's new receiver will also
undoubtedly enable him to pick up messages
further off than before.
A second announcement Of great interest
which the Royal Institution lecture contained
related to the device just mentioned. This is
probably an Improvement on the coherer in
several respects. 1t will respond to feebler
waves, II can be worked more rapidly, and 1t
requires less adjustment to make 1t operate
The principle involved discovered by
others, and at least one man besides Marconi
has already tried to utilize 1t; but, just as
Lodges attempt to adapt the Branly cOherer to
oil Inv nj
Marconi's, so Rutherford's magnetic detecter'
was operative for less than mile, while the
Royal Institution lecturer reported good results
at 152 miles. In other words he had sue
cceded where others failed. 1t still remains to
be discovered how far Marconi's new receiver
differs from Fessenden's device which bears
the same name. and on which. at last accounts,
the Weather Bureau expert had not obtained
his patents. From the fact that MarconI was
willing to talk about his receiver, 1t may be
assumed that he has been more successful In
this respect, at least in England, since In that
country a man impars his chance of securing a
patent If he publishes description in advance.
1t is by no means certain that the coherer
will be entirely displaced by the latest mag
netic detecter. For some classes Of work Mar
conf thinks that it might properly be retained
He says that 1t will be useful for temporary
work, like testing, where accuracy is not OF
much Importance Even where the new re-
cever is introduced for permanent service it
may occasionally be convenient to have a
coherer also. It will not be long however be-
fore the older device ceases to attract much
attention. malaga raisins are very good
rasins" says an old proverb "but those from
Smyrna are better" For long distance work
the best will not be too good.
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