The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-11-04
MANY MILES OF WIRE.
Greely's Report of Signal Corps
Work in Alaska.

Washington, Nov. 4.-The annual re-
port of Gen. A. w. GreeIy. chief signal
officer of the army says the corps have
actually built and put IN working order
in Alaska 1,121 miles of land lines and
submarine cables within period of "A
months.
The accomplishment of such results.
he says. would be most creditable to Of
ficers and men concerned therein if
Alaska was an ordinary country, for
this work included not only surveying,
construction and installation of its
length of line, but also involved the
manufacture and inspection of enor-
nous quantities of material, instru
ments, etc, many hundred tons in
weight, and their transportation over
distances ranging from 1000 to 1000
miles.
When one considers. however. the ex-
ceedingly difficult physical conditions
within the territory. he says. the work
must be considered simply phenomenal
as in all parts of Alaska traversed by
this great length of line there are not
dozen miles of wagon road and much
of the region is uneXDlored. Speaking
of improvements effected by the corps
in Cuba, Gen. Greedy says:
1T is unquestiOned that on occupying
Cuba the American army found few
dilapidated telegraph lines operated by
Anticipated methods. with tariff rates
increasing in proportion to the length
of the message without free delivery
and with grave uncertainties as to es-
pionage, secrecy and delivery. This sys-
tenn, bad as it was. served only the
western half of the island. In leaving
Cuba there was turned over to the gov
eminent a system of $500 miles, extend
ing from San Y Martinez. in the west,
to Cape Maysi in the extreme east. with
every seaport or town of importance
electrically connected. The present in
struments are of the best modern types,
the transmission speedy and reliable,
and the tariff rates exceedingly low,
while the certainty of delivery and in
volatility of messages are beyond ques-
ton
OF the work in the Philippines the re-
port says:
lines and cables was very largely con-
structed and installed under Col. Allan.
This system. increased during the fiscal
year by 1900 miles. consisted on June 30.
1862 of 81 submarine cables, 1.226 miles in
length, and land lines ). los miles in length.
making an aggregate of 6,434 miles It is
almost needless to say that the work of
construction and installation under the dis
the archipelago, demanded talents of the
highest order The system stands today
monument to the energy, skill and re-
sourcefulness of the American soldier.
"On entering the Philippine islands the
American army found practically no ex-
isting telegraph lines. as the few land lines
connecting the Vlsayan cables of the East
ern Extension Telegraph company mad
been promptly DESTROYED by the insurgents
as we'll as the lines in LuZon, when they
retreated before the advance of our army.
The only lines of any Importance that
came into our possession were several hun
dred miles of dilapidated and Anticipated
lines in the Cagayan valley and along the
west coast of LuzOn.
Gen. Greedy calls attention to the necss-
sity of Il Pacific cable. Owing to the
great pressure of work, he says. not as
much time has been given to wireless tele-
graph tests as Gen Greedy desired. but he
reports that progress has been made.
lie again calls attention to the necessity
for international cable regula tons and
recommends that the war department be
represented at the interna tional telegraph
conference to be held in London next year.