New-York tribune., 1903-08-30
LUCANIA TESTS TUNING.
SECRECY MADE POSSIBLE.
Marconi Declares apparatus Picked
Out Wireless Messages.

A large part of Mr. Marconis time yesterday,
after he reached the Holland House. was given
up to newspaper men, who piled him with all
kinds Of questions regarding his more recent in
ventions and his plans for the future. As usual.
he volunteered no information. and spoke only
in response to specific questions Indeed. he ex-
pressed regret on finding that some reports OF
conversations with him represented him as talk
ing spontaneously about the possibilities OF wire
less telegraphy. Nevertheless. he showed
obliging spirit, and answered promptly when
ever he could do so without prejudice to his
business interests.
The statement made by English papers several
weeks ago, that Mr. Marconi hopes now to re-
duce the height of the towers employed at sta
tions considerably. was confirmed by him yes
terday though he i. not yet ready to dispense
with elevation altogether. Concerning the pre-
else means by which this improvement is to be
effected he reticent.
The new plan for lessening the amount Of
power required to generate waves is. he be-
lieves, which is original with him. Until
the question is more fully investigated, he would
not like to make positive statement, he said.
Mr. Marconi remains confident OF the possi-
bility of maintaining secrecy of communication
by tuning" An illustration OF his ability TO
do SO afforded on the Lucania in her last
voyage to America. She had two sets OF receiv-
With the latter the ship picked up messages
from other vessels. but not from the Cape
Breton station which supplied her with news
With her tuned apparatus she received COM
munfcations Of which no other steamship with
in range could have the slightest knowledge
w. W. Bradheld. electrical engineer of the
Marconi company in America, was present
while some of MIR. Marconi's visitors were seek
ing information. He gave graphic account Of
- 49,
yacht races few days ago. at which Mr.. Mar
conf evinced great amusement. Inasmuch as
untuned apparatus was used for that service OF
course the way was open for all kinds OF inter-
ruptions. Had it been deemed necessary to
guard against that possibility, II would have
been feasible, in Mr. Marconis opinion, to shut
out medders.
Reference was then made to Nevil 81. Mas
kelyne's intrusion in Dr. Flemings lecture IN
London on wireless telegraphy Mr.. Marcont
said that the speaker on that occasion had no
reason to foresee interference. and had taken
no precautions to prevent IT, Had he known
that mischief was intended. he would probably
have been able to protect himself.
For receiving purposes Mr.. Marconi stin re-
tatns his improved coherer in which the gap.
spanned by silver filings, is wedge shaped. 1t
is good for only about fifty words minute,
but he is not ready yet to discard It However.
his recent detecter, which works an
other principle. is more sensitive and will admit
of greater speed. In time possibly this will be
employed exclusively.
No messages have recently been sent from
Poldhu to America. but the establishment OF
communication in both directions across the At
lantic does not seem to be remote. Within the
next few days Mr.. Marconi will visit the Table
| Head station. in Cape Breton. to make tests.
ha n{tx 1fcrhf hanCA
he will be in a better position than he is now to
form an opinion about the date of beginning
business Just now he betrays his usual eau
tiOn IN speaking of the future.
The great wireless telegraph station near
Rome, being erected and equipped under the
auspices Of the King OF Italy, Is approaching
;con peton. 1t will have engines OF 800 horse
power to generate electric waves. When this
station was projected the distance which 1t
was hoped that it might cover was put at six
thousand miles Possibly with more recent i'm
prOvements, it's scope may be extended beyond
that limit
The Marquis di solari a we'll known italian
electrician, who accompanied Mr.. Marconi for
several months last year on the italian warship
placed at the latter's disposal a fellow
passenger of Mr.. Marconi on the Lucania-
Either because a question on that point was
awkwardly put, or because he did not feel will
ing to answer specifically, Mr.. MarcOnt would
not say which of his recent advances he regard
ed Of the greatest practical value. Perhaps this
depends the counsel of his patent attorneys.
He frankly said. however, that his general
tended enough since his last visit to this coun-
try, to be exceedingly helpful Even the recent
voyage had contained instructive Incidents
The newly arrived visitor could not be
pected to tell what he wants to talk with ttt
Edison about The simple fact that the lat,
has become closely identified with the Marco
company in America amply justihes desire To-
conference. Still, Mr.. Marconi expresses un-
reserved admiration for the West Orange in
ventor. whom he met several months ago
In the tuning system invented by Professor
Pupin Of Columbia University, certain rights
have been acquired by the Marconi company.
AS yet, however, Mr.. Marconi has not himself