Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-15
HE WON THE CIGARS
CAPT. MoRRoW'S CONTACT WITH
LIGHTNING CALCULATOR.
Backs Judgment Against Machine
Which He Declared Had Made
Error in Multiplication.

Capt. Jay ]. Morrow, assistant to the
Engineer Commissioner, has recently &C
quired among the employees of the District
engineer department a reputation as
lightning calculator that is not excelled by
any automatic rapid figuring machine on
the market. The circumstances connected
with Capt. Morrow's acquisition of fame
mathematician afforded interesting
diversion from the usual routine of the en-
gineer department.
Several days ago Mr.. E. E. Helm chief
clerk to Mr.. Hunt, engineer of highways
was alone in his office at the District build
ing. merrily pounding the keys of his type
writer, and specializing as to the prospects
of the per diem men for annual leave. The
door was suddenly pushed open and sales
man for rapid calculating machine en-
tered the Office carrying sample machine.
Mr.. Helm interrupted his work and his rev.
erie and politely accosted the visitor. The
salesman explained his mission. declared
that 1t was no trouble to SHOW goods, and
requested that the officials of the depart
ment inspect his machine.
Mr.. Helm called in the officials and en-
ployes on the fourth floor to witness the
performance of the machine that is all
most human" Capt. Morrow Engineer
Richards, Mr.. Hunt, Assistant Engineer
Fernald, Draughtsman Karr and several
others responded to the invitation to the
exhibition.
The salesman uncovered his shining ma
chine, meanwhile exploiting the perform
ances of the calculator. He put the de-
vice through its PAGES, turned several
cranks and dilated upon its speed and ac-
curacy. especially the latter.
Practical Demonstration.
Now" said the ready elucidator giving
little crank another turn Il would like
to give you practical demonstration of its
work"
All present expressed their willingness to
'be shown
Someone please give me two large num-
Some one please give me two large num-
Inc ohlciais were somewhat backward.
Itey perhaps were apprehensive lest the
demonstrator would request some gentle
man in the audience to loan him a gold
watch as the next move. Captain Morrow
however, presently arose to the occasion
and suggested that the elucidator multiply
99Sj0 by its square.
IAN right, gentlemen said the salesman
we just press these keys, turn this crank
once. and this other crank twice, pull the
lever, open the shuttle, and there you
are"
was pulled out of the machine and pre-
sented to the gaze of the audience.
Where Is the product?' asked Captain
Morrow.
Right there" said the salesman. indi-
eating with his pencil.
DO you say that is correct?" asked Cap
tain Morrow, glancing at the figures.
1t certainly is" responded the salesman
| confidently.
NO: that isn't correct" remarked Cap
tain Morrow. who Is something of a calcu-
| lator himself.
Lays a Wager.
The salesman was astonished that any
one should venture to question the veracity
| or his brand-new machine. He insisted
| that the answer given by the machine was
| right, and Captain Morrow was equally in
| sistent that II was incorrect The sales
| man finally offered to wager the cigars for
the crowd.
Captain Morrow believes in backing his
| convictions, so he accepted the wager. The
| officials then proceeded to multiply by hand
| in the old-fashioned way. When the null
| tiplcation had been completed 1t was found
| that Captain Morrow had won the cigars.
| The machines answer was about 900 600
| out of the way. The salesman by this time
| was nonplussed.
NOW" said Captain Morrow, Tets see
| how the calculator is on addition"
NO" replied the salesman, II don't
know anything about the old machine;
! don't know how to work 1t, but it's all
| right If you know how to work it,
With that the ready elucidator packed up
| his machine and went on his way, while
| Captain Morrow modestly bore the congrat-
ulations of the other officials and retired to
his room to smoke his share Of the sales
| mans cigars.