The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1905-06-28
Told Edison About Ii.

LII one Oh tue great machine Wauu-
featuring plants devoted TO electrical
appliances, visitors are constantly be-
ing received from all quarters Of the
globe. The guides who take these Wis
itor through the works have Ill kinds
Of experiences.
1t often happens that the visitor
who knows the least about electrical
matters will ask the stiiicst questions
and make the most disconcc1ting re-
marks. 1t j. rather staggering for
instance. after yo1 have made your
clcarest aud most concise explanation
Of the phenomenon of the how Of
electricity through wire, as you un-
deratand it, to be met with the con
fronting remark:
"Afler all, Mr.. -, you do not
really know what electricity is
The average working electrician
worries no more about the nature of
the force he handles than he does
about the doctrines Of Confucius.
One Of the linemen demonstrates
the idea by the recital Of past ex-
pcrience:
"When worked on a third rail at
Hartford the boss says: "Youse fell
lows don't care where the juice comes
from or where it goes to; all you care
about it is where to get it and where
not to get it. So you, ilinnissey,
keep yer crowbar often that third rail,
or yell hev beautiful short circuit
and pirate technical display that'll
make ye so blind yell not tell bad
whiskey from ice water for six
months"
One engineer at the factory, who
may be called Steve, because his
name is something else, is frequently
detailed to take visitors about on &C.
count of his fund Of inf nation and
his clear, lucid manner of explanation.
Or one occasion he escorted guest
from tho wcstr-a light haired little
gentleman who seemed duly Impress
ed with all he saw, but made no COM
mcnt. lie was apparently drinking
in and criticising every word which
young Steve uttered, and that US
ually confident young gentleman grew
nervous and suspicious.
This fellow" he thought, "must
be some smart electrician, and he is
just taking all my statements with
huge grain Of salt"
at last, when they arrived back at
the office and Steve was feeling tired
and,limp, ths little gentleman held
out his hand aud said
elm exceedingly obliged to you.
don't know much about the electrical
trade. I'm a barber. If ever you
come to Chicago, look me up
Steve had recovered from this aud
was beginning to look and feel like
himself once more, when he was
again 0detailed to escort a visitor
through the works. This was silent
aud undemonstrative man who paid
considerable attention to rather in
significant machines and details.
Consequently, Steve hastily conclu-
ded that he had another barber to
amuse.
Moreover, as this quiet visitor
showed little or no surprise at or ap-
probation Of the many really remark
able machines and operation Steve
Was aggrieved, and for the honor of
the works determined to shake some
enthusiasm out Of him. So he pro-
decided to load him up with many
wonderful stories.
He pointed out dynamo 60 power
full that it never had and never could
be run up to full capacity, it being
utterly impossible to control the cur
rent. He gave dissertation on the
incandescent lamp, and its manufac-
ture, asserting that its discovery was
due to the accidental observation Of a
lightningifash playing on two prong.
ed fork in pickle bottle. Waxing
eloquent, he roae on his toes,
stretched out his right arm and ex-
claimed:
"And so that inestimable boon to
mankind, the inoaudescent lamp, was
born"
At this moment his visitor step
ped up to workman who was wind
ing coils, slapped him on the back and
said:
Hello, Danl'
The man started, looked up, and his
face flashed with surprise and pleas.
ure as he grasped the outstretchej
hand.
tnol l1~ns aX.-tl ~ 3