New-York tribune., 1905-07-16


are necessarily expensive as compared with
the cid simple Morse system, and II IS probable
that where the work IS light the old system will
persist. For important centers, the systems
are sure to be used. The telegraph problem thus
would seem to be nearing solution, as far as the
method of transmitting IS concerned. When greater
speeds are needed they be secured for trans
mission the rate Of forty thousand words hour
has been made successfully-a speed much greater
than anything needed to-day.
The telegraph IS only one method of transmitting
intelligence. Indeed far its IS concerned.
it IS secondary to the telephOne-and IN this field
there are also some important problems still await
ing solution. We cannot vet talk across more than
fourteen hundred miles of overhead wire.
If the wire is buried underground as must be done
IN cities, the distance through which satisfactory
conversation can be carried is much less. Shall we
ever be able to talk from New York to San Fran
cisco, or from New-YOrk to London? Probably
yes for by means of the Pupin system conversation
over long distances IS much easier The chief diff
culties in applying this system to submarine work
are mechanical and at the present time efforts are
being devoted chiefly to improving land trans
mission. The other will come later.
Having obtained a satisfactory method of trans
rnitting the voice so to speak what the posi-
bilities of transmitting pictures? The latter prob
lem is far more difficult than the former for while
sounds NAV be transmitted in effect at time,
with a picture many effects must be transmitted
simultaneously or else following another so
rapidly as TO maintain impression on the
eve Then we can hardly expect to do more than
is now done by photography-that IS to say, we
are limited 10 producing effect not IN coiors,
but bv lights and shades So far, progress has been
made in this direction merely IN transuntrng-oI
rather telegraphing- pictures a point at time.
Nothing of importance has been accomplished
toward seeing electrically Some say that this IS
lni1nportant Possibly so; but If could see
his friend while he talking to him over the tee
phone conversation would be far more satisfactory.
\ third method of transmitting intelligence IS
accomplished by the telautOgraph This is a de-
vice which by electrical means, reprOduces at one
end of a telegraph system the motions of a pencil
at the other end. Thus a message written at the
sending station IS Immediately written out in fac
simie at the receiving station. ANY figure or char
acter IS reproducible This method has been pretty
well perfected and there would seem 10 be a good
field for its application in the business world. For
transmitting orders, either throughout a large
manufacturing establishment or al a railway ter
minal It would appear 70 be ideal 1t already has
been applied in coast-defense work for transmitting
orders from the commanding officer of the firing
station TO the gunners thus eliminating any posi-
bihty of misunderstanding. 1t remains 10 be
seen how widely this device will come into use.
The business of transmitting intelligence IS
naturally one Of exceeding Importance. Three
methods of accomplishing this have been men