Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-10-07
Recent Progress Made in the Field of Electricity

on the two extremes OF an electric wire
Magini's transmitter and receiver do not
necessitate any alteration in existing plant,
and two different messages can also be sent
over the same wire at one and the same
time. A further and very valuable appli-
cation of this system lies in its practicable
ity for use In submarine work; not only
does It double the power OF the cable, but 1t
also enables two messages to be sent to-
gether over one and the same cable. The high
charges made for sending kilograms over
long submarine cables is due to their low
capacity, when considered in proportion to
time. and to the large amount OF capital in
vested therein. The possibility OF doubling
their present capacity and Of transmitting
two messages at once will therefore be
equivalent, to reducing the present charges
for cables by about one-half. As the cur
rents employed by Magini have the peculiar
property OF being able to leap over gaps or
breaks In the leads and continue their juor-
ney undisturbed. this gentleman has been
able to maintain uninterrupted communica-
ton over wires and cables the inner core or
conductor of which has been broken-i. e.,
under conditions with which existing meth
DDS would have been entirely unable TO cope.
Consequently, should a submarine cable be-
come worn out or unserviceable for any
other reason (e. g., accidental breakage or
the core during laying, infiltration OF sea
water and consequent busting due to cleo
trolysis or hoe genus omne), telegraphlc
communication can, notwithstanding, be
kept up with Maginis system until the long
and costly operations of fishing up and re-
pairing the cable are completed.
%
No Electric Poles I'm France.
The distribution OF electrical energy Is
progressing so fast in France that law
has been passed setting forth the most
complete administrative regulations for the
protection OF the public.
The first and most striking result OF the
new law is the refusal OF the municipal
authorities in all large cities TO permit the
use OF poles and overhead wires.
In Marseilles, fof instance. two powerful
companies are preparing to deliver cleo
trIcity in all parts of the city and neither
one has been or will be permitted to erect
a single pole.
Great progress has been made in the
manufacture OF underground cables. which
are carefully insulated and rendered i'm
permeable, so that they may be laid In
ordinary trenches exactly like gas pipes.
AS a rule when the trench is prepared
layer of crushed limestone is spread on the
bottom and after the cable is put I'm place
II is covered by thin bricks so as to mini
mice the destruction by humidity.
The methods adopted are comparatively
cheap and are said to involve no danger to
life or property or commercial disadvan-'
teges As the location OF breaks can be
determined before a pick is placed in the
earth, Just as flaws in ocean cables can be
located. the construction of expensive
permanent underground conduits may be
dispensed with.
Companies will be required to compensate
the state. the department and the COM
munes for the use OF the public domain and
rules for the protection OF the landscape
will be enforced.N, The conditions will be
subject TO annual revision to keep pace with
the progress of electrical engineering.
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Electric Traction for Railroads.
c. F. JenKin. in pointing out to the Brit
ish associates the advantages of electric
traction on railways said: Electric trac-
ton will not be adopted simply to reduce
the cost OF hauling trains. The cost OF
electric hauling may be more or less than
that OF steam, according 70 circumstances.
The real advantage OF liberalization is that
Il will make the line pay better. 1t will
provide a faster, more frequent and more
comfortable service for the public. and con-
sequently will attract much larger traffic
II will provide means by which this in
creased trafFic can be carried where this
cannot be done by steam. Further, II will
enable new methods Of handling the traffio
to be adopted. such as extending the rail-
way service on to the tram lines. providing
an express service to every suburban sta
ton instead Of stopping trains. and de-
veloping the trafhc on branch lines on an
economical basis The advantages OF in
creased travelling facilities to the inhabi-
tants OF towns have been pointed out by
Charles Booth. and the author pleads for
a relaxation OF the extravagant preeeu-
lions now demanded for the public safety
and points out that these result in far more
lives being lost in the crowded slums than
are saved by the avoidance OF rare acct
dents" In conclusion. he urged the rail-
way companies to proceed with trial lines
In order to convince themselves OF the adj
vantases ana possibilities OF the SINGLE
phase system.