The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-01-21

Crowds Gather to Witness
the Display.
PYR0TECHNICS ON WHlTEL0T
Result Looked Upon as Successful.
Bombs Perfect in
Report.

AS swiftly as the coming darkness,
which enveloped their movements. Capt.
q. 5. Bibbs. OF the Signal Corps, with
TWO men from the same division of the
army steamed up into the White Lot
last night in one Of the big army auto
mobiles for the test OF the rev rockets
and bombs 10 be used in the Signal
Corps.
The experiment was kept a secret
even at the War Department, where
the test was planned, with the result
that pedestrians along the downtown
thoroughfares were awe struck at the
terrific reports that came from the
neighboThood OF the White Lot about
1880 last night.
According 10 the statement of Cap
tain Bibbs the test was a success when
considered from a general stanGpoint
although some OF the rockets did not
come uD TO expectations.
The bombs were p-rrect IN report and
also in the discharge of the colored
ball. which indicated the code letter.
Eighteen Pieces Discharged.
Eighteen pieces were discharged at
the White Lot last night: six sequence
rockets. six bombs. and six single
rockets. Each O. the pieces indicated
letter in the code when they were
discharged. and the huge sequence
rockets, which broke into three distinct
colors 500 feet from the ground, indi-
Gated three letters in the code which is
used in the army 10 indicate at night
the whereabouts OF the movements OF
an army
The experiment was under the direc-
ton Of Maj. Edgar Russell. OF the Sig
nel Corps, who was stationed at the
Highlands fats 10 interpret the message
sent from the White Lot.
To prove the efficiency of the test.
Capt. G. W 5. Stevens. of the Artillery
Corps. was stationed at Fort Washing
ton; Lieutenant Moore, Of the Signal
Corps. at Alexandra, and Capt. c. D. S.
Chandler at the Virginia end OF the
Aqueduct Bridge At a late hour last
night Major Russell had not received
the report Of his subordinates stationed
at the observation points
Result of Observation.
Major Russell, who was the nearest
observer. stated that from his observa-
ton three OF the rockets were failures.
but that the bombs were better than any
that had been tested up 10 this time.
The test was arranged recently 10 prove
the efficiency of the pyrOtechnics when
they are new Il IS said that the sig
nails are affected b. the weather much
IN the same wa! that eggs are, and 20
determine the exact value of the signal
they must be used at once.
Last night vas what is termed in the
vsrnacular Of the Signal Corps. a hap
py medium" so that il is doubtful
whether the signals were seen at Fort
Washington. In spite Of the lack Of adj
vertising Of the experiment a crowd con
gregated shortly after the first rocket
was discharged
It Is promised that the citizens OF
Washington will be treated To a sight
that viii be unique here-the test Of day
rockets. The date for the experiment
has not been set. but viii come within
the week. The day rockets give their
signals from the color Of the smoke dis
played instead Of the coloTed lights that
are seen at night The smoke dis
charged az the height OF 800 feet is
black, white, and yellow, and the letters
OF the code are set to the arrangement
OF the appearances Of the colored smoke
discharges.