Smyrna times., 1906-07-25


tie more in tune with the living hope
and faith of the world they would not
have found fault with a man who was
forming new and great discovery l.
for the use of man.
Fundamental Success.
To the alleged scientists who 'pooh-
pOohed" at the idea of transmitting
wireless messages across the ocean
MarcOni said as little as to the rest.
lie only erected poles far up in the air
M the British and Canadian sides of
ihe Atlantic and one day repeated the
letter - three times distinctly from
ihore to shore. 1t was a fundamental
success like that achieved when he had
sent an impulse from one side to the
other of his fathers room. 1t estab-
lished the pI4nciple. The rest was
easy. Soon he sent other letters, then
words, then entire sentences. The ne
gatiOniStS had been met by positive
by a fact. Accomplishment closes the
mouth of doubt.
Then another discOrd was raised |
about his ears The cable companies |
thought their private interests endan-
gered. Selfshness can never appre-
ciate public blessing, especially if
that public blessing promises to cut
off its own profits. With his new in
vention MarcOni said it would be pos
sible to telegraph across the ocean for
less than the Western Union charges
to wire across a county. No wonder
- 4,1n IL
| aghast
But the walls did not stop even here.
| The little always hates the big Fail
Ure carps at success. No sooner had
! William Marconi proved beyond cavil
! that he had made one of the greatest
discoveries in the history of mankind
than thousand hands were raised to
snatch the laurel from his brow. He
had stolen the invention from other
men. yelled the critics. He had reaped
where others had sown. This was only
a half truth What if Il thousand bad
built the ladders? He had reached the
summit To every discovery many
men contribute. One makes an ap-
proach here, another there, but each
takes advantage of their work, gen
eraliZes their facts and unveils the Sc
cret. Shall he be robbed of credit be-
cause others had preceded him? Is
Shakespeare less the genius because he
drew his materials from those before
him? Was Newton less the discOverer
of the law of gravitatiOn because Cali
lei had established the fact of the TO
tation of the earth?
Others had Striven toward wireless
telegraphy. but MarcOni found it, prov
ed it and gave it to the world. Grant
every praise to them, but take none
from him. There is glory enough for
all"
1t is not to uplift his fOrerunners,
however, that the cavillers have raised
this question. 1t is to lower Marconi
Is there no better business than seek
ing to belittle those who render service
to the race?
Useful to Mariners 10 Distress.
Wireless telegraphy is only nine years
old. yet it is already an established part
of the worlds activities. Almost every
ocean going vessel is equipped with
wireless instruments. Thus on the
great liners papers are printed contain
ing the news received by wireless. The
system is also used to report vessels
as they approach the harbor. The
greatest service rendered by the new
invention, however, is in the case Of
ships in distress. Many crews have
been saved by such means. Most read
erS will remember the thrilling aocOun
of the rescue of the crew of the light
ship outside of New York harbor Tht
plight of these men would not have
been known save for the use of thu
wireless.
When Walter Wellman makes hi
sensational aerial flight to the nortl
pole he will send back the news eacl
day by wireless telegraph. Thus tw'
III of the worlds latest inventions, tn
II airship and the air message, will b
u employed in discovering one of ma
er lures latest and greatest secrets.
II After William MarcOni had achieved
III his epoch making success he returned
IT, to Italy. There he was given a ban
quet and reception such as only the en-
d had gone from them a mere boy an,
III had returned honOred of all the world
u With his father and mother on eithe
'y side he listened to a eulogy by hi
e former teacher, Professor Righi. Whe
u he arose to reply his emotions mad
Us him dumb. He is not Il man of words
like so many of the worlds truly grea
tn and could only stammer his thank:
c- His townsmen understood, however
IT. and honOred him all the more for hi
lu modesty. He had helped all mankin
ie in the interchange of thought, but ha
W nothing to say for himself.
u Mr., Marconi is not Il society beat
So wrapped up is he in his work tina
ct. he is distracted often in the presenC
,ir of others In the atmosphere of th
rt- worlds cOmmonplaces and little nod
cd ings he is not at home. Thus he give
Sc an impression of Indifference and a
- most of taciturnitV Vet he Is uDO