Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-09

be stopped even when the engineer was
using his steam. The train which was
used consisted Of an engine and three
heavy cars and was in charge OF Mr.. Rice.
The first experiment was at a speed of
about twenty miles an hour, when the
train was stopped within 100 feet of the
signal. Then the train backed down to
get a two-miIe start and was under full
Roadway when the signal was passed.
Those on the train felt no jar or discomfort
when the emergency application Of air
was made by the sudden opening Of the
air valve. The emergency application is
the most sudden and violent application OF
air brakes that can be made. The in
stallation Of the device on a single track
is such that two trains coming from OPP
posite directions will automatically be
brought to a full stop before they can pos
sibly collide. The mechanism which oper-
ates the signals and also the automatic
stop is such that the passing of trains over
the rails automatically stores the electricity
for the operation OF the entire device.
Train Orders by Telephone.
Exhaustive tests Of the telephone as a
medium of transmitting train orders have
been conducted on the Burlington system
during the last three months, and the re-
suits are regarded as highly satisfactory.
The results Of the tests are thus summsr-
lied:
l. The telephone is faster and more
flexible, the dispatcher being able to get
far more detailed information as to what
each train is doing. even, when occasion
requires, talking directly with the con-
ductor or engineer,
2 Much time is saved in the transmits
To-, - ordorg unba 1Ksnaf,bar cnpiaa tho
order in his book as he talks is off, thus
gauging or rather reducing his speed Of
conversation to his ability to write it down,
as well as the ability Of operators to do
so. Then when the operator repeats the
message he does so as rapidly as he can
talk, much faster than is possible by tele-
graph. Verbal repetition of the train order
gives a perfect check, it is claimed, against
mistake, and the written order is pre-
served as. in the case Of telegraph mes
sages.
g.. 1t is far easier TO secure competent
telephone operators than telegraphers.
4 Anybody can answer a telephone, an
important item in case Of an accident TO
the regular operator, heretofore always a
t~elegrapher.
5. The telephone broadens the field from
which train dispatchers may be secured
now IL Is lllllltu 70 lcltBIdpnGISs Inc Acl0-
phone also opens an avenue to better en-
plyoyment for employs injured in railway
service, few of whom in the past have been
able to learn Biography.
6. The telephone works even better in
bad weather than good-just the reverse OF
the telegraph. II ever there is a time wher
good service is necessary II is when the
weather is wet and foggy.
T. There is no exasperating-not 10 say
Observation-Disclosures with the dispatch,
er's efforts by reason Of the relay in some
way office being out Of adjustment and
the inattentive operator making no effort
10 see whether this is the case or not
The telephone is always in proper adjust.
ment.
s. With the telephone II is possible Il
arrange apparatus, for instance, in the
superintendent's office, so that he can a
any time listen to the actual work OF dis
patchers and operators. ard thus check "
any tendency to slackness.
As the results Of these tests the Chicago
Inter ocean reports that the telephone vii
be substituted for the telegraph over IN,
entire Burlington system. The installation
Is now practically completed from Chicas,
TO the Missouri river. The 81. Paul roat
commenced Installing the telephone sys
tenn last week. The Rock Island system
purposes TO commence at once to equip III
Illinois and Kansas division with the tele
phone. The New York Central now hal
IL own talSDh0ne aEstsm from hare 70 Man