The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-05-29
Electricity in the Army


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Electricity is used more than ever
10y the army. In the field service of
the United states the ordinary tele-
graph apparatus is modified to suit
the conditions. \ new signal corps
instrument of value is called the field
induction telegraph kit" The outfit
weighs about eighteen pounds and
tests show that the apparatus works
successfully for from $50 TO 800 miles
over No. galvanized iron wire.
The Russell cutin telephone set,
weighing only ten pounds thirteen
ounces. with battery, is another val
liable instrument designed for opera
tion over short distances on telegraph
lines. The so-called field artillery tel
ephone is an instrument designed for
use by the field artillery in commune
eating over base lines. II consists Of
transmitter with a battery key, in
duction coil and battery and a head
telephone with flexible bands. No IA
ciities for calling are provided
An important equipment is the field
switchboard which is especially adapt
ed To camp service. 1t consists Of a
strong oak box with leather carrying
case, ground rod and tripod. the in
side Of the box being equipped with
ten line drops with the necessary
ringing. listening and connecting cams
to enable four sets of connections to
be established simultaneously A
breast set and single head received
are provided for the operator The
entire outfit weighs about seventy
five pounds and can be set up in a few
moments.
The field buzzer is one Of the most
important devices used in a modern
army. as it is practically the only in
strument capable OF operating sue
.cessfully over hastily constructed lines
in the field, whose insulation can not
be Of the best on account of the con-
tact with the ground, water, damp
ness and metallic distractions which
often is encountered. 1t has been well
said that upon the integrity Of the
service Of the man behind the buzzer
may rest the movements of the grand
divisions Of an army. involving thou
sands of officers and men and the
success or failure of a campaign.
The buzzer is a combined telephone
and telegraph instrument working on
the principle Of induction. A rapid
interruption is provided, giving n high
pitched note in the telephone receiver,
which is used as a sounder when the
apparatus is employed as a telegraph
instrument. The American army in
China and the philippines used it ex-
tensively and habitually as n means
of telegraphy over hastily constructed
lines OF too poor insulation for ordin-
airy Morse instrumental service.
Wireless biography and telephony
are important factors in military cam
paigns. but neither has passed far
enough beyond the experimental stage
to warrant the placing Of the greatest
confidence i'm these methods of com
munication. In the important field of
coast defense, however, wireless teleg-
'raphy is as valuable as on the ocean
itself. For land service it must al
present be regarded largely as a re-
source rather than as a main depend
ence.
one OF the most important applica
tions OF wireless telegraphy thus fan
made in the United States army il
that at Norton sound, Alaska, as a
part OF the Valdez-Nome system of the
service. As many as 5000 words hav,
been transmitted over this section in
single afternoon. The Seward pen.
Ursula Of Alaska is cut off from tho
world for about eight months OF eacl
year, except for an occasional mai
carried by dog sled. and over 100000
words were sent over this route In TIT
first year OF its service.
| In the Philippines wireless teleg
raphy is growing constantly more val
liable particularly in replacing cable
difficult To maintain along coral reefs
wireless stations exist for artiller.
work at many coast Notifications OF
the shores of New England and tn
middle Atlantic states. one of tn
most effective equipments used in tn
United states army Is designed to b
carried by pack mules and Is divide
into three $50 pound loads. The trans
hitting and receiving apparatus Is con
tanned in a leatheroid trunk 3Ox17x1
inches inside measurements. Current !
The French national touring omc,