Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-09-06

Few conventions will have more inter
est than that OF the thirtieth annual re-
union of the Old Timers and Military
Telegraph Operators of America. which
convenes in Atlantic City September 8 to
September 8 The contrast between the
old methods and the new as represented
IN the wonderful development OF electrici-
ty under the direction OF these knights
Of the key forms the basis OF many
unique and interesting experiences.
The United States civil war was the
first great war in the history of the
world in which telegraphy played any
important part. The establishment OF a
volunteer corps of photographers during
this great war was due 10 the organizing
powers Of Andrew Carnegie. who at the
age Of twenty-six was assistant manager
of military roads and telegraph under
Gen. Thomas A. Scott. The four men
who first responded to Mr.. Carnegie's
call for telegraph operators were all from
Allegheny county, Pa, and each made a
creditable record for skill and bravery
during his four years service. A me-
mortal tablet was erected to these volun-
teer operators In Pittsburgh, Mr.. Car
negie being actively interested In secur-
ing this tribute TO their services.
Notwithstanding the fact that these
operators did important work during the
war and encountered many risks and
perils. the government has as yet made
no provision for pensioning them as the
regular soldiers are pensioned Dill
for the pensioning of the telegraph opera
tors of the civil war is now under con-
sideration In the meantime, Mr.. Car
negie has generously provided soldiers
pensions to number of these old time
telegraph operators whose needs nave
been brought to his attention. The dis
cussion of the pension for army telegra-
pliers will play some part In the present
convention. although since the teie-
graphic service of the United states
Army is now a regular part of Its serV-
ice there will be no need of provision for
future telegraphers.
Since the war. with Its numerous calls
for courage and bravery. there have been
many other de-
Heroism Shown mands FOR heroism
49, on the part of tele
at other Times. graph operators
During the great yellow fever scourge
m the south telegraph operators stuck
faithfully to their posts OF duty, trans
hitting the messages bringing help
from all parts of the country. While there
are no records kept OF the sacrifice of life
made each year by operators who stand
by their keyboard. there has been no
great calamity in which such instances
could not be found
II often happens that the telegraph
operator is woman, and her deVotlon 10
duty is no less faithful than that or
man. The bravery of Mrs. A. NJ. Ogle,
who during the jamestown flood stood
faithfully by her post until the waters
closed around her. is generally known
The words. This is my last message.
licked from the keys with her dying
breath and formed the title of song of
the period Dick Spelmans efforts to
reach station where he could telegraph
the news of the Galveston horror to
President MCKINLEY brought aid to the
stricken people sooner than it could other
wise have been secured One of the first
heroes of San Francisco was d tele-
graph operator who aroused himself from
The stunning effects of a shock which de-
molished the office in which he was EN-
ployed. Climbing over broken walls and
debris in the dimly lighted ruins. he man
aged to find two telegraph wires which he
was able to unite and in this way estab-
lish a connection enabling him to send
a message to the outside world. Jack
Binns. the wireless operator of the steam
er Republic. saved the lives of all on
board by persisting In his EFFORTS to flash
forth a message of distress. although the
physical strain rendered him almost I'M
conscious when help finally reached the
unfortunate vessel.
Modern appliances have completely
changed the system of telegraphy and
the od-timers who We're skillful in
picking off the dots and daShes on the
primitive old machines find themselves
somewhat puzzled by the newer appa-
ratus. although the principle of applied
electricity is the same. The old Morse
alpha bet is still the basis of communica-
ton. but il has had many notifications
to increase speed. The Geographic sys-
TENS still include in some form the bat
terry or source of electric power, the live
wire. the transmitter and the indicator
or signalling instrument. The battery and
live wire are common to all. 1t Is in the
method of producing signals that the
varieties exist in the newer system. Ad-
vantage has now been taken of one of
the three following principles of circuit:
Its power of producing the detection of
a magnetic needle as galvanometer
needle: Its power of temporarily magni-
fying soft iron: and it's power of produc
ing chemical decomposition. The old
Morse instrument most familiar to the