Gilpin observer., 1914-03-26
WONDERFUL
INVENTION

The great discoveries in science
being made frcm the new element,
rad!um, has turned the thought OF
man into divers channels. and new
discoveries and inventions are almost
daily being made. Among tie latest
is a device made by no less person
age than our fellow townsman, Frank
Bertagnolli, who has been building
an electric model for the elimination
OF naval warfare. 1t consists of a
dirigible balloon, to which is attach
ed powerful electrodes capable of
charging Immense magnets. The OBJ
server man accepted of his kindly
invitation to witness an experimental
trial Of the model Tuesday afternoon.
A fifteen-ton engine was to be trans
ported from the McFarlane foundry
at Black Hawk to the Emperor VIII
liam mine on Quartz hill. owned by
Count Hoerensthal, of Germany four
miles away. At p. m. AIR. Bertag-
nolli and the Observer man boarded
the dirigible and the order given to
cut the ropes and let her ascend
heavenward.
Under the skillful manipulations of
the man at the steering wheel all
air currents were safely passed and
the dirigible hovered over the foun-
dryat 2:15 p. m. The electrodes and
magnets, highly charged, were lower
ed within IA inches of the iron
frame, when the engine. attracted by
the magnets. at once left its bed
and Joined the charged magnets. The
electric reels were put in motion and
the engine was soon suspended just
beneath the dirigible and the mag
netic needle pointed in the direction
Of the mine. where 1t was safely land
ed on its bed. bolted down and In
operation at four o'clock. time one
hour, 50 minutes and so seconds.
The motive power that drives the
generator that supplies the electri-
city that charges the electrodes and
magnets. is furnished by a small tube
Of gamma radium salts, incased in
the motor under the drivers seat.
and was extracted from Quartz hill
Gilpin county pitchblende ores, and
has the same power for 1000 years.
Government agents are now con-
tracing with the inventor to furnish
dozen pair OF these machines. cap
able OF power to hoist from the wat
er the largest battleship ever float
ed. They offer to provide him a
factory well equipped with modern
machinery, located on California IS
coast, and give him half OF the cap
tured vessels in time OF war. When
the Japanese fleet that threatens to
swoop down upon our unprotected
coast and demolish our coast cities.
these radioactive machines of war,
under command of the inventor, will
fly out in pairs and. like a bird of
prey. hover over the fleet. drop their
magnets on the SHIPS decks. reel
them up, and start for the coast.
where like the ostrich) they will be
deposited in the sand. Il is essential
that they travel for heavy work in
pairs and will be chained together
to prevent air currents from separat-
ing them. After the fleet has been
safely landed the hulks CT the war
ships will be fitted up as summer
hotels for the accommodation OF
guests at the Panama exposition, and
the crew. according to the laws OF
California. will be declared as unde-
sirables and deported to Hawaii's- lep
er island for final extinction.
Great care must be exercised by
the commander after the vessel has
been raised to unknown heights. lest
the crew should discharge one OF
their eighteen-inch guns and hit one
Of the planets and knock 1t out Of its
regular orbit. and disrupt the whole
planetary system. thereby causing
havoc with the elements.
Congressman Hobson can then lay
his head upon his downy pillow at
night and seek sweet repose. as he
will be relieved from his Japanese
nightmare. that has hung like q
cloud over the land for 10. these
many years. The model viii be on
exhibition At Neil McKay's barn fol
three days before II IL started on Its
way for the Panama exhibit hall al
San Francisco.
This invention will revolutionize
ore transportation. and put mining OF
more profitable basis. as the min
er has only to store his ore at the
mine In cars or receptacles with iron
covers securely fastened down. tele-
phone Mr.. Bertagnoln. who will fly
to the mine and carry II beyond the