The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1915-02-05
TELEPHONNG ACROSS THE
CONTINENT FROM NEW
YORK TO SAN FRANCISCO
Instantaneous Communication

Perhaps the highest achievement
in the scientific world was reacneo
Monday afternoon when telephone
nor versations were carried on be-
tween Washington, New York, Bos-
ton and San Francisco, with as much
ease as though those ~ccnversing were
only q few miles apart. rms re-
markable achievement was enjoyed
nv President Wilson of the united
States, Professor Alexander Graham
Bell. the inventor of the telephone
Thomas A. Watson, the first man TO
whom Mr.. Bell ever talked over the
telephone; President Moore OF the
, Panama-Pacifc Exposition, ana
MANY others. It was the Inaugural
ton of the transcontinental CONNER
cial telephone system and it required
over 3.400 miles of wire to connect
the eastern with the western coast.
II was as though the Atlantic had
reached over in it's mighty splendor
and shaken hands with the peaceful
Pacific. The conversation occurred
about 4 o'clock eastern time, and
/ o'clock San Francisco time.
President Wilson was the first per-
son not connected with the telephone
company to enjoy the privilege OF
hearing a human voice over 3,4OO
miles of wire. He stepped to the
telephone, and. placing the receiver
to his ear, said, in a very clear and
impressive manner, to President
Moore of the Panama-Pacific exposi-
ton: "It appeals to the imagination
to speak across the continent. 1t is
a fine omen for the exposition that
the first thing it has done is to send
it's voice from sea to sea. | congra-
tulate you on the fine prospects for a
successful exposition. ! am conf
IDENTIFY hoping to take part in it after
the adjournment of congress. May l
not send my greetings to the manage
ment and to all whose work has made
it possible and has made it the great
event it promises to be, and to convey
my personal congratulations to you?'
AS the president finished, President
Moore of the great exposition re-
sponded: we are looking forward
to your coming here. l think you
will be we'll pleased with what we
have done. l assure you, Mr., Presi-
dent. that you will never receive a
welcome that will be more cordial or
more enthusiastic"
Thirty-four years ago, when Alex
ander Graham Bell invented the tele-
phone, his first conversation was with
Mr.. Thomas A. Watson. They talked
over a line two miles long. At the
close of President Wilson's talk with
President Moore, Mr.. Bell was in
New York, came in on the line, and
Mr.. Watson, who vas in San Francis
co, was also connected, and the three
held a short conversation, congratu-
lating each other on the scientific
achievement. The President said: IT
consider it an honor to be able to
express my admiration for the in
yentive genius and scientific know
ledge that has made this possible,
and my pride that this vital cord
should have been stretched across
America as a new symbol of our
unity and our enterprise. Will you
not convey my cordial congratulations
to Mr.. Bell, and I want to convey to
you (meaning Mr.. Watson) my per-
sonal congratulations"
It Is an interesting fact that DR..
Bell and MI. Watson used the same
instruments Monday in accomplishing
the transcontinental conversation that
they used thirty-four year ago in ac-
complishing their two-mile converse
ton. They also used a part OF the
same wire uSeu Un6H.
President Wilson also talked with
Theodore NJ Vail, president of the
American Telephone and Telegraph
company, who was at Jekyil Island,
off the coast Of Georgia.
In each city from which the CONVEX
sations were held, the greatest pre-
parations had been arranged pre-
parations that were never excelled
in the history Of the cities. The city
officials, state off ials and others
prominently connected with the public
and commercial life Of each individ-
ual community were present and all
enjoyed the wonderful feat accomp-
1ished.