Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-01-26
TALKING ACROSS
THE CONTINENT
Long Distance Telephone
Operates Between At
lantic and Pacific
LINE OF 3,4OO MILES.
Within Few Weeks AIexandrians
Will Be Able TO Garry on ConYer-
sations With San Franciscans.

New York Jan 2G-The completion
of the long distance telephone line
between New York and San Fran
cisco was celebrated yesterday. First
this city had speech with her Cali
fornia neighbor 3,40O miles away.
Then the wire that swings southwark
from New York brought Washington
and San Francisco into telephone
touch. On down the coast to little
Jekyl Island opposite Georgia, they
carried the Golden Gates greeting.
To the North, Boston, the birthplace
Of the telephone, talked across the
continent.
At the White House President
Wilson spoke into the mouthpiece of
his telephone and his voice was
whirled across thirteen States to the
shores Of the Pacific.
In the electricians office of the
White House n number of trained
neil under the direction Of j. S.
Foomey, of the American Telephone
ard Telegraph Company had erect
ed u series of instruments with Il
multiplicity Of wires joining in cable
FORM for the purpose Of bringing
San Francisco into closer conversa-
tional touch with Washington. Just
before everything had been made
ready for the President good
round lusty 'sUello" came over the
w;rc from San Frauciscu, fMi. Picsi-
dent I am glad to hear you. This
IS not the President, this is Mr..
kingsbury", said the Vice-preSident
If the American Telephone and Tele-
phone and Telegraph Co. THE
president, however, is now ready to
speak to Mr.. Moore"
The President stepped to the tele-
phone and placing the receiver to his
ear, said in very clear and impress
sive manner, ''To President Moore,
VI the Panama and Pacific EXpoSi
ton. It appeals to the imagination
to speak across the continent. 1t is
fine omen for the Exposition that
the first thing it has done is to send
its voice from sea 10 sea. congratu-
ate you on the fine prospects for
it's success; ] am confidently hoping
to take part in it after the adjourn
ment Of congress. May | not send
nv greetings TO the management
and TO all whose work has made it
possible and has made it the great
event it promises to be and to cop
vey my personal congratulations to
YOU
Clear as a bell came back Presi-
dent Moore's reply. ave are looking
forward to your coming here. | think
you will ne well pleased with what
we have done. assure you. Mr..
President, that you will never receive
a welcome that will he more cordial
and more enthusiastic
"President Wilson then talked to
Mr. Thomas A. Watson, in San Fran
cisco with DR.. Alexander Graham
Bell listening in on the line at New
York. President Wilson said: II con-
slider it an honor to he able TO ez-
press my admiration for the invcn-
tive genius and scientific knowledge
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 | want to convey to you my
personal congratulations, SIR The
President then said to the inventor
of the telephone, DR.. Bell at New
York:
MAY ! not congratulate you very
warmly on this notable consuma-
ton OF your long labors and remar'
| ikable achievements. You are just
flied in feeling a great pride in what
has been done; this is memorable
day. and l want to convey to you M
warm, congratulations, sir"
| After talking with Dr.. Bell. the
!; President was asked by Mr.. Kings
bury if he cared to say word tt