The Washington herald., 1919-03-08
PREDICTS PHONE
ACROSS.0CEAN
Holland Says Wireless Con-
nection with Europe Pos
sible in Short Time.

A few months ago Lee De Forest
felt justified in saying to a few
friends that he is now convinced
that with only one factor remain
ing to be worked out. and sure to
he worked out within a year or so
u will be possible to communicate
the spoken voice by means OF the
wireless system across the Atlantic.
The communication will be as in
telligible he said as is the case with
the highly perfected long distance
telephone Mr.. De Forest has been
occupied with the problem for
some time, having no doubt that
the proper apparatus can be con-
structed whereby the wireless sys-
tenn could be successfully employed
in trans-ocean telephoning.
Now announcement is made that
the Marconi people are persuaded
that within a short time they will
be able to use wireless apparatus
for transmitting sound. especially
the human voice. across the ocean.
So also il is said that il may be
possible within a year or two for
any one to carry with him a pocket
apparatus with which he could COM
municate by the wireless system
with any one within any reason
able distance. II this expectation
be realized then a prediction which
was made some time ago and which
to he chimeriCdl may prove to have
been an accurate forecast. For II
has been the dream Of some OF those
associated witt wireless telegraphing
to perfect a pocket apparatus which
anyone may bCCOme skilled in using.
It is reasoned that II il be possible
to make use Of atmospheric waves
so that telegraph messages can be
transmitted over the sea between Eu-
rope and America there seems to be
no good reason why science and IN
vention may not perfect apparatus
whereby intellgible sounds can be
communicated across the sea. II this
can be done it will undoubtedly be
developed to commercial advantage,
although that would depend to some
extent what the service would cost.
other Air TrIumphs.
vt the very time when the an
noUncement is made that science IS
providing a way by which telephone
messages can be sent across the At
lantic a demonstration of the ad-
yances which have been made with
apparatus whose achievements are IN
the air. sometimes many thOusand feet
above the eaTth's surface, was under
way in New York City. So great Is
the interest in the present condition
and promise OF the future for aircraft
service. that il was impossible 10
bring within the Madison Square
Ga rden, large as that building is, all
of the visible results OF air craft pro-
duCtiOn. Therefore 1t was necessary
to secure a large annex.
The chief feature associated with
this demonstration Is to be found In
remarks made by an English ayis-
ton authority who is now visiting
the United States chiefly for the pur-
pose OF observing this demonstration
or American made aircraft. This man
is an enthusiast upon the subject. as.
in fact. all are who are associated
with aviation. He yentuTed to say
that the air passage over the Atlantic
will certainly be made some time in
the late spring or early summer Of
this year He spoke Of the great in
tcrcst Which the ritish govern
ment as well as British capital is
now taking in the very high develop
ment Of commercial aviation service
He had no doubt that within a few
years the air will be utilized to COM
meTcial advantage almost as freely
as il the sea.
Furthermore, he suggested that Con
Eress should recognize. as soon as pos
sible, the wonderful advances which
have been made in the construction
Of aircraft so that it will provide
legislation whereby an aircraft bureau
OF the government could be establish
ed. Whether we are to have a league
Of nations for the prevention OF war
or not We are likely to have in a
few years a league OF nations solely
occupied with the principle of CO.
operation in the utilization OF air
service for commercial purposes. Prob
ably a league of this kind will be
based upon the principle upon which
the International Postal League is
based.