The Benson signal., 1920-03-20

more formidable than the tanks of the great war
and mysterious agent of wholesale destruction
even more deadly than any gas used by either
i side.
Well who shall say that Wells hasn't the right
idea about Mars being inhabited by beings just
as smart are-and probably a good deal
smarter?
1t is bold man who say "impossibe' these
days.
Anyway Gugelmo Marconi the famous Ital-
ian engineer who perfected wireless telegraphy,
has opened up exceedingly interesting question
by this. statement:
II have encountered during my experiments with
wireless telegraphy most amazing phenomena.
Must striking of all is the receipt by person
ally of signals which believe originated in the
Space beyond planet. believe it is entirely
possible that these signals may have been sent
hx the Inhabitants of other planets to the inhab
4sats of earth
"f there any human beings on Mars l
would not be surprised if they should find means
of communication with this planet Linking of
the science of astronomy with that of electricity
may bring about almost anything.
''While our own planet is storehouse of won
ders not warranted in accepting a fact
the general suppositon that the inhabitants of
comparatively insignificant planet are any
highly developed than inhabitants Gf there
be such) of other planets.
2 For all know, the strange sounds that
nave received by wireless may be only fOrerun-
of tremendous discovery.
"The messages have been distinct but unintel-
ligible. They have been received simultaneously
in London and in New York. with identical in
tensity, indicating that they must have originated
at great distance.
"These signals apparently due to electro
magnetic of great length, which are not
merely stray signals. Occasionally such signals
be imagined to correspond with certain let
ters of the Morse code. They steal in at sta
tOnS irregulary at all seasons. We do not get
the signals unless establish minimum of 65
mile wave lengths. Sometimes we hear these plan
etary interpanetary sounds 20 80 minutes
after sending out long wave. They do not in
terrupt traffic, but when they occur they very
persistent.
"The most familiar signal received is curiously
psusicai 1t comes in the form of three short raps
which may be interpreted the Morse letter s,
bat there are other sounds which may stand for
other letters.
'"The prevented investigation Of the
Hertzan mystery, but now our organization in
tends to undertake a thorough probe"
Australia cOrroborates Marconi's statement
Highly skilled and experienced operators at Sgd
ney have received numerous signals similar to
those reported as having been received in England
They consist of frequent repettiOns Of two
dashes, representing the letter NJ They are on
wave lengths of $4,000 to 10000 meters. The
Australian experts say such wave lengths have
never yet been used by any wireless station of
the earth.
Now what do the electrical authorities say
the general subject? Here it is in brief:
Thomas A. Edison has this to say: "Although
/ am not an expert in wireless telegraphy l can
plainly see that the mysterious wireless Interrupt
tfOns experienced by Mr. MarcOni's operators may
be good grounds for the theory that inhabitants
of other planets are trying to signal to us. Mr.
Marconi is quite right in stating that this is en-
tireiy within the realm of the possible
II have given some thought to the matter and
can record one personal experience which may
or may not have bearing proving that Mr.. Mar
conf is right. / was seated on the peak of a great
piic of iron ore the reduction plant at Orange
ON. day when | noticed that the magnetic needle