Pueblo chieftain., 1921-08-19
BY Frederic J. Hashn,

Washington. D. C.. Aus. ls.-Giving
an entire city the correct time each
night by an electric light signal IS a
project that is being talked of since
a traveller recently brought back word
hat Montcvideo achieves correct time
by this method.
Each evening at set time, electric
lights all over the South American
city grow dim for an instant, u.en
flash back TO their normal bri liam :.
People on the streets. in restaurants,
at home, catch the signal and can set
their watches and clocks by II. know
ing that ali the other timspiecss n
town will be using the same gui.c.
BY this simple device Montevideo DOES
away with the endless variety ). time
which the clocks IN the average city
offer.
Tho success OF the Urueuaysr sy:-
teh ia being brough, so the attention
OF cities in this country by the Horo-
logical Irstitute OF America.
According to A. F. Beal. Chief OF
the Time Section of the Bureau Of
Standards. AMI a member of the In
ttitute. tire electric light time signal IL
quite desirable from the standpoint of
the publ,
so far as the power companies are
concerned. however he explained.
there arc a .ew difficulties TO con-
slider II the signal is operated by
hand, a reliable man must be appoint
I'D to operate the switch each even
.ng. II the man entrusted with this
duty delayed giving the signal for a
minute or two. or gorgot TO flash II
altogether. there might be criticism of
/ the company. However. mistakes are
very unlikely to happen. The chances
are that the time signal would never
he in error moro than ten seconds, and
II IS entirely beyond the question to
assume that II would be In error as
much as a minute with n reliable man
at the switch II a small mistake did
occur. however. and the signal were
given a few seconds zoo soon or too
'ate, all the clocks Of the city would
stili be uniform II adjusted by II.
Automatic Device Practical
The operation OF tho signal could
easily be made automatic. Necessary
apparatus TO accomplish this would
/ involve small initial expense but By
Using an automatic signal the COM
pany would be practically FIRE. from
receiving criticism because Of some
slight inaCcuracy. Whether the signal
Is operated by hand or automatically
there must be a reliable clock to be
used as guide. It may be figured
that a couple OF hundred dollars would
cover the expense to the power com
rany. I. is quite possible that this
would be provided by many cities by
popular subscription.
In a city or town OF 5000 people.
where one power plant supplies tho
electricity. the signal would be easiest
to manage. One man could give II by
throwing single switch at eight
clock each night.
In cities that have several plants the
signal would have TO be given from
each bare. 1t has been suggested
that where the same circuits are used
for lighting current and for power to
drive heavy machinery. the flash down
and up of the current might possibly
involve difficulties. Engineers have
considered this point however and
Nelieve the signal wc.iid not ca Use any
trouble.
These difficulties which power COM
nsny would have 10 consider and In
vesttvate thoroughly before offering TO
live the time signal ere offset ty cer-
ain advantages 10 the company.
There are ut least two advantages.
.ir. Beal points out:
First. the Intangible but important