Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-02-01
Frederick p. Gray Speaks
To Cromwell Bible Class On
"WOnders of the Telephone"

Wonders OF the Telephone, PaSt ana
Present" was the subject of a most in
structive and interesting illustrated lee
ture given by Manager Frederick p.
Gray Of the Augusta Division of the
New England Tel & Tel. Co.. at a
meeting held Monday evening at the
Green Street Methodist church under
the auspices Of the Cromwell Mems
Bible class of the church. The lecture
was illustrated by 80 stereopticon views
and held the close attention of the au-
dience.
Mr. Gray traced the working of the
telephone from the time of its discov-
cry by Alexander Graham Bell, up to
the present time. He told of the actual
birth of the telephone on June ., 1875.
il the building now occupied by the
Palace theatre on Court street in Bos-
ton. One year later the instrument was
patented and was exhibited at the Gen.
tennial exhibition at Philadelphia. 1t
was first taken note of when President
Dom Pedro of Brazil greeted Professor
Bell and the royal party inspected the
little wonder. The next day it was
examined by experts and scientists from
all parts of the world.
The first long distance feat was
demonstrated when Professor Boil on
Nov. "a. 1876, talked from Boston to
Salem over the telegraph wires of the
Old Eastern railroad. An iron circuit
was then built connecting Boston and
Providence. and was later extended to
New York.
Speaking of the wonders of the tele-
phone. Mr.. Gray told of the "voices
from the sky" stunt which was carried
out during the Liberty Doan Drive in
New York. when a man in an airplane
spoke by wireless into power room
built UP from the ground. There the
sound was ampliied more than five mil
lion times and was sent bY wikes into
about 40 large horns which at some dis
lance up covered a space of about five
city blocks. A crowd of about 10000
people was addressed one evening in
this manner.
In December 1918 President Vail an
nounced another triumph of science
which amazed not only the public in
general, but scientists as well. This
was multiplex telephony and teleg-
raphy. This multiplex line is in opera
ton between Boston and Bangor Over
p one wire five telephone messages and 40
telegraph messages can be sent at one
time.
Mr.. Gray's address and the fine views
illustrating various phases of his sub
ject were given hearty applause.
Cromwell Bible Class Supper
Previous to the meeting in the church
the men OF the Cromwell Bible class of
the church sat down to a bountiful sup
per served in the church vestry. There
were about IS members present and the
meeting was presided over by Clarence
P. Quimby, president of the class.
Several guests were present upon the
occasion. one being Mayor Sanford l..
Fogg who was called upon by Mr..
Ouimby. Mayor Fogg spoke of the
part the Mems Bible classes and other
church organizations can do in helping
TO carry on good city government
He pointed out that the city council
needs the men Of the citp and especially
the men of the churches to tell them
things that would be for the best inter-
ests of the municipality. and also to
give their cooperation.
Rev. w. ]. Layton. pastor of the
church. pointed out that It is not the
duty Of the members of any mems Bible
class only to attend the meetings, but
that they should get out and mingle in
the city's affairs and show that the
church il a wide-awake institution.
Superintendent We J. Taylor of the
Sunday school spoke about the-part that
men Of the church should take in set
ting an example for the young people
and in teaching the boys by example
and precept
Mr.. Quimby. president oS the class,
also made brief address, summing up
the points that had been brought out
at the meeting.
A social hour was them enjoyed dur
ing which the men sang the old songs.
being accompanied by Mrs. Dow, or
ganist Of the church. Very pleasing Sc
lections were sung by the male quar-
tet Of the church made up Of Manley
Haskell. Irving Packard, A. F. Rand
and George c. Clarke A very pleasing
evening was passed and the men ex-
tended a vote OF thanks to Mrs. Della
Moore and a number Of the. other la