New-York tribune., 1922-10-22
Series of Experiments Show
American and British
Radio Apparatus Ahead
of All Others, He States
Praises u. S. Operators
Scolds Own Government for
Policy of Fear Which Is
Holding Country Back
BY Agnes r. Mackenzie
Special Correspondence Of Tho Trtbune

SehSor OF the rad1ogom ometer, or wire
less compass, in an interview with me
To-day. Il base my assertion on five
months experiments Mt the expert
mental station of the Storta, near
Rome. Probably for installation pur-
poses the English system of the valve
or tube is simpler than the American
alternater (though believe America,
COO. is adopting the valve now, yet
both are equally efficient, as far as
long distance stations are concerned.
The French and German systems are
inferior in every way.
During these last five months we
have studied both day and night the
four systems, whether Of the American
Radio Corporation, or the Marconi
Wireless, the German Telefunken or
the French Campagnie Generate de
Telegraphie. which form the radio
experience we have gauged the merits
Of all four.
"lt is with regret that Italian wire
less experts must accept the arrange
ment made at the radio trust meeting
by which radio messages for Italy must
pass through the nearest station,
which is Lyons, as Italy has no off,
cial radio corporation of its own.
Italian Station "Out Of Date"
II differ from my colleagues who in
sist that communication with the St.
Paul station is always made difficult
because 1t is an Italian governmental
station, and hence considered inferior.
believe that the st. Paul station is
inefficiently equipped and should be
pulled down. We're it really in first
class order the Italian authorities could
arrange with the American Radio Com
y,1iS Ssfn for rr+h h,,f ha cto
tion is out Of date.
II am not exaggerating when / as
sert that at the Storta station the Mar
conf experts were able to receive all
the long distances. The instruments
are the most perfect in existence, as,
owing to the recent inventions Of Mr..
Matthew and several others which have
been made public, and a certain isola-
tion device, we were able to receive
messages, no matter how disturbed the
atmosphere was by thunder or light
ming.
"The same workmen who made the
instruments for Senator Marconi's
wireless installation on his yacht
turned out those for the station. No
messages were transmitted, but thous-
ands were received from all parts Of
the world. In these five months we
admired the precision Of the operators
at the American stations Of Long ISL
and and Tuckertou. Their patience
with the German stations was wonder
full. 'Lengthen your wave,' often
heard them repeat.
"To an Italian it was very provoking
to receive over 200 messages q day for
Italy, but which were transmitted to
the French station at Lyons, and then
telegraphed to Italy. This meant a
delay Of several hours, owing to the
French operators, who consider the
Italian messages of little interest.
Urges Country In Vain
"For more than ten years have been
like prophet crying out in the wilder
ness for Italy to install her own radio
system. Unless she hurries all other ma
tions will be supplied with overseas
wave lengths and she will be forced
forever to relay on to other stations.
1t is this useless delay which is so
narrowing to all those like myself who
are interested in Italy's radio future.
at was this same delay which pre-
vented Marconi's factory ut Genoa
from continuing it's wonderful output
of radio instruments. Italian work
men in this line are the finest in the
world, as they are experts in precision
and are really enthusiasts where radio
is concerned
Senator Marconi has always had all
his instruments made in Italy at this
factory, which was forced to close down,
as with no possibility of Italy having
radio service OF her own there was
no chance of work for the men. He
tried to induce the government to grant
concessions to his company, composed
entirely Of Italians with Italian capital,
which was forming just after the armi-
stice. But all his efforts failed and the
failure of the Sconto forced the wire
less factory to close it's doors"
Two Elements Oppose Plan
"Italy with o radio corporation Of
her own could come to some arrange
ment with the present trust, but there
are two tendencies in the government,
two classes Of men with diverse men,
tality. The first is afraid Of every new
initiative for fear the country would
be let in for huge deficit, and the
second frankly opposes every effort TO-
ward granting concessions to Italian
companies, as they consider foreign
ones superior.
"Probably this discussion will con-
tinue for years unless foreign COM
pany pulls wires and succeeds In get
ting concession which has been de-
MED to an italian. Italy In this way
would have her radio stations, but it
would benefit foreign wireless experts
and not Italians. Other nations pro-
tect their native interests, but Italy IS
different.
"No law has been passed protecting
wireless outfit made in Italy. Foreign
firms can import wireless outfits. pay
ing the duty on them, and probably
make a good financial business OF IT.
One might say that as far as Italy is
concerned radio is a subject in which
one in ten thousand is interested.
"'The Wireless Review which: in
pre-war days, was considered the best
tion, while Italians who speak. English
are forced to subscribe to American
papers which have radio section. One
might liken radio in Italy to a dead
language, which only few know and
are interested In"
Mexico to Try Radio