Marconi to Experiment Elsewhere

Though Supported by Cabinet, He Will Not Oppose Monopoly Now, but Go to Halifax.

TO ASK FOR PERMISSION

Marconi’s Motto Is, Time Is Everything

“I cannot remain idle. Ever since I was a child I have had this feeling. Time means everything. If you cannot do a thing here do it elsewhere. An hour saved is an hour gained, and in that hour gained may be accomplished the one thing you have been striving for.”—Mr. Marconi to HERALD correspondent at Newfoundland.

ST. JOHNS, N. F., Tuesday. — In the face of express protest by the Anglo-American Telegraph Company, Governor Sir Cavendish Boyle, Premier Bond and members of the Executive Council went to Signal Hill to-day to witness proposed experiments by Mr. Marconi in receiving communications from England.

The superintendent of the telegraph company visited the Governor this morning to protest against the intended official visit, inasmuch as his company had taken legal steps against the inventor. The company’s representative asserted that the government should not identify itself with either party. The officials decided, however, that the scientific value of the Marconi tests warranted their recognising him, and accordingly went.

The weather was fine and most favorable for tests, but Mr. Marconi was forced to announce that in consequence of the hostile attitude of the Anglo-American Telegraph Company he thought it advisable not to conduct any further tests.

In order that his visitors might not be altogether disappointed, he exhibited the balloon kites, batteries and other apparatus, explaining the uses of each. He afterward informed those present that the experiments here were now concluded. The balloon and other equipments will be packed for early shipment, probably to Halifax.

Mr. Marconi wrote to the solicitors of the Anglo-American Telegraph Company last night assuring them that he had no intention of infringing on rights the company might have in Newfoundland, and stating that his solicitors would reply further to-day. He also mentioned that prior to the receipt of the solicitors’ letter he had decided to discontinue his tests here after to-day and remove his instruments.

The Anglo-American Company has replied to him through its solicitors that all the company requires is to have its rights recognized. This being done it will give careful consideration to any proposals put forward for obtaining consent to the experiments.

Will Go to Cape Breton.

When seen to-night Mr. Marconi said: —

“The Anglo-American Company’s action necessitates a further change of plans. It was my intention to sail for England Friday to perfect arrangements for a station here similar to that on the Lizard, with probably smaller stations at Cape Race and Cape Ray. I have now practically decided to proceed to Canada, probably on Sunday. I will examine sites on the Cape Breton coast and then go to Halifax for experiments in that vicinity.

“I have communicated with my company in London, which will enter into negotiations with the Anglo-American headquarters to see if it is possible to obtain permission to erect the contemplated station at St. Johns.

“I came to Newfoundland, in the first place, because it is the nearest land to England, and consequently valuable for experimental purposes, also because the government desired to consult me regarding life saving stations. For many reasons Nova Scotia would be as desirable for the site of the large North American station as Newfoundland, if not preferable. Halifax has the advantage of being of the mainland and closer than St. Johns to the business centres of the continent. I must confess, however, that my hope is that the station will be near St. Johns. This is largely a matter of sentiment, as both government and people have shown me every kindness.

“If I can receive electric signals here from Cornwall I ought to be able to receive them in Canada; at any rate I am going to try. I hear that Tesla admits the success of my experiments here, but I understand that Sir William Preece has stated in London that our system can never compete with cables. Well, I much prefer to have my own opinion about that.”

Asked why he did not remain until the negotiations with the Anglo-American Company were concluded, he said that they would take some time, and besides might come to nothing.

Mr. Marconi declines to say anything about the Cape Cod station, except that it is already established and being completed and will be ready very soon, when he will attempt direct communication with England.

There is widespread popular indignation here over the Anglo-American Company’s attempt to stop the wireless experiments. The public holds that the company, seeing that only two years of its monopoly remain, should not prevent the colony from enjoying the benefits of the new invention, especially as it may take that period to perfect the Marconi system.

CANNOT STOP MARCONI, SAYS HIS COUNSEL

That William Marconi’s wireless experiments in Newfoundland cannot be stopped by the Anglo-American Telegraph Company, even by resort to the courts, is the assertion of Mr. Marconi’s representatives here. They further state that he cannot be stopped even from transmitting commercial messages.

C. Cuthbert Hall, general manager for the Marconi wireless telegraph companies, said yesterday: —

“We are rather glad than otherwise that this attempt to stop Mr. Marconi has been made. Even if we go no further in Newfoundland, although we can do so if we wish, it will do us no harm. There are other places along the coast equally available. This interference shows, to my mind, that the cable companies look on us as a dangerous competitor. It rather pleases me as an acknowledgment of the fact that wireless telegraphy is a coming force.”

Edward H. Moeran, counsel for the Marconi company, said: —

“This action by the Anglo-American company is a surprise to me as I had supposed that there would be no hostility, direct or indirect. Before Mr. Marconi attempted to make experiments in Newfoundland I went over the Anglo-American charter with a view to determining his rights. It is clear that the company cannot stop scientific experiments. The company seems to have feared active competition and, therefore, to have taken the bull by the horns.”

At the office of the Anglo-American Telegraph Company, at No. 25 Broad street, Charles Trippe, superintendent, said that any information about what had been or was to be done in Newfoundland would have to come from London. He could not talk about the difficulty.

MR. EDISON’S TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM MARCONI

[Facsimile of Edison’s handwritten note]

Since Marconi has stated over his own signature that he has received the signals from England I believe him but I think he will carry it to a commercial success. It is a great achievement, & he is a great Experimenter

Edison

MR. EDISON BELIEVES MR. MARCONI DID IT

American Inventor Declares That It Is a “Great Achievement” by Wireless Wizard.

Thomas A. Edison told me at his laboratory in West Orange, N. J., this afternoon that he was really too busy to discuss Mr. Marconi’s signed statement, as printed in to-day’s HERALD, but he would prepare a brief comment. He then dashed off hurriedly on a piece of the reporter’s note paper the statement printed above, as follows: —

Since Marconi has stated over his own signature that he has received the signals from England I believe him and I think he will carry it to a commercial success. It is a great achievement, and he is a great experimenter.

EDISON.

English Electricians Seek Further Proof and Marconi Manager Responds.

REGULARITY OF SIGNALS

[SPECIAL CABLE TO THE HERALD.]

LONDON, Tuesday. — Interest in Mr. Marconi’s claim that he had succeeded in obtaining wireless telegraphic signals across the Atlantic, as described in the HERALD and Daily Telegraph cables, is by no means diminished. On the contrary, it is on the increase.

Experts continue to give their views as to whether signals from the Lizard were actually received or whether Mr. Marconi mistook the effects of atmospheric disturbances for signals. It is significant that no electrical expert in England has so far been willing to state positively that he does not believe the signals were received. They all content themselves with pointing out that it was possible that atmospheric disturbances might thus have affected the receiving instruments.

At the offices of the wireless telegraphy company there is nothing but the most positive belief in the success of the experiment. I had a long talk to-day with Major Flood-Page, managing director of the company, who has received a number of cablegrams direct from Mr. Marconi describing the experiment, and also reports from the station at the Lizard whence the signals were sent.

He was most positive in his belief that the signals sent from this side of the Atlantic were received at the temporary station on the coast of Newfoundland. I pointed out the contention raised by a number of electricians that the Morse signal for the letter S, which was used for the experiments, was simply three dots, which combination could very easily have been produced in the receiver by atmospheric disturbances. He admitted that possibility, but said: —

“One point you must not lose sight of. If these signals were produced by electricity in the air they would be received either at irregular periods or continuously. But I have it from reports from our station at the Lizard that these signals were sent at stated intervals, regular periods of time elapsing between each transmission.

“According to Mr. Marconi’s cables, these signals were received with the same periods of time elapsing between them and at identically the same hours as they were sent, after making corrections for the difference of longitude.

“It is hardly probable, is it, that the atmospheric disturbances should have been so regular in their manifestations? I am thoroughly convinced that Mr. Marconi has accomplished what he started to do — to send signals across the Atlantic — and I have great faith in his ability to demonstrate still further the great possibilities of wireless telegraphy, when he returns to England in January and begins similar experiments, making his headquarters at our station at the Lizard.

“Had it not been for accidents which occurred at our stations on both sides of the Atlantic Mr. Marconi would have been able to carry on these experiments in October. After we erect a permanent aerial wire on the American continent and perfect our apparatus, I think we shall secure even better results. It is obvious that a movable aerial wire, hanging from a kite or balloon, is not so good a conductor as one suspended from a fixed pole.”

I asked Major Flood-Page as to what his company would do if the Anglo-American Telegraph Company persisted in its determination to prevent further wireless telegraphic experiments on the coast of Newfoundland, owing to its monopoly of cables having still two years to run.

“In that case,” he said, “we will transfer our apparatus to a different locality — Nova Scotia, for instance — but the experiments will be carried on.”