Protesting Too Much

Signor Marconi, the inventor of wireless telegraphy, who has been at St. Louis as the guest of the management of the Louisiana Purchase exposition, is reported to have announced to President Francis of the exposition commission that he expects next year to be able to establish direct communication from St. Louis to the Atlantic coast, and then by one relay to obtain communication with London.

While it may be possible that Signor Marconi’s predictions of what he may achieve in the future may come true, it is at the same time just possible that the great inventors, like Wizard Edison and Tesla, “doth protest too much.” The Marconi system of wireless telegraphy has indeed accomplished wonders, but who shall say that there may not be a limit to its development for practical uses.

During the international yacht races wireless telegraphy was, upon the whole, a lamentable failure in reporting the positions and reliable news of the yacht races, although great things were predicted of it and arrangements were made by the press associations to obtain the very fullest accounts of the details of the contests.

If, however, Marconi’s prediction of what he will accomplish at St. Louis shall be verified, it is rightly said that it will be a demonstration of the achievements of science never equaled by any previous exhibit and without parallel in history.