The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, June 13, 1901, Page 3

THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, THUREDAY, JUNE 13, 1901. LEADING MEN OF THE COAST NOW URGING ESTABLISHMENT OF MARCONI'S WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY AT HEADS AND FARALLONES #J HIS MORNING The Call makes the initiatory move to secure for the port of San Francisco the vast advantages that will follow the permanént establishment of wireless telegraphy to connect the Farallon Islands and Point Lobos. Standing off shore far enough to command a view of the broad Pacific Ocean, many miles beyond the ken of San Francisco, the Farallones, everlasting and lofty sentinels of the deep, occupy a rarely advantageous position to signal that present wvast commerce and still vaster to be commerce that must pass through the Golden Gate. Now it is proposed by The Call that these sentinels shall be given voice and power to be of scrvice to the great ships that plow the | ocean, the agency to be emploved being Marconi’s wonderful discovery. , There are many considerations, all momentous, that make it imperative that the port of San Francisco, as the gateway for the trade of the Orient, shall be placed on an equality with ports of entry on the Atlantic coast. There is a general appreciation of the fact that'the time for action has arrived. This is made clear in the signed communications which are published. this morning. 5 R TR R T e B T T 7 e S e v e The Call Leads in Effort Making to Secure for San Francisco a Serv- ice That Will Confer Upon Commerce Many Advantages Not Now Possessed, and Will Also Make Perils of the Ocean Less to Be Dreaded When Thick Fog Settles Upon the Coast FARALLON 13~ i | | ELATIVE Faralion such a purpose. CONGRESSIONAL ENCOURAGETIENT to the establishment of a wireless telegraph service between the islands and San Francisco, I desire to say that I am heartily in favor of securing an appropriation for In fact, meeting of the directors of the at a recent Cham- MERCHANT VIEW OF PORT NEEDS ALIFORNIANS have for many years held the conceit that San Francisco occupied one of the most important small spots upon the face of the globe. about to prove that they were not very far wrong. discovered our importance and is pre- Time is The rest of the world has ber of Commerce, when it was suggested that an appropriation be secured for the purpose of laying a cabbe between those islands and San Francisco, 1 made the suggestion that perhaps we could get a wireless telegraph service much more readily because of the great sav- ing in cosi. The commerce of San Francisco is rapidly growing. The best interests of our merchants and of our community demand that we should have the best possible service for promptly apprising consignees of the earliest approach of incoming vessels. A difference of two or three hours in noti- fying the guarantine service and the barge of- fice of the approach of a vessel would in many instances ean the ving of considerable delay, annoyance and inconvenience in the w San tter of getting the vessel to her dock. cisco is the leading port of the Pacific Const. The Farallomes, Iying as they do thirty miles from the entrance of the Golden Gate, would be in a splendid position from which to telezraph the mews of the approach of an in- coming vessel. ¥, ax one of the representa- tives from this port, shall be pleased to lay the matter before Congress and will do every- thing I can to secure favorable legislation upon the subject. Respectfully, JULITUS KAHN, Representative Fourth Congressional Distriet, pared to admit that we hold possession of a most important stopping place on the world's principal highway. Foreigners admit it and our national legislators are waking up to it. We need a fair share of Uncle Sam’'s spending money and ‘e want Congress to realize our needs. We meed every aid possible in con- nection with our great harbor. We shouid Jong ago have had a Government telegraph to the Farallones. Such a nataral outpost in front of a great harbor should be put in di- rect communication with the main land. The ships and the travelers of the world require it and the nation should provide it. The wire- less telegraphy has appareatly come to stay and we should demand of the Government that one of the first applications of its use should be between the Farallones and the main land. Suppose we learn a little from our college - students. Suppose we select a yell leader and stand by him. Let all the commercial inter- ests unite, let the press unite, let the Con- gressional delegation unite, let us all act to- gether and shout together, “We want wireless telegraphy to the Farallones,” and doubtless we will get it. FRANK J. SYMMES, President of Merchants’ Association. ETTERS addressed to the Sen- | ators and Representatives com- | posing the California delegation | upon the floor of Congress were | recently sent out by the editor of The Call to ascertain ftheir views and the measure of as- sistance which they would lend to the shment of the Marconi wireless telegraphyat the Farallones and at Point Lobos, as an agent for the benefit of the commerce and other intfrests of this coast. The responses are gratifying in m: vespects. In addition to this, rep- atives of The Call were instructed upon leading and representative o are at the head of large bodies of influential citizens to get an expres- sion of opinion from thém. The results | ! e In making the inquiries the fact was set forth that the New York Herald has in- stituted a wireless telegraph service be- tween Nantucket lightship and a head- land on the island, the distance covered being forty-three miles. By this service news of the approach of vessels can be putlished in New York City and also telegraphed to all points from twelye to fifteen hours before the arrival in port. The benefit is very great. All persons in- terested in shipping news have halled with gratification this practical appiica- tion of the Marconi discovery. The distance, it was also made ciear, between the Farallones and San Fran- cisco is approximately thirty miles and is, therefore, well within the reach of wire- less telegraphy. Owing to the frequent e nia’s Congressional delegation will be found the declaration by Congressman Kahn that ““the best interests of our mer- chants and of our community demand that ‘we shall have the best possible ser- vice for promptly apprising consignees of the earliest approach of incoming ves- sels.” Congressman Metcalf finds that there are no difficulties to overcome here which have not bpeen met and overcome by the New York Herald service at Nantucket. He was convinced that connecting the Farallones and San Francisco is entirely feasible. Congressman Coombs says that among the obligations of a great government are the protection and encouragement of ocean commerce and that the wireless telegraph connection proposed could T PRESIDENT G. THE NEW- MERCHANTS’ EXCHANGE EGARDING the advantage of a wireless telegraphy system between the Farallon Islands and San Francisco, via Point Lobos, am pleased to say that I believe, if the system is practicable, its advantage to the shipping | interests would more than justify the expens | advances in electrical science that has practical value, and should be put into operation wherever it can be | used to the benefit of our commerce. The Merchants’ Exchange has its lookout stat Jone Islands are of sufficient height, the expense of construction would be minimurm. change has a telephone line connecting the Point Lobos station with the exchange, so that any messages sent in S 1 beMeve it to be within the province of this Government to construct such telegraphic system for the better -3 W. I'cNEAR SPEAKS FOR | | i could be promptly transmitted to the proper address. | protection of our merchant marine. communicate with the city. Also, it would be of advantage to vessels in could communicate with or receive orders without the necessity of coming into the harbor. Vessels arriving off the | port in distress, or requiring the gervices of a tug or other assistance, could, by signaling the operator on the islands, Vessels coming to this coast in ballast with instructions to get their orders off the har- of construction and maintenance. \ ion at Point Lobos at a high elevation; and as the Faral- It is one of the many recent he Merchants’ Ex- the Government service. They telegraphy for the Farallo and San Francisco should be presented at once by the California delegation as a unit to the War Department in the nature of a com: mand.” California’s Senators are in favor of fa- cllitating the movement of commerce. Congressmen whose answers were not re- ceived in time for publication this morn- ing unquestionably will be arrayed for the good of California in this very important matter, B SR MERCANTILE BODIES ARE ALSO IN EARNEST Their Presidents Adduce Many Good Reasons for Connecting Islands and the Mainland. Not less positive are the presidents of commercial bodies of San Francisco con- cerning the necessity for adding wireless telegraphy to the facilities of the port. “George W. McNear, president of the newly organized Merchants’ Exchange of San Francisco and also of the San Fran- cisco Produce Exchange, finds that “the advantage to the shipping interests would more than justify ‘the expense of con- ion and maintenance.” He also be- it to be within the province of this government to construct the wirelcss telegraphic system for the better protec- tion of our. merchant marine. President A. A. Watking of the San Francisco Board of Trade finds that “the benefits of the wireless telegraph stations which The Call proposes would be mare than local. All the Pacific coast would share in them and the entire nation would have advantages which are now withheld. It is due to us that commerce shall be expedited and that every safeguard that can be devised shall be placed at the serv- ice of shipping to make the port of San Francisco desirable in every respect. President George A. Newhall of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce writes that he learns with pleasure that The Call is engaged in trying to secure for San Francisco the benefits to arise from con- necting the Farallones and the port by wireless telegraphy and that the vast in- terests to be fostered by promoting our commerce make it highly important to se- cure all facilities needed to be on an equality with the East in conveniences for transacting business. President A. Sbarboro of the Manfuac- turers’ and Producers’ Association writes: “It is with pleasure that I very heartily indorse the proposition to have wireless telegraphy established between the Faral- lones and San Francisco and hope that success may attend your very laudable and’ public-spirited efforts in this difec- on. President A. Sbarboro of the Manufac- chants’ Association is enthusiastic. “We should learn to work together,” he writes. “Suppose we learn a little from our col- lege students. Suppose we select a yell leader and stand by him. Let all ‘the commercial interests unite, let the press unite, let the Congressional delegation unite, let us all act together and shout to- gether: ‘We want wireless telegraphy to thg _Fftrallones!‘ and doubtless we will gef 2 ESTHER BARTLETT CLARK~ il IRELESS telegraphy, the great achievement of the closing decade of a mar- velous century of scien- ific discovery, is to be made to pay its perma- nent tribute of usefulness to the convenlence and progress of San Francisco. In calm or storm, broad'seascope or thick fog, by night and by day the ap- proach of vessels when yet many leagues away will be proclaimed. The project of The Call is not a new one by any means. It will be remembered that two years ago this paper invoked the ald of the then new and mysterious agency to her- ald from far out in the ocean the coming |6f the good ship Sherman bearing the sons of California from the distant scene of war back to their own proud and ex- pectant shore. Fully appreciating the anxlety of the people and the importance to those in charge of the arrangements for the grand reception of the very earliest posasible knowledge of the approach of the trans- port bearing the First California home, the management of this paper determined to go a long length beyond anything that hed ever been trled before; to make a practical test of the claims of Marconl's great discovery, and, if found practic- diate touch. islands and the mainland. rection. MARCONI, SOME OF THE INSTRUMENTS EMPLOYED IN HIS ADMIR- ABLE SYSTEM AND THE GEOGRAPHICAL ASPECT OF THE PROB- LEMS WHICH ARE PRESENTED AND ARE OVERCOME. * -SoLbEN GATE ' l Ao APPIFOACHEQ i ing without wires” across land or sea was yet at the experimental stage. The apparatus was procurable in London only, and not one person connected with the effort, -and probably not one in this city, —— messages across the water were made at various distances. These preliminary trials showed the ad- visability/ of having instruments of great- er potentiality if success was to be made ———% CHAMBER OF COr'MERCE ESTIMATES : VALUE OF WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY LEARN with pleasure that The Call is engaged in trying to secure for San Francisco the benefits to arise from the Introduction of wireless telegraphy, whereby the Farallon Islands and San Francisco will te put in imme- For many years the necessity for speedy and reliable communication between the islands and the mainland has been evident. At various times the Chamber of Commerce has tried to have a cable laid to unite the The growth of our commerce, the increasing fleets on the Pacific Ocean, which are the promise of greater fleets to be, and the vast interests to be fostered by promoting our commerce, make it highly jmportant that we shall not neglect to espouse anything that will result in placing us upon an equality with the East in the matter of facllities. I heartily favor the work of The Call in this maiter, knowing it to be in the right ai- Wireless telegraphy has passed the experimental stage and has been employed by the military authorities and others to enable them to communicate with distant posts. The Nantucket Island station will give an advantage to the Eastern merchants and shippers which they will not be slow to appreciate. The fog that so often shuts out the view of the Pacific Ocean for many hours' at a time serves as a bar to knowledge that is fieeded concerning the shipping on the ocean near by during periods when vessels cannot enter the Golden Gate. While they wait much valuable time Is lost and business suffers interference. Wireless telegraphy would often serve to let us know about the vessels off the bor (1o come in or proceed to Portland or the Sound for their outward cargo) would be saved the inconvenience of coast. We would be able to learn of vessels in distress with promptness. Vessels waiting for orders would receive In- GETS DIYOME DECREE In time of possible war the Farallones, standing like sentries in the occean, weculd, delays. | | New and valuable uses, not now tl | aliones ana this city by the installation of a telegraphic system, it were no less satisfactory. On all sides was manifested intelligent appreciation of the possibilities for good in the plan proposed by The Call. Other plans to make communication possible between the Farallones and San Francisco have been advocated, but have not been made operative. In this instance all the con- ditions are favorable to success. Such communication now is generally by th= pilot boats and necessitates considerable loss of time. prerfper hought of, would develop through the ability to communicate between the Far- wireless or otherwise. /) G. W. McNEAR, President Merchants’ Exchange. _— fogs on this coast vessels often have to lie off the port many hours before they can enter. It is manifestly to the ad- vantage of all bisiness interests to haVe information of the approach of incoming ships. Timely news, moreover, will be ef- fective to guard against such a disaster as befell the Rio. ¥ In the responses received from Califor- Yours respectfully, come very properly within the jurisdic- tion of the Treasury Department. Congressman Woods writes that ‘‘we have been modest too long and the Repre- sentatives from California should insist before the departments and Congress that every appliance that science has provided for convenience and safety should be adopted here and granted by the govern- ment.” He also adds that the “wireiess ‘Wins the Separation That Her Hus- band Sought in Vain a Year Ago. ‘WASHINGTON, June 12.—Esther Bart- lett Clark was to-day granted a divorce from her husband, James King Clark of Pittsburg. The decree, which was si by Justice Kagner, cites desertion on the part of the defendant as the cause. Mrs, Clark’s application was made less than a month ago. James King Clark applied for a divorce nearly a year ago in Pittsburg on the ground of infidelity. The trial, which was most sensational, resulted in a disagree- ment of the jury. structlons. give news of Inestimable value. if properly equipped, There is everything to be said in favor of connecting the islands electrically with the mainland, and nothing can be urged against such a plan. Storms coming in from the ocean could be early signaled. The Call is doing good work In this direction for the interest of the public. The Chamber of Commerce favors The Call’s enterprise in this direction. GEORGE A. NEWHALL, President San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. able, have it to leap the longitude and speak the welcome news to the walting city. / 1{7 this end a full’equipment of Mar- coni's apparatus was imported and in- stalled at the most available points for preligginary testings. It must be remembered that “telegraph- had any knowledge of its mnlpuh‘.uan other than that gained by reading. For some five weeks or more experi- ments were made; first between the dome of The Call building and Telegraph Hill and other points. Then a set of the ap- paratus was installed on the yacht Lur- line and tests of sending and receiving sure. The cable brought these in due course of time and on their arrival the final installments and dispesitions were made. By permisston of the Gor offt- cials the sea end of the courler Continued on Page Four. <