CELERITY OF AMERICAN LINES. 



inconvenience, expense, and delay also arise even in cases where 

 similar instruments and ciphers are used, from a want of 

 uniformity in the various parts of the apparatus, and in the 

 systems of abridgments which are adopted in the language. 

 Where the instruments and the parts of apparatus have been 

 constructed of varying patterns and sizes, they cannot be readily 

 replaced in cases of wearing out or accidental fracture. By the 

 adoption of one uniform size and pattern, depots of all the parts 

 may be provided, from which any station which may be stopped 

 by an accident can be immediately supplied with the part or parts 

 which require to be replaced. Another advantage incidental to 

 such uniformity is greater economy in the maintenance of the 

 apparatus and lines. 



Impressed with these considerations, a large majority of the 

 American telegraph companies have formed themselves into a con- 

 federation, which meets annually at Washington, and which is 

 permanently represented there by a permanent commiftee and 

 secretary. 



This body has published reports containing many important and 

 interesting statistical facts, and has adopted measures with a view 

 to the establishment of a central depot for the supply of all articles 

 necessary for the maintenance of the lines and stations, of good 

 quality and at fair prices. The secretary of the convention, Mr. J. 

 P. Shaffher, has commenced the publication of a monthly periodical 

 .devoted to subjects directly and indirectly connected with electric 

 telegraphs ; and as not less than nine-tenths of all the American 

 lines, as well as those of contiguous states, are worked with 

 Morse's instrument, it is proposed to reduce it as speedily as pos- 

 sible to one uniform pattern, so that its parts, as well as those of 

 the batteries, may be always ready to be supplied in cases of failure 

 or breakage, the like parts fitting indifferently all instruments and 

 all apparatus. 



The batteries invariably used by the American telegraphs are 

 those of Grove, each element of which consists of a cup of unglazed 

 earthenware, placed in a glass tumbler of equal height and greater 

 diameter. A zinc cylinder is let down between the glass and the 

 earthenware cup, and a platinum cylinder is let down into the 

 earthenware cup. The space between the cups is then filled with 

 acidulated water, and the earthenware cup is filled with pure 

 nitric acid. 



Such being the batteries, the articles of consumption in the 

 working of the telegraphs are enumerated as follows by the 

 secretary of the convention: Nitric and sulphuric acids, zinc, 

 quicksilver (for amalgamating the zinc, &c.), skeleton forms for 

 messages, ink, envelopes, pencils, and pens. 



75 



