OFFICES RUSHED.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18895, 10 January 1927, Page 9

OFFICES RUSHED.

WIRELESS TELEPHONY. POPULAR. TRANS-ATLANTIC SERVICE. ~'-"'' •■AcI.E--ilv.Sa ASSOCIATION—COPTKIOHT I N'KW YORK, January 7. ■l'lioniious public interest was aroused in the opening the public Traiis-Atlan-ti- telephone system between New York and London, which was duly inaugurated to-day by a. conversation between Sir Evelyn Murray, Secretary-General of the British Post Office, and Mr Waller Gilford, President of the American I'-'.ephone and Telegraph Company, alter which Iho service was thrown open 10 the public. Then; were so many applications in New York and London to speak on the rir*t day that the company to-day extended the scheduled time, which was normally from 5.30 in tho morning until 10.00, New York time, continuing until late in the afternoon, in an endeavour to take ca.ro of tho nwTi of first business.

The cost is seventy-live dollars for the first three minutes, and twenty-five dollars a minute thereafter, with a limit of twelve minutes, unless calls are slack.

The novelty caught the imagination of New Yorkers to an extent hardly anticipated. Hundreds of persons, bank presidents, leaden of industry, professional men, and stage and film stars, are seeking publicity by using the system, and hoping to advertise their business thereby. They besieged the offices of the company by telephone, letters, and in person. Over sixty journalists and officials of tho company, provided with car phones, cut in on the Miirray-Gifford conversation, and photographers took pictures of the scene. Officials declare that it was difficult to continue the service when on© continent was dark, due to tho increased static difficulties.

The method of making the call is the same as for any distant point, except that the caller has to be connected by a trans-Atlantic operator.

DAY OF MARVELS. (AUSTRALIA* AND x.z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received January 9th, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, January 8. The London-Now York wireless telephonic service was successfully opened. The moment the exchanges contacted the New York operator heard a clock chime. He asked: "Gee! Is that your dock?" London replied: "No; that is St. Paul's Cathedral. Can you hear it?" The New York operator; 15 ''I am sure I can."

The official congratulatory messages were then exchanged. On both sides, there were some early interruptions but later the line was as clear as talking to the suburbs. The London callers included the proprietors and editors of most of the newspapers and news agencies exchanging the latest news with correspondents of papers in New York. The "Daily Express," describing the manager's easy conversation with Mr Pulitzer, proprietor of the New York "World," says: "This did not end the day of marvels. Mr Puliter was photographed while talking and the picture, wirelessed, reach the 'Daily Express' within an hour. Meantime the sound of Mr Pulitzer's voice had been recorded on a phonograph in the 'Daily Express' office. "The imagination staggers at to-day's events. Distance became of no account. The world was constricted into the confines of a suburb."

Many societies' exchanges prepared statements with kindred American bodies, but many pieces of real business wero transacted; for instance, banks put through exchange dealings. The London office of a New York daily telephoned advertisements. A London cinema manager discussed a huge contract with a film-maker. Several wireless experts report that parts of the conversations at London were overheard'on their sets, but that New York was not heard. This is likely to constitute a problem for the Post Office, but it is anticipated that it will be overcome. ST. PAUL'S CHIMES. (AUSTRALIAN AND, S.S. 'cAELF, ASSOCIATES.) LONDON, January 7. ' Inaugurating the wireless telephone service, the chimes of St. Paul's Cathedral will be heard in New York. "A STEPPING STONE."

(AUSTBALIAS AND N.Z. . CABLE ASSOCIATION.)

(Received January 9th, 11.5 p.m.)

LONDON, January 9. The "Observer" editorially states that telephony with New York is only a stepping stone to bolder things. The day is close at hand when we shall talk with Melbourne and Sydney,