Comments of Dr. Cresson's insulator tests

WE would call the particular attention of our readers, and especially those interested in the construction of new lines of telegraph, to the correspondence which is published on the first page of the present number, which was kindly furnished us by Dr. C. M. Cresson, at our request, for publication. It will be found to contain the results of a series of valuable and carefully conducted experiments, which completely sustain the views we have frequently expressed in regard to the vitally important subject of telegraphic insulation.

The correctness of Dr. Cresson's conclusions based upon his experiments is fully verified by the practical working of the telegraph lines in this country, and the unanimous testimony of the operators employed upon them; as every variety of insulator described in the report - with one exception - is at the present time in daily use upon different lines in the United States. With these plain undisputed facts before them, it is perfectly incomprehensible to us, why all telegraph companies and constructors, with very few exceptions, should continue to put up lines with the old forms of insulator - many of which are so defective as to be little better than no insulation at all. It cannot be urged that the paraffine insulator has not withstood the test of time. There are lines now working, which have used it for a period of six years, with the most satisfactory results.

There is an old proverb to the effect that "a word to the wise is sufficient," but we fear there is a lack of wisdom somewhere in the management of our telegraph companies, or it would not have become necessary, in view of the facts of the case, for us to recur so frequently to this question of insulation.