Dec. 15, 1906 (Saturday)

GERMAN SCIENTIST HAS VISION; WHAT'S THE GERMAN FOR 'CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?' A wireless telephone test conducted by the German Society of Wireless Telegraphy has some far-reaching implications, says Professor Adolf Slaby (right). In an interview, he called a recent wireless communication by telephone between Berlin and Nauen (24 miles) was quite successful. Slaby says the limit of distance is not known. According to a news report on the front page of today's New York Times, "He sees no reason to set any limit, and believes that the time is coming when a man will be able to speak wirelessly with a friend in any part of the world." Again.... "speak wirelessly with a friend in any part of the world." Imagine that. We're glad that SOMEBODY thought it could be done. Now, about those overages....

CARNEGIE HALL FILLED FOR REFUGEE FROM RUSSIA: About 5,000 people filled Carnegie Hall last night for a stirring address by Gregory Gershuni. (The Times spells it Gerschunin.) He is the man who escaped the "quicksilver mines at Akatui, Siberia" by being stuffed in a sauerkraut barrel. He came to the U.S. via Japan. He spoke for two hours -- in Russian and Yiddish. Editor Edward Cahan introduced Gershuni, calling him the Russian Lincoln." Referring to the cross that has become the symbol for the followers of Christ, he suggested that a BARREL become the symbol "of the supreme martyrdom of the Russian revolutionists." Somehow that never got traction. A "barrel and sickle" or "hammer and barrel" just never did cut it, I guess.
Today's Times noted an especially poignant moment in the evening when Gershuni, also known as "Grisha," asked those present to stand in memory of the "dead and fallen fighters."
Everyone stood. Silence reigned. Then, "as a faint echo from afar" a bugle started playing the notes of "Taps." One would think the acoustics of Carnegie Hall drew the most out of the sound. The reaction:
...as the bugle note ended sobs were heard and handkerchiefs were busy in every part of the hall.