The New York herald., 1870-06-10
THE CITY TRANSIT PROBLEM.
Atmospheric Transportation
Suggested.
A New Pneumatic Elevated Railway Pro.
posed-Cable Rallways-A 'sPost'' and
"velocipede'' Road-The Vox
Populi--A "Comm0n Sense''
and Other Plans.

The interest excited In the pnbllc mind by the pub
lication In the HERALD OF the many suggestions OF
inventors and engineers for City railroad which,
while anording adequate accommodation, shall be
speedy safe and convenient, Is unabated, and there
are ample Indications that this important subject
viii not be let drop until the problem OF rapid
city transit shall have been satisfactorily solved.
Besides the plans already noticed there are several
others now offered which demand attention. Two
Of these deserve extended notice. especially the
nrst which is quite novel and seems to possess
great merit. II may be that this plan VIII be
generally approved than any others heretofore SUBJ
mtted to public scrutiny.
TRANSIT By ATMOSPHERIC POWER
The peculiar properties OF the air we breathe. its
impenetrabIlity great elasticity, render 1t eape
cfaiiy applicable ~ a motive power, and 1t has long
been evident that whenever inventive genius would
supply the various contrvances OF art for Its appi
cation and for moving il with certainty in large
quantities 1t could be advantageonsy used for the
purpose OF rapid transportation.
The idea entertained by many that the art OF trans
portaton has attained Its greatest perfection now
that we have palace cars thirty miles an hour
smash ups and horse railroads Is old fogyIsh and
contrary TO The progressive spirit OF the
age II has long been the opinion OF many
engineers OF the greatest genus that the
rapid improvements constantly going on in science
and art would result In perfectng some system m
which would enable us to travel at double the rate
Of our fastest trains, aud that newspapers the mails
and express mater could be despatched at the rate
OF hundred miles and more an hour.
The works OF Medhurst and Valance at the com.
mencement OF the century, and others of later date
contained the germs OF the science OF atmospheric
transportation. foreshadowing the widely different
improvements OF to-day, which are now ripenlng
into success through the genius and apors OF mod
ern inventions. 1t was long time before the older
engineers could be brought to believe that locomo-
tive could be made TO draw train without cogs
npon It's drivers TO fit q track suited TO receive
them, and that the present Smooth driving wheels
by their friction on the rails furnish alone q suf
cient tracive power. Nothing excites more wonder
than the tenacity with which old and preconceived
theories are held fast to, although never test by
practical experiment, which generally explodes
them. 1t is only short time since that experimen T.
cutting loose from old theories, has shown that a
car closely fitting the sides or the pneumatic way
was not necessary for rapid transit through the
tube, thus demOlshng the theory That the friction
which would result from this cause would prevent
tneir successful operation. Experiment., guided by
Sbsery alton will not enly demosh Old faliacies, but
years ago gentleman Of this city, Dr. Il. II. Gilbert
believing that the best and most satisfactory sol,
uon OF the sanitary problem and the health
Of the city was to be found by perfect
ing plan which would not only supply
the increasing demands Of tranic, but give rapid
transit in and out Of the city, made the subject a
SPECIAL study and invented system different from
proval Of the Chicago engineers that captists have
taken hold OF the project and are TO build line
the plan proposed within year.
HOW 1T CAN BE ACCoMPtrsHED
The plan II for city railways as well as for long
lines For cities it consists Of pneumatic tubes
stantiay supported above the middle OF tue street
OF over buildings by succession of Gothic
fere with ordinary travel beneath, " or with with
the hgnting OF buildings along the lines
hausting and comprising air, constructed an
tirely new plan, not easily descEbed Without the aid
OF drawings, which are capable OF handling large
quantities OF air. with little or no loss OF power by
friction. These engines are stationed at regular
tervals along the line, exhaust the air in front Of the
cars TO accelerate their speed and compress IL into
reservoirs, which retain 1t until the proper time,
when 1t is liberated behind then to start them, give
them additional speed, or when required stop them,
when gates which work automatically, are opened or
closed for the purpose These reservoirs are
power therein contained IS Quickly transmitsed M from
one to another, SO thai the primary power may be
Located, @ II desired long way oil Or where it can
The control of the cars, ana their movements is
efected by
An INGENIOUS TELEGRApHrc DEVICE.
which is operated by the cars in passing the various
points where It Is located, that the location
in charge o OF G the engines and motve power, % with
which they communicate, and who are thus informed
Of the exact amount oil power required to maintain
their speed or stop them at stations.
A rNEUMA71o ELEVATOR
Tor raising or lowering passengers freight to and
from the place OF transmission. The cars are con-
structed on an entirely new principle, and are so
part ef the line, II required by allowing the at al.
mospherc pressure to pass through them in tubes
under the seats free from dust-a prolific source Of
Eantly Illuminated and made more comfortable and
luxurious than BY any other existing system. There
ers, Of which correct idea cannot be given
GS hss Ssa rhs rsrSad
experience, and is one Of the ncorporators OF the
has CHARTER to build despatch line rom New wIaTH foTH
70 Philadelphia. The success OF the system for this
purpose has been demonstrated in Chicago
THE MAIN ADVANTAGES CLAIMED
Tor this system OF transportation over others are:
First Greater speed than is attainabe In any
otner metnod with safety to passengers and all along
Second The impossibinty of running or the track.
Tntrd-The freedom from any obstruction 10 traye,
by snow or Ice or other causes.
Fourth Less cost Of right Of way the plan being
little Or no detriment to property holders.
Fvth-The tmpossibillty OF setting IRE to property
Strth--The impossibility Of frightening horses.
Serenn-The saving Of tue, which is money
EsDhtn-The advantage that the lines need not
be along our prnclpa Streets And that TWO separate
tracks for passengers and four for mails and ex
press matter can bc included In one system Of arches
Nirltn-That any number OF lines can be built at
less cost than by any other system for the acSoMmo.
datfon OF all parts OF the city,
1enth-That the system can be more econom-
Cay operated and maintained than any other, there
being no heavy engines or cars to wear out destroy
the roadway.
Eleventh--That the same system can be carried
under our rivers and be made to connect with tue
various lines OF railroad centrlng here
TuoeUth-That our cities can be supplied with
fresh vegetables, milk and food, and that market.
Ing can be sent TO the country the shortest notice.
Tntrteenkt-That 1t will be the best means for the
prevention OF cruelty TO animals.
These are as many reasons as the Governor found
Tor ve0lng the Arcade, and it is believed by DR.. Gill
bert Will insure the adoption OF the plan Ia the city
when Its advantages shall become known
THE ELEVATED CABLE PLAN.
This plan Is to put strong iron columns In the place
OF the common telegraph posts, and secure steel
wire cables to these u such manner to sustain
suspended cars ut an elevation which Will permit
them to run over all street obstacles. The car
Rbaola xIon hla