New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-11-19
EXPERIMENTS IN THE RIGHT DLREcTI0N

EAPERIMEAIS IN HE RIGHT DIRECIION.
If it shall happen that the inconvenience
arising from the disability of our horses sug-
gests such improvements in dummy engines as
to make them available for street railways,
the horse disease will not have been vista
ton to regret. Several notable experiments
grew out Of our temporary need of motive
power; an incentive was given to use elevated
roads; and tho Common Council was moved
to authorize steam in the streets. UnfOr-
tunately, nothing practically resulted; yet there
was hint of better things that were possible,
and we hope to see the experiments which
were begun continued until they are crowned
with success. Put dummy engine on any of
the street railroads of this city and there is
little probability that it will ever be taken off.
The practical difficulties in the way-and they
are far less serious than are generally thought
will be soon surmounted by the ingenuity of
American mechanics and engineers.
An engine of twenty horsepower, capable
of drawing half dozen ordinary street-cars
filed with passengers at the rate of six miles
an hour, which can be stopped when going at
this rate within distance of half its length,
passed over the Bleecker-street line week
ago, without once leaving the track, though
the curves are sharp, and surmOunted without
difficulty grades heavier than those on any
other road in the city. 1t proved as manage
able as the simpler hOrse-car, as well as, q
great deal cheaper and was several times as
powerful as a span of horses. Since this sue
cessful trial, we have heard nothing more of
this dummy but it is hardly possible that a
company so alive to the needs of the public
and the requirements of its stockholders can
have altogether abandoned the enterprise.
Make one such experiment thoroughly success
FIJI in all its phases, and we may trust to see
in year or two no weary horses Juggling cars
inadequate to accommodate the public.
The novel sight was witnessed about the
same time of fire engine propelled by steam
through Broadway. The Fire Commissioners
report this experiment highly successful, and
this engine is to-day a part of our defense
against fire. 1t passed without difficulty among
the teams which crowded that thorOughfare,
and no horses were frightened and no acct
dents occurred, though the novelty of the trial
attracted crowds to the scene. Actual expert
ment on other streets will doubtless establish
that the worst paved streets arc no serious
obstacle to the passage of a steam propelled
engine and thus this innovation will be con-
frmed TO the exclusion of horses from the
fire service.
The movements in this direction ought not
to be discouraged by any municipal OppOsi-
ton; and if any city ordinance prohibits the
repetition of the experiments 1t Is to be hoped
that it will be repealed. The inventors and
projectors will have enough to do to surmount
the obstacles which ignorance and prejudice
are certain to interpOse. From the city, which
is to gain so much by their success, they
should have encouragement, and the final
triumph of steam as a motor on our surface
roads will soon be assured.