The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-10-24
Straet-Cars and Steam.

Steam for propelling street-cars, in the
form Of what is called dummy-engine, has
been in course Of trial for some weeks
upon the streets Of Baltimore, and has so
far encouraged the hopes Of the company
that tries it of its practical utility that an
other engine has been ordered from the
Baldwin works, in Philadelphia. This en-
CINE is not, like those previously invented,
located in the car, but is detached from it.
The Baltimore american says that the
steepest grade in that city which the cars
have to overcome is 365 feet to the mile,
and that the dummy alluded to has ascend
ed this grade with little difficulty. The new
dummy will have the strength Of fifteen
horses, while that which has been on trial
had only that Of ten. This engine was
worked with great facility, promptly obey
ing the hand of the engineer in stopping
and starting. .... H..
The street-csr has become to be great
and indispensable means Of transportation
in cities. 1t is the mdet efficient means of
movement of multitudes and the greatest
convenience in local commerce yet per-
fected. So that everything concerning i'm
proving and facilitating the efficiency OF this
popular institution 2. is deeply interesting
to everybody. Upon the question of en-
ploying steam to propcl the cars instead Of
horses there are great many matters to be
investigated and settled There will be the
comparative cost Of steam and OF horse
power. Horses are expensive not only In
their original cost, but.in the keeping up OF
the necessary supply OF animals that are so
constantly Killed OF disabled in the fearful
service of drawing street-railway cars.
There is also the feeding, grooming, shoe
ing, ETC., Of these animals. On the other
hand, there is cost of engines, their fuel and
repairs, and all the details Of the two kinds
Of force, which nothing but actual -expe-
riment can SETTLE. =
The subject, we repeat, is interesting to
everybody. When we consider how hard the
street-car service is to the horse, and his
liability to break down in his work, to the
delay and annoyance Of passengers; we
must all desire that he should be relieved by
steam. Then, il the steam-power is so
easily able to ascend heavy grades; that
would make steam especially desirable here
in Richmond, where our grades are so sharp.
The question is very important, and we
hope that twill be, thoroughly tested. :,'.,3
| We observe that Mr.. YEATMAN, off, the
Railway Company of this city, has con-
ceiyed plan FOR street-car operations that
he deems good and practical, and that he
thinks will promote the general aceommo.
dation in Richmond. 1t is the formation OF
several companies TO- construct lateral lines
occupying cross streets, said companies to
lhave the'right for nominal charge for pas:
sengers to run their cars on the through'o or
trunk line, running parallel with the river.
Richmond representing string, the through
line has its length the short ones would ZIG !. be
across it. 80 ,,I y u f..f..,5 s,s.5a
Evidently the difficulties in the way o
the company which owns the trunk linz
prompted the plan OF Mr.. ,YEATMA,N, and we
cannot imagine that difficulties encountered
Thy that company, which has, the 20 adyan-
tages Of cars, drivers, teams, stables, etc.
could be conquered by several ( lateral O
tributary companies. The inducement t
the formation OF those companies lis to be
personal 4 g aeeommod ation.0 Men do no
generally form companies for that object
THE motive 81 the combination Of men ant
money is always 6 profit" and II q! com
/ pany, with. all the means and appliances o.
lstreet-car transportation cannot make mo
lney by taking these lateral lines under 1t.
control, and, indeed, in its possession, Ger
tainly several companies cannot. In ,tbt
central ization OF the whole plan In one
sampany there. is strength while it's distri