The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1878-11-15
The New Substitute for Gas.
EDISON'S LAST AND GREATEST IN
VENTION.
Correspondence n. o. Times.

light invented by JablachOff aud
improved and perfected by Edison.
This decline has not been confined
to England and the continent eth
er. 1t is being felt in New York,
where the falling off has been near
ly 80 per cent. since January 1st.
This has caused serious uneasiness
to the old conservative holders of
what used to be regarded as the
most reliable stocks, and they are
gravcly considering what can be
done for their salvation. Only last
week meeting of the owners of
the gas stocks of the various cities
in the United States was held in
New York, and they resolved that
Edison's invention was "not prac-
tical." They will soon find ont.
Mr.. Edison is very reticent about
his discovery. He gives very little
information, and keeps all strangers
away from his laboratory, at Meulo
Park, New Jersey. A few init
mate friends have been allowed to
see the new electric light.
There is not great deal to see.
An ordinary drop li.ht stand was
the one used to show the power aud
scope of the new invention to
few persons who were allowed to
see the invention and judge of its
possibilities. From the center of
what would be the burner there
was a bright metal point, not
larger than the point of lead pen
Gil, projecting about the surround
ing parts half an inch. When all
was ready this suddenly became
the center of a light. 1t was per-
feet. There was none of the glare
of the calcium light. Yet much of
its whiteness. Nothing was un-
pleasant to the eyes. 1t was simp-
ly a clear, cold, white light, and
one that enabled one to distinguish
the smallest objects. This one
point had the power of six gas
burners of the ordinary tishtail |
size. The ease and simplicity with
which it was managed was wonder
tul. 1t could be turned down until
it was not larger than the head of
IA pin, and turned on then to its
fullest capacity. Mr.. Edison says
the advantages of his light, over
any now in use, are numerous. 1t
is cheaper by one-half than any il
Eliminating agent now in use.
There Is only one-tenih of the
heat generated by gas with the
same ight-giving power. There
can be no Hickering, and the nau-
seous smell caused by escaping gas
will Oe known no more when the
electric light is used. Wind does
not effect it in the least. The fiercest
that ever ragged could not
put out the tiny point which was
barely visible that night at Menlo
Park.
1t is absolutely safe. AS there is
within neither fame nor blaze,
there can be no smoke. AS has
been stated, the electric light can
be regulated as easily as the gas
light now in use. No matches are /
needed to light it. A touch at a
knob like that of the electric bell ,
used in hotels, and the thing is I
lone. The light is extinguished
and toned by cutoff not unlike
that used by telegraphic operators +
Oh their instruments.
The electricity used is generated /
BY an eighty horse power steam en- 7
sine. The process by which it is r
Produced is the most valuable part q
If Mr.. EdiSon'S secret, and is very ;
;los, ly guarded. No acid nor any h
If the means by which electricity a.
s produced are used in the Edison :,
Datent. Il
The method of its generation is +
,art of the invention. All that Il
.ould be seen at Menlo Park was a
be steam engine referred to slowly -
u motion. !,
As to when it will be ready for :
PRACTICAL and general use it is not +
asy to say, but some time during y
be coming year will doubtless wit ;,
Tess its successful application. |,
If the electric light is adopted, =
of the gas companies g
iill not have to be thrown away "
The wires conducting !,
he electricity can be laid in the
as-pipes, and chandeliers will only
eed to have the burners screwed
II and wires inserted to be still
valuable. If new apparatus is C
eeded, it will cost about one third k
s much as the present arrange D
lents for gas do now. a
Mr.. Edison expects to have his 0
ateuts all taken out by the first of ?
ext January, and then he will o
hrow his shop open to the scienti 81
C visitors from all quarters. He e.
as organized company in New
.ork for the purpose of lighting
he city and as soon as possible G,
ill introduce his new invention in h
D all the cities of Europe and I'll
.merica. az
A very large English banking u
ouse has offered him E200,0 900 tor tu
ne right in London, with a very
andsOme salary for putting mp the
pcessary works. The offer is hell pi
nder consideration. III
If his invention does what is ex- c;l
scted from it, Mr.. Edison certain he
has made one OF the greatest dis
,verics of the century.