The New York herald., 1879-12-25
EDISON'S LIGHT.

SUCCESSFUL EXHIBITION AT MENEo PARK
LAST NIGHT-rHE cAPABILITY OF THE ELEc-
TRIO CURRENTS SUBDIVISION ESTABLISHED
BEYOND A DOUBT.
According to arrangement q number Of gentle
men met in the laboratory of Thomas A. Edison
st Menlo Park. last night. for the purpose OF
Witnessing the practical working OF the per-
fected electric light. Ex-Judge A. B. Fisher
representing extensive gas interests. G. II. Pond.
superintendent of the Union Fire Alarm Telegraph
Company; Alvan Tenney. secretary. and William H.
Dykeman. of Orange. N. j. were present. The in
ventor devoted two hours and half to exhaustive
exhibit and explanation of the marvellous electric
apparatus which brought into play during
the evening. Wires leading from the generator
in the laboratory connected with and illuminated
. number Of the adjacent residences. and two
street lamps in front of the inventors ofhce
threw out bright light Mr.. Edison first
proved that the electric current h capable OF
subdivision. He then showed his visitors the
two main electric conductors which furnished
light for the entire laboratory Afterward he
hung . number of lamps side by side. each ons
giving out an equal light, and not the slightest
variation in the light of the other lamps was noticed
Light after light attached until the illuminating
power Of the conductors seemed unlimited and then
the gentlemen declared themselves more than salts
fed that subdivision OF the electric current had been
ACCOMPLISHED.
Mr.. Edison next gave an elaborate illustration Of
the manufacture OF the various parts of the lamp
and the manner In which the vacuum in the glass
bulb s attained The generator. in full operation.
also viewed. and the inventor explained it, In
tricste workings.
device for weighing actual platform scale
the power employed in the OF generating
examined, after which the visitors were treated to
Q view of Mr. Edison's electric motor designed for
running sewing machines aud other light machinery
In private dwellings, The uses OF number OF other
scientific apparatus were explained. The inventor
practical demonstration on the spot. At late hour
the party returned to New York.
GAS MANUFACTURERS DO NOT BELIEVE TT PRACs
TIcABLE FOR DOMESTIC USE.
Mr.. A. NJ Smith. the superintendent of the Man-
haitian Gas Works. at the foot of Eighteenth street.
North River. said yesterday to o HERALD reporter:-
"While we admit that the electric light Ii well
adapted for the illumination Of largo spaces. public
squares. factories and the like do not believe IL
is practicable for domestic use. We experimental
here with electric apparatus cost about 5000 to
test the expense, power and capabilities OF electric
lighting. and 1t failed to satisfy that 1t %
very formidable Q competitor Of gas. circuit OF
1000 feet constructed having lamp on either
side and at the end Of the loop. the cur
rent Of electricity meeting at the generator.
Whenever anything happened to one nght-the dis
arrangement Of the carbons. or some other csuse-
all three lights went out. Then again. when the car.
bons burned more to one side than the other there
was a very perceptible diminution Of the light on
the other side from whence the greater burning pre-
vailed. 1t found, also. thar there was con-
stantly varying power in the light, at ono time
rising high fifteen hundred and then falling od
to three hundred candle power. 70 run two Of
these lights for twelve hours required twelve horss
psnditure Of two thousand pounds OF coal. The an
gne for exhausters is usually run at about
twenty five revolutions minute. but when employed
in connection with electric machine nine hundred
revolutions minute are required. which involves
good deal of and tear in machinery. With two
| gas burners Of 100 candle power We get ~ much
| light the minimum OF the electric burners. The
| trouble about household lighting by electricity
would be in regulating the supply for each DWELL
electric machine might be stationed would have the
advantage of houses further away, though 1t IL to
be supposed varying coils OF resistance would be
introduced to regulate the supply; yet then.
subtle fluid is electricity, that long continued exper
ments would be necessary to furnish houses with
| uniform quality Of light, and the whole don't
| think it Is practicable.
| GAS STOCKS.
| At the Merchants Exchange Salesroom yesterday
one OF the auctioneers sold schedule OF stocks and
other securities In the list were stocks OF four
companies. The recent publication Of MIR. Edison's
would have effect upon the sale and the specus
lators who usually attend these sales natura ~
The auctoneer offered hfty shares Manhattan Gas
Companys stock, and after cautious bidding they
sold ut l3S per cent, against l43 Il per cent.
| Fifty shares of the New York Gaslight Com.
pany. 500 shares OF the Peoples of Brooklyn and
200 shares OF the Brooklyn Gaslight Company were
offered but bids made and they were with
drawn. BY some this was accepted ~ an evidence
that Edison's discoveries are likely to seriously
affect the business of lighting by gas. Indeed. it
would appear that this conclusion is well founded
when 1t il stated that there has always been de-
about six months ago. when the announcement was
made in the press of tho country that Edison would
do just what it is claimed he has accomplished.
the sales OF the leading gas stocks showed decline
OF from two to five per cent only