National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-03-05
r,,EcTRIerrY VERSUS GAS.
s,,n,, Edison Proposes 10 Do-An Elec-
,,;caI Assault ON the Capitol.

Mr. Charles I. Jacobsen, OF New 1 ork,
--.sortipp the Edison Electric Light Com
- having arrived in Washington, THE REPuB-
I'm Immediately proceeded to pin him
- corner and extract from him any
-ov of light that might illuminate
r,iiact now buried every moonieSs msht
:; the darkness of Washington gaSllght, VIZ the
decent illumination of the city. Mr.. JACOBSEN was
"o,nered at the Arlington Hotel, and, although
Inonifesting considerable reluctance TO be inter
1-iayed. at length was persuaded 10 answer Few
oro.tions. Aftersome talk, Mr. Jacobsen said:
sFxpcrience has shown that the electric light
mus he distributed throughout the space 10 DC
1iltad in the same manner that gas Is now other-
wise the brightests lights will be mingled with the
dansest shadows, binding and confusing every
bodv The efforts Of Professor Edison OF iate ha'e
haen mainly directed toward suDdlVldlLs TIC
electric light and to overcome the constant nlcAei
inc as we'll as the blue and ghastly effects, pro-
dnred wherever the light has hltherto pesn
sdonted. and to obtain pure, so1t, Whlte' auu
stcady light of the highest Illuminating power
fiat is pleasant and agreeable for praeticaI use
.You think he has ct last succeeded"
I'VE are now prepared to prove that all these re-
suits have been attained, and exhibit our system
:, successful operation at Menlo Park. We are
eIrtber prepared to enter into contract to light
Tho entire Capitol and grounds thoroughly and
SATISFACTORILY with the same fixtures now used for
gas" al. e.
"Isit a part of your schema to furnish light for
private parties"
Yves We propose 10 abolish the reign Of gas.
In fact. GAS was doomed when the first successful
experiment was made with the electric light. 1t
was only a question of time. Weare now prepared
70 offer superior light to gas. without any heat or
smoke, and much cheaper. We viii lay wire
4 - FSr wnl M
that desires the electric light. We take off the
rsent gas buraer and put on the electric burner,
which is not much larger, or We leave the old
burner and put our burner below to give people a
chance 10 compare the two. The burner will be
inexrensiye, and it is likely VIII be furnished
free Of charge. .
ANY danger about using the electric hght?'
Absolutely none" --
% How do you light it,"
we have q little lever near the burner. Moved
one way it turns of the light; moved another way
if lights it. We shall have it of all degrees OF
strength, from FIVE candle power upward. Weshall
if our proposition be accepted, establish six or
eight stations each three-quarters of mile square,
which VIII supply 15,eoo lights each. We shall
graduate the amount Of light used by q phOtometeI
regulated and indicated by electricity, thus afford
ing an infaIlible means of telling how much cleo
tricity Is Us d. In addition to this, we propose to
supply both heat and power with the same wire
BY which we furnish light"
SAY that over again." said The REPUBLICAN,
prickng up its ears.
We propose to furnish light, heat, and power
with The same wire at a far less cost than these
powers are now furnished We will light hotel,
for example run its elevator furnish the heat for
lis cooking and washing, warm its whole interior,
all with the same wire
In other words, you mean to drive steam, gas,
and coal ont of the MARKET"
THAT is lust what we shall do. It sounds ex-
traragant of course, at the present time to say
say this; but those VINO have studied the mysteri-
Gus subject Of electricity know that snch claim
can be established. And We, who have seen this
claim substantiated by almost countless expert
ments, are ready TO establish it." -.-..
And the cost of ali this?" asked The REPUBLI-
CAN.
"Wfll be much less very much less, than by the
present system. And besides, we put out Of sight
forever ali danger from explosion, all annoyance
from soot ashes, smoke dirt. Everything will be
clean, safe, and cheap, compared with the present
system"
SIS Professor Edison in good health, or is he
likely to break down under this great labor before
him?"
mo: he is in perfect health, Notwithstanding
he has done the work Of half century il few
wears and no one can comprehend what a vaSi
field he has opened until they read that over $500,
100000 are invested in gas companies in Europe
and America alone"
Is it so that Mr.. Edison is at present laying
wires III New York city for the electric Eght?"
"Yes sir; in a very short time al the streets and
buildings below Fulton street will be ready to
light"