The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-10-24
THE ELECTRIC LIGHT.

AprOpoS or the interest cenleFlng ABOUT
the lighting of Rock Island by means of
electricity, the following from the Chicago
Herald will be generally read:
That the system of illuminating towns
and cities, as well as solitary edifices, by
the electric light, is destined to supersede
the use of gas, no one can doubt, it having
been demonstrated that electricity is
cheaper than it's rival, while its superiority
as an illuminator has been fully establish
ed. But communities hesitate between the
various methods presented. Some advo-
Gates of electric lighting would utilize the
existing lamp-posts, running the wire over
or under ground. Others again prefer a
system by which city is supplied with
light from the summit of one or more very
high asts or tow. rs. The Gus sys-
TENS that employ the first method are
pretty well known; the Use of masts or
towers is not so generally understood
The best method for Illuminating large
areas at the least expense is point on
which there has been much difference of
opinion, but there are not wanting indica-
lions that the tower plan will ultimately
find most favor. The basis of this system
is that light to be properly diffused, must
be at an elevation regulated by the area to
Tubular iron by the Elgin Tubular Iron
Tower Company of which J. S. Adams,
who invented the tower, is the presi-
dent. It is claimed that their use gives
the most economical and satisfactory re-
suits yet attained, and they have been
ordered in several places. Indianapolis
is about to adopt the system, at cost
of $50, 900 per annum, against S62,OO0
paid for gas, thus getting better light
and saving of $12 600, or more than nine
teen and one third per cent; at Rock Isl
and ten towers, each 125 feet high, are to
be erected; one is to be supplied at Pull
man; five towers, each $50 feet high, will
supply the electric light to Fond du Lac,
Wis; the system is in use at Aurora,
at Fairfield, Iowa the town is well lighted
by one tower, 175 feet high, placed in
public square; six towers, 250 feet IN
height, are being erected at Evansville,
Ind, at street intersections; Cleveland.
Ohio, where three masts are now used, has
ordered two Elgin towers of $50 feet high;
Minneapolis, Mimi, is about to use
mast; at Denver tower, 1853 feet high,
is in use, and is said to meet all expecta-
tions; Fargo, Dakota Territory, one is in
use the light from which is described by
local paper as visible twenty miles away,
and so bright that at mile or Whereabouts
from the tower it is easy to read the time
from a watch; at Topeka. Kan, six towers
are being erected, while Mount Pleasant,
Iowa, Nashville, Tenn, Terre Haute and
Lafayette, Ind, Lacrosse, Wis, and Rock
ford. H., are about to erect them.
As between the towers and the masts,
the former are said to be not only less
costly, but more durable. They also pre-
sent better appearance The battle of
the light is of course, not yet over; each
system of lighting has its earnest advocates.
who work with will to secure its general
adoption. But the evidence in favor of
the towers seems to prependerate, and it
appears probable that they will come into
general use wherever local circumstances
permit their introduction.