New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-08-29
PROGRESS IN STREET LIGHTING.

THE AMERICAN AND EDISON SYSTEMS TO b. con-
BISED ~ TIE STREETS OF PORTLAND, MR.-To-
tai RETIREMENT OF GAS AND NAPHriA.
The use of the arc light as an economical
method Of illuminating streets has been matter OF
much discussion In places the adoption OF low
posts and consequently many lamps TO tho mile. has
very naturally resulted the impression that the sys
TEN was entirely too expensive for general municipal
USE In other localities. where better unders andng
OF successful conditions has guided the construction,
fail poles carefully placed have proved efficient aud
generally n matter of absolute necessity after once
being tried Are Hight managers have however, felt the
uraent need OF a smaller electric lamp, which
would sufficiently light alleys parsely settled neishbor-
hoods and residence districts where owbranching trees
tho streets made the economical diffusion Of
lht from arc circuits question Of extreme difficulty
Portland Ne has this week aken steps toward solving
this probem I'm way which promises to be perfectly
satisfactory On Thursday papers were signed ut the
office OF the American Electric Manufacturing Company
I'm this city, by which the city OF Portland represented
by Edward Noycs, esq, chairman OF the street Light
inc Committee contracts with the Consolidated Electric
I,ght Company OF Portland, operating the American
SYSTEM through its treasurer and general manager,
Frank A. sawyer for the use OF about $50 Edison
municipal" lamps, OF such power urom 10
to 80 candlcs and so located us may be
mutually agreed. 1t has been apparent
IN ali recent visitors TO Portland that great change has
taen placc in the matter Of street lighting during the
sast Two years The principal thoroughfaros and largo
rss not previously provided for have been brought al
most from state prmoval darkness TO one OF brilliant
and satisfactory illumination 10 inc system OF Ioo arc
which la already accomplished much 20 arc aud
Observation-Disclosures are be added aud will enable the city
10 discard every gas-burner and naphtha lamp and at
nr,re mutually satisfactory to both parties The former
nmcthod which did not by any means cover the
whole territory required 4Gs gas aud l25 naphtha
noss The Board Aldermen authorizing this radical
Change can hardly be said to be down OH the gas
company" two-tths OF the stock OF tho corporation
ia owned py the city. Every effort has apparently been
made by the gas officials TO prove the electric system
too expensive for permanent use
Thl combined system OF and ilcandcscent lamps.
operaed from the steam plant, VIII also Illustrate
pother important OF the policy Of the American
company In the organization of AN ncandescent depart
men and their compact with the Edison company, thus
combining two standard methods OF electric lighting
me ..munictpal system" called recently devised by
Mr. Tdson has not heretofore been illustrated OH "A
eommercia scale. but IL one OF tho most flexible now
offered 10 tho public the current Is carried by small
wires over long distances and the lighting OF streets by
small lamps in thus easily secured regulated and
controlled rs with the system No labor OF attend
ance is required. with the exception Oh occasional re-
nlacement OF exhausted lamps.
The American Electric Manufacturing Company have
the contract for the installation OF TINS sstcn winch Is
TO be In running order by OCTOBER l.