New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-11-16
NO MORE GAS VARS.
GAS AND ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANIES COMBINING
NEW DEVELOPMENTS SHOW THEM NOT TO Bf
Dtv.f rNTrppsTe


NEW DEVELOPMENTS SHOW THEM NOT TO BE
RIVAL TNTEREsTs.
Those who have heretofore entertained any doubts
regarding the ultimate success OF electric lighting az
solid business industry, and the important position
which its advocates have always claimed IL womu
yet command in the commercial sense, have at ast
become convinced that their scepticism upon this
subject has been founded.
The enormous increase in the use OF the arc Dgnt
during the last year exciting considerable attention
in commercial circles. A somewhat significant ana
startling feature in tho business Is the fact that tho
moro advanced and progressive gas managers are
waking up to the importance Of the great stfhes no"
being made in the electric arc light field. and arc
now generally accepting tho theories which have for
the last four or five years been so sticnuousy ad-
vocated by Mr. Edwards H. GoG, the founder OF the
American system OF electric lighting, viz: that the
genuine interests OF the gas and electric light com
uanes we're Identical that they shond work tosother
as allies instead Of opposing each other as common
enemies
one OF the strong points which Mr. Con has al
WAYS made in his arguments is that increased use OF
the electric light would invariably cause increased
consumption of gas, particularly where the electric
light was used for street illumination Mr.. CONS
ideas upon this did not at first meet with any favor
whatever with tho gas or electric light companies.
outside of his own. and we're generally opposed ana
secuted. whenever discussed until during the last few
taken place in the minds OF the eas people, ana now
many Of the gas companies are adopting inc eiectc
light themselves for street lighting, ana nearly an Vi
The companies seriously considering the Wattt.
From a recent circular issued by the american
Electric Manufacturing Company, OF which Mr. Con
is president 1t is discovered that Two wealthy gas
companies have rot only aOpteh me american ei,ost'
light operate in connection with their gas pldnts'
but have actually become general agents for the
American company in selling its apparatus. inc
companies alluded to are the ST fa1l Gas oolnpanS
iaclsonvillr Florida. Mr. Gof certainly ought to
feel that although his advanced ideas upon TINS sun
Get did not for long time meet with any iaNOr'
the general adoption Of them nov by the gas com
ian sound and business like Is ample compcusa
ton his fidelity to the subject. especially a. IL j.
altogether lkoy that the gas interests Of the country
will naturally look to the originator OF THIS pan Vi
business their material and loyal any -, -.
Several other gas companies IN different paris OF
the country are already adopting the American sys
TEN of electric lighting. Among the more important
recent contracts OF this kind l. that made rev days
ago with the Suburban Light and Power company
OF Boston, composed OF gentlemen in the manage
mcnt OF the Briokne Gas Light Company, through
the president DR.. Robert Amory, and treasurer Mr.
Messrs sovdon Elder & Wright OF Boston. New
England AGENTS Of the American Electric Manuact-
system of electric lighting, and for the construction
Of complete wire and pole lines extending throusn
BroOkline, Brighton and AilstOn. The contract thus
awarded il o strong Endorsement of the American
system, inasmnch i the decision was az we are
informed. arrived at only after several months de-
voted to examinations and tests Of tho various sys
OF Or. Amory and Messrs. Lawrence and Hotter;
the latter Of the eminent and well. known firm OF
largest single contract for electrical apparatus and
construction work made in New England, as the
a very extensive scale. the RIGHTS Of way already
obta ned in Brighton and AfstOn permitting the
erect on Of 700 poles. and the complete circuits VIII
require some Is miles Of copper wire. This change
OF front the part OF the gas companies IS very
significant. and 1t certainly places the electric light
in commercial position equal to that OF the gas
companies.