The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-13

The Electric Railway company which is
asking the privilege OF constructing n line
from tho northern extremity of Third
street, over other streets and out TO jack
son Mound park, is quite in earnest for
the project. As published in The APPEAL
few days since, the capital stock neces.
sary TO the construction OF the road is as
sured. The president Of the company,
Mr.. Holmes Cummins, has visited every
city in the country which is using the
electric railways and, in yesterdays Scim.
itdr, has this to say OF his observations
81 have examined n number OF different
street railway lines using electric motive
power and looked into the merits Of var
ious patents 80 as TO form some idea Of
their relative value and efficiency. have
examined the system using the surface
third rail conductor rs well as those using
tho overhead cable conductor. | was
agreeably disappointed with regard 10
overhead cables, finding them far less un-
slightly than ! had expected. They not
only do not disigure streets, but are not
in the way OF other street uses, such as
fires, rs the telephone and telegraph wires
are. The use OF electricity has gone 10
far in this way as 10 enable the currents
90 be passed over the cable with perfect
safety as 10 contact Herewith. / have
seen employees take overhead conductor
wires in their hands disconnect the cans
from the cable, touching tho wires over
which the current was passing with no
moro trouble or danger than would follow
from contact with a rope or Irvine string.
have seen those cars go up long grades
Of over eight feet 10 the hundred, with
case and speed OF fully
POUR MILES AN HOUR,
and have seen them attain on q level
track a speed OF fifteen or more miles an
hour. Wherever have been, city officials.
| fire and police authorities, rs well a. bust
ness men and residents along the line OF
roadway and all, speak IN the highest
terms Of these motors and prefer II. This
is notably true In Lima, Mansfield, De-
troit, Appleton, in all OF which the over
head cable is used. My information Is
that long lines are being put in at Dayton
and Columbus, o., and nj Pitisburg.
Montgomery. Ala, has already fifteen
miles Of such railway in successful opera
ton.
ain Baltimore line has been In success.
| ful operation for two years and Is being ex-
tended and enlarged, and lis owners are
| arranging for n change from the surface
rail system 10 the overhead conductor
method
"what do you purpose doing here?"
"If the Jackson Mound Railroad com.
pany is granted the right Of way over Third
and other streets, we will put In the cleo.
trio motor aud give the people
THE sEATEsr ASD MOST RAPID TRANSIT
they ever had"
GLOW DO they work. Arc they easily
'fhey can be stopped a. easily rs n mule
car. A move OF the hand shuts of the
electric current, and the brake system |,
the same ~ on the horse cans"
"IIow many men does Il take TO run .
CARP
"0nly one"
President Hadden was asked by m
ArPEAL representative what he thought O
the proposition OF the company, and Ne
Piled, THE matter has not properly com,
before the Legislative Council yet. W,
were 10 have had meeting this afternoon
but could get no quorum. The meeting
will be held Saturday, l suppose, u thu
members come in. have been reading
over the papers, IA presented by the com
pany, this afternoon. will not iorecas
what my action will be IN regard 10 them
but see they tell us that they are quit,
willing 10 take committee OF the council
10 any or several OF the cities where tn
electric railways are In operation, for US q
observe and satisfy ourselves as 10 tlici
efficiency and practioabiliiy. Now an
always In for a free ride. But seriously
think | should like 10 see this new system
at actual work before / entere'
into contract with II, 70
, the Taxing District. ! would like 10 se
those electric cars running M smoothl
and grandly as Is claimed during thun
der storm, or where the electricity Is on
tear from the heavens, ~ II were. Yes
indeed, want 10 see this company, an
,, every other new-ianglcd thing. In opera
, ton, II II will be 10 the material interest q
the city, and subscrye the needs OF III
people. They tell me that the overhca
, electric system, as proposed by our Men
, phis capitalists, Is 70 be seen In most su,
. ceSiul operation in Los Angeles, Ca
4 How j have longcd 10 90 10 Los Angelo
in mid-winter. This company Is ccrtainl
liberal; 10 Los Angeles they shall take IN
, and the committee. But you are talkin
: business wait and SEQ what the counc
Y | has 10 saw nj ia naxt moQtinu about iii