The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-10-04
ARISTOCRATIC LIGHT
It's Shjmmering Brightness Gives
to the World Day When
Night Grapes the Sky.
Interesting Statistics As to the
Wonderful Progress in Elec-
trio Lighting ana Power
Appliances.

The Athens, Tenn, Wooden Mills CON
template pu ting in electric light ma
chinery.
The Aberdeen, Miss, Electric Light
company is to increase its engine ca
pacity.
Gas companies are taking up the
electric light in many cities, and in this
they are wise, says the Electrical Review.
The Kenton Electric Light company
have asked for a permit to erect an
electric light plant in CovingtOn, Ky.
A LyLchburg, Va, papsr says the
street railroad company there have about
determined to adopt an electric system.
1t is stated that an electric light plant
is to be added to the works of the
Greensboro, N. c., Gas company, bought
recently by Baltimore parties. Mr.. H. B.
Peters is the manager.
The Thomson-Houston Electric Light
company, Of Boston, has been awarded
the contract by the Kansas City ExpOsi-
ton company for an electric light plant,
Price, $4,000.
The Spanish government has refused to
alter the date fixed for the compulsory
introduction of the electric light in the
Madrid theaters, and no place of enter
tainment will be allowed to open this au.
tumn unless lit by electricity. The ma
jority of the theatrical managers have,
however, already complied with the min
isterlal decree.
ave first had electric lights on our
streets about four years ago." writes a
Richmond, Va, CORES pondent of an ex-
change, and goes on TO say that, "now we
have, in addition to these, company
supplying 1920 incandescent lights in
factories, stores, Offices, halls and resi-
dences, and who are increasing the capao-
ity to 5000 to accommodate subscrib srs
who have already engaged the lights. We
have thirteen miles of street railway
operated by the electric motor, and by
October l the fifteen miles of horse car
lines, and another four mile route now
being built, will be run by the same in
visible force. Electricity is b ing adopted
here for motive power to run elevators,
presses, ETC."
One of the most complete electric light
ing plants in tine cOuntryis now in opera
ton at the Union stock yards, Chicago,
usually 50 dark and forbidding. The ex-
pertinent, which has cost about $4,000,
proves to be very successful. Considera-
bic of the stock received at the yards is
unloaded at night, and the danger in I'M
loading is great. There is also good
deal OF switching and shipping done. No
part OF the yards is now in darkness.
There are seventy lights supplied by two
dynamos. Fifty-one are in use at present.
The lights are brilliant, steady and
economical. They extend from Winter
street to Ashland avenue along FOrtieth
street There is a cluster of lights upon
a 120 foot tower ia that part of the yards
where most of the work is done.
"From time TO time statistics as to the
amount of electric light apparatus in this
country have been presented to the asso
citation. At Pittsburg it was estimated
that there were no less than 1000 isolated
plants and central stations, operating
10000 arc lights and 1,750,000 mean
descent lights. To these figures we may
now add that there are 1851 new isolated
plants and central stations, operating
35,2O1 arc lights and 1872, 944 incandescent
lights, of which 1 have detaiei record.
By adding this increase to the figures of six
months ago,we find that there are nova, 1851
there are burning every night in the year
in the United States no less than 1872 800
arc lights and 1,925,000 lncandescent lights.
We may also add that there are 459,4 95
horse power of steam engines devoted to
electric lighting. Figuring this in coal
consumption, it can be demonstrated
that, in the year 1888, enough coal will be
consumed in the United States for electric
lighting purposes to make solid column
100 feet square and over mile high. 1t
may h, ere parenthetically remarked
that IT,. AS been an increase in the
capital. 7 of theelectric light com
panies r.e United States in the last six
months uot less than $42,210,10 100.
But We nave not yet touched upon the
great industry of the electrical distribu-
ton of power. There are at the present
time (of which we have record) thirty
four electric railways completed and in
operation in the United States, having an
aggregate of 1873 miles of single track,
and operating 223 motor cars, and utiliz
ing 4,1S0 horse power for stationary Gu
giues. There are also now in progress of
construction forty-nin9 other electric
railways, aggrega'ing 1879 miles of single
track, which will operate pa motor cars,
so that at the present time there are con-
structed and being constructed eighty three
electric railroads, sggregating 1927 miles
of single track and operating 467 motor
cars. In this connection it must be re-
membered that there are 80 other electric
railroads incorporated, which had not yet
begun construction. 1t is also estimated
that the electric cars now in operation in
the United States will carry in the year
1858 no less than 17,O45,5OO fares. 1t can
be better imaginde than estimated what
will be the ultimate outcome of an in
dustry which has arrived at such degree
of Development in three years."-New
York Progressive Age.