The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-08-23
HE COMING CAR MOTOR.
ELECTRICITY TO DO AWAY WITH
HORSES AND MULES.

Its Advantages over AAulS q
A Step Toward Cheaper Fares
The Electric Railways North.
Col. J. II. Estill has just returned from
two weeks trip north. He witnessed the
cunching of the Kansas City at Chester,
nd his tour further north began there.
As president of the Savannah Investment
company, which owns the Belt Line street
ailway. Col. Estill made it a special point
visit those cities where the best systems
electric railway are in operation, aud
fake an examination of their work
,gs. Among the systems which he ex-
mined were those at Boston, and the
lynn Mass and the Asbury Park IN. j.
ALWAYS. From his observation Of
he operations of the railways by
lectrical appliances the electric motor
beyond all question success,
nd he believes that it will ultimately SUI
ersede the present system of operating
breet railways. 50 impressed is he with
he progress of electric motors applied to
ailway service that he believes that in ten
ears no city with 10000 Inhabitants even
Fill have horse car system.
THE COMING MOTIVE POWER.
The motive power then will be electricity
7 some OItleI sdIt ana ttDtulllthl power.
he electric motor system by which power
transmitted by wires from stationary
liant to motors in cars, Col. Estill says,
would be introduced even much more rapidly
han is now being done. We're it not for the
act that street railway companies hope
hat the storage battery system will be in
rroved so as to make it economical, easily
managed aud positive in its results. Street
ailway men do not want TO waste money
N an expensive plant costing about as much
IS the first cost of building and equipping "A
Iorse car road, and then have to throw it
,wav in few wears for a better system.
Col Estill was asked what he thought of
.dopting the electric system on the Belt
line railway. He said that it was the
original intention TO adopt electricity or
ONE other than horse power, and the road
vas built with that in view.
ut is not saying too much he added,
'when | claim that there Is no better built
treet railroad in the country than the Belt
Line. IL is laid with fifty pound steel rails
IN cypress crossties and stringers, and
IAN stand a twenty ton locomotive.
THE BELT LINE MAY TRY IT.
"Do the Belt Line people want the new
ystem"
II don't think there have been two con-
ecutive meetings Of the board of directors
u the investment company Hltltb lut COLI
,any was organized, that the subject of
ome new motive power has not been dis
russed. In car motor there is something
more than propelliug power required. Tee
motor should not only be able to move the
Ear, but do it promptly. Another requis-
tie is to stop the car promptly. 1t will
De readily understood how necessary il is
,hat motor should combine
these two features Every passenger
represents two stoppages, to say nothing of
the stopping of the car from
other causes The electric motor so far is
The only power yet discovered that COM
bines these important features.
What about the danger from the break
ng of the wiresF
LITTLE DANGER FROM THE WIRES.
"a year or so ago n setback was given to
the introduction Of electric motors on rail-
way cars by the usual mishap incident to
every new invention. People were afraid
Of the wires falling, and the
electric current killing them. In Montgom-
cry, Ala, the governor of the state came
very near being killed by coming in contact
with an electric railway wire. The voltage
however, ON electric roads has never been
as high as that necessary in the arc system
of electric lighting. Two companies man
ufacturing electric motors claim that
the voltage or strength of the
electric current necessary TO drive
the cars at any speed at which it would be
safe to run in a city or its suburbs. say SIX
to twenty miles an hour, is SO small that
the current l. absolutely not dangerous
Those who have given the matter a careful
investigation appear to be satisfied that
there is no danger to the public from the
overhead wires necessary i'll the electric
railway system. In fact, wherever the
electric railway system has been partially
introduced the people are demanding the
extension of the system.
THE BOSTON SYSTEMS.
''The consolidated street railways Of Bos-
ton are putting on electric motor cars as
fast as The shops can manufacture the ma
chinery. That city will require LOCO cars,
and the company has issued 81 800, 600 stock
to cover the new outlay. Parties who are
interested in electric light and power mat
tiers appear to have faith in their invest
ment. One company alone, the Thomson
Houston Company of Boston, employs . 1000
men in its works, and they are the most in
telhgsnt and finest looking set of men ever
saw gathered together under one roof. OF
course electric motors are but small part of
the business of this company. 1t makes
anything in which electricity is an ingredi-
emit
AT Lynn, Mass, there is an electric rail
way which has TO climb up inclines as steep
as those which connect River street with
Bay street, but the cars go just as fast up
these steep grades as they do on a level
track. believe all electric cars do that,
however.
AT AsBURY PARK.
Sat Asbury Park, n. j., the cars
are operated by the Daft motor
It works equally as well as
that of the Thomson Houston company.
the superintendent OF the railway company
said that we're the road horse railroad il
could not ran month. 1t is patronizsd
because the cars run rapidly and because
there are no horses to kick up the dust. Ii
is quick transit for business purposes and
quick pleasure riding for pleasure seekers.
People like to 60 fast, but not when horses
or mules have to be whipped every
minute TO keep up the speed
Electricity, like steam, never tires
] am very strongly in favor of the electric
railway. II the plant and equipment could
be put in here at reasonable figure ]
should advise that the change be made as
soon as 1t could be done. As it is, think il
better to wait. Electricity, or more prop
erly its proper application and control, is
yet new. Time will doubtless bring great
Improvements, and then what we now nave
IN the way of motors will be looked
upon very much as we look at al
old flint and steel musket. 1 certainly
shall not favor the change at the figures
given by the electric companies. 1t would
be simply working for the electric plant
manufacturers.
CHEAPER FARES WANTED.
There is one thing the public is in.
terested in" Col. EStill said, land that is