The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-07-13
ELECTRIC RAILWAYS.
Advantages OF This Mode of LocoInotion
Over Others Now Ia I.e.

Advantages OF This Mode Of LooomOti0n
Over Others Now I'm Use.
Science: The rapidity with which eIec
tic street railways have been introduced
into towns and the suburbs of cities, and
the success that has attended their intro
ductiOn, have called the attention of the
managers Of the larger city lines 10 this
method OF traction. Its advantages are
unquestionable; il is cheap, it is clean. il
gives a rapid and easy service TO the puD-
lie, the cars are more readily and safely
handled than by any other known method.
There is one legitimate objection 10 il, and
but one' and that Is the neces-
slty, except Ia special cases, Of
overhead wires 20 convey the electric
current from the power-ststion 10 the cars.
The public is preiudiced, and generally
justly preiudiced, against overhead wires.
Overhead wires mean 20 most OF us con
fused network OF telegraph, telephone and
electric liSht wires unsightly and danger
GUS But the wires used for electric rail-
roads are very different from these The
poles used 10 support them are only slightly
larger than the ordinary lamp posts they
may be made even less objectionable The
line consists Of a small span wire going
from pole 10 pole, with the conducting
wires supported by these, and extending
over the track, one small wire for each
and best equipped roads shows a marked
advance over those OF a year or q year and
8 half ago. IL expense Is not spared, the
most slightly Of the present roads can be
q small sum when . city road is TO be
equipped
There are alternative electrical methods
which do not involve an overhead struct-
ure, but they are not AZ the present time
successful enough 20 warrant their general
adoption The torage-battery system will
probably work well on level lines, but
can hardly be economically used when
grades OF per cent and over are 10 be
taken. This conduit system could possibly
be made 70 work II enough money were
spent on it-S50, coo or so, ,OOO q mils-but
80 far Il has not been a success In Boston
At San Jose, Cal, where Il has
been from time % time reported
Is successful, it has turned out a fat
failure In fact for an extended
sy stem Of stree, rail ways, the only electric
system which would be anything more
than an experiment is the overhead svstF.rn
In BOstsn two lines have been in OPERATION
for some time. and they have worked so
successfully and have seemed 30 unohiec-
tionaDle, that the board OF aldermen have
given permission 10 the West End Street
Railway company company operating
AL OF the Important street railway lines in
Boston, 20 equip their entire system with
the overhead electric wires. There can be
no doubt OF the advantage that this will be
10 the public II viii allow rapid transit
70 the suburbs, and In the crowded parts
OF the town the cars viii make much bet
Ter ume than is possible with horses theV
viii be under better control, and will take
up less space in the streets.
In fact the question Is getting 10 be, not
shall we Use electricity on our railroads.
out what system shall we adopt? Shall
we use the overhead, or shall we wait FOR q
storage oatteTy2 IL is probable that many
OF the managers will decide to put In fbs
overhead system until the secondary bat
terry Is ready 70 take its place. The loss
years successful operation will more than
pay for the change The equipment Of the
Boston roads-f they are equipped-Will
i give decided impulse in this direction.