Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-15
NEW FIELDS FOR 1T.
The Westinghouse Co. Going Into the
Electric Road Business.
ITS CAPACITY TO BE INCREASED.
A Sturdy Competitor for the Edison and
Thomson-H Houston Trust.
NOT ENOUGH PLANTS IN THE COUNTRY

1t was stated mere than year ago in THE
DISPATCH, but vigorously denied at the
time, that the Westinghouse Electric Com
pany was planning to go into the street rail-
way business. The plans are about to be
materialized, and in a short time another in
dustry will be added to Pittsburg's big list.
Just what the plans of the company are,
even the highest officials are not at liberty
to say, and the particular reason why the
company will begin operations at once is
not known. Whether, too, new company
will be organized for the purpose, or how
much the capital stock of the present COM
pany will be increased, are questions which
have not been determined.
"This much you can say," said high
official of the electric company yesterday;
there is more money in the railway bust
ness than in any other branch of the elec-
trio industry. The demand for electric ap-
pliances for street roads is enormous, and
the production does not begin to equal it.
There are practically only two companies,
the Sprague and Thomson Houston, in the
business.
TO BEGIN AT ONCE.
eve will begin to make the motors at
once. To do this our capacity will have to
be increased. Whether or no we will make
the appliances at the works in Newark, or
here, or build new plant at Wilmerding. has
not been determined. but in anv case Plttsburg
VIII be Denehted, and We will give employment
to large number of additional men,"
But the supposition is general" ventured
the interviewer, that the Thomson H Houston
and Sprague Companies have combined with q
capital stock of S5O,0OO0O0. Wouldn't it take
some cash to fight SO much money!"
"Oh. no, he replied. "You know d flea can
worry an elephant; besides am not sure that
these companies have joined their forces.''
Inc TACT remains, however that the Edison
and Ihomson-Houston COMPANIES have COM
hined with the capitalization already given
Inc combination was effected more on account
OF The railway feature than the light business
me Edison Company controls the Sprague
patents, and the Thomson Houston Company
has its own patents. These are the only two
companies IN the electric road business, and
they found they often ran counter to each
otner. ener. 10 avoid Jangling the big trust was
formed, and it is now definitely known that the
estlnghouse Company was never even asked
to JOIN.
PLEASED WITH THE OUTLOOK.
The officials of the latter concern are pleased
with the outlook. The trust leaves them only
one firm to fight rather than two. and the Pitts
burg people feel sure they hold the key to the
situation. This Is the principal reason why the
local company is going into the railway busi-
ness SO promptly, There is no time TO lose,
and the demand 70. a storage battery, neces-
sarily doing away with the overhead wires, is
on the increase The Westinghouse Company
has throughly tested the Tesla motor, and it
is satisfied.
Mr.. George Westinghouse Jr., has been in the
city for a week or more making his arrange
ments At one time 1t was thought car estab-
Isnment would be built but the probabilities
are that some of the existing carmakers will
get the contracts The Westinghouse Com
pany will furnish the electric appliances only,
and as 1t doesn't cost much to make motor or
put down rails in a city, the prospect is that
in the near future even small towns will boast
of their electric roads. Within a year the
boom IN the business has been unprecedented,