Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-10-24
Mr.. Edlson's Perfected Electric Car sys

tenn.
Mr.. Thomas A. Edison, the electrical
wizard, has for several years been di-
recting his incompatible inventive FAC
ulty to the problem of rapid street car
propulsion without overhead wires or
storage batteries, and, according 10 re-
cent outgivings, with decided success.
In the earliest electric street railway
operated between Baltimore and a
suburban village-the trolley was not
used except at street crossings. The
motor car was propelled by current
'picked up" from conductor placed
between the two tracks. Very good
speed was obtained. This pioneer line,
however, came to grief financially.
There was not travel enough between the
termini to justify an expensive plant
and the third track" or conductor for
the outgoing current, was a source OF
danger TO horses and pedestrians unless
carefully protected. In crowded streets
the third-track system has been consider
ed impracticable, and the trolley and
storage-battery systems have been en-
ployed instead. But these systems
both have their disadvantages. The
trolley system, with its poles obstruct-
ing the streets and dangerous overhead
wire, is tolerated only for the want OF
something better. The storage bat
teries are found to be excessively ex-
pensive. Mr.. Edison's invention is
credited with she merit of propelling a
car rapidly without the third track,
tide overhead wire or the heavy storage
battery.
The new device passes the electric
| current down one line of rails and up
! the other, using current OF such low
voltage, or pressure, that it will not
readily escape through the ground from
one rail to the other, but will complete
| its circuit by passing through the motor
uder the car. The disposition OF cur
rent to escape from an adequate metallic
conductor is in proportion to its in
tensity. A current OF low Intensity
needs but little insulation compared
with one Of high intensity. Snow, mud
| or dry dirt between tracks would disSi-
| pate a current Of high voltage, while
one of low voltage would keep to the
metallic circuit provided for it. Mr..
| Edison uses a current Of voltage Of
! but 100, while the average voltage OF
overhead trolly system is over 500. The
theorist would assume that there must
inevitably be great aud fatal loss of cur
rent on long line under ordinary con-
/ ditions. His view is refuted, it is stated,
| BY the fact that there Is not. Mr.. Edi-
son sends out his current from his power
house along one track and makes it pass
through the motor of his car to get to
/ the other car, and does this, il is report
ed, with material loss of current, and,
what is very much TO the point, he sec
ures high speed. A remarkable feat
ure Of his invention is in the "pick up"
that takes the current from one line of
rails. Ii Is credited with the power Of
| doing its work satisfactorily through six
inches Of water, SluSh or mud. The low
voltage precludeS, it is stated, the idea
of danger to animals or person whose
bodies may happens to form part OF a
line connecting che two rails.
The invention, it is affirmed, has
passed out Of the experimental stage,
and is now to be adapted to practical.
work. 1t has been for some time on
trial on track built for it at West
Orange, where Mr.. Edisoa's laboratory
is situated. This track is believed TO
present III tue Sonu'tiOuS va use vi
part of 1t there is grade Of 800 feet to
the mile. There are sharp curves, and
at one place it traverses a depression
| which represents swampy ground. The
new system is found to meet all the
difficulties here presented to it with
perfect success. A related discovery is
a device for securing q speed OF 100
miles an hour by means Of electricity on
an ordinary steal railway. Its nature
is not disclosed. The public will hope
that both discoveries will soon emerge
fully from the laboratory into the field
| of practical use.