The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1892-10-01
SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY.
SOME RECENT INVENTIONS AND
DISCOVERIES.
The Advantages OF Compressed Air
for Street Car ProDuision--The
Latest Novelty--An Inn
proved Device for -.e
e Microscopic
Study.
The Advantages OF Compressed Air
for Street Car Propulsion.

The Advantages Of Compressed Air
for Street Car Propulsion.
In view of the objections to the ov-
erhead electric system for propulsion
of cars on surface roads in cities, the
annoyance from tearing up streets
and the cost Of plant and maintenance
of the cable lines, the expense OF horse
power, with the sanitary evils result
ing from the location Of stables, in
populous cities, the fact that pneu-.
matte motors, after q successful DEM
onstration of their superiority, have
been largely overlooked seems mex
plicable. These motors not only are
entirely free from the Objectionable
features OF the other systems, but
they furnish q mode of propulsion
which is more safe and more economi-
cal than any other with equal veloci-
ty oftrahsit. These assertions are
made advisedly aud ate based on act
ual demonstration. In 1878 and
1879 five pneumatic motors were run
for several months ON the Second ave-
nue. railroad in New, York with perfect
success. The position taken by the
officers OF horse railroad companies,
both in New York and Philadelphia,
a that any car running
along city, streets without horses
horses in'front would frighten horses
cause runaway accidents and subject
companies to suits OF damage. This
objection of course applies with much
greater force to the cable and trolley
systems, which are accompanied by q
loud hum ming noise, while the pneu-
matte motor can have a noiseless
haust. But no argument Or explana-
ton awaited in the face of this sense
less objection. One railroad president
declared that if the motor were
adopted by his company it would be
necessary to kill some of his old
horses, stuffs the skins and mount a.
pair OF them on g. low truck in front
OF each car. Conditions existing now
Sem favorable for theintroduction of
q motor which, free from the objec-
tions to all other systems, with no
new defects of it's own, may be consid-
cred as perfect. No fears are nov en-.
tertained that q car running without
horses in front will make q stampede
of oil equines ON the streets traversed,
and this in 1879 vas the only reason
urged in opposition to the
Introduction OF the pneumat-
ic motor. The system would
be particularly adapted to subur-
han localities and would afford better
facilities for rapid transit than are
now afforded by elevated roads, for
while the speed would be equal to
twenty miles or more per hour, the
stops need not'be limited to stations,
but could be made at any point. With
the small class of motors three cars,
or two in addition to the motor, can
ascend grades AS steep vs. any usually
found on horse railroads. This is a
point OF the greatest value for public
accommodation. 1t will enable g.
company to utilize all its old cars
and supply additional cars at the
hours when the rush oftravel requires
them without additional expense for
power Or conductors. The pneumatic
motor would be peculiarly adapted
to underground roads, as the escape
OF pure air would assist in the ven
tilation, but it is the best possible for
all urban or suburban roads, whether
elevated, surface or in tunnels.-Eng-
ineering Magazine.
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