The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1892-07-09
IN The ELEoTRIoAL WORLD.


Illuminated sky signs operated by
arc lights are In use in England.
Crossed electric wires touched let
ter-box in Pittsburgh, and letter-car-
rier received severe shock as he was
removing the mail.
One of the latest novelties invented
is an electrical grass killer, for use in
destroying grass and weeds along rail-
road tracks. This useful form of cleo
trocution is the invention of a Memphis
(Tenn.) man.
George Forbes, the well-known cleo
trical engineer of London, England,
has arrived at Niagara to inspect the
Canadian side of the river relative to
the construction of gigantic tunnel to
produce electrical power for transmits
sion to large manufacturing centers.
Two California inoentors have, it
is said, devised toll collecting appar-
atus for telephones. 1t consists of the
usual coin-in-the-slot device, with the
addition of a clockwork apparatus that
automatically cuts out the telephone
when the time for the talk has expired.
AS examples of recent telephone
achievements, it is stated that band
playing on the streets of London was
heard by telephone in Paris, and that
people in Nottingham, England listen
ed to sermon preached at Christ
church, Birmingham, fifty-one miles
away.
Electric lighting by Wind engine
power is reported by the London En-
gineer to be in operation in an English
flour mill. The windmill, which is
thirty feet in diameter, is automatically
coupled to the dynamo on acquiring
sufficient speed, and the dynamo charges
n secondary battery automatic devices
reducing the current when the speed is
too high.
The electric current is, it is said, in
successful use at the gun factory of st.
Etienne, France, for tempering springs.
The latter consist of steel wire wound
spirally, and current of 90 amperes at
45 volts is passed through. Rapid heat
ing results, and when the required tenn
perature has been reached the circuit is
broken and the springs fall into
trough of water One workman, it is
said, can temper 9,4OO springs per day
by this method.
1t is announced that grading will
begin next month, near Edinburg, on
the Chicago &c st. Louis air line electric
railway, and proceed toward st. Louis
and Chicago. The principle objection
to this line being the danger from
grade highway and railway crossings
on account of the proposed great speed,
plans are now being drawn for twenty
bridges for the electric road over steam
railways, and to do away with the
grade crossings.
1t appears that for several months
an electric express" has been in opera
ton in st. Louis, running between
Market street, South St. Louis, and Car
ondelet, and presumably doing good
business. The car in question makes
two trips q day, has a capacity of 10000
pounds, and the company operating it
pays mileage to the owners of the road.
1t has it's own wagons for delivering
freight to and from the car at Sixth and
Market streets, at Arsenal street and at
Carondelet. The charges for such SER
vice to the business public are very rea-
sonable-10 cents each for parcels from
the dry goods, clothing and boot and
shoe houses, regardless of weight or
size; so cents for trunk, etc.
The application of electric power to
the propelling of boats is receiving con-
siderable attention in this country at
present. According to the Electrical
Review, feet of these boats is expect
ed to be in commission at the Worlds
fair in Chicago. In this matter Eng
lish electricians seem to be in advance
of their American cousins. Electric
launches are in daily use on the Thames.
Boston has magnificent body of water
for electric launches above West Bos-
ton bridge, and even in the lower har-
Dor, among the numerous bays and
islands, what n splendid water there is
for electric launches, with clambalSes
on some of the islands, and just enough
of the sea to make excursions in that
section enjoyable When will Boston
have its fleet of electric launches?