The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-10-24
MINE, MILL AND RAILROAD.


What will electricity do for railroads?
That is one of the questions which are
engaging the attention of the invent
ors and of the managers as we'll as OF
the public. 1t is big question and one
that is as yet practically unanswered.
To be sure, inventors have done con-
siderable in the way of a partial solu-
ton, but there Is more to be done than
has been done. 1t was once proposed
to build an electric railroad line from
Chicago to st. Louis and the projectors
told great stories of how the trains
would run at the rate of 100 miles an
hour and how greatly the cost of trans
portation would be reduced. But the
line has not been built, and the Buffalo
Express thinks that fact is evidence
enough that something was lacking IN
the plans to attract the attention OF
practical men, who before they put any
money into a scheme must see some
way for 1t to come back. But If cleo
tricity as applied to railroads other
than street car lines has not got Deyonu
the experimental stage, 1t mas reacheu
O. point where it gives the railroad man.
ayers some occasion for sllght degree
of uneasiness. It has already affected
the steam railroads in their suburban
passenger traffic, and having gone that
far II may go farther. Everyone agrees
that electricity as applied to modern
usages is only in its infancy. Electric
lines are paralleling traffic lines IN
large cities. And wherever they nave
been introduced there is no question
hut that they have seriously interfered
with the business of the steam lines,
during all but four of the most severe
months of the year at least That is
the admission of railroad managers
generally.
AS to how much electric lines are to
be feared in the transmission or pas
sengers and freight over long stretches
of territory ther is difference OF opln-
ion. Vice President ]. 7. Odel, OF the
New York and New England, says that
in his opinion electricity may come to
be used between two large cities not
more than forty of fifty miles apart.
Further than that he does not believe
electricity will ever supersede steam.
President o. d. Ashley, of the Wabash,
goes further, however. He says: Il am
inclined to believe that, eventually,
electricity as a motive power VIII
supersede steam, but / do not think 1t
will become an important factor In gem
eral rail transportation for long dis
tances until the method of its applica-
tion has been greatly changed and i'm
proved. 1t would be idle to deny great
possibilities in the future of electricity,
and am a strong believer in Its subtle
potency as an agent in practical work,
but doubt very much whether mans
intelligence has mastered its secrets
sufficiently to count upon it's constant
and economical work for long distances
There are many serious objections to
overcome, think, before it can be con-
sidered formidable rival for general
transportation by rail- When these
objections are overcome, / believe the
steam roads are in the best position to
avail of the power, and that they have
such an advantage in construction and
location, that they will be the first to
utilize it successfully. It does not ap-
pear to me that this condition is yet in
sight, but as to this / may be mistaken.
l believe electric power to be a giant,
still in infancy. It's growth has al
ready been abnormally rapid, but 1t
will require long study and experience
to develop its great capacity, and to
teach us the best method of controlling
and utilizing it."
General Manager Sergeant, of the
Grand Trunk of Canada says: ut Is
impossible to conjecture to what ex-
tent this wonderful agent may be de-
veloped, but, so far as its present
adaptability lis concerned, electricity
would be too costly, and could not be
adapted to all requirements of the rail-
way service. / found that to be so,
when considering the question, in con-
nection with the workings of short
piece of line, between A. and B., not
long since" The view of Coils p. Hunt
ington, president Of the Southern Pa
cific, is thus expressed: my impress
sion is that, for short passenger roads,
electricity Is going to be an important
factor in transportation, though to just
how great an extent do not, Of course
know, but for long roads, carrying
heavy tonnage, do not believe it will
ever take precedence over steam. 1t
is possible that the time may come
when roads which now use steam may
find 1t more economical to use electric
1ty in many places" President e. p.
Smith, Of the Vermont Central, is a be-
lever in the future of electricity, for he
says: $50 many astounding discover
les have already transpired in electric
1ty one cannot but believe that sooner
or later 1t will constitute the motive
power in connection with rail transpor-
tation."
What Is considered the largest and
most perfect vein of bituminous coal III
Central Pennsylvania has been devel-
oped at Sterling No. II, at Spangler
The coal is eight feet high, and remark
ably free from defects or dirt. The re-
markable height of the vein has been
maintained for a considerable distance
and gives every indication Of being per-
maneLt.
An electric road between Reading
and Fhi'adt lphia is almost assured. 1t
II promised to carry passengers from
Philadelphia to Reading for rs cents
and not be more than two and one-ha!f
hours In doirg 1t, having comfortable
chair cars for through passengers,
which will make riding through the va
ried and beautiful scenery through the
country q pleasure.
MINOR INDUSTRIAL NOTES:
The only business which is larger
than in 1892 is the boot and shoe trade
Railroad men report a good run of
coal on the Jefferson division of the
Erie.
Some $17,0O0,OOO new Southern rail-
way bonds will be delivered about
Nov. l.
A breakdown has stopped the Le-
high Valleys crushing plant at Halle
ton for few days.
Work on the bicycle industry at
Weatherly is being pushed rapidly, and
before many weeks the building will be
completed.
The long delayed Unadilla Valley
railroad, up in New York, has at last
been re-opened and trains win here
after be run upon it regularly.
Ontario earnings for second week in
October were s70,500; same week last