The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-04-27
AROUND THE CORRIDORS.

j. T. Chambers, one of the most prominent
electricians In the East, who is In the city. was
speaking last evening, while at the Palace, OF
the invention OF a new electric motor by Phil
adelphia man which promises much In the soiu-
ton OF the rapid transit problem. 1t Is what the
inventor calls the tandem compound electric
system, ana is unique application of electric
power, so Mr.. Chambers says, designed for
either elevated or conduit roads. For the latter
system the current is supplied by one rail and
returned by the other, and both are In the top
of The CONDUIT, but so far below the streetlevel
as TO be free from danger TO pedestrians or
teams. For an elevated system The current is
received by one OF the main rails near the top
OF the conduit and returned by the third rail,
which is quite distance below. The iocomo-
tive has one very large wheel in front and az
other which runs in the bottom OF the conduit
Under the truck which carries the motor and
car is perpendicular web which extends down
through the floor or pavement, and Is so at
facned to the wheel below that the whole struc-
lure is held in place so securely that the over.
turning OF The whole pavement or structure
must occur before me locomotive or the car can
be derailed. BY an Ingenious arrangement
MINOR wheels on each side run under the rails
and have an upward adhesion, so that there is
! a grip" upon the rails by the locomotive, thus
multiplying its traction power and overcoming
| otherwise Impossible grades. The device re-
duces the dead weight Of the locomotive TO
| minimum, while an increase In traction is Sc
cured The inventor is confident that there Is
| practically no limit to the speed that can be
secured. Mr.. Chambers says that one singular
| feature of the machine Is that the locomotive
and cars rest on fat platforms which run close
! TO the floor or pavement, and are carried on
| trucks which are below the surface. The slot
In the floor or pavement is only three-quarters
OF an inch wide and only light surface rails are
required, as the weight Is nearly all supported
| by the underground construction.
"Down in Mexico" said A. T. Juarez at the
/ Occidental yesterday, 1--WE have become accus-
| toned TO the many exaggerated tales which
| find their way into American papers regarding
our country, its people and their customs 1t
| is true that there are many strange things to be
! seen there which are a source OF wonder to the
visitor, but with which we, through association,
become familiar. have been for years PAIN
| fully Impressed with the slow aud Anticipated
methods employed In our postal department
| when compai ed with the busDess-like manner
| With which your Government conducts that
branch OF the public service. One feature Of
our method Is I'll at when the mails arrive at the
postoffice the names Of the people 10 whom
| letters are addressed are written on slip OF
paper and pasted bulletin board. Busi-
ness men ana others simply consult this list
every dav and II they find their names thereon
they hand the clerk their cards and In return
| receive their mail. There is no provision made
for the disposal Of postage stamps, but those
having letters to mail take them TO the post