The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1894-10-25
Death to tho Deadly Trolley.

"A now invention has just sprung
INTO existence which will revo-
lutlon'ze tho ontire system of pro-
polling cars by electricity. It is
something that has never been
thought of before, and it comes
fresh from tho hands of the inven-
tor, with millions to back it, and
no stock for sale. Next to tho ap-
pllcation of electricity as a pro-
pclllng agent, this new contrivance
Is ono of the most important in
vontlons of the ago.
1t is device for operating sur
lace and elevated cars by an un-
foreground and electric systom in
dependent of tho storage battery
or trolley wiro.
The system was rocontly invent
od by Mr.. James r. Mclaughlin,
or Philadelphia, and q model has
boon sent to Atlanta for it's first
exhibition before tho Street Rail-
way Association now in session in
this city. Mr., George Lodge, of
Philadelphia, tho general MANA
ger OF tho syndicate controlling
tho patent, has the model in charge
at the kimball House.
The new invention, which has
sprung into tho electrical world
like q brilliant motoor, is yet with
out nomo, as it has just left tho
hands Of the inventor: but that it
has como to stay is Il fact that i'm
presses itself at q glance. 1t is q
paragon OF simplicity. It's appli-
cation requires no change in pow
OF house, dynamos or motors on
cars.
Tho equipment weight is about1O0
pounds, and is bolted underneath
tho bottom Of the car. The ad-
junct attachment is conduit fas-
tonod to tho top Of tho sleepers in
tho centre of tho roadbods, and to
do this II space Of only eightoen
inches in which has to DO oxcava-
ted. The conduit once down tho
narrow space is ropaved, leaving
nothing to be soon but q fiat and
Lowell strip ono inch wide running
along the top Of tho conduit paral-
lei with the tracks and even with
tho street. There is no slot or
opening, the strip boing composed
OF O. sories of flat iron rails, separ-
atod at intervals by non-conduct-
ing materials.
This is tho ontire equipment.
Tho curront Of electricity is trans
mittcd from tho power house to
the car through tho conductor IN
the conduit, and any ratios of speed
from the lowest medium to ninety
miles an hour can be obtained at
will. There is nothing to broak
or got out of ordor; the cars will
run backward or forward, around
sharp curves and across intorsoct-
ing tracks and conduits. Snow or
ice has no ol1'oct Oh the operating
copacity Of tho systom, and it is
impossible for q car to be derailed
or thrown from tho track. The
appliance combines all tho clo-
monts of traction, and propels up
and down an Incline as smoothly
and easily as on a level strotch.
Tho great virtue claimed for tho
Isystem is absolute safety. The
curront of electricity is undor por-
feet control. The conductor in
tho conduit is so insulated and
} isolated that it is impossible for
any Of tho electricity whatever to
escape. The current only becomes
an active forco when there is q
contact between the attachment
fastened under the car and tho
conduit, and this con be applied
or removed at tho will of the mo-
tOrman.
Indeed this attachment, which
IS at present called tho "controll-
or" is the operative secret Of the
systom. Without the "controlle1"
enough electricity could not be ex-
tracted from tho conduit to tickle
ono's tongue. With all tho cur
rcnt desires for prepelling and
lighting purposes is obtained.
1t is attracting widespread inter.