The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-13
DIVIDED HoNoRs

I
sIoN.-The burning question of the dav in
electrical and railroad circles is the relative
part which steam and electricity are to
play in the railroad traffic of the future.
Out of the engrossing and exhaustive dis
cussion of this subject which has lately
been in progress the public is, at length,
beginning to form definite idea of the
outlook. The problem for which solu-
ton has been desired is "Steam or Elec-
tricity?" The solution reached is "Steam
and Electricity" AS Frank j. Sprague
puts it, the question,narrows itself down to
the number of train units operated be-
tween terminal points. Make that num-
Der sufficiently large and the electric mo-
tor is the best means of propulsion, whether
for high or low speed. Decrease this mum.
Der and you must rely on steam. In other
words, electricity will but partially take the
place of the steam locomotive for railway
service, and then only when the number
of units operated between terminal points
is so large that the resulting economy will
pay a reasonable interest on the combined
cost of a central station system of con-
ductors and the motor equipment, and the
traffic existing is commensurate with the
needs of such system. Mr.. Sprague urges
the putting aside of 'some OF the visionary
prophecies concerning electric railways"
The future of the electric railway is not in
the wholesale destruction of existing great
systems. tits in the development of q
field of its own, with recognized limita-
tons, but of vast possibilities. 1t will re-
place the locomotive on many suburban
and branch lines; it will operate almost all
street-railway systems and elevated and
underground roads; it will prove a valuable
auxiliary to trunk systems; but it has not
sounded the deathknell of the locomotive
any more than the dynamo has sounded
that of the stationary steam engine. Each
has its own legitimate field in the traction
work of the future.
THE ELEcTRoTHERM: AN ELECTRIC HEAT
ING PAD-The fact that asbestos plays a
remarkably useful part in electrical work is
not generally recognized. For purposes of
insulation this unique material meets the
most exacting requirements, and its use
by electricians is daily increasing. Its
latest application is in the ''electrotherm, -
the new device which has already begun
to take the place of hot-water bottles in
hospitals and invalid chambers. The cleo
trotherm is a flexible sheet or pad, COM
posed of asbestos in which electric wires
are EN- pedded. When these wires are con-
nected to any source of electric current a
constant and uniform degree of heat is
generated. For tins connection the socket
of an electric lamp is ordinarily found most
convenient, but where the lighting current
is not available batteries can be used. The
pad is found great convenience in the re-
lief of general chilliness, cold feet, ETC.,
as well as in cramps and other
local pains, and in general hospital
practice. By its use the risk and
discomfort of frequent changes of
temperature incident to the renewal of or
binary hot applications are entirely obvi-
ated. 1t can be moistened without injury
and it can be made to give the effect of
poultice or moist heat by being applied
over one or more thicknesses of wet fan
mel. 1t can be used by any one with per-
feet safety, and its simplicity and convent
ence wherever the application of artificial
heat is desired render it especially valu-
able for medical use. The regulation of
the temperature is affected by a convent
emily placed switch. Pads can thus be
maintained at approximately 100, 10 and
go degrees Fahrenheit when covered with
ordinary bed-clothing, but these tempera-
lures can be modified by the interposition