Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-08-06
TIE ELECTRIC MOTORS FIELD.

In the discussion OF the future of the
electric motor there are, of course,
many who do not hesitate 10 write the
epitaph Of the locomotive; but the judg-
ment Of experienced railroad operators
places a limit upon the uses Of the cleo
trio motor. In an article in the Engin-
eering Magazine Mr.. Frank J. Sprague
defines his view, as follows: THE cleo
trio railway will operate almost all
street railway systems and elevated
and underground roads; it will replace
the locomotive on many suburban and
branch lines; it viii prove valuable
auxiliary to trunk systems; but it has
not sounded the death-knell of the loco
motive any more than the dynamo has
sounded that of the stationary steam
engine. Each has its own legitimate
field, which Will play It's proper part in
the needs of all civilization"
This outlook would seem to be the
most trustworthy yet given to the pub
lie. The modern trunk line system has
been a slow and gradual outgrowth from
a number Of problems, not all of which
present apparent probabilities of solu-
ton by the electric system. The trolley
car as an individual unit reaches a Won
derful degree of efficiency; but the mo-
ment that the electric locomotive shall
be used after the manner of a steam
locomotive and be piaced ahead of a
number Of cars. the aggregate weight of
which shall be from five to twenty-five
times its own, the enormous loss Of en-
ergy and the variation of pressure on
line would, in Mr. Sprague's opinion,
make the cost, with any possible allow
able loss, entirely impracticable. THE
3d. 40 or 5O-car train, pulled by a
single locomotive with a limited train
crew" he asserts. presents an econom-
ical transportation OF freight which
no system Of unit on long-distance
transportation can hope to equal"
For the trolley system. however, Mr..
Sprague expresses the highest praise.
The birthplace of the present trolley
system he puts down as Richmond, Va,
where a line was opened in February,
1888. by the Sprague Electric Railway
and Motor Company. The record of its
growth during the past seven years he
thus summarizes:
since then there have been put into
operation IN the United states, England.
France, Germany and Italy not less than
seven hundred electric railways. covering
not less than 1Oo miles. There has been
invested I'm the electric railway industry
fully $50 10000 and there are to-day con-
nected with 1t fully one hundred thousand
people. The once laughed at and de-
Spised trolley. now alternately praised and
condemned. has become a most potent
factor of our busy life and civilization. 1t
is true that II has oftentimeS disfigured
streets; but while II has occupied the air,
il has been instrumental IN forcing other
wires under ground. II has given us bet
ter-paVed streets. more perfect tracks.
and luxurious, well-Nghted and well-Ven-
tilated cars; and with the higher speed il
has made possible the extension of the
taxable and habltable areas Of towns IN
a much greater ratio than is represented
by the increase Of speed. II has released
from the most cruel drudgery tens of
thousands of animals; II has given en-
plOyment 10 an army of men; ii has i'm
proved the telephone service by forcing
the abandonment of the ground circuit
and the adoption OF the metallic circuit
IL has shortened the time of transit be-
tween our home and business; il has bet
tered the morale of employees, who. in
stead OF urging on faded beasts have be-
come the operators of an .unfeeling. but
tractable machine Il has built up unoc-
cllpied territory: and il has given employ
ment 10 idle capital. In short. the troll
ley system Is. perhaps, the most remark
able example of an Industrial development
that the world has ever seen.