The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-17

would run along the entire route dis
lance of fifty-two miles. At that time it
was believed to be advisable to take in the
west side of the main valley of Sonoma
County. and to form a loop by the way of
Petaluma and way towns. The men who
were figuring on this enterprise put num-
Der Of engineers in the field to make es-
Inmates upon the cost of constructing such
a road. The expense of grading, track
laying, cost of electric overhead wires, ETC.,
was easily obtained and aside from the cost
of electric passenger-cars, at $3.50, and
freight locomotives of 125 horsepower at
$500, the cost was believed to be in the
neighborhood of $780, 900.
Thus far the figures were satisfactory,
but the next line of inquiry brought the
engineers face to face with an obstacle that
could not be overcome. The intention W as
to develop electric power from the streams
that flow from the mountains, but it was
soon found that the streams could not de-
velop sufficient electric energy to perform
the work required during the dry season,
and there are no places within a con-
yenient distance where sufficient water
could be stored to bridge over the summer
and fall months.
To develop electric power from coal at
81 80 per ton was out of the question, ana
so the scheme was abandoned.
Since the Clear Lake Electric Company
has decided to go ahead with the under
taking, that has been under consideration
for, several years, the subject of the belt
electric line in the two counties has been
discussed again.
Secretary Carman of the Half-million
Club was in the Napa Valley few days
ago and found number of the electric
road projectors enthusiastically talking OF
organizing a company as soon as they
could be assured that they could purchase
electric power from the Clear Lake Elec-
trio Company.
This company promises to sell electric
power fully 70 per cent cheaper than power
from coal, or for 81 or SIS per horsepower
that now costs from $23 10 $40. Mr.. Car
man said: "The business men and bankers
up the country would be only too glad for
such a chance to invest in an electric road
which would surely do large business in
freight. and passengers. The mountains
that divide the valleys make the residents
therein a days journey apart With an
consumed in travel. Besides 1t would give
the farmers a speedy and economical
means of getting their produce to the San
Francisco markets by the way of the ferry
that would run between Sonoma LANDING
and this City.
II was talking with number of men
who are interested in the projected electric
DSAs AuiiAouu, dhQ lIOlH W ldb InoY lOlQ me
l saw that there is now enough money in
sight to establish and equip the road, and
discrimination to do so as soon as they
are sure OF cheap power. 1t was also sup.
gested that if the first part contemplated
should be success the road might be ex.
tended from Calistoga to the Geysers. tc
Healdsburg and thence to Santa Rosa
thus making the loop complete.
"fHE CALLS account of the Clear Lake
Electric Company's project so interested
these. men that several stated that they
would at once interview the projectors in
san francisco and learn what the chance:
were OF obtaining cheap electric power
The wires on which the electricity will b.
transmitted from the Clear Lake plant will
run through the middle of the district EN-.
braced in the proposed Sonoma and Mans
vaiiey electric road. These men recognize
the advantages and mean business.
"The franchise for the Napa branch O
the road has been granted by the Supervi
sors OF Napa County to run from Calistogs
SOU S ana application for a franchise fol
the sonoma Valley branch may be mad,
at any time"