The record-union., 1896-11-23

adapted to the requirements of street
car propulsion. Several lines operated
by compressed air are said to be in
successful operation in Europe, and the
system viii be introduced on this side
of the Atlantic In the near future.
The use of compressed air as a mo-
tive power is by 10 means new. But
it's general adoption for propelling
street cars has heretofore been pre-
vented by certain mechanical obstacles
which, it is now confidently claimed
have been successfully overcome. If
all that is claimed for the improved
motor be true, it is destined to super
sede electricity at no distant day, as
completely as the electric car has su-
perseded the horse car. One of the
marked advantages of the change
would be the getting rid Of the un-
slightly and otherwise Objectionable
trolley wire which now disfgures the
streets of nearly all our cities. The
trolley car is a vast Improvement over
the horse car, but it does not furnish
a full and satisfactory solution OF the
problem of interurban transit. Per
haps the compressed air motor will fur
nish this much-to- be- desired solution.
GOTHENBURG SYSTEM.
Portland Oregonian: Reform meas
ures. like prophets, sometimes have
more honor in some other country than
In their own, and it Is interesting to
find that the Gothenburg system of
LIQUOR regulation, regarded by many
Americans as the ne plus ultra Of tenn
perance reform, is being discredited in
the towns Of Norway. A British Con-
sui recently reported to his home Gov
ernment that the liquor question in
Norway seemed to be undergoing a
"crisfs of alteration" and that abolish
ment of such far-reaching encroach-
ments on the personal liberties Of free
citizens of a free country" seemed i'm
minent. This conclusion may have been
biased, as also may be the ConsuPs s
information that prohibition Of liquor
selling has led to evil results in the
shape of the excessive use of naphtha
by the lower classes and the introduc-
ton Of other beverages containing
highly Injurious ingredients. But the
action of several towns in abolishing
the Government monopoly system ad-
mits of no such explanation. In Skien
liquor is now sold freely. and in Chris
Taxation Of the Gothenburg system. We
have so much trouble with the great
American saloon that it is almost a
positive pleasure TO find there is diScon-
tent even with the much-lauded sys-
tenn of Norway, and that the Nor
wegians have to live and learn along
with the rest of us.
THE SAN FRANCISCO ASSESS MENT.
Stockton Mail: There is no doubt in
the world that San Francisco escapes a
large percentage of her taxes. Look at
the assessment of the newspapers alone.
The Sentinel" pays as much taxes as
does the Bulletin" and yet that paper
would probably sell for seven or eight
times as much money as would this.
Goods are fnvoiced at about % per cent
of their value, and the assessments Of
banks are bowling farce.-Santa Cruz
Sentinel.
True. every word of it true Yet when
the officers sworn to rectify these
abuses attempt TO do SO they are sub
jected to the vilest abuse from the
San Francisco press. And 1T must be
said that the country press, which rep
resents the people who are wronged by
San Francisco's dishonesty. too often
remain silent and do not defend these
honest officials. This Is wrong and
very discouraging to the men who thus
stand between the people and harm.
The Mali IS gathering some facts in
relation TO the San Francisco assess