Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-10

y
car over other cars is the system of con-
troll. which 10 reduced to a single handle
being in this respect simpler than an elec-
trio car. The one handle starts, stops and
reverses the car. 1t controls all the various
functions Of the motor in their proper Sc
quence without the operator being Obliged
10 exercise any judgment in the selection OF
handles. The operator can. therefore, keep
his left hand constantly on this lever and
his right hand on the brake and there will
never be any excuse for removing his hands
From them. Shis. 1t Is claimed. will give
the greatest security in the matter of the
prompt stopping Of the car or in case Of
emergency. The car is reversed with per-
feet ease. 1t was shown that it could be
entirely operated without the use of the
brakes.
Character of the Car.
Although this car was of the heavy
Broadway type and was thirty-four feet
long, 1t had no difficulty in ascending a
tx per cent garde when fully loaded. The
cars had no difficulty in maintaining the
schedule with the electric cars and were
operating in daily service without the pub
lie being aware that they were other than
electric cars
The receiver was given to understand
that the Metropolitan Traction Company
had bought these cars, ten in ALL and was
about to introduce them throughout the
city Of New York. At the time of the re-
eeiver's visit the Metropolitan Company
was engaged in building an extensive new
: power station for the putting in of a COM
pressed air. plant, all of which he was in
. formed was being done wholly at its own
expense.
From careful examination and all the
information which the receiver has been
able to gather. he is Of the opinion that the
compressed air cars of this system when
fully charged will not exceed in weight by
ha q
cars now operated by the Metropolitan
Railroad Company in this city on its east
and west line, and as half of this weight
is spring supported the cost of track main
tenance will be reduced to a minimum. The
severest grade on the Belt road is Az per
cent for distance of about 80 feet.
"The receiver has estimated that $jO,O00
will have to be expended on the tracks of
the company to put them in shape to with
stand the service of motor cars of either
of the compressed air systems.
For an Underground Electric.
"a combined proposition from the General
Electric Company, the American Wheelock
Engine Company and e. Saxton. which is
herewith filed together as receivers 'ex-
hibit, No. T. has been received for the
equipment of the roads with an under
ground trolley system, similar to that used
by the Metropolitan Railroad Company of
this city.
THE total cost for the equipment of the
roads with this system would be 81. 791. 1O5.
and for the Belt railway would be $i.ola.-
Oa6 copy of said proposition is herewith
filed as receivers exhibit No. s..
1T does not seem 10 the receiver that the
enormous expense of an underground con-
duit would be justified on these roads,
even assuming that the money could be
raised for that character of equipment. The
receiver would point out to the court that
in addition to two cents per car mile which
the electric car would cost, there would be
an additional charge of about three cents
per car mile for maintenance of the con-
duit, and so forth.
This upon the assumption that the con-
duit would last fifty years and that =
annually in cleaning out and maintaining
1t. The power of consumption of the air
. cars. according to figures obtained in New
York, will not exceed two and a half cents
per car mile for the motive power: IN
foreground conduits have not been in use
for a sufficient length of time to demon
strate their duration.
The Westinghouse Electric and Manufac-
turing Company has also submitted
fropos ition for equipping both the roads
with the :electro-ma gnetic system, at
cost of s2,O73.5;tG to which be added the
. estimate of the American Wheelock En-
CINE. Company for steam equipment. which
Is common to this and the general electric
system, and is filed part of the PROPOSE
ton for the latter system. which estimate
is $l95.OOO. making the total cost for the
electromagnetic sy stem s2.26S.5s6, for both
roads. and 81 ,3eJ.Si3 for the Belt railway,
copy of said, proposal of the Westing
house Company is herewith filed as re-
ceiver's exhibit No. o.
:. Objections to the Underground.
is;ffIn case either of the electric. systems
were adopted the underground electric sys-
tenn would also be subject to the sarious
objection of causing the streets to be torn
up for the larger part of one year, tncom-
moding both the public and the railroad
company. and would be subject 20 the fur
Their objection of being liable AZ times 10
complete shutdown from short circuits Or
grounds that might occur.
''For the purpose of operating any sys-
tenn of rapid transit it would be necessary
for the company 10 acquire additional cal
estate for location of the power plant. The
exact cost OF such real estate canlot, OF
course, be ascertained until its size ana
location has been ascertained which Items
would be dependent upon the character OF
the systems adopted. The Belt company
owns real estate at the corner OF I'd ana Is
streets southwest and at the corner of 18th
and G streets northwest, which IS not Eow
used for it's purposes, and which could
probably be utilized in procuring such real
estate.
IN view of the fact that the act of Con-
81 ess Of June 10, 1896, seems to require
test of compressed air propulsion TO be
made. that Sucn a test uIUeF Inc pEopOSl-
tioE Of the compressed air company can
be made without any expense except the
value of one car body, ana without i'm
PC sing obligation to adopt that system, and
that by such test valuable Information will
no doubt be obtained. the receiver respect
fully recommends that the proposition OF
the compressed air company for test of the
trial eq6ipment be accepted, and that the
decision as to the equipment of the entire
line be deferred until after that test. when.
If the system shall be deemed satisfactory
and shall be adopted, the method of pro-
viding for the cost thereof can be deter
mined.
THE receiver further recommends that
authority be granted him without delay TO
slip a car body to Worcester. Mass, for
the purpose OF equipment with the motor
of the compressed air company"
An Important Statement.
Mr.. Hambleton was asked by a Star
porter II he would consent to give a state
ment of the intentions regarding the prop
critics which have been the subject of SO
much controversy in both the lemote and
recent past. Mr.. Hambleton expressed
himself as entirely willing to do this, and
made to the reporter the following state
ment:
''The object of myself and associates is
the completion of the Columbia and Mary
nd roilu,ov hot xyesp Raltimore and Wash