New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-06-02
TESLl'S NEW LIGHT.
THE ELECTRICAL SITUATION AS RESPECTS
LIGHT AND POWER.


LIGHT AND POWER.
The announcement that Tesla had succeeded In
producing a brilliant white light with but frac-
ton of the current expended in the incandes-
cent lamp has been commented upon by Mr.. Ed-
SON. who claims TO have made Ike discovery
That Mr.. Tesla some one else would make such
a discovery has been almost foregone conclusion
To make one or two lights for exhibition purposes
Is one thing. but to make them for regular ualy
use Is another. and the time which must necessarily
eiapao before the perfection and introduction or
the new light will probably be very considerable
notwithstanding electrical Developments are pound
ing ahead At such great rate.
The question: of course concerning such nis-
covcry IS its possible effect upon existing Invest
menis While We have become accustomed 10 iooh
upon electric lighting as the principal part OF the
electrical business matter OF faci, IL Is fast
becoming the least important part Teslas dis-
covorv whereby alternating currents could be used
for the transmission OF power has changed the as
Meet in connection with the development OF e'e''r-
cal apparatus. for by Us use electricity can De
Transmitted economically from central stations ana
water powers over very large areas for arc hght-
ing incandesceht lighting and for power purposes
the latter however. being Of the greatest CONNER
cial value.
Tes,a's new lamp simply gives in light greater
cerc.niage Of the electrical energy than has here
,oforc been obtained. but with respect TO arc Hsh'-
ing and power transmission there Is 10 sue"
areo, waste as in connection with the oru'-
nary incandesren: lamp. For power purposes
rror sixty per cent - ninety per cent
Of the Electrical energy put into the line can
b. taken ont in mechanical power. and IN elec-
fric heating especially IN connection with ''e'-
,r.c cooking over ninety per cent o. me current
pnt into the Inc can be used effectively
Tcsla's discovery IN REGARD to his new lamp now
ever important. can never nave "ne-'e'" Vi VIC
value OF his discoveries IN connection" Win ''e
utilization Of the Alternating currents for power
purpose.
Already the Westinghouse Electric and Manu-
featuring Company mas completed Teslas motor.
f,r use N connection with The eleya'ei railways o'
New-York AMI anl shorty use 'hese motors 10
otcrate a train of the same type as thos~ useu !"
N.w-York IN order 70 demonstrate the superiority
AMI ,lvautag. ~ IN. Tesla alternating system over
the direct currcn; system which Is no. the only one
u.el FOR the operation OF railways. These new
Tesla motors have been sufficiently ies~J 10 STOW
th,; they p1ssess markell advantages over CON
flnnous current motors. ana ther use VIII e""0''
o.. Manhattan E.rvaicI Railway Companr - op-
crate their entire system IN New-fork from one
central station D, the rs" OF main conductors cost
INC hl, a fraction o, what would have 10 DE ek
renlcI wore the continuous current system 20 De
r.rI TIE work on these no. Tesla motors IN De-
irg pushed forwarl win tho utmost vgor. In order
tina, Mr. G,uiI and other connected with the Man
stand th.lr operation. preliminary 10 The preSen-
fa,iDn ~ A plan FOR the equipment OF the entire
N~a-York elevated system.
In referring io the extension OF rrpi transit in
%ea-Nork President Vrceiand Of the metropolitan
r,n,tany = quoted a. saying: "rh" trolley system
which was being tried as an experiment, upon upper
le,ing,or-aye. had not proved The success which
B., h,t a,,l,lnafcl There hal been TOO many
break owns aud DELAYS. There would be "a ho~I II
they niacrl such II system on Eighth-ave. He
promised relief however" AMI MIR whitney Is re-
,,r,eI 10 have SAIL that theV hal discovered a
now motive power. bat cannot tell YOU what 1t IS
You may r-,' assured That You VIII have perfect
g, -,e,, within a y-lr." AMI tho impression was
given ouf that the new system would be the pro-
,ui.lon Of cArs by means OF compressed air
az Itf. II has been claimed that compressed air
sv.fen. has been perfected wherein storage tanks,
carving from 20 l'vp pounds. and even mp 10
,0p pounds pressure are 10 BE- rspd To carry
,nourh even . these prcssurer| The tanks Will
hive 20 lc large and the explosion Of one OF them
under a rtrcetcar would De almost equivalent to
an .x,l,ei.. ~ gunpowler. The reliability OF res
ervnr- - eianl such strain Is one OF the Things
which VIII have TO be fully Demonstrated
The idea ~ operating cars by means OF com
n,...,l air IS neither new nor untr.d. Some OF tho
hriehtest cxpcrimcnters have Spent II great amount
O., time and immense sums OF money, both mere
and abroad IN attempting 10 solve this important
problem.
In propeng ears to-day an amount OF power -
us.i which was never believed 10 be necessary
when a substitute for Two or thee horses was be
lua sought for Instead Of two or three horse
l. rer being required the electrical and mechanicii
enagv consumed IL often above hfty horsepower
IN lines having considerable grades. and this Is
1,. f. the fact that the speed Of elcctric-cars is
double that Of the ordinary horsecars afid ot those
cars which have been driven eXperimentaly ~
compressed air I'm Europe. whore high spec H. s"cn
AS are attained In America. are not tolerated.
The use OF compressed air at from one u TWO
thousand pounds pressure VIII be very waStetui
I'm t,wer and VIII require enormous air-compressns
stations the cost OF which Will be greater thnn
the cost OF equivalent electric stations --Crhe Bos-
ton Transcript
ytJp M THE ANACONDA NINE.