The times., 1897-08-14
DEFENDING THE AIR MOTOR
Suggestions of Receiver Schoepf
to the Commissioners.
ASKS FOR FURTHER TESTS
VIII Do Everything In His Power
to Secure Additional Investiga-
ments Made in the Adverse Re-
port of Capt. Black.

Receiver scboepf, Of the lexington and
Soldiers Home Railway called to see Capt
Burr, who is Acting Engineer Commissioner
in the absence of Capt. Black, yesterday
morning 70 speak about further tests of
the Air motor With which it is proposed to
equip his rua1
MI. Schonpf has already made a full
reply to the objections made by Conimis
sioner Black in Ills adverse report upon
the motor, and in this reply stated that air
is now being used successfully In New
York. adding his desire that the Com
missitners investigate the New York sys-
TEN foT theT lselyes To this suggest on
the Commissioners on Thursday replied as
follows:
Dear Sir: The Commissioners have care
fully considered your letter of July 80,
1897, in reply to the report OF the Engi-
neer Commissioner upon the air motor
system proposed TO be adopted by the
lexington and Soldiers Home and Belt
Line Railway companies.
They have noted what you say in re-
gard TO the success OF this motor on GER
tain lines in New York city, and the
proposed increase In the number of these
motors upon such line
They desire to give this question a full
and careful consideration, and would be
glad to make an investigation n New York
OF the use of these motors upon the lines
referred To by sending a man for that
purpose, but regret that the condition of
their funds is not such as TO allow them
TO do SO, inasuiuch as Congress has not pro-
ylded any funds for the purpose Of such
an investigation.
In this letter Mr.. Schoepf saw an i'm
piled request that the company should pa V
the expense of sending man to New
York, and yesterday mornings call was
for the purpose OF making an offer.
To Times reporter Mr.. Schoepfsaid that
he does not believe that the motor has had
fair trial. and that he is willing to do
anything in his power to insure a further
investigation. Commissioner Blacks re-
port, he said, stated as the principal OBJ
jections to the motor, that, first. If u
motor should break down he feared that
the next would not have power to push
1t back to the shed, and seemed that he
feared the company would sink lot
Of rnoneyin the plant which they could not
get back should the motor prove a failure
Nothing had been said about the ability
to make it's trips regularly and ON schedule
time, but IL there had, all doubts on tn at
score could be dispelled by an examination
of the New York system.
As to the ability of the motors to carry
another ear as trailer In case of accident
Mr. Schoepf said he has been experimenting
on that point and has made motor carry
as many as four extra cars.
Mr.. Sehoepf thought that IL his offer
was accepted, and any employe OF the
District detailed to make the investiga-
uion, it would be Supt. McF arland, Of the
water department, who had already sub.
mitLed one report upon the tests Of the
air motor in this city.
He said that he is not only willing to
pay an investigators expenses, but will
also accompany whoever it may be himself.
The company has still until July, 1e99,
in which to adopt a motive power and
equip their lines. but it VIII be tight
squeeze, and Mr.. Schoepf is anxious to
have the matter acted upon as soon as
possible.