Delaware gazette and state journal., 1897-06-24
SPECIAL CAR FOR THE PRESIDENT.

Designs for such u Conveyance Suggested
| ny "A Wilmington DrauGhtsman.
A cur for the President of the United
| States. Such is tho project started
sume time ago by tho Railroad Car
Journal. The object ia to provide a
private car or a humber OF cars for the
use of the President when he travels
and the idea has been received with
interest by the master car builders of
the country. Already an advisory com
mittea to supervise the designs and
specification for the proposed Presi-
dental car or cars has been name and
has taken the matter into cnnsidera-
tion. This committee numbers %, and
Includes O. NJ. Mendenhall, superin-
tendeDt of motive power, Philadelphia,
Wilmington d baltimore railroad, whose
Office Is in Philadelphia, but whose resi-
dence is IN this city. +.
As to designs for the Presidential car
a number have been suggested. One OF
these, as noted in the Railroad Car
Journal, has been submitted by Archer
Richards of this city, chief draughts-
man of the jackson & Sharp Go. In
preparing plans for a special car for
the use of the President. writes MIR.
Richards, "a car designer should Gen.
slider the leading points of construction
and appearance. He should, equally,
insure perfection OF design, in the Sc
lection OF the best specimens uf art
work and art material"
He then goes on to propose twin
car. possessing all the features of a
single car. and which "could be more
economically operated tbRn long,
heavy car of equal capacity. The
weight is more evenly distributed, the
separate frames would require less
trusting. and the overhanR in curving
over short radii Of track. will be materi-
ally reduced. These advantages will
permit it to pe run over every railroad in
the country of standard gauge. The
extra cost OF vestibule attachment in
the center OF cars is morv than com.
pensated by the reasons stated and by
the fact that the culinary part OF the
car lie quite distinct from the living
part; and yet an easy communication
Ia offered to those who may use one
part or another"
The proposed car is 10 have dining
and sleeping compartment capable OF
accommodating IA persons. Entrance
to the car may he effected from either
end and also from folding steps at the
centre. Smoking and observation room
with wicker chairs, sofa and card table
are suggested for the rear end of the
car. Next to this is the dining room
with sofa, convertible into an upper
and lower bed. Pantry, roomy kitchen
and sleeping section for the posters
come next. Passing through the vesti-
bule one enters the parlor extending
the whole width of the car, and luxuri-
ously furnished, having lamhreauins,
carpet rugs, handsomely decorated
ceiling with arched roof effect, cathedral
stained glass windows above. mirrors,
Dices, permanent chairs in centre sur.
rounding pillar with an electrolier,
arm chairs, fire place and recessed
seat. &
.,'One could travel the entire conti-
nent and not feel fatigued with such
restful resort at hand writes Mr..
Richards.
The article ia accompanied with
handsome illustrations made by the
author, together with details as to tho
decoration Of ths car.
Contributions of material have been
made by number OF firms throughout
the country. The project has received
great impetus already and in tho near
future something tangible may be ac-
complished looking towards the con.
struction Of the proposedecar.
Congress has not yet been approached
as to whether or not such a car would
be received by the government, but the
favor which the project receives else
where may result in favorable consid-
GRAFTON by that body.