New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-18
TO BE RUN BY ELECTRICITY
PREPARATIONS FOR CHANGING THE MO-
TIVE POWER OF ELEVATED TRAINS.

ACTION TAKEN BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
OF THE MANHATTAN sYsTEM-sArE OF
BONDS FOR THE PURPOSE.
William J. Fransioli. the general manager OF
the elevated railways In New-YorK recently
went to Chicago to investigate the operation Of
the elevated roads in that city by electricity
The Manhattan Railway Company which owns
the NewYork roads. had previously commits
stoned engineers to inspect the Chicago roads
and they had reported that the operation OF
these roads by electricity entirely successful
Mr.. Fransioi presented to the Executive Com
mittee Of the Manhattan Company. at meet
Ing on Tuesday, the results OF his observations
and Inquiries in Chicago He indorsed the report
OF the engineers, saying the system was safe
rapid and efficient. well as economical. En-
ployes were able to master It in short time
The motor was not a separate car. but occupied
part Of a regular car. Eight cars. two contain
ing motors could be run as one train on the
New-York lines by extending the station plat
forms. The cost of the change from steam to
electricity would not be great, and there would
be a saving of one-haf In operating expenses
Mr. Fransioi said electricity might first be
adopted the Second-ave line He most
enthusiastic in urging the substitution OF cleo
tricty for steam at the earliest practicable
date.
The Executive Committee expressed its appre-
citation of Mr. Fransolis investigation. and di-
rected him to have estimates prepared OF the cost
Of equipping and operating the lines with cleo
tricty. and TO furnish the committee with all
facts bearing on the subject. Russell Sage said
yesterday afternoon I'VE are unanimous that
the change from steam to electricity is desirable
and we shall go right ahead to make it. II our
plans turn out as we expect them to. II will be
very short time before the new system is under
way"
Mr.. Sage would not say anything about the
means Of providing funds for the electrical
equipment. II was understood that the money
would come from additional issue Of bonds
1t was said that the company had continued to
use steam long after the success Of electricity
as motive power had been demonstrated. Dc-
cause II was unable TO arrange a sale OF bonds.
at least on satisfactory terms. 1t was supposed
that at last the company had concluded
rangement for the sale Of bonds. and there
fore ready TO make improvements the ele-
waited lines. 1t had been supposed that the
preparations now nearly completed. for lighting
the cars with gas meant that electricity would
not he employed for a long time to come. The
seemingly sudden change In the programme Of
the company attributed to the supposed
successful contamination Of financial arrange
ments. There talk that the dividend on
Manhattan stock would be reduced from to
per cent per annum The company has not
earned it's full dividend in some time. but mas
made up the difference out of a surplus fund
1t is presumed that the equipment for the
elevated roads will he furnished by the Westing-
house Electric Company. The president OF this
company. George Westinghouse, jr has for
long time been developing a system to meet the
needs OF the elevated lines in New-York. which
includes power light and heat for trains: light
and heat for stations. and power for elevators to
be constructed In stations. The selection Of the
system will rest with the special committee OF
Manhattan directors which was appointed to
consider the proposed extensions Of the elevated
system when the matter was before the Rapid
Transit Commission. This committee is COM
posed Of George j. Gould. Russell Sage and Rob-
ert NJ. Galloway.
supplied by March | with fixtures for burning
gas. Some 80 cars have already been equipped.
and others are being equipped In the companys
shops at the rate of five day. All OF these cars
will be in use on the Sixth-ave. line soon after
March |, unless there is delay in furnishing
the specially prepared gas. In the busiest hours
OF the day 300 cars are in use on the SiXth-ave
line so that at the outset the company VIII have
two out of every three cars lighted by gas The
laying of the cement foundation for the equip
ment at the gas plant on the Harlem River was
DELAYED considerably by the snow and severe cold
weather but work the plant Is now being
pushed with vigor. The gas tanks under the
cars will require filling only once day
Probably nobody outside Of the officials or the
Manhattan takes a greater interest In the con-
templated scheme of changing the motive power
than do the locomotive engineers Many or the
engineers in the company's employ have feared
that they would lose their present places when
ever the change made. The men are mem
bers Of Division No. 10j Of the Brotherhood Of
Locomotive Engineers There are about five hun
dred members Of the division in the companys
employ The officials Of the brotherhood have
kept a close watch on the development OF cleo
tricity as motive power for railroads. includ-
ing the elevated system In this city
A prominent member of the brotherhood said
last night that the engineers In the employ Of
the Manhattan need not be alarmed over the
reports that the company would change its
motive power from steam to electricity in any
period less than five years at the earliest. It
would take at least two years 10 get plant. and
the rest of the time would be consumed in get
ting II in running order. The cost he said.
would be about SI.0OO.OOO.
AS far as the change of motive power would
affect the engineers il is thought probable that
the company would keep many OF them to run
the trains under the new system. The engineers
would certainly oppose any reduction in their
wages They now receive SO 80 for nine hours
work: this is 81 more than motOrmen on the
Third ave cable road receive