Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-21
RECEIVER SCHOePF'S REPLY
Will Make Final Test of Air Motor on Eek
ington Line.
Outlines the Route TO Re Trayerscd-
Schedule of Four Days
10 He Tried.

Late yesterday afternoon the Commits
stoners received from the receiver Of tho
lexington railroad his answer to the letter
requiring further tests with the air motor
before finally adopting the same as mo-
tive power for the road
The receiver saws:
In regard to the tests of the Hoadlcy-
knight compressed air motor car, which
you have requested. I will he ready to
proceed with these tests tomorrow Cues
day. afternoon, at 80 O'Clock. at which
time the air motor car will leave the power
station OF the lexington and Soldiers
Home Railway Company. at Attn and
streets northeast. and proceed to 9Th and
streets northwest, from which point IT
will tow back to the power house one of the
regular electric motor cars. now in use on
the lexington road, but IL YOU consider
that ii would be a more satisfactory test
VIII tow the air motor car with the cleo
trio motor from the power station 4th and
L streets northeast, to Florida avenue and
lexington place. a distance OF six miles,
ana then have the air motor car shove
the electric car to eth and B streets. and
from that point make the trip to the power
station, 4th and L streets northeast tow
Ing the electric motor.
Either is Satfsfartory
Either of these proposed tests will be en-
tirely satisfactory to me. and I only sug-
Sest the latter to you. as l think It Will
he more satisfactory demonstration than
the former test. In this connection how
ever, you will pardon me for calling at
tention to the fact that I'm the actual opera
ton or compressed air system on either
OF the lines for which I am receiver no
such severe condition of affairs could posi-
bly, occur, for, in the installation of this
system. high pressure pipe lines will be
tor NJ h.. -
all the lines, with emergency charging sta
tions at all terminals and intersections of
the different lines, and intermediate points
OF probably every half mile, which will he
or similar appearance and design to the
section manhoies In use in the underground
conduits of the Metropolitan railroad of
TINS city Indeed, these pipe lines would
take the place of and perform the same
service as feeder wires now laid in ducts
IN connection with the underground electric
conduit system, and which can be laid al
mucn smaller expense. and with very little
disturbance of the street as the pip.s
would only require a small trench t.tve..r
the tracks, OF about the same size as that
required Tor a small water main.
In Case of Breakdown.
nile the terminal charging stations
would De In constant use, the intermediate
ones would be rarely. il ever. used, and
theh only in case of breakdown, which.
al the worst. would be rare owing to the
perfect design and simplicity of the Hoad-
iey-knight motors, making Il Unavoidable
Tor sdch test as the one YOU have re-
quired to ever occur. For should such a
contingency arise that a disabled car must
De towed from 9TH and h streets nort Invest
there would be a charging station at this
point, and should the next motor TO come
in not have a sufficient reserve could re-
charge to Its fun capacity. which would
insure beyond question OF doubt its ability
to tow the disabled car back to the sta
ton. However, L am glad to have the op-
portunity 10 demonstrate to the Commits
sioners the ability of the Hoadley- night
motor to meet the seyerest requirement i'm
posed. which, | think you will agree with
me. is not an easy one. in view of the fact
that the line selected, with its many short
radius curves, heavy grades and present
condition of track. together with the ex-
IRENE weight of the car and length of
wheel base, which is feet, makes the test
a most severe one.
Similar Test.
upon conclusion of the test of towing
the electric motor car from 9TH and r.
streets northwest to the power station,
4th and 7 streets northeast, I will make a
similar test, using Brookland as the ter
minus. in which case will tow the motor
from the power station to Brookland and
return.
ION Wednesday morning | will he pre-
pared to start a regular schedule for four
days, as follows: Leaving power station.
4th and T streets northeast, at am, IL
m, pm. and pm. and running to 18th
and G streets northwest and return. max
ing four trips per day. which will be all
that the small compressor have here will
be able to supply sufficient air for. This is
practically the same schedule that had in
force during the latter part of March and
the months of April. May and June. and
barring any trouble with the compressor
the trips will be made exactly I'm accord
ance with the schedule submitted