Omaha daily bee., 1897-04-24

leans have, until recently, taken up the new
vehicle only in a half-hearted way. But the
vogue has at last reached this country and
one of the indications Of its presence is the
establishment of a regular cab
service in New York. Ten hanson cabs are
in operation, while a coupe and a surrey are
in course OF construction. The hansons,
which are much like the ordinary cabs, are
painted the regulation blacks, dark blues,
and green's. They are supplied with two mo-
tors of one and a half horse power each.
Under the extension at the rear on which
the operator sits are placed the batteries
which actuate the cab. The operation OF the
vehicle Is very simple, and can be mastered
In a few minutes. Its speed within the city
Is from six to ten miles, but 1t can be run
up to fifteen miles an hour II necessary. II
is estimated that twenty-five miles
can be covered without recharging the bat
terles. The vehicle costs very little more
than a horse and ordinary cab. II is most
comfortable to ride in, as 1t has four wheels,
which are fitted with large pneumatic tires,
The cabs have been in constant demand,
and II H believed that, sooner or later,
every stable will be compelled to purchase
vehicles Of this description. In France,
where many motor carriages are worked,
by petroleum spirit as vel as electricity,
I has been suggested that in view of the
large demand for such vehicles by private
owners. the builders of the cars should pro-
vide their clients, for a mail sum, with
reduced models Of the same, so arranged
that they can be quickly taken to pieces, and
give their owners an intelligent idea of
the working details.
INDEPENDENT TELEPHONE BUSINESS.
A singular instance of the way in which
industries act and react on each other is re-
ported from Kansas. The trolley car and
the bicycle have in many places almost
ruined the s%addlery trade, and a harness
maker in Hiawatha, a village of 1000 in
habitants, was one of the sufferers by the
passing OF the horse, which is in progress
even in western states. without any tele-
phone experience whatever, he decided to
open an Independent telephone exchange, and
the way in which he has done 1t shows that
any intelligent man Of fair business expert
ence and good judgment needs only a favor
able opening and the confidence of those to
whom he must look for patronage to build
up a successful independent telephone ex-
change service. The enterprise is purely a
family matter. There are no stockholders.
Tho house of the proprietor is used as an
exchange, and the members of his family
constitute the operating staff. So that all
the expenditure chargeable to salary account,
which amounts to quite a comfortable in
come, is kept in the family. The proprietor
Is manager, his two daughters are the OPP
orators and bis young son looks after the
lines. These four individuals run the ex-
change. The franchise was secured in Sep
TENDER. 1895, with fifty customers promised.
Tho exchange was opened January 1, 1896,
with ciShty-three subscribers on the list.
Tho service was satisfactory and additional
switchboard capacity was soon needed. There
are now 1z5 subscribers connected with the
exchange, and new ones are being added
every month. In an undertaking of this kind
the personal element may play an influential
part. 1t Sc happens that In Hiawatha the
proprietor of the exchange is well liked by
the people, who take a pride in their unique
installation