Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-31
COMPRESSEDAIR COMPANIES
Powerful Interests Said to Be Behind the
Recent Consolidation.
George r.. Blanchard VIII Probably
pany-Talk With Henry ID. Cooke.

The recent consolidation Of the various
companies operating compressed air In
New York is regarded one of the most
important things done In many months
toward its development as a motive power
The companies. which have been combin ID
under the title Of the American Air Power
Company of New York. are the American
Air Power Company Of New Jersey, thu
General Compressed Air Company of New
Jersey and the Compressed Air Power
Company Of New York. The new company
Is capitalized at 100000, and 1t is undsr-
stood that under the terms of the CONSOLE
dation the stock OF the old companies shall
be exchanged. share for share. except in
case of the Compressed Air Power Com
pany. which receives two shares Of new
for one share of old stock, this company
having considerably more visible assets in
the shape of machinery than the other
two companies The latter two have been
developing the Hardie and the former the
Hoadley-Knig motor. which was sue
cessfully tasted here, according to the re-
ports of the District inspector. on the Eek
fngton line.
The organization of the new company has
not yet been completed, but II is stated
with much emphasis that George r.
Blanchard. manager of the Joint Traffic
Associate will be the president. The
Railroad Gazette of January "A stated that
the stock Of the General Compressed Air
Company and the American Air Power
Company. in the hands of the trustees
Messrs. Herman Haupt and William H.
Wallace, had been exchanged and q new
certificate for the total number of shares
IN the new company was IN their hands.
Upon permanent organization, which Is ex-
pected Immediately. the certificate will be
surrendered and subdivided and new GER
tihcates sent to individual stockholders.
Mr. Fl. ID. Cookies Claims.
MIR. Henry d. Cooke formerly of this
city. and who has been the general man
ager Of the American Air Power Company
was in Washington today. Mr. Cooke stated
that he was convinced that the consolida-
% ton Of the companies. about which Star
reporter Intercepted him, would lead to an
immense development of compressed air in
many directions
The best proof Of the adaptability OF
compressed air to street railroad purposes
Is the fact that the air motors after two
years service in New York are Endorsed by
the traction people in New York and Phila-
uelphia.' said Mr.. Cook They are now
making arrangements to equip their 18th
and 10Th street lines in New York city
with compressed air motors. They admit
that a system equipped with these motors
Will not cost more than the cheaper class
of overhead trolley construction. and that
they can be operated and maintained at
a very much smaller cost. These are ex-
cellent facts for the local authorities in
Washington to consider in connection with
the contemplated extension of street rail-
roads and the question of tearing up the
beautiful streets of the city"
Another point in favor of air motors, "
continued Mr.. Cooke, lis that they can be
run on any existing lines whether they be
row equipped with horse, cable or electric
cars This makes them especially valua-
bile on extensions. for when they reach the
city limits they can continue on any ex-
listing lines. There is special outside
construction needed. such as trolley wires
or conduits. which are expensive in the
first place and constant source of further
expense for maintenance
Mr.. Cooke, while silent himself on the
subject. is understood to be slated for an
important position in the new consolidated
company. The mea who are back of IL IN
a finaIc ial and Influential sense are said
to be MesSrs. VIM. G. Whitney, W. F.
ETeeland, p. A. p Wider er, W. l.. Elkins
Thomas Dolan and a number of other
pc werful eastern street railway magnates.
1t was learned from other sources that the
new company intended merely to supply
air for motor power to street railroads as
a portion of its business. II being the prime
object to apply IL TO all purposes for which
steam is now utilized. except, OF course,
heating.