New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-09
SALE OF SURPLUS ELECTRICITY"

SALE OF SURPLUS ELECTRICITY"
OPTIMISTIC PROJECTS OF LOCAL CORPORATIONS
DISCUSSED By AN ENGINEER.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Four corporations-namely the Metropolitan.
the Third-ave.. the Manhattan Elevated Railway
companies and the Rapid Transit Commission
have been accredited with the intention Of selling
surplus electricity" not to speak OF several in
terests yet TO be heard from.
The wisdom OF what has so far been said on the
subject reminds one OF the long-continued contro-
versy between a man and his wife as 70 where
their bureau should be located Finally. they
agreed abide by the decision OF their priest who
was then called in for his good Offices In the mat
ter. After patiently listening TO the arguments OF
both. he finally said he would himself locate the
useful household article II they would show IT to
him. Imagine his surprise when he was told that
they had no bureau at all. but had been disputins
as TO where they would put It II they were ever
fortunate enough 10 get one
It appears to be time for some familiar with
the subject to start line OF thought in the right
direction. rather than 10 have the public continue
In optimistic fire. lie OF mind. and thus be led
to invest their money In securities based upon the
sale Of surplus electricity" and here are some
observations which cannot be well disputed by per-
sons informed the subject Of the generation and
use OF electricity.
First-The Metropolitan company's new power
mouse not De supplying current TOT 1--WE We
yet; the Third-ave. company has only just awarded
It's contract, the full execution OF which may
take two years: the Manhattan company is yet
talking about ordering its plant and the rapid
transit facilities will not be available until long
been provided from other sources.
Second-The greatest requirements for electric
current. both for streecar propulsion and for gen.
eral lighting and power service. come at the sa me
essened "i by snow on ,he streets and the general
prevailing darkness during the time OF storms.
Third-None OF the stations yet contracted for or
talked about Will have anywhere near enough ma
chnery to supply alone electricity for general
lighting and power system adequate TO the pubic
spoken for a recently formed corporation; In fact.
the president Of the Metropolitan company has re-
peaiedly said that his company Will need the entire
capacity OF Its new station when 1t Is fully COM
pleted.
Fourth-The suggestion that electric energy can
be usefully and probably stored during those
hours when there Is least demand for Il IN the
regular cf operations is. because OF the
their use as far from a practical way OF supplying
the needs OF the public as any suggestion can
well be.
Fifth-The Illuminating gas companies. whose
property one would think TO be in especial danger
the only corporations. II they will set them
selves about H. which really supply the pubic
demand for Hight. heat and power. Their pipes
are in every OF the city and their gas which
is stored energy. can be more economically con
verted into electric energy and then supplied to the
public by a single system OF electrical distribution
than can electricity be obtained along any of the
lines which have recently been discussed II would
be emlnenty more proper. under all o. the circum,
stances 20 advocate the sale OF surplus gas. and
quite useful TO TAX Of selling surplus wind. as
OF selling surplus electricity" Truly yours.
New-York Jan 2 1899 AN ENGINEER.