The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-09-02
ELECTRIC CAB STATION,
3aterte ining Bcenes Where Horselei
Csbs A.. crx.r N.- p.-

, aoVehSe ming bceEoA WnGro aofoeAo4u
Cabs Are Given New Power
One OF the most entertaining sights
which any city in which the electric
cab has been introduced affords is the
cab station itself during the rush
, hours. The cabs wheel in and out Of
the station. as they return from their
trips, or are called out, swiftly and
noiselessly. What strikes the observ-
er most, perhaps, Is the astonishing
ease and accuracy with which they
are guided by the driver. They move
and stop apparently to an inch, and
twist around sharp corners with
recklessness, but withal a certainty
which is foreign to all ones previous
experiences of passenger vehicles The
motorman has everything within
hands reach or foot reach. With his
hands he operates the controlling gear
for operating the switch beneath his
seat which admits the current; he also
steers with his hand. The braking Is
done with his foot, with which, also.
he rings the bell. There is an emer-
gency switch placed near his heel, by
which he can throw out the switch
and break the current when neces-
sary. In order that no tampering
with The vehicle can take place while
he Is temporarily absent, he can re-
move the lever. After that the ma
chine is proof against the tricks of the
mischievous passer-by, who bankers
after free ride, and will not bulge
until again directed by the motorman's
hand. The charging OF the batteries
has been brought down to fine point.
Often cab will run In to replenish its
power, and be out of the station again
In a minute and quarter. Mean
while the fares" will remain inside
and watch the process with interest.
During the opera or theater hours they
are likely to be in full regalia, and the
variety and brilliance Of the evening
dress Of these visitors give an odd
charm to the scene. The equipment
for changing the batteries is most in
genious. AS the cab enters 1t runs on
to table which is split in two parts
and balanced below so that the parts
are free to move In either direction
sideways. The cab is instantly raised
| to the proper level, and a hydraulic
ram comes out, takes hold of the bat
teries and pulls them out Of the way.
They are at once picked up by machin-
cry, carried down the length OF the
battery room and deposited upon a
table ready for re-charging. In the
meantime one Of number of sets OF
batteries which have been brought for
ward by an electric crane and depos-
tied in readiness on table, Is placed
opposite the opening in the cab. The
ram makes a forward movement and
forces the batteries into the carriage
which backs off the table platform, and
rolls out on Its errand. To all appear
ances the batteries are handled as cas-
fly as II they weighed a few ounces
instead Of quarter Of ton. The
number of electric vehicles engaged by
the month or quarter by private indi-
viduals Is increasing with astonishing
rapidity, and the swell coachman is no
longer looked upon as master of his
craft unless he can manage an cleo
trio carriage as skilfully as he can
drive a team Of horses.-St. Louis
Globe-Democrat.