The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-28
MAY USE AUTOMOBILE CARS.
SUBURBAN AND WEST END MAY
ADOPT COMPRESSED AIR.

tain Desired Franchises the Com
many May Propose to Use Com
pressed Air as Motive Powerfully
Has Been Requested Not to Consid-
err the Company's Petition Until
Notified.
Savannah may tread closely upon the
heels Of New York in the use Of auto-mo-
bile cars Il is stated to be the intention
of the Suburban and West End Railroad
10 adopt a cheap and modern system OF
locomotion for its cars on the proposed
extension from the city market 20 the
southeastern limits Of the city and there
is a possibility of using compressed air
If this is DONE the delay in New YORK
to secure the necessary franchise may en-
able Savannah TO lead the metropolis in the
adoption Of this modern system Of locomo-
ton for street cars.
Mr.. S. L. Lazaron, secretary and treas
urer Of the Suburban and West End, caid
yesterday that he intends to go North next
month for the purpose Of investigating the
relative cost of operating street cars under
the systems that have been recently
brought to The front with view TO re-
commenting one for the company he repre-
sents The electric storage batteries and
the compressed air systems seem to be at
tracing most attention at present.
Compressed air has come to the front
as a motive power" said Mr.. Lazaron,
land 1 shall study this system closely
while In New York II the Suburban and
West End finds that it is more economical
than electricity, which 1t seems viii be the
case, there is not much doubt but it will
be used on our lines. which we soon hope
10 extend through the city. AS the system
is comparatively new, very little Is known
of It outside OF New York, but from the
best accounts obtainable, there is no DOUBT
about its cheapness and reliability, which
are the main things for the company to
investigate in the selection of its system
Of locomotion. 1t Is the intention to adopt
modern methods in the street car improve
ments we propose to make, and If electric
ity and the use of overhead wires can be
dispensed with, the company will be glad
20 do it.
Richard Croker is at the head of the
company which is to undertake the manu-
facture and sale of compressed air apph-
ances for cars and other vehicles" con-
tinued Mr.. Lazaron. Il am informed the
company VIII contract for the equipping
of cars with compressed air chambers,
and if this Is the case we will get estl-
mates from them before adopting any 9th
er system. Judging from the fact that the
main expense, besides the chambers, Is a
plant suitable for COMPRISING the air into
them after they have once been exhaust
ed, il would seem the adoption of the sys-
TEN In Savannah is highly feasible"
while the compressed air system is to
some extent experimental" he says. 1.-THE
fact that men worth millions are taking
hold of it, and have subscribed to stock
in the company that proposes to develop
this important departure in vehicle loco
motion, Is an assurance that it possesses
the merits claimed for it. 1t does not seem
that IL could be used anywhere to more
advantage than in Savannah, for the rea-
son the streets are level There might be
serious doubt about the success of auto
mobile cars in cities with the seven hills
of Rome, but where there is a clean sweep,
through wide roomy streets, it seems Sa-
Vannah IS the place this marvellous sys-
TEN should have been invented
Mr.. Lazaron said he is only acquainted
with the system in a general way, but he
proposes to study it thoroughly in the near
future. His understanding is that cham
bers Of compressed air, charged sufficient
~ to generate about fifteen horse-pow
are placed under the cars, taking the place
of the rafting electric motors now used
on trolley cars, and which are said TO
weigh considerably over a thousand
pounds. When the chambers are exhaust
cd, he said. they may be replaced with
others fresh from the COMPRISING plant
His understanding is that the cars carry
two chambers so that If one chamber
fails. the one held in reserve can be re-
sorted to for power
The Suburban and West End has not
thrown off its primitive garb yet but when
the horse cars are Telegated to the rear
II is said TO be the intention to send them
there forever. The company is Simply
bracing itseff for leap, Mr.. Lazaron saws.
and as soon as the opportunity is afforded
il is intended to introduce methods that
VIII place IL on a footing with the other
lines in Savannah.
The trouble the company had with the
last City Council, it is stated has inter-
fered with IL in the execution of its plans
With the present board hopes are enter
tained of getting fair consideration on a
petition filed some time ago, asking for a
franchise from the city market 10 the
southeastern suburbs. While the stock
holders say they are operating a suburban
line. they desire a feeder which they
would easily have il permitted to run their
cars through the city. The route outlined
in the petition Is on Barnard street from
the market to Jones. thence on Jones 20
East Broad, and south on East Broad to
the city limits. Where the lines viii be
run from the city limits is not known. but
mere Is possibility of extending them TO
Thunderbolt
numerously signed petition against
granting the company a franchise ON
Jones street has been filed with the CIV
Council, and before action can be taken
on the companys request the Jones street
complalnants will have TO be satisfied Mr.
Lazaron has requested Council not to CON
sider the company's petition, which has
been referred TO the committee of The
whole, until he notifies them. There are
some matters he desires to arrange before
the matter comes up, and besides. he de
sres 70 be heard on the petition II Is
possible he desires to wait until the com.
pressed air scheme has been investigated
with the view possibly of amending the
present petition by adding that the com.
pany viii agree to use this method of 10.
comotion With a change from electricity
and wires and poles, to the automobile
cars, which are at beast more fashionable
II is dead sure the petition will stand or