Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-12-25
ACE OF ELECTRICITY.
A New Era Has Opened in the
Expansion Of Our Cities.
Water Power as a Cheap Factor In tho De-
veiopment of Electrical Energy-Broad
Streets and Abundance of water as Fac
tors to Hoalthful Life For Man and
Shade Trees-space Annihilatcd by
Electrically Propelled Vehicles.


Electrically Propelled Vehicles.
The Introduction of electricity opens
up new era in the expansion of our
cities.
Until Its introduction the tendency
was the saving of walking time. invit-
ing the architects to direct their atten-
ton to the construction of the greatest
number Of residences on a given area,
resulting in scant air and light.
With the growth of the country has
followed increased travelling facilities.
The writer we'll remembers when a
Maine Senator travelled from Alfred to
washington in his private carriage,
then came q stage line, and later came
railroad. This is but a repetition of
the history in different parts of the
county.
Electricity brings relief by enabling
the citizens to locate where they can
enjoy free air and a space for q few
flowers and shade trees
The error of narrow streets can also
be avoided.
For attractive homes the streets
should be sevenIty-five feet wide, the
sidewalks laid out twelve and a half
feet wide. seven feet of which for be-
u
half feet for grass in which shade trees
should be planted to receive the mois-
ture. Trees being the children of wa
ter they require it through life.
Nature furnishes a generous supply
In the spring. which ascends, and we
call IL sap; it opens the buds and forces
out new spriss and forms an additional
layer between the bark and wood,
Which we call grain, which are so dis
tinct as to be counted, and by which
the age of the tree can be ascertained
Deprive the tree of water supply,
sickness and death must result
The want of water is the cause OF the
unhealthy appearance of the trees on
our streets, and now as the asphalt
system is prevailing, which forms q
waterproof covering the unhealthi-
ness of the trees will Increase
With proper width of street It can
be double tracked for the electric cars,
pass each other on either side, and
have proper supply of water for
shade trees.
Electricity is driving our supply
farms further out, utilizing those near
by for residences.
l recollect siXty-five years ago of
visiting a friend In Philadelphia. The
horsecar system was in its infancy
My friend was in the real estate busi-
ness. Hc took ME out to show me 4
purchase he had made for the purpose
or running street through It. Said
he had arranged with the street car
company to give them alternate lots
Tor them to lay track and run their
cars as soon as road was made
I again visited him three years later
and found the street entirely built
upon
Perhaps our electric companies
would enter into some similar arrange
ments If concert of action could be
brought about.
Electricity is cheaply produced by
water power. A plant established in
York county. Maine. upon a small
river with fine fall. runs a factory
between four and six miles distant;
also over twenty miles of electric cars.
Water power Will ultimately enter
largely In the production of electricity
could IT'S exhaustion In long distances
be overcome. Who would doubt that
If the water power of Niagara Falls
could be utilized it would run the en-
tire machinery of the United States.
1t Is yet in its infancy and bids fair
to become powerful rival OF steam
on railroads.
The use of water extends beyond the
production of wood and its power to
create and eXtinguish fire. in ITS i'm
pure state, 1t deals largely in germs
Vigilance in this direction is incumb-
ent on those having this department in
charge.
1t is to be regretted that the wild
scheme of sinking an artesian we'll in
the ne!ghborhood of the water works
was fostered. 1t was that much money
thrown away even had IT proved a
success.
The proper place for It's location is
near the central part of the city. Then
in the event OF an accident TO the
machinery at the water works the city
would not be left dry.
There Is no reason why q we'll sunk
in the centre OF the city Should not
be as much OF a success as at Lam
bert's Point.
In Charleston. S. c.. their artesian
wells are sunk within two hundred
feet OF the Charleston Hotel, a central
point.
There is land enough above Norfolk,
bordering on the eastern branch, to
establish roads of suitable width and
house lots so by 2O0 feet, where the
winters are warmer and the summers
cooler than below Norfolk.
Lots of the above size allows two
rooms and entry way fronting on the
street, and some room for ornamental
shrubbery.