New-York tribune., 1901-06-09
nR rERKES,S ENTHUSIASM.

The eXuberance Of Mr.. Yerkes's feelings upon
capturing the Metropolitan District Railway, OF
London will excuse some extravaganza Of
expression while talking about his plans. He
must not be taken too seriously when he
declares that Chicago IS ahead OF the rest Of
the world in electric traction" Local pride
may prejudice him 50 far in favor of the over
head wire that he fails 10 recognize the
immense superiority Of the underground trolley
of New-York But surely he must realize how
much behind the times is city where the cable
is still largely used for traction purposes.
1t was in the same effusive mood, apparently.
that Mr. YerkeS predicted that THE remodeed
Underground Railway will be superior to the
existing London tube" The fact is. he will
he fortunate If he succeeds half as we'll in pro-
viding for the comfort of his passengers. The
Central London, popularly known as the ''tup-
penny tube" a marvellous revelation to the
English people. Its brilliantly lighted tunnel.
clean. sweet air. spacious, attractive stations.
electric elevators. elegant carriages and high
speed afforded striking contrast 10 the Gin
ders, smoke. foul gases. gloom and jog trot
pace Of the Metropolitan system, from which
John Bulls ideas Of an underground road had
previously been derived. But for the surprising
exhibition Of the possibilities of rapid and pleas
ant transit, and of American engineering skill
well. year so ago, the conversion of the
old steam line into an electric road would never
have been possible. The Central London paved
the way for Mr. Yerkes. and he can we'll afford
recognize the obligation.
The reconstruction OF the Metropolitan Dis
trict Railway has been a foregone conclusion
for months. But there has been some disagree
ment in regard to important details Mr.. Preece.
the well known English electrician, favored the
which GAM & Co. OF Budapest have been par
ticuarly identified, and which is now being
tried in the vicinity Of Lake Como. in Italy
Other experts felt that such a procedure would
savor too much of IN experiment, and preferred
the direct current, which has hitherto been
employed for traction work. Mr.. Yerkes's doml-
nation may be construed as triumph for the
latter policy.
II may he considered certain. too. that
the Metropolitan District Railway will make
use of the multiple unit" system originated by
n New-York man, by the way. This uses no
separate locomotive to haul train but equips
each car in it with its own motor. When the
connections are made, therefore, a man can
operate the whole train from any point, though
preferably he will stand the front end of
what happens ut the time to he the front car
\ modified form of this plan is in service on
the Brooklyn elevated roads. and il has been
adopted by the Manhattan Elevated Railway
Company well The chief beauty of the sys-
TEN is that. whether the train is composed of
two cars or six, the capacity of the motive
machinery is exactly proportionate to the rolling
stock to be moved. But. whatever convenience
and economy may result from giving each car
its own motor. the plan insures no higher speed
or more luxurious travelling than an indepen-
dent locomotive, like that of the Baltimore tun-
mel or the Centrnl London road.