New-York tribune., 1901-01-05
ELECTRIC TRACTION'S FUTURE.

In the current number of "The Street Rail-
way Journal DR.. Louis Bell discusses electric
traction in prophetic vein. The subject is one
on which he is admirably qualified TO express
an opinion. And most of his conclusions will
command immediate assent In one respect,
however, it is possible that he betrays too much
timidity. He hints that perhaps the automobile
may in time become formidable rival of the
street railway. Well, the automobile has one
advantage over the streetcar 1t can navigate
with greater freedom. But it must always be
an expensive mode of transportation. The people
who can own or hire small horseless carriages
are comparatively few in number. The masses
will always need cheap conveyance. And as
for self-propelled omnibuses, these must be re
stricted as closely to specific routes as a street
car, and without being able TO carry onefourth
as many passengers. The automobile may dis
place the horse to some extent in city streets.
but ii is hard TO conceive of its competing with
the street railways. The bicycle once threat
ened TO do so, but failed. The automobile, te-
ing more costly, must prove even less danger
Gus.
There can be little contention over DR.. Bells
other views as TO possible changes to be ex-
perienced in large cities. He thinks that the
superiority of tunnel roads over surface lines is
most marked in places where the traffic is very
dense, but beyond those limits surface roads
will be required as feeders. Besides, there must
ever be local as we'll as an express business
Hence it is doubtful whether the surface roads
will disappear entirely, except in the very heart
of big cities Still, DR.. Bell looks for a consider
able evolution of the tunnel system, and would
not be surprised TO see a great deal of freight
handled in this manner. And whether existing
steam roads or new companies control the sub
urban passenger business, he is convinced that
motors which emit smoke, cnders and foul
gases will not be tolerated by the public much
longer
Another conspicuous development Of electric
traction which is predicted is the construction Of
light railways in the country to connect the
farming districts with the steam roads. Com
petition with the latter is not the proper func-
tion of these lines, DIR. Bell says. Their true
mission is the transportation of agricultural
produce TO market. 1t Is pointed out that when
an economically constructed road Of this class
is made patronage flows to it as naturally as
rain collects in a watercourse. "And it is not
long," DR.. Bell adds, "before a profitable busi-
mess springs up, so to speak, out of the
Wilderness"
The same writer looks for a great increase of
speed on trunk lines He believes that in the
time of men now living one hundred miles an
hour will be considered slow travelling. But
IL this service is TO be rendered by electricity
the third rail will not be so available as II is for
short runs. Where long distances are to be
covered the current ought to be supplied at very
high pressures-ten thousand or twelve thousand
volts, instead of five hundred. And several con-
siderations dictate the raising of the conductor
many feet above the earth. II may be expedi-
ent to operate the car motor with a high press
ure current too Appliances suited to this class
of work are altogether feasible, Dr. Bell says,
but have not yet been reduced fully to practice.
Hence a number of innovations in usage must
be effected before New-Yorkers can enjoy fifty
minute trains TO Philadelphia or make the trip
to Chicago in ten hours