Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1902-09-18
IMPROVEMENTS IN WEST CHESTER, PA.

lHlfnuYEWENiol IN WEo Uf1Eo th, IA.
Our pretty little neighbor over the
border is leaving US in the lurch. 1t
not only has a new rural trolley line
Ito Downington) Just ready to open for
travel, but is trying an experiment
that we should watch with much in
forest and, if it is successful, initiate
it. 1t is that OF providing heat for
public buildings and private dwellings
from central station by means of
steam pipes laid under the streets, and
connecting with the heating appliances
already in place in buildings. If this
can be done successfully its advantages
are too obvious to need pointing out |;
no fires to make and tend, no coal to
carry in, no ashes to carry out, no
heater dust, settling on furniture and
carpets, no cellars SO warm that ,ege-
tables cannot be stored in them, but
the heat distributed where it is de-
sired, and when not needed it can be
turned out of the house at night, or
when the family is absent, and ex-
pense thus spared. The amount of heat
can also be regulated.
There will be no trouble to the prop
erty owner except that of paying the
bills, which he is assured will not be
so heavy as those for coal when he de-
ponds for warmth on heater in his
cellar. The present charge is on a
basis of Sc ton for coal, but will rise
or fall in sympathy with the fiuctua-
tions of the price of coal, though not,
it is hoped, soaring to its present alti-
tude. A meter will be placed in each
house so that the amount of steam
used can be as accurately estimated as
that of gas, and only what is used is
paid for. This meter is automatic and
weighs the amount of water left after
the condensation of the steam that has
passed through the dwelling and thus
proves how much steam was used. The
greatest cost will be that of putting in
radiators, except for those whose
houses are already fitted with these,
but hues, &C., that every house con-
tains will be used when practicable.
The cost of radiators for an ordinary
dwelling may be about $780,
|. The conduits are already being
placed in several streets in the heart
of West Chester and are to circle the
Court House Square. They consist of
an iron pipe which passes through the
centre Of the conduit and conveys the
steam. This is surrounded by wooden
tube, three or four inches thick and
about two feet in diameter. This
wooden pipe is covered with asphalt
and lined with tin, which does not
readily transmit heat, as anyone can
prove for himself by holding piece of
bright tin close to the fire. While it
becomes very hot on the side next the
fire. comparatively little heat is felt
on the other side. By thus conveying
the heat in the tubular conduits it can
be transmitted to any desired distance.
Notwithstanding the precautions for
preventing the heat from escaping en-
route it is said that on the New York
streets, where the system of heating is
employed snow is melted as soon as it
falls, SO treble purpose is accom-
plished in clearing the streets of snow
and incidentally helping to warm all
out of-doors. This plan of heating is
already in successful operation in seve-
raj cities. Besides New York and
Philadelphia, it is used in Reading,
Harrisburg, Williamsport, Wayne and
Radnor. The Edison Electric Illuminat-
ing Co. Of West Chester is installing it
there, utilizing their extra steam. 1t
| steam that escapes from the chimney
VI Jul StoSbiio iiBhp Woihn IliBub thuo
he put to use.
Another West Chester institution is
| the Tattersall, a big warehouse where
is held sort of perpetual rummage
sale, and at private sale during the
week, and at auction sale on Saturday
afternoons, everybody can sell what
they wish to get rid of, or buy VIII at
ever they want. There seems nothing
| so undesired in one household but il
will find purchaser in another, and
| old furniture, carriages, horses, har-
ness, household and farming imple-
ments, in short, everything Imaginable,
changes hands. The craze for antique
furniture has drawn out the dilapi-
dated contents of dusty garrets, which
are eagerly purchased. One lady re-
Gently bought at the Tattersall large
Franklin stove such as was in use a
century ago, and rejoices in her bargain.
The first car passed over tho Down.
ingtown trolley route on Saturday ano
travel will be open to the public thi:
week. This road is subject of great
interest to West Chestrians, and tine
men whose only employment seems tt
be to watch other people work, elias;
very numerous in West Chester, perchec
along the route, have diligently watched
every spadeful of earth thrown, ever,
oss-tie and rail laid, and should b,
able to testify that it is we'll done.