Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-27

yesterday was revelation. The plentiful
orchards, many of which will soon be COW
cred with the regulation semi-detached viii
las are rich with the ripenins fruit, and
the traveller by the tramcars gets glimpses
OF the River Thames, which go far to JUS
tify the praises that are often showered
upon 1t. Almost every yard of the route
recalls some episode familiar to the student
of Londons history. AT Chiswick. Edmund
Ironsides defeated the Danes. and Hogarth
painted his memorable pictures Brentford
was the scene of a battle in the civil war
when Prince Rupert beat the parliamenta-
rians. Isleworth was already a place of
note when Domesday Book was compiled
and Simon de Montford had his camp hard
by. Very soon the cars will be running as
far as Hampton Court, and even on to the
pretty Esher and Leatherhead.
Tramways in South London.
Strenuous efforts are now being made by
the London county council to press forward
the construction of electric tramways in
South London. The work of constructing
the lines Is difficult and costly. The lines
will not be worked on the overhead trolley
system, but by means Of underground con-
duits. This plan will greatly increase the
cost of acknowledgements say will dou-
Bile it-but then cost is consideration that
does not trouble the great soul of the coun-
Gil. They contemplate the erection of an
enormous power station at Greenwich, but
1t will be years before that station is avail
able. In the meantime they have made ar
engagements with the South London Electric
Supply Corporation to obtain electrical
power from that company's generating sta
ton.
The power thus obtained will operate the
tramwayS between Lambeth and footing,
and will serve one Of the densest popula-
lions south of the Thames. This service is
expected to be in, active operation early
next year, and will be the first installment
of electric tramways under county council
auspices. 1t will be a good thing for Lon
doners, because it will allow of the tram
service being brought into operation much
earlier than would have been possible If
the council had waited for the completion
of their own generating station. Gradually
the electric lines will solve London's great
est problem that of housing properly the
great citys increasing millions.
Boilers on Naval Vessels.
The battle of the water-tube boilers Of
the British navy has been fought for year
or so with the utmost v.gor among those
interested in such things and the pros and
cons duly set forth. That a water-tube
boiler of some kind or other will be extern
sively used in the British navy in the future
is generally conceded, even though Sir
Compton Demviles committee have con-
demned the Belleville.
1t may interest American naval men to
learn that the admiralty have resolved on a
new uSpdI II Is uISeo lIldl many Oh
the mishaps to the French type of boiler in
the past, and which gave rise to the APP
pointment of the committee as the result of
parliamentary discussions, were due to I'M
skilled firing" and hence it has been de-
cided to arrange for the systematic training
OF the stokers in the management Of the
new class of boiler. The old cruiser Mel
son, which is now at Portsmouth, is to
have her guns, masts and much other gear
removed, and to have a water tube boiler,
with all necessary appliances, fitted in her.
Glasses will then be formed on board I'M
der the supervision of an engineer officer for
the training of stokers in the management
Of the latest class of steam generators. The
result is looked for eagerly in navy circles.
Scotland Yard Improvements.
When the new police barracks, which are
being erected at Scotland Yard, are COM
pleted there will be additional accommoda-
ton for 500 constables. This will place the
authorities in a much better position for
holding at headquarters a force ready to be
sent anywhere. 1t Is not generally known
that there Is subway from Scotland Yard
to Westminster bridge station on the I'M
foreground railway. The subway is kept
strictly private and no admission can be OBJ
tanned to 1t unless the railway officials and
the police open their respective doors. BY
using this subway a large force Of men
can be put on the railway and sent rapidly
to any part Of London, without the outside
public being aware that any movement has
taken place. Similarly. IL the houses of
parliament needed protection palace yard