New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-13

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shall. Illustrated. Svo. 7p. - The McGraw
Publishing Company.
The application OF electricity to traction
work haze gone through two great stages Of
development. and is now entering upon a third
The new motive power has been adopted for
street cars in cities and villages and it has
been introduced into suburban service Its
next great achievement viii be to furnish
communication between city and city. not on
highways already open TO others. but along
private rights OF way where alone the Ugh
speeds which Il is capable Of giving would be
safe and practicable. Whether this work is
done by the conversion Of steam roads already
existing or by the construction Of entirely new
lines is immateriaL The essential fact is that
IN the near future such places as Berlin ana
Hamburg. New-York and Philadelphia and cit
les Of less importance and further apart are TO
he connected by a type Of railway that is yet
practically without precedent Hundreds OF
progressive managers Of transportation lines,
OF wide awake capitalists and electrical engi-
neers foresee this revolution. and are eagerly
hooking for literature on the subject
Mr.. Gotshan is just the to supply the
need. He combines in a rare degree eNecu-
i've talent, practical familiarity with finance
and experience as electrical engineer BE
sides having built a number OF rural trolley
roads in the West, he had charge Of the con-
struction OF electric conduits along Second
ave. in this city, for the Metropolitan Street
Railway Company. For the last two and a
half years he has filed the offices Of president
and chief engineer OF the projected New-Hork
and Port Chester road. which viii be a pioneer
enterprise IN many respects. 1t was in the
investigations necessary for this latest venture
that he acquired some Of the information and
opinions embodied in this volume. The mate
-ial which the latter contains was presented, IN
the form Of lectures. 10 the students Of Lehigh
University several months ago. but the present
publication Will greatly enlarge its sphere Of
usefulness.
In one OF his earlier chapters Mr. Gotshall
sndicates the way in which the possibilities Of
o route are to be studied by an engineer be
fore reporting thereon to his employers. Ger
tain data about population and traffic can be
obtained in advance. The Office should then
be left for the field and a careful inspec-
don made on foot. Instruments that Will not
excite suspicion viii give him a preliminary
sdes OF grades. By observation and inquiry an
intimate acquaintance must be formed Win the
character OF the people and the stability OF
Industry along the way. The utmost tact and
discretion must. be exercised in the mean time
70 the interest OF ones employers
The first consideration IN planning an inter
,nrban road. from an economic point Of view.
N-N-'-
,,e- cent OF the gross receipts When they are
De-rnitted to reach 40 or 80 the enterprise is
dangerously near bankruptcy and receivershlp.
A definite decision concerning speeds should
he reached before either the power stations OF
motor equipment under the cans are designed
An machinery should be planned with that one
s,ernent IN view Nr. Gottshau also discusses
the considerations which should determine the
site Of the power house. Sometimes 1t VIII not
10 Wise TO locate it at or near the centre OF
electrical gravity.
AS 10 the relative cheapness OF the overhead
wire and third raD a means Of supplying
current, there Is not perfect unaninlity among
exuerts Mr Gotshau inclines 10 thlnk the
-au the more expensive at the beginning but
he ssys that It is much more durable lasting
forever II also affords 2 much better con-
at 20 the sliding shoe than a wire does 10
: trolley wheel. especially at high speeds Inc
letter fact is sufficient TO commend II strongly
n favor. Reference IS made TO the practice OF
covering the third ran with wooden or metal
sb,elas TO keep of sleet, and some OF the SEs-
toms already IN use are Illustrated As yet
,ovever. the author Is not fully convinced that
IN. advantages Of hoodIng outweigh the posi-
HE disadvantages. Further experience Is
needed
In the appendix one win fad specifications OF
Che Port Chester line which possess great local
interest