Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-11

of the steam pumps at Dover and Calais
would, therefore. be sufficient to increase or
diminish the atmospheric pressure.
Thus the little trains could be kept trav-
cling at good speed. 1t is calculated that
they would not take more than a quarter
of an hour to do the eighteen miles of the
tubes length between Calais and Dover
At this speed the wheels of the wagons
would make 1.2o0 revolutions per minute
something they could very well accom-
plish. taking into account the small weight
bearing on the axles.
The great exterior tubes would be fur
niShed with an immense number of little
light and ventilation holes While not al
lowing the rain to enter, they would per-
init the air to pass out freely. to diminish
the resistance to the rapid passage of the
trains
Wherein It is Superior.
The trains, which would succeed each
other every quarter of an hour, would
largely suffice for the transport of the
mails of the parcels post and of a whole
little merchandise traffic In this respect
the system would be superior to the pneu-
matic-pressure system. With respect to
the weight of the tubes. ETC., no difficulty
Is anticipated. In the construction of sus-
pension bridges engineers ordinarily take
tenth of the distance between pillars as
the proper height of the pillars above the
moor With pillars 800 yards apart. there
fore, they would not have to extend above
the tubes more than 80 yards, while the
tubes themselves would be suspended at
about forty yards above the level of high
tide.
This would give pillars 100 yards above
the surface of the water. Yards and cables
would sustain the weight of the tubes and
prevent their being carried away by the
winds. From this point of view the prob
lem has been perfectly well solved, the
weights of the cables and the strains of the
greatest winds having been calculated sat
isfactorily.
The Calculated Cost.
I have been allowed to glance at certain
Of the blue prints and specifications of this
sensational piece of engineering work. AS
matter Of curiosity I copied the follow
ing summary of its calculated cost:
Iron Of al kinds entering into the con-
struction of the piles and pillars, 81, 600, 600:
accessories. $1,9OOOOO; great suspension
cables, little vertical cables, etc, ETC., 81
100000: telegraph and telephone cables,
$20O,O00 general expenses, etc. ETC., $780,
900. Total. 5000. 900.
This capital would demand an annuity of
$500, 900 to bring about its amortization in
fifty years. at the rate of 8 per cent. In
estimating the yearly expenses at 500 600,
1t follows that an annual receipt of $780,
600 would be sufficient The subventioned
channel mail boats receive annually. from
France $4,000 and from England $4,000.
This, 1t Is foreseen, will be augmented
enormously by the receipts of the parcels
post. But the whole story has not yet been
told.
May Garry Passengers.
The great secret is yet to come. After the
channel postal tube shall be in current
working order; after English patriotism
shall have become habituated to the sight
of the pillars. cables and tubes; then with
out noise. new service is to be added. Lit
tie trains de luxe (of luxury and ex-
pense), \each carrying, say, twenty human
being who can pay for the luxury, will
begin travelling through the tubes between
Calais and Dover.
These luxurious passengers will lie luxu-
riously extended on "sofa-cars," so as not
to bump their heads against the ceiling OF
the great tubes. They will cross the chan
mel luxuriously in twenty minutes, with
out the slightest fear of sea sickness.
It is anticipated that English patriotism
will make no effective objection, II the
splendid innovation be brought about by
degrees First the letter. Then It's writer;
And no fear Of an invasion of the armed
hordes of the continent!
STERLING HELLO.