New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-08
RAILWAY TRAM TELEPHONY.

Though the activity OF inventors IN seeking a
wav TO establish electric communication be-
tween stations and moving trains has not yet
led 10 the adoption Of any such system, The
Electrical Review" still considers IL a posi-
billy In its last issue that periodical remarks
editorially that Edison and other experts have
shown n preference for Induction rather than
contact FOR leading the necessary impulses into
the instruments on car or engine The opinion
is expressed nevertheless, that the trolley wheel
and overhead wire OF Transmission from rails
TO car wheels may yet be found equally feasible
Another development Of the near future, 10
which our contemporary makes no allusion, Will
doubtless have some bearing on this question.
The substitution OF electricity for steam on
many railroads in America and Europe within
the next Eve or ten years may be looked upon
as a practical certainty. Whether the current
be conveyed 10 the trains from the power sta
ton by the third rail or by overhead wires, the
track proper viii undoubtedly be used as
means OF returning It With the right sort o.
apparatus and with special control Of voltages
the same conductor can be used for more than
one current. Edisons Quadruplex system OF
telegraphy is a familiar illustration Of the fact
Whether so light current as is needed for
telegraphy or telephony can be conveniently
handled in direct association with one power
full enough to drive railway train IS another
question The necessity for employing n sep
nrate route for the electric currents OF block
signal system, where electricity IS used for
motive purposes has already been foreseen.
In Ike manner an independent conductor would
be required 10 light a red signal In the engi-
neer's cab TO warn him OF danger ahead II that
method Of protection were adopted on electric
roads. IT is obvious, therefore, that IL COM
munication IS going TO be maintained with
moving trains by telegraph or telephone, track
circuits cannot be utilized on the railways OF
the future
SO deafening IS the din in a steam locomotive
cab that telephone there would seem to be
useless The mOtorman's apartment on an
electric train-on one OF the elevated roads, for
instances less noisy; but even in that signal
appealing TO the eye would probably he more
effective. 4 conductor might be able TO hear
telephone orders. especially IL his instrument
were placed in a booth whose walls had been
rendered partially sound proof. That plan Of
issuing orders from a central point would OF
course, involve drawbacks not experienced
hitherto. Some Of these can be foreseen. As
he would not know precisely when 20 expect
orders, the conductor would be obliged 10 rely
upon another employe-an operator. for in
stance-for indications that be was wanted and
it might take n minute or two TO find him.
Again, II half dozen trains were controlled
by telephones connected trolleywise with the
same wire. misunderstanding might arise as TO
the particular conductor who was called
\ still more serious objection would be the
possibility OF misunderstanding instructions
when the right man was reached. Sometimes
a telephone works like charm, and sometimes
it does not Passengers using such an instru-
ment in drawing room car might possibly be
willing to face the consequences OF the bad be-
havior OF n telephone, but company that was
responsible for the safety Of thousands OF lives
would probably not care TO do so. The sharp
unmistakable click OF a telegraphic sounder
attended by a trained operator would doubt
less be regarded far safer. The instrument
/ might prove to be as trustworthy when carried
on train as when placed at a station. Il
might yield as good results when controlled by
Hertz waves as when influenced by an ordinary
electric current In any case. it would probably
lead TO fewer fatal errors than the telephone