New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-24

J. II. Hallberg Says He Did Not
Warn" Central.
To the Editor of The Tribune.

10 the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: In Thursday mornings paper I read your
article headed Road Denies Warming" in regard
10 which I wish TO make the following statement:
At no time did I send a warning William K
NhnoerD.t, IT.. or 10 W. j. Wilgus. I have had
several interviews with William X Vanderbilt IT,
who kindly gave a great deal of his time in look
ing over my drawings and data for certain type
Of electric locomotive It is also that Mr.. Van
derbilt. whom tried 10 interest in my new locomo-
tive, referred me to Mr. Wngus, who also spent
some time IN looking my drawings and speci-
lcatiors.
l do not recollect ever having warned either Of
these men IN direct conversation regarding the low
centre of gravity OF the New York Central electric
locomotives, but did bring the point thai with
my type OF locomotive it was possible 70 make the
centre Of gravity high as II is at the present
time on tho regular form Of high speed steam loco
motives. Therefore. Mr. Kelley IS stating
that no warning ever received by the New
York Central Railroad Company from
W J. Clark has At 10 comment my de-
signs and suggestions submitted to the General
Electric Company and states that they all lack
merit and ale now part OF the archives at the
company's office IN Schenectady. II may not be
out OF place suggest that Mr.. Clark look up the
file referring 10 my Single phase TO Poyphase cleo
trio locomotives in the Patent Department ar
chives OF the General Electric Company. Mr.
Clark VIII find there a report entitled ''HaIlberg
Single-phase 10 Polyphase Electrical Railway Sys-
TEN Patents-Why are They ValuabIe?"
In Paragraph Of this report Section c. one OF
the advantages set forth is Prevention of rails
spreading at high speed" I beg also to refer Mr..
Clark 10 Paragraph 10 OF this report. which reads
follows
Due TO the application Of q motor generator set
on the locomotive the distribution q weight repre-
sents practically the same conditions now exist
on modern steam locomotives. In other words the
centre OF gravity the HRllberg locomotive can
be made practically OF
gravity on the standard steam locomotives, which
would seem difficult with other forms Of electric
locomotives. where the major part OF the weight IS
on the trucks which will materially lower the
centre Of gravity, consequently Increasing the la
bity OF spreading the tracks speeds above sixty
miles an hour
The report from which the above paragraph is
taken is dated March 70, 1895 and mailed. to-
gether with letter dated MOntclair. y. J.. March
Il, 1906 to A. G. Davis. director OF the patent
pertmeEt OF the General Electric Company At
Schenectady.
It is unfortunate that the statement should have
been made that warned certain officers Of the
New York Central Railroad, when, matter Of
fact, merely brought the point under discussion
to the attention Of the General Electric Company
IN the letter dated March H. 1905.
You have bestowed upon me the title Of 'Disap-
pointed TheOrist.' Ny opinion that the low centre
of gravity q locomotive Is q defect has been
theory but I know that II IS a fact con
fronting the high speed locomotiye designer,
J. II HALLBERG.
New York February %. 1907.
1.-THE Trit mes report that the Central officials
had been warned" was based a statement
by George H. Benjamin. attorney for Mr.. Hall
bergl