Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-09-22
Thomas Edison Predicts That
Electricity Will Be Motive
Power of Near Future
STORAGE FACILITIES THE NEED
Edison Says That When Stations Are
Arranged for Renewing Batteries
Electric Machines Will Be Universal
Predicts Moving of Transconti-
mental Trains by Electrical Energy

Spokane. Wash, Sept. "Electri-
cally propelled motor cars will be the
most in use within a few years. How
ever, they will not supplant other
forms of automobiles until provision
is made for renewing the storage bat
teries in convenient places, but in
Spokane and other cities. where cleo
trical energy may be had cheaply and
easily, the electric cars will do the
work of truck horses and in general
furnish transportation for the peo-
pie"
Thomas A. Edison, who, with Mrs.
Edison and daughter, is touring the
Pacific northwest, made the foregoing
observation in the course of an inter-
view in Spokane, adding:
Il would say, too, that within a few
years. not to exceed twenty, the trans
continental railroads will rum their
trains from the Rocky Mountains to
Puget Sound and the coast with cleo
tricity The great water power in the
state of Washington, conservatively es-
timated at 100000 horse power, now
practically wasted. will be utilized, and
when the water falls in this and adj
joining states are harnessed these
trains will be operated much cheaper
than at present.
Because of the improvident use of
coal it may be said that the world will
be cold and dark, unless the scientists
invent a substitute. 1t is a question
in Washington the people need not feel
over the fuel question, as the
water falls and swift
streams will always furnish electric
power, heat and light. Fortunately, the
tendency is to use electricity and to-
ward economy in the use of coal"
Speaking of navigation of the air by
means of aeroplane and dirigible bal
loon Mr.. Edison said that these con-
trivances will not solve the question.
The aeroplane used by the Wright
brothers, he said, depends too much on
equation. 1t would not work
If another man were placed in it, as
it depends entirely upon the sllillful
handling by the inventor. 1t is also UNI
likely. he added, that the efforts of in
veritors who have pinned their faith
to the dirigible balloon will meet with
success. for the reason that anything
which is lighter than air is necessarily
4 toy of the winds.
while the aeroplane and the dirigi-
Die balloon will be improved" Mr.. Edi-
son said, 81 look to see the application
If a principle different from either in
the successful airship. Navigation Of
the air will surely come. 1t is simply
4 question of applying a mechanical
in a new way. Henri Far
man. who recently visited this country
las started in the right direction.
"The airship of the future will be
lifted by mechanism something like
al spiral. 1t will have the ability to
Use without first giving 1t forward
and it will initiate closely
he flight of a bird. With the helical
lifting appliance, improved propeller
and device for maintaining equilibrium
n the air, the future airship will fly
nto the teeth of wind, 1t will rise to
heights where favorable currents may
De found or skim the surface of the
sarth."
Asked if, in giving up the CONNER
,ial side of his work to take up chem
stry, he would make a study Of air.
ships, Mr.. Edison said:
at is likely I shall pay some atten-
ion in the future to the navigation Of
he air. I have done so in the past, but
had not the time to make serious ef-
tort. I am firmly convinced that
lerial navigation is possible and it is
,nly matter of short time when the
problem will be solved