New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-10-22
ELECTRICITY IN CHICAGO.


The reasons given by the officials OF
the Illinois Central for deciding not 20
substitute electricity for steam over
few miles of track in Chicago are not
without force. The demand for the
change by tile people of that city is IN
spired-nominally, at least-by Wish
to get rid of the smoke nuisance, ana IL
is true that other ways of accomplish
ing that object can be found. Besides,
as President Harahan points out. con-
certed action by all the roads having
terminals in the city is necessary to
make the reform complete.
Whether or not the change is mad
visable on account of the expense IS
a question which has two sides. Expert
ence elsewhere has shown that many
advantages have been secured by the
adoption of the modern traction method
in place of the old one. Other things
have been gained besides the elimination
of smoke. There Is much greater econ
Omy in fuel when the coal is burned ut
a central station and not on the lOcomo-
tive. Electricity makes possible
quicker development of speed after
stop than steam. and hence better sched-
ules for local trains. A larger trafflc
can be handled in a given time on the
same tracks, and increased patronage
results from the popularity of a smoke
less and cinderless service. EXamina-
ton of the books of the old Manhattan
Railway Company, to which access
could probably be obtained with ease,
would undoubtedly present convincing
evidence of these facts. Moreover, IL the
New York Central and New Haven COM
panies were induced to make their pio-
neer ventures partly because of legisla-
ton. it will not be questioned that the
Pennsylvania and Long Island compa-
MES have followed these examples from
considerations of self-interest alone.
Perhaps the Illinois Central has under
estimated the pecuniary compensatiOns
on which it could count should it COM
ply with the wishes of the residents of
Chicago.
One OF the questions which it is nee
essary for a railroad company which Is
planning to "electrify" its terminal 70
consider is whether 1t will adopt the
direct or the alternating current. 1t
should be borne in mind, though. that
the problem is much less embarrassing
when the operation of only a short Sec
ton of track is contemplated than when
the equipment of seventy-five or n hun
dred miles is in view. Electric engines
are in use which take an alternating
current on that portion of the New
Haven line beyond the junction with
the Central road at WOOdlawn but finish
the journey TO the Grand Central Station
with the aid of the direct current alone.
We believe that this duplex system has
worked well. Moreover, whether the
current takes one form or the other
when applied to actual work by the
motors, II is always an alternating cur
rent when it is generated. In one case
it is converted into direct current out
side of the power station. In the other
ii undergOes no change, except in press
ure, or voltage. Practically the same
station plant Is employed in both in
stances. President Harahan may have
carried his conservatism too far in say
ing that ''the art of identification of
steam terminals has not yet passed he
"yond the experimental stage"