The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-08-29


and the herdic line now running regular
ly and smoothly on Sixteenth street have
frequently suggested the question wheth-
er the time would come when the trolley
car would be superseded by some form
OF automobile.
In various parts OF Europe inventors
and railroad people have been trying to
solve the problems in another way. In
different parts OF Europe companies have
put in operation a 'trackless trolley. ~.
which has worked with such success
as lead to the appointment or committees
OF investigation in other cities to view the
operation Of these systems and report
upon their practcabHlty.
The Bureau OF Manufactures. OF the
Department OF Commerce and Labor, re-
Gently received a copy OF one OF the re-
ports made by an investigating commit
tee sent out from Leeds. England. The
commission consisted OF two members OF
the city council Of Leeds. They visited
the Continent. saw the various systems in
operation and made a report upon three
OF the systems which is summarized as
follows by Consul Walter c. Mann. OF
Hull. England
The three systems considered were the
Mercedes-Ston which is In operation in
various parts OF Austria, and was seen in
Vienna. the Filovia. used on six or seven
routes iE North italy. and seen IN Milan;
and the Max Schiemann. which Is en-
ployed in Germany, especially in the
Rhine Valley
Vehicles Are All Similar.
The vehicles operated under each OF
these systems in general appearance do
not differ greatly from the singla-deck
motor omnibus. except that they have
some means OF collecting current. such
as a '-nshing rod from the roof % the
electric current supply. az in the case OF
ordinary electric trans worked from over
head cables. But while the ordinary
electric tram IS able 10 let It's used-uD
current return 10 earth through the metal
wheels, the rubber-tired trackless tram
has 10 let that current return by means
OF a second overhead cable running paral-
lei with the supply cable. II appears that
the principal difference among the va
rious systems occurs in regard 10 the
arrangement Tor keeping the two shoes
on the two cables.
The length Of the route inspected in
Vienna Is about one and a half miles.
where the road-of a switch-back char
acter, having at one stretch OF about 1oG
yards gradient OF l in 1O-is rnacadarn-
lied. On this route there are twn pairs
ing OF cables. one for going and one for
returning cars. though elsewhere one pair
Is made TO suffice. so that when two cars
meet one has TO stop and remove It's
connection with the wires until the other
has passed.
Inc vehicles carry twelve passengers
seated. though when required an addi-
tional twelve are allowed 20 stand. even
on the platforms. both front and hack
The entrance Is az the drivers end. and
he attends to all the duties OF q conduc-
tor as we'll as driver.
Cars Ride Smoothly.
The committee was particularly struck
with the smoothness and comfort OF rid /
ing, the spring base OF the truck being
very we'll arranged The brakes are
ample, and spraggs are fitted 10 prevent
running backward n the car is stoned
on HILL Satisfactory assurances were /
received as 70 the operation OF the cars
under the severest winter conditions. 1
though II Is noticed that on this par-
ticular route the cars have been running
only since last October.
The motors. which are each 70 horse /
power, form the hubs Of the back
wheels, and the current Is collected from
the supply cable by means Of a pair OF \
wheels running on the top or the wire 4
a similar pair Of wheels transferring /
the used current to the return 4 weight /
ed pendulum slung from a frame car /
rying these two pairs OF wheels keeps /
them well pressed upon the wires. and the /
current IS conveyed TO the motors not 4
by a fishing rod" but by a pair OF
cables which allow the car % pass TO
any part OF the road in the avoidance
ot other traffic. The empty car weighs
two and a half tons.
The cost OF the chassis OF the Mercedes
Stoll is about $3.50 without body. The
cost OF the overhead construction ia
about $500 per mile, and the working ex-
oenses per car mile. the committee was
informed, are: Current $3.50, tires total
DAD AZ tOns), $3.50; wages driver only
Employed. $40: depot expenses. S052:
axes. management insurance, SL60: re- |
pairs. renewals. painting cars, and equip
nent. N.06; total. 800
FiIovia System in North Italy.
On the Filovia system the cars will
axe thirty passengers. A framework car
-ying two pairs OF wheels. one pair IN
contact with each overhead cable. IS en-
oloyed to maintain the circuit II is very
similar TO that used in the Mercedes-Stoll
system. except that II is pressed by a
fishing rod or boom" against the under
iideS G? tho cables. There are two di-
motors OF 10 TO 10 horse
power each, and figures supplied by
route similar to that Inspected show