Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-21

into the air. For a second II remains so.
Then another switch is closed and like n
flash the train has literally flown from
end to end of the roadway. 1t needs only
this ocular proof to convince doubling
ones that the extravagant claims for
speed are in no wise exaggerated.
And such is the model. OF course, tbs
idea is still in the stage OF trial and a
number Of questions will have to be
solved before the practicability of tho
device VIII remain unauestioned. The first
to he asked is that of cost, both OF con-
structfon and operation. A machine may
work perfectly. Yet may be so expensive
that it cannot compete, from the eco
nomical point of view. with other ma
chimes which perhaps may look inferior
mechanically. Or. on the other hand. y
may achieve a result which is unattair-
able by other means and which II may be
therefore worth while to pay for at high
rate.
Granting that the installation Of the
levitated system would be expensive. the
enormous speed attained would justify
It's construction say its adherents. But
NJ Bacheiet has proved by experiment
his plan of transportation can he put into
operation at reasonable cost. In the
matter OF operating outlay the cost TO
carry i've pounds weight one hour would
be one cent. Here is basis worth fgur-
ing on.
1t is the present plan of the inventor to
construct a full-sized flying train on
track laid out at some place convenient to
London. His first line will be for express
and mail only. Already he has designed a
car suitable for the latter service.
Meanwhile the dusty warehouse down
in the italian quarter OF London is the
mecca of the great men of the city. En-
gineers. electricians. scientists. airmen.
financiers. all troop into the demonstrat-
ing room to see the wonderful model in
operation. They come In constant
stream down the dingy street and climb
the narrow stairway to the magic parior
They all examine It closely. but with typi-
cal reserve they venture opinion.
1t is only when an expert like Sir
Hiram Maxim enters the curtained expert
ment room that one hears phrases of en-
thusiastic praise. This venerable disciple
OF science came in a skeptical mood but
as the mystery Of the plan was unfolded
to him his vivid imagination saw In its
completed perfection the application OF
this revolutionary principle of convey
ance. He danced about the model ike
delighted child. And he had nothing but
sincerest congratulation TO offer
Winston Churchill. who holds in the
English cabinet the position correspond
ing to Secretary of the Navy. was an
other distinguished visitor Beyond doubt
he was deeply Interested: but he refused
a
bility Of the car.
Also from the admiralty came Sir Henry
Jackson. X. c. b.. chief OF the war staff
He Is the great English expert on cleo
tricity and recognized authority on its
uses. In company with other officers he
spent an hour and a half examining every
feature OF the model
And so 1t happens that this new marvel
Of transportation finds It's first apprecia-
ton in Europe Already the question Of
time saved in transatlantic mails Is under
consideration. With this new system In
stalled. the last post for New York from
London would close forty-flve minutes
before the steamer sails, not the day
previous, as is the case now. This would
be an immense saving to business men.
Again. looking at the proposition from
a strictly European point OF view. a man
from Paris to st. Petersburg that takes
only ten hours would be a tremendous
step forward for commerce. All that has
been written about the time saved in mail
service applies equally to the forwarding
Of express.
Passenger transportation VII! De inc
last perfection Of the levitated system
Innumerable experiments will have to De
carried out before the inventor wishes 10
take the risk of sending human freight
through the air at lightning speed
This new railroad could be erected along
the right of way OF existing raiiroaas.
While it is a radical change from preeen.
systems, vet 1t is not SO extreme an
alteration as actual flying.
It is idle to prophesy. Every inventor
expects Heterogeneous. He knows pc
forehand that. despite boosted craving TT
the new, nothing takes hold with people
as whole so slowly as an original idea
that is revolutionary in principle And y
was a disappointment Of this KIND tnat
drove this grizzled. mystc-eyed. eN-
natriated Frenchman from America, the
land of his adoption. to Eng!and's shores.
In that country he has found appreciatioh
instead of neglect. There is he haired as
mantai idea which will be of enormous
service to mankind.