Arizona republican., 1917-11-21
FRENCH STYLE
 IF RAILROADS.

The following letter interesting as are all descriptions of France and very interesting to those engaged in railroading, is taken from an Hi nois paper. The writer is a nephew of Peter Snapp, who resides on Route 5:.
 In France, Sept 4, 1917. Friend Sam:
 I received a card from you several days ago and sent you one in return and will now try to write letter
 We have now been in France nearly two months and like it pretty well, but still have a longing for the old [. $. A. and things that are Ameri- can. The French treat us fine, we have lots of clothing, are keeping well and get plenty to eat, but there are lots of things we want that can not be had.
 l enjoyed the trip to New York and coming across the ocean was interesting Had good weather all except a few days. but that was long enough to make us seasick. Never saw a submarine, however, which was alright with us. We were not in England very long, but out side of the rain liked it. It is a very beautiful country. We were taken to London one day and pa raded before the king and queen, which you no doubt have already heard and have probably seen the moving pictures of it. We crossed the English channel on a cattle boat and were all night making. it. eIo iD hunk it heinz 100 cold to stay on deck.
 During our stay in France have been in camp and have not done much outside of the usual camp routine, but expect to be at it be- fore long. l have taken several les sons from the French and was o. K d by them and am ready to start in when the time comes.
 The Boche aviators come over the lines both day and night. In the day time they take pictures and at night drop bombs. So far they have not hit us and l guess there is not much danger. Since we have been here the French have brought some of them down. Since our arrival We have been equipped with Y. $. steel helmets and French gas masks, but hope we never have to use the gas masks.
 One day I took a trip up to the front Was up on high hill back far enough so l was out of danger but could still see the battle line. It was d great sight. The black smoke from the cannon was rolling up in the air while the flashes of their explosives could be seen on il, Every once in d while a Boche shell would hit and explode, throwing dirt and dust way up in the air. Up in the air were observation balloons while right overhead of us an air battle was being fought. It will be long time before 1 forget that sight. I wish my father ,could have been there to see it.
 The French people are a brave bunch and always seem contented. They are always the same whether going up to the trenches or coming back. I have seen them carry lots of them. on stretchers into the hos pitals, that are all shot to pieces. They just lay there quiet and never grumble or kick. The French doc tors are sure great and perform some wonderful operations. If they have anything at all left to work on they can pull you through. It is a common thing to cut a leg off in four minutes and not hardly loss any blood.
 Our fellows are all well and get ting along fine. Ted Allan has picked up 27 pounds since he enlisted and not any of us have grown thin. l think l am heavier now than l was
 The French motive power is quite a bit different than ours They use the balanced compound extensively over here. They are put up with separate valves and valve motions The high pressure valve and cylinder are outside the frame and is driven by the Walschart gear while the low pressure is inside, driven by the Stevenson gear They all have the screw reverse and it is arranged so you can hook up or let down the high or low engines separately. They us ually work the low engine a little further down than the high It must be some job setting valves on some of them. I wonder what the Mill Waukee would do with them? They also have simple engines with both the Walschart and Stevenson gear There is another gear they use simi- lar to the Stevenson, but placed out side like the Walschart. It has an arm like the eccentric arm on the Walschart, but instead of having a throw, is placed so it's end stays concentric at the wheel center. The eccentrics are placed on this. The Ink used is straight instead of curved and IS arranged so that by means or rocker arm to reverse the en- glne, the link is raised and the block IS lowered at the same time and wee versa. A rocker arm is not used however, to transmit the mo- tlon, but goes right direct from the plock to the valve stem. Conse- quently engines with inside motion nave their valves inside the frame
 The engine cabs are not much more than wind shield and have no seat boxes but later built en- slhes nave better cabs and snoa II stool to sit on. The arrangement Of valves and handles are not very convenient. The guage cocks ana cyilnder cocks are on the sfireman's slde While the blower is on the en- glneers. The whistle is fixed so that either can blow it and believe me they do. Eight short for a high way. How is that? One is proceed ana two when running is the call for brakes.
 The air brakes are not used as much as we use them. There are lots or engines and cars not eouipped yet They have two different kinds Westinghouse and a French make but they are similar. The pumn tbev use is like our 91k inch but has two air cylinders but only one stean, cylinder. The air is taken in one and compressed in the other. The brake valve is like our old G-S s+y,a