Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-22
FIFTY YEARS AGO In THE STAR

Invention of methods to replace
horse power on street railways was
stimulated fifty years
Another Steam ago by general dis
satisfaction with
0tIeet Odi. that mode of trans
port. Mention has already been made
in this column of a superheated boiler
motor, then in progress of develop
ment. In The Star of December IA,
1868, is mention of a veritable steam
engine designed for street use.
western newspapers report what
seems to be an important experiment
in the use of steam engines for pro-
polling cars on street railroads. A
small double-cylinder engine is used.
of fifteen horsepower. The car Is
somewhat larger than those in COM
mon use. The fire pot is arranged on
the self-feeding base burner plan,
furnaces. The machinery is concealed
under the car. The boiler is placed
on the forward end of the car. The
motive power is said to be under such
perfect command that car can be
stopped within three inches of given
point without Earring, and the engine
can drag it's load up a heavy grade.
The cost of running it is but 20 cents
a day. The matter deserves the at
tention of horse railroad companies
generally, as a possible means not
only of saving expense. but Of serving
the public better than they can do
with horses"
Washington's endeavorS to secure
improved railroad connections and
service seriously dis
Baltimore in turbed the amenities
-. between the capital
| latter city taking umbrage at WASH
ington's moves for new franchises.
In The Star of December IA. 1868. is
this paragraph:
1.-The Baltimore Sun urges that the
state shall contest the power of Con-
gress to give right of way for rail-
roads should that body undertake to
grant a charter for a railroad from
Washington to Cincinnati or else
where. And should the different
states not do SO. the Sun suggests
that Individual citizens of the states
should bring the constitutional mat
ter involved to a test. So 1t seems
than even If we are fortunate enough
to obtain congressional sanction for
obtaining an outlet in improved rail-
road facilities. we are to have all
sorts of legal obstacles brought to
bear against us in behalf of the pres
ent monopoly. Another Baltimore pa
per indicates that the action of the
courts will also be invoked to hinder
the proposed railroad connections
through that city. by which Washing
| ton has hoped to get freight and bag
gage through without the present
harassing break of connections.
With such truculent opposition by
our neighbors to every effort to i'm
prove our communications. we are
| about in the position of Yorick's star
ling-can't get out""
1t would seem, however. that else
where than in Baltimore the capitals
endeavors to improve
namand far it's connections evok-
Short Lines, ed sy n ,sa ,non nnas
listic conditions under which Wash
ington suffered operated also to the
disadvantage of other cities. In The
Star of December Is, 1868, was print
ed the following:
"Outside of Baltimore the railroad
projects before Congress to connect
Washington more directly with the
great commercial center, New YORK:
| and the various western capItals. nla
favor with the press. The New YORK
Commerce is some remarks In TINS
connection says that there liz not a
railroad connectinE that city with any
important point at the east, west
north or south. but. if built on a
much shorter. The New York and
Erie railroad is more than 100 miles