Evening star., 1928-11-18
Fifty Years Ago
In The Star

Edison's electric light invention. his
plans for its development and the queS-
ton of its effect upon the
EolsonS gas companies Of the coun-
Y;rh+ try continued to arrest pub
e""' lie interest SO years ago. In
The Star of November IS. 1878, says:
"A correspondent of the New York
| Evening Post says on the authority of
an eminent scientific gentleman who Is
an intimate friend of Edison's and had
just returned from a visit to Menlo
Park that the electric light is entirely
ready for introduction into general use
and that the company is simply watt
ing for European patents, which the
English solicitors have just telegraphed
them will not be ready under 20 days.
The apparatus Is said to be standing
complete in Edison's workshop and to
give a soft, beautiful light of the same
strength of gas. The highest estimate
of the expense makes the cost one-half
that Of gas. Edison Is represented as
being undisturbed by the attempt of the
rival company, controlled by the gas
men, to anticipate his light, being con-
fident Of the superiority Of his inven-
ton and considering, moreover, that
the two companies win occupy rather
different fields"
y X
Objection to the participation In ma
tional legislation of the lame ducks"
Nv of Congress-those defeat
Lame ed for denomination or re-
n,oLs election in November-waS
felt and expressed so years
ago. though 1t had not yet led to the
proposal Of constitutional amendment
changing the date of congressional
meetings. In The Star of November H.,
1873, the subject is thus discussed:
The fact that so large a proportion
OF the present House will not be re-
turned to the next Congress calls at
tention to the other fact that. owing
to the time when our congressional
elections are held, a great number of
legislators. having been defeated, either
In attempts at denomination or re-elec-
tion. have the conviction forced upon
them that they do not represent their
constituencies. The people have re-
jected them, and yet they continue TO
make laws as usual during q whole ses
sion. Who will question that the tend
ency OF this condition of affairs Is to
make the average Congressman reckless
OF the welfare Of those whom he rep
resentS and mindful solely of his own
interests? He is now Indifferent to the
anger Of his constituents. since he has
nothing more to hope from them. II
only few of those CongresSmen who
at the second session are in the position
indicated are found weak enough to
give way to this tendency the evil will
be apparent. And 1t Is one that can
be easily remedied. Either the time of
the assembling of Congress or the time
Of the elections should be changed, so
that a member Of Congress cannot pre-
sent himself for reelection until his
full term Is practically completed.
-
Another aspect Of the electric light
question is thus discussed in The Star
Doubt Expressed IS. IS 1878: Vr''''
on the New Light. pert nnSsner Sas bssn eS,
heard from upon the question whether
gas will be superseded by electricity.
Prof. Henry Morton thinks Mr.. Edi-
sons invention may be applicable In
large buildings and hotels. but does
believe 1t will displace gas. The
problem Of carrying powerful cur
rents of electricity and applying them
in countless localities with economy Is
one which calls, not for the ingenious
invention Of known properties only, but
demands new properties of matter and
new laws of elective force, and he con-
cludes that the day of universal light
ing by eleql lricity will not come in his
time ~