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About Beaver State herald. (Gresham and Montavilla, Multnomah Co., Or.) 190?-1914 | View Entire Issue (May 3, 1907)
FROM HORSE CAR TO THE TROLLEY Story of the Wonderful De velopment in Electric Traction During the Past Twenty Years. PASSINO CF STEAM TRAC Grstlu.vl Kliinln.vd.wt of Db Through the l>e»cl<*pmen( the Electric LtHVHiuHtvr— Chicago to New Ycwk in Ten H.turs. During the summer of ISST, ti •pt wared In the New York Sun U following facetious news item: “They tried an electric car on Fourth avenue yesterday. It created an amount of surprise am! coasts« na tion from Third St. to One Hundred and Seventeenth St. that was sonn*- thing like that caused by the firs* •teaniboat on the Hudson. Small boys yelled "dynamite!” and “rats!" an.l made similar appreciative remark* un til they were hoarse. Newly-appointed policemen debated arresting it. but went no further. The car horse» which were met on the other track kicked without exception. tne metora wen* cnine and the s.nirco of power a primary battery. The *le •»-lopatcnt of the wonderfol modern ginamo was necessary bef«»rv electr!«? mllro idlng <-*Hihl iHs-mne a , mnniervlal avcciss. The first great step was In IM»», »hen an Italian named l*a< loot- n Invented a continuoua current dy aam«k Throe years Ister the first pr.ii.lcal commercial m.s.hlne for con tinuous current operation was made by Gramme. Still the modern electric car was Im possible. The "reversibility of func- lon" had yet to be dlscoven*d. Involv ing electrical transmission of energy through two machines, one driven by power and generating electricity: tlia other reversing the O|>cratlon. recelv- Ing electricity and dev eloping nie chanh-al power. Like many other important llscoy. erics, this Is said to have N'en the re- ault of accident. A workm.au couple«l a machine to a live circuit by mis- take an«! was greatly astonished ufsea it begin to rotate. This reversibility of function was publicly demoustrat«xl for the first time at the Vicuna expo- sitlon In 1873. Not until 1879 wa« the first electric railway put in operation, taking the current from a dyuaimx using a mod ern motor and carrying passeiigvrs. This novelty was In operation at the Berlin exposition ami was a mile and two-thlrda. iu length. The train con- sisted of a stuall locomotive and throe atnall cars, capable of carrying twen- ty ;*eoplc. It reached a speed of eight mile« an hour. Is Inseparably connected with ole« trie traction. b«*gan to attract ntteutioo with Ida motors. Twenty 1 ear« of Achievement. At the beginning of 1887 there were In the wh«>le world leaa than sixty mil«» of electrl«' rallroail track, and only about one hundr**«t motors aud motor cars. In liSKS there wcre tieucly thirty thousand miles of electric track lu rhe United States slime. This «-bang«' was not aceompltkbed without opposition. diseouragi'inent and financial difficulties. Mr. Sprague himself, who was so potent a factor In working this change, has told the at«wy of his first Important contract In the spring of 1887, the Union Passenger Railway company of Richmond, Va. engaged him to build an electric rail way The first car wan run out out night while the skeptical people slept, to make sun* It could climb the hills. It started «wit In a blase of glory and Igno-.nlnloualy »as fowl'd back again by four big mule«. But Sprague t*er ■Isle«! until on Feb, 2. 1888. in a driuliug rain, the road opened for busineoa. From that time forward the future of electric railroading » as assured and events tnovixl rapidly, City after city adopted the new motive power; horav cars became things of the past; In terurhan road.« began to gridiron the country every where, and iu each In stance a commi'iplal sltccesa was •cored. Electric Interurban lines have tx-en money makers from the start. The greatest development has been In the cost- bwt the west is n«»t far Cr * * <r«t Klwetrle Kall wav of Ika WorlS. lUr- 11« KxrolU«». 1ST». natural, over an invention which tlireateii.« to relegate them to a sausage factory." That was leas than twenty years •go. Today the New York Central Railroad Company is ex|>ending *50.- etK».iino in the electrification of the first thirty-five miles of its system, and the car horses were long ig> relegated to the boneyard, if not to the "sausage factory.” “They" have done marvelous things •Ince the increasing knowledge of electricity open -d up a new world of achievement, nnd we have scarcely crossed the threshold. In 1880 the elec tric car was a dream: in 1890. an ex periment: in 1W0. a great and wonder ful fact which Is revolutionizing pas senger transportation and will enable human being« to move from place to place twice as fast as they do at pres ent. Rom in Old Vermont. When in 183d Thomas Davenport, of Brandon. Vt.. ran a toy motor mount«**! on wheels on a small circular railway, the modern electric railroad with its possible speed of over one hundred miles an hour was born. In 1838 Robert Davidson, of Aber- deen. Scotland, built an electric loco motive which actually reached a »|*eed of four miles an hour on the Edin burgh-Glasgow railway. Nine years later Professor Moses G. Farmer op crated an exi>erimental car which car ried two passengers at Dover, New Hampshire. Then the Fnlted States congress be came Interested. By special grants Professor Page of Smithsonian insti tute was aided in the construction of •everal forms of motor« One of them was used as a locomotive and. driven by a battery of one hundred Grove elements, was tried April 29. 1851. on a railroad running from Washington to Bladensburg. A «p<*o>l of nineteen miles an hour was developed, so great that it destroyed the batteries. Numerous other experiments fol lowed, nil commercial failures because About thia time Stephen D. Field ind Thomas Edison in the United States began exi*erlmentlng In 188* Edison was operating at Menlo Park an elec-trie locomotive which yuLM two cars. The First Electric Railroad. The first rcg*ilar electric line to bt •stablishel was at Lichterfelde. Get* many, near Berlin. It was only a mile • nd a half in length and oi>ened fot traffic in May. 1881. The trains ear fled twenty-six passengers, at a maxi mum «peed of thirty miles an hour. The first electric car to be operated regularly in the United States was in stalled by Deft on the Hamden branch of the Baltimore Union Passenget Railway in Angust. IBM. That was barely twenty years ago, 8c groat was the skepticism of the publi* •nd railway men generally that the con tract under whic h the road was built withheld payment one year so that it might tie determined whether the cars would run. “No one but a knave or a fool would undertake such a thing." said a well known scientist at the time. Scientist.«sometimes have trouble keeping up with the prm-ession. About the same time small cars were oper- KUl.os El«strls Lwcot»«tiv» Opor.'oU Ks psrlmeatallj at Mani« Park. IBS«. Windsor, Canada: Appleton, WIs : Tort Huron, Mich.: Scranton. Pa., and Montgomery. Ala. In the autumn of 1884 Frank L. Sprague, w 1. <«* name behind. Tlie Aurora. Elgin an<t t'hl cago Electric railway (the tliinl-rall system) which has !•«■ n In operation when electric railroads will cnuuoct distant cities and greatly shorten ths hurra of trav ck in tact »ucn a railway already being built lietween Chicago and New York by th*' Chicago- New York ■tee trie Air Line Railroad cotnpauy, of Chicago Thia company, beaded by a group of practical railroad men, pro- ;*•«<*■ to run limited trains. making uot more than three stops, through to New York or Chicago, in ten hours. The thought fairly takes one's breath away at first, but the project conaktered •oberty s«w» practical emmgh. aud certainly is "a consumuiatlou devoutly to lie wished.” Hie work of grading began Sept I near la l'ort e. hid. As the new road will be an air line, with few curve», the route svrveyed la hki miles shorter than the Pennsyl vania “Short line,*' and 230 ml lea shorter than the latke Shore and New York Central, each of which runa traina covering the distance In cghtren hours. Taking into cunsidvrailon tks shorter routs of ths Air Line, this It equivalent to s fourteen h.’s» service With low grades, a straight track and no grade crossing«, the seventy five miles an hour average necessary to a ten-hour aenlce ought easily to be maintained Even « hi the first class steam roads of today ninety miles an hour Is not umouimon f >r short dis tances. The Scientific American of Feb 18 i!*k\ speak ng editorially of the New York Central experiment, says, “Th« tuceeaa of this Installation, of which there can be no doubt whatever, mark* the first step In the gradual subatl tutiou of the electric for the steam locomotive in the operation of long dis tanee express trains.” The Chicago New York project may be regarded ths Second step. Mr. Sprague himself says thst speed Is “a matter of finance" "What then will determine tlie future?” he asks “Chiefly th«- flncneial factor, as It must the future of any other groat Industrial problem. When savings In operation and the Increased return for traffic will more than pay a fair dividend on money teveated for electrical e>]ulp- ment. will trunk lines be operated by electricity.” Professor Chari«'« P Steinmets. one of the great.-d authorities on elec trlclty. Is quoted as saying. “There is no limit to the speed that may be de veloped In electric traction -that is. there la no limit up to 150 or 200 miles nn hour. Higher sped than that the car Wueels coal«! not stand. They would fly to pieces from centrifugal IF YOU TOUCH your tongue to ALUM M and look in the glass—you will see the effect— You can't help puckering—it make» you pucker to think of tasting it. By the use of so called cheap Baking Powders you take this puckering, injurious Alum right into your system—you injure digestion, and ruin your stomach. AVOID ALVM Say plainly A On« H«ndr«d Mila an U.iur Elrctrfe Tri*l*. Ctelcag»-N«w Terfc Ilaclrla Air Lil •everal years, is famous. From one center power station over two hun dred miles of road are o;>« rnted. or will be as soon as the line to Belvidere Is completed. Electricity at wholesale Is Fold to cities nnd villages along the route for lighting purposes: electricity for power is sold to farmer«. Trains of elegant cars run into Chicago at a •peed which would have seemed im possible a few years ago. Passengers wave good bye to steam trains on a pnmlleling r-.illroad. which they pass easily. A parlor and dining car is one of the luxuries which the suburbanites enjoy going to and from tlie city, and the railroad seems a veritable gold mine for its owners. The horse car hns long since disap peared. Will the Iron horse, the great steam locomotive, be supplanted also! This question occurs to all who '-an tee the significance of passing events. Probably not for many years to come, as far as heavy freight traffic is con cerned. because steam is especially ap plicable to the hauling of freight. But the action of the New York Central in electrifying thirty-five mile« of it« road leading out of New York, and the po; ular agitation for similar Improve tnent in Chicago and elsewhere, would seem to point to a time not far distant force. Not only can a speed of 130 miles an hour « • maintained on a train equipped with electricity, but in First It»s«l«r Klwtrle Kallwar 1« 1«1SM ■tat««. B*IU«nor«. IBS«. my opinion It Is an entirely feasible »■•hen « from the commercial point of view." At any rate, the world seems on the eve of great things, and no sclen tlst darro *»ay today as was ««Id twen ty years «go, “a man 1« a knave or a fool.” The attitude of the Amcgican public la one of faith and expectancy, best expressed hr a recent remark of an old Indy In her last sickness: “I don’t want to die.” she said, "J want to see what they are going to do." powder Royal is made from pure, refilled Grape Cream of Tartar—Costs more 6he PILLAR OF LIGHT By LOUIS TRACY. ÀMksr »I "Tks ».«K st lbs Memmg- Copyright., 1*M, by LUwanl J. Clod* I tOlfiSJL Pyne swung nttnseir to tne steamers deck before the gangway was made fast, thereby provoking a loud outcry from the deserted children. Grasping his uncle's hand, be said' "Walt until you rend Brand's letter. No one else knows ” Bo Mr. Traill, with tine self control, greeted Mrs. Vansittart affrotlonately and handed her over to a stewardess, who took her to a cabin specially pre pared for her Her low afxikvn worda were not quite what he expected. “Don't kiss me.” she murmured, "and please don't look at me. In my preseut condition I cannot bear ft.” Ri-lativca of the shipwrecked pa »sen gers and crew, many of whom were waiting In Penzance. wen* not allowed on board. Tide srraugemeut was made by Mr. Traill after consulting a locul committee orgunizid to help the un fortunates who needed help so greatly. The unanimous opinion was expressed that a few L-idy members of the com mittee,' suppbeil with au abundance of clothing, etc., would afford prompt re lief to the sufferers. while the painful scenes which must follow the meeting of survivors with their friends would cause confusion and delay on the ves sel. Pyne, watching all thiugs. saw that Mrs. Vanslltart did not meet his uncle with the eagerues» of a woman restor ed to the arms of the man she was about to marry. She was distraught, aloof In her man ner. apparently Interested only In his anger assurance that site would find an assortment of new garments In the cabin. The millionaire himself was too flu* tcred to draw nice distinctions lietween tlie few words she spoke anil what he 1 expected her to any. When she quit lust Elsie askv<l blui : “Where's mammal You aald abe ted him be nalkcsl townnl the group of young |M*opk*. They were laughing was nick. But the u>vu havsu't car ly exchanging news and banter sa If ried her off tlie aldp, au' she waau't lu all that liU‘1 gone before were the lb«- IsMt.” •vents of a lively picnic. At List I ip "I»oi>'t you worry. Elsie." be Mid. met Enid. “I'm going lu take you tu u big bouse Pyne Introduced b!» uucle. a ml ti whore yuu will bud everything fllod wa* a trying experience fur him to Just right.” stand face to face will» his daughter, Ilia uucle and Mra. Vanslltart ap- lu each qnh'k flash of her ilcllghlvd proa«'lx*d. like lady's faro was no eye*. In every tone of her sweet voice, longer bidden. lu every wlnaoute smile ami graceful "M .'uit are you going tu du with Ibuae gesture, he caught und vlvlllv«l lung cblldroiilr" she Inquired dormant mcmorlea of III« greally loved "Tlicro's uulu* bere tu claim Ibetu,” wife of nineteen yeiira ngo. ho Mid. "I rou't let them leave mo In Somehow he wa» gla«l Mr*. Vsnslt- that inipluizurd way.” tart bail nut llugered by Ills side. Tlis "Let me help you. It la a wuman'a discovery of Enid's Identity Invoiced privilege," conslderall ilia *<> con.ph-x anil utterly She alou|w*d toward the tluy mites. uufurcaven that he liia-ded III»«* and "You dear little balwa,” abv Mid anxious tliuiight to arrange bi» pinna auftly. "I can take mother's place fur I for the* future. a time The animated on deck pre routed anything ualuro of sue talued cunversi Luckily Mr. Traill himself, open banded gvneroalty had made ma Iters easy for Hie reception cumiullU*e. »us lu cuu I stunt demand. Mrs Bhaptard had sent a pcirtmau lean fur Coustanc«» and Enid, so they, too. auon scurrl -d Ix-luw with the nth- ers The IlfelHMit returned to the ruck. I I w I iiti * the* four Ilghtliuuse men sent to roller«* B hiik I were now lo-lplng th» sailors to <-arry tlie Injured men doven stair* and assisting the sick to roach lhe entrance. As soon ns thia sex-oud hatch was transferred to the* lu : tlie iessc-1 start ed for Pcuzancc. The Trinity tender would laud tlx* others. Then* waa n sceua of Inteusc* enthu siasm when tlx* steamer reached I bo dock, 'lhe voclferoua cheering of the* to» us|M*<>plc* smutliered tin* <l<*ep agony of some who waited there, knowing all too well they wouhl search lu vain fur their lured ohm among these whom " Oux't In afraid death had spared. Tlu* two girls modestly cs«-niH*d at They knew her quite wall, of course, the earliest moment from the shed sud sin* aaatnad to lx* no much kinder used ns a reception room. All the In ami nl<vr now In her smart clutlwe habitants knew them personally or by than alia was In Ilia cruwih'd dlsunler sight. They attracted such attention of the liedroom. that they gladly rellu<|ulslie<l to other Minnie looked nt Elsie, aud the self hands any further charge uf the siilp- reliant Elsie »aid vallautly: wre«-k«*il people. 8<> nfter a few words "Miiiulo an' me’ll ba glad If Mr. I’yue of farewell for the hour fltanhope pi | comes too." loted them to a waiting carrlag«* and Mr. Traill, who had never I m 1 fora drove away with them. seen tears lu Mrs. Vaimlltart'a eyes, Mrs. Vanslltart did not emerge from found n reudy excuse for her womauly her cabin until tin* <l«-< k was deserted. sympathy. Bba round Mr. Traill louklug for her. "It acema to me." be sold genially, In a neat Idnck dress and feather hat “we are all of one mind. Coma this «be was rehabilitated. way. Etta Ami tulnd you stick close "Why didn't you show up errllerF' to uh . Clmrlle, or the hull |>ortar will he asked In good humotod surprise. throw you out If you attempt to enter "The breeze on deck was first rate it the liotel In that costume.” brought tin* colof Into many n pale He rattled <>u eb<*erfully. telling them cheek. And the way In which the tiuw clulblera aud milliners and all tha crowd let Itself go wan splendid. IxMjk storekeepers In the town. If they were at these walling thousands, quiverlug needed, would wait on them at the yet with ex«Ttement!" hotel. “I am worn out.” she said quietly. “In a couple of hours,” bo said, "you "Tnke me to your liutel. You liavu eu- Iwtli can obtain sullli-lent things to ta-red rooms there, I suppose7” reuiier you preHeiilable for a day or “Of course " two Don't forget we dine at H. We "When do you purpose leaving Pen ought to lie a Jolly parly. I have asked zance?” Htunhope aud Ills mother aud those "Well—er that Is part of the expla two girls to Join us.” nation I promised you.” "Oh!" cried Mrs. Vanslltart faintly. “We can talk matters over In the ho "You must excuse me. I”— tel. Where Is your nephew?" "Now. Etta, my dear, you will not For the first time he marked her air desert us tonight. Why, It seemed to of constraint. me to lie the only way In which wo "Believe me. Etta.” ho said hurried could all come together nt once. I am ty. ''that what I Im vp to tell you will only too sorry Hint Mr. Brand cannot come ns a great surprise, but It aliould lie present. Knrely he might have liven tie a very pleasant one.” •pared from further duty nt tlx* light "Anything that gratifies you will Is* house after what he has endured.” welcqpicil tiy tne.” she said simply. "They offered to relieve liltn at once, "You have not aald where Charlie Is." but lie declined," said Pyne. "Hiding In that shed. He refused He liHiked out of the window of tha Mr Htnnhopo's offer of n rlgout on carriage In which they were driving to lioard. In Ills present disguise he tlx* hotel. Conatance had told him of passes as n stoker, nnd everyltody the dinner arrangement, but ha wI shed wants to see ttie mnn who saved all of to ascertain If the deAnita absence of Hnvc you n closed carriage here7” “Yes.” "I-ct us go. Clinrllo enn come with us.” Agnlu he was couseloiia of a barrier bet wren them, but lie attributed her motel to the slrnln she had uudergoua. In the shed they found I’yue. With him were the orphaned children; Ibero was none to meet them. Kind otters were matte to care for them until their relatives should lie forthcoming, but the man to whom tiqyy «lung would not listen to any aucli proposal. "I kuchh they're happy with me." he •aid. "I will see them through their present trouble." Childlike, they had eyes nnd ears only for the prevalent excitement. At the lighthouse ke<*|s*r would tend to raaaaura Mr*. Vanslltart. lie wna not mistaken. Klie did not reply nt once. Wlwu she spoke, It was with n slgli of relief. “I will not I m * very entertaining, I fear. Iml the young people will have plenty Io tell you." "For goodness sake, Etta, don't class yourself among the old fogies!” cried Mr. Trulli. "l,<Hik nt me—fifty- five and lively ns n graanbopper." 'T'lease. Is Mamie an' me ’vlted, too?" whlapered Elsie to Pyne. "You two chicks will lie curled up among the feathers at 8 o'clock," he told her. "Don't you go and worry 'bout nuv dinner nnrtlea The sooner (Continued on page 8)