Evening Star Newspaper, July 17, 1897, Page 10

10 THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, JULY 17, 1897-24 PAGES. out the balance of i choice of them for $1.98. tailor-made, high-class wash suit Ww. ed us, and that’s why ing week. 37° —for three lawns, French Medras and terns and high as a dollar. We are mak muslin, lac tablesful of figurad with detachable collars, In the most desirable pat- nis season's styles, which sold for as nd embroidery trimmed gown ’ lawns, French batiste shirt waists— and $3. word to print—so will the others : w a THE ALASKA GOLD MINES Great Excitement on the Pacific Coast Over 14 Their Richness. Headreds of Californians May Start | s—liow to for the New Fic the New j not heen ty to has ye new Klondike camp on the far Alask would ha all of tir men we vof of their tales Not one of the last fall with | and a few | with | Yukon rive storie These not tha abie to f Not one ¢ out Jozen cleaned up from while half a dozen av- $1,000, Scores of alued re now by hired me to to $T.0E.00E, their part Yuko} mtry and brave, from $00 is ave ake such pow- gination. n enthusi mnie 5 thi ke here will be n go from this ys 14m) or m will start of the Argon: ‘alifornian: ng strikes stir them Every one here kno { the far northern bonanz: ed to discount the extra en- mir for all re- fortun of the thou- who rushed to Car- y s nearly for that there we im, and that the small it could not iver only to fir for every cl ago, y men Cariboo. 2 repetition of from what is said by hard-headed old miners with whem the Sun correspondent talked th is gold-bearing country nh around Dawson City to support a aud the only danger ite great population. im the scarcity of provisions during th when fresh supplies cannot Should transportation fo no better than they have done kust two years, and should 20,000 or wen crowd into Klondike, there will with abundant crime. How to Reach the Gold Fields, turned m: gree that the bext y to reach the new gold fields ts by way The is mainly by land all, down numerous ual starvatio! whic! sudden snow ms that Come up without warning, and is Chilhoot Pass, of the place aus prove ‘The n average i. James 1 fatal to many adven- distance is 650 miles, of twenty-five due, one of the < now in the city, gives an interest- - trip, and also of his ex- at unknown ré en in Alaska for fiftee: t unul the di “a creek that he str be who had at rho is caug! range Ititud rms at the and many ople who themsely. hanging rock: have been forced to rem: or three days without fcod. wson City is not unlike some of the mining towns here in this state and els: 1 average © snow s pi live hay where they & where, with the difference that no law- lessness exists. The people realize they west end to a certain extent on one an- other, though the Canadian government has been a powerful factor in keeping down the unruly. The history of Dawson City I built the first house in it raised the first American flag. The ‘overy of gold in that immediate local was made by Robert Henderson at a is interesting. a | of the © crazed over the prospect, but cooler s finally prevailed, and a meeting was don t and ground yme the mining center of the north- a sawmill y and night, but annot y the demand for its’ pr Lumber selis at the mill for § thousend, but when delivered at mi the price jumps to $4 All miners unite in saying that the only fear for the coming winter is the lack of » Alaska Commercial Com- pany prom: however, to send in all that is needed. Living is high no be seen from these quotations of pric when the miners started for home: Flour, per hundredweight, (following are the "s per pound): Moose ham, $1; © cents: 3 2 con, 40: dried ; butter, a roll, $1.50; exes, salmon, each, $1 to $1. cents; canned meats, liquors, per drink, shovels, $2.50; picks, %; coal per gallon, $1; overalls, $1.50; under- wear, per suit, $5 to $7.90; Shoes, $5; rub- ber boots, $10 to $15, Miners Who have reached here do not act like people who have suddenly jumped from poverty to comparative wealth. They are very level headed. They went to the best hotels, and they are living on the fat land, but they do not throw money and not one started in to paint the town red. They have worked so hard that reclate the value of money. What delight in most are theaters and other ments. They say no one knows how to enjoy these if he has not spent a year in Aiaska. Three-quarters of the miners will return in the spring, when they are well rested. awa: —+e- REDICTED BY HUMBOLDT. The Great Scientist Foretold Alaska's : Mineral Wealth. CHICAGO, July 17.—Vice President P. B. Weare of the North American Transpor- fon and Trading Company has received spatches from the Clendyke placer gold fields of Alaska, which confirm the stories of its fabulous wealth received from the Pacifie coast the past week. The steam- ship Portland of the North American Com- pany arrives at Seattle, Washington, from its semi-annual expedition within a week and bears $1,000,000 in gold dust from the Yukon fields. ‘The dispatch sums the yield of dust and nuggets in the Eldorado country during the year as approximately $5,000,000. The letter fs from Captain John J. Healy, who has piloted crafts for the North American Company through the winding Alaskan rivers for years. It is dated June 7, from Circle City, near the British boundary, and depicts graphically the immense for- tunes which have been made within a fort- night by roaming, penniless miners. New Regions Discovered. Captain Healy tells of new regions which have been discovered; indeed, the captain says that not less than $4 worth of gold dust is scooped up with every shovel of dirt, and that applies to every plece of ground into which the shovel is celivered. Salaries to miners are not less than $12 a and a man can get his pro- stenance for $2. “There is said Mr. Weare, “that the veins gold are only partly uncovered. All my atches agree that this is the continua- of the mother vein in this country. on Humboldt, upon his visit to Dutch uzber, near Bristol bay, predicted that the mother vein would show itself in Alas- ka in a parallel line. Everything indicates the truth of this praphecy. Circle City and Fort Cudahy were the principal gold fields before the Clendyke fields were discovered t fall, and the rush for these fields has continued since. Gold Fields on Noatak Rt “Gold fields of great value have been discovered in the vicinity of Noatak river, which is British territory, but the travel has been and continues to be toward the Yukon field: This year the number of miners in the territory has been increased by 3,000, to which must be added the 4,000 miners already situated there. Most of these miners come from the silver mines, and push through the wild country and over mountains. In this way the distance is only 1,000 miles, while the water route covers 3,000 miles.” Mr. Weare has also news of a new dis- covery of gold fields hitherto untouched, near the mouth of the Tananan river, which is the second largest river of Alaski and enters the Yukon at the town of Weare. visions and s no doubt,” of re —— EXCITEMENT AT SEATTLE. ce called Gold Bottom, though George ‘ormack brought to light the riches of Bonanza Creek. As soon as news of the &reat find reached Circle City and Forty Mile men threw up their claims and hastened to the new fields. There was Promise of trouble at first because the men Even Policemen Throw Up Their Jobs to Go Gold Fields, SEATTLE, Wash., July,17.—The reports of great gold discoveries in Alaska have caused intense excitement here. Police- = allotted ach man. ‘The claims re cut from 500 to 100, and there was a threat of trouble until the do- minion surveyor, William Ogilvie, arrived and resurveyed all claims. Under the new ruling m extends 500 feet along the bottom of the creek, the width being Keverned by the distance between moun- tains. This will average 600 feet, though there are some claims 1,000 feet wide.” Dawso Dawson Cit a population of nearly 3.000, It is be situated on the banks of the Yukon, near the mouth } of the Klondike river, and seems destined itory. The people now live in ach built of a few strips of | ding and canvas. Ladue has Hecht & Company---the credit givers--515 Seventh Street. Hecht’s have bought 563 duck, pique, crash and linen suits, worth $5=--which go to you for $1.98. Monday we shall offer the ladies of this city a bargain such as we have never before been able to offer. We have bought 563 duck, pique, linen, crash “novelty’ 3 i is stock, and we bought them wonderfully cheap. In the lot there is not a suit which a month ago did not sell-for $5, and the very same suits are today bringing $3.98 and we offer you the suits from a maker who was closing Some are trimmed with wide braid; some are trimmed with narrow featherbone braid; others are trimmed with straps of sateen; some of the piques are trimmed with duck of all colors; h crashes are trimmed with pique and the linens mostly are trimmed with linen colored lace; they are in reefer and blazer effects—all made for this season’s selling—all this season’s styles—and all thoroughly The opportunity is a splendid one and won't come again this season. We have reduced the shirt waist prices awfully. We have the largest asortment of shirt waists in this city. We have it because we have bought more ists than any other store in town—and sold more. Our last order arrived late and slightly over-stock- we've cut the prices so unmercifully—to reduce the stock considerably the com- —for the chotce of any waist you sce on those two tables, consisting of lappet lawns, batistes, silk and satin stripe grass linens, linen colored lawns, lace lxwns, some with plain white Inen detachable collars—really grade waists of the season, which sold for §2.50 41 cents for muslin underwear worth up to $1.50. g a quick clearance of the muslin underwear—we are making reductions in this de- partment which are ridiculous, indeed. For instance, we are giving you your unlimited choice of fine y n torchon lace and embroidery trimmed chemises—torchon and embroidery trimmed umbrella drawers—V or square neck Valenciennes and torchon lace and Swiss embroidery irimmed corset covers—umbrella skirts, trimmed with torchon inserting and embroidery, which sold for 7gc., g8c. and $1.50, and which were very, very cheap at those prices, for 41 cents. And with all these wonderful values we are giving you the privilege of paying for them on credit —and we'll make the terms of payment so easy that you will never feel the outlay. Watch for Hecht’s announcement in tomorrow’s papers. The millinery department will have a But the millinery department will surprise you. HECHT & COMPANY, 515 Seventh Street. ee LEELELLEEEEEEEEPDLLDLLLLPPPEEEEEEEEEESEEEEIEEN NE I CG: some of the the most exclusive and highest men are resigning from the force; every sireet car man that can raise a stake has kiven notice to his company. In fact, all es, Of society are represented {nthe feverish rush to get north. Men their business and congregate in groups on the streets in excited discussions. Peo- ple are telegraphing ds and relatives in the east to come and Join them in the Sldorado. neglect The steamer Portland of the North American ‘Trading and Transportation Companies is due from St | (WH,000 of gold dust on > ha, not yet been reported at Tattosh, and he coming is awaited with intense’ anxiety She will probab! i »me time tomor- row, and is billed to sail July 20 on her return voyage. The s officers, rushed with business, and outtitting stores are taxed to their utmost capacity to sup- ply the wants of those who are getting ready to make the trip. Merchants are fearful that their help will leave them, and they will be unable to fill their plac BROKERS AT BA BALL. An Excit tween Washingto Sugar, Ms it Arranged Be- and Baltimore. hattan, Chicago Gas and ali the other active stocks that usually occu- i y the attention of brokers are being lost sight of by the financiers of Washington ard Baltimore in the interest they feel in the approaching base ball game to be con- tested at National Park next Saturday by the bullls and bears of Washington and Baltimore. The friends of the two nines are none the less excited, and when Con- troller Eckells, who is to umpire the game, calls time there will be probably more men on the grounds who know all about puts and straddles and calls and margins than ever assembled in the inclosure before. ‘The game has been arranged between mem- bers of the W. ington stock exchange and the Baltimore stock exc ne The Baltimore contingent will come over ph ME special train and bring large quantities of securities to dispose of in behalf of thetr idea that the Washington rep pntatives will be found short on runs when the deal is closed. The nine from th monumenial city is not yet selected. Washington will present a dazzling array on the diamond as the following list will show. ‘The nine will be as follows: Wm. B. Hibbs, catcher; Dick Johnson, pitcher; F. B, Vaughn, first base: Will A, Mearns, second base;'H. M. Harle, third base; H. O. Wilson, shortstop; W. Riley Deeble, left field; Charles P. Williams, cen- ter flel and James M. Green, right field. The substitutes will be Mr. Charles J. Bell and Mr, Rozier Dulaney, The committee on arrangements, consist- ing of Mr. C. J. Bell, Mr. W. A. Mearns, Mr. A. K. Parris, Mr. W. B. Hibbs and Mr. Rozier Dulaney, have arranged with the Emergency Hospital authorities to have surgeons and ambulances at the grounds and there have been prodigious purchases of masks, stomach Protectors, padded breeches and other necessary equihments by the prospective Players. Mr. Hibbs is having a special glove made for his left hand, and Mr. Johnaon's shoulder is being ven a scientific cours re Sete e of Massage treat- At the conclusion of the Jame v survive will be entertained at Bree ee J. Bell’s country place on Woodley Lawn There is no truth in the heartless rumor that the Baltimore brokers intend plasing some of the Orioles in the infield, 2 ———e DIED IN THE BATH ‘TUB. Mystery Attending Demise of an In- mate of Soldiers’ Home, Yesterday afternoon the police received word from the Soldiers’ Home authcrities that an old soldier inmate of the institu- tion had been found dead in a bath tub, but whether his death was the result of an accident or suicide they did not know. Aci- ing Coroner Glazebrook was also informed of the occurrence, and he ordered an au- topsy, which was performed by the sur- geons in the hospital at the home. The dead man was Frank Bourasso, who was sixty-cight years old. He had served during the late war in a Massachusetts regiment, in which state he was born, For several years he had been living at the home and had spent some time in the hos- viet pene of his bad health. ursday evening the old man went in the Anderson building, which is also known as the President's cottage, intending to take a bath, and yesterday morning his body was found under water, having been in the bath tub all night. The news of his death caused sorrow in the home, for Bourasso had been a favorite with many of his comrades, and his sad ending proved a shock to them. The autopsy disclosed the fact that death had resulted from drowning, but there was nothing to indicate that the man had com- mitted suicide. Dr. Glazebrook gave a cer- tificate of death by accidental drowning. It is tiought that while in the water the unfortunate man was taken suddenly 1ii, and was unable to get out of the tub. His body was buried in the soldiers’ cemetery, adjoining the home, this afternoon. ——.—__ Work of an Incendiary, SEVERN, Md., July 17.—The barn of Mrs. Elizg Perkins, with contents, wagons, harness, implements and provender, was destroyed by fire Thursday night, the loss being $500. The fire is believed to be of incendiary origin. ————— If you want anything, try an ad. in The Star. If anybody has what you wish, you will get an answer, VERYHOTFORLONDON |}REJECT AIR MOTORS Britishers. Are Sweltering in a Tem- perature of 75 Degrees. AMERICANS RATHER ENJOY I? Queen Will Start for Osborne House Next Tuesday. RECEPTION TO CLERGYMEN ——— LONDON, July 17—This week England has been having the first really hot weath- er of the year. In London there have been several sunstrokes, and a good many horses have died from the heat. Straw hats have appeared again on all sides, and every- where one hears the complaint that the weather is worse than that of the tropics, although the mercury has not yet gone above 75. Visiting Americans are luxuriating in this temperature, and are praising London as a summer resort, greatly to the aston- ishment of the resident Londoner. In spite of the beautiful weather and the very exciting contests, Henley has been almost a failure this season as compared with other years. The chief reason proba- bly is the rebellion which has come at last against the extortion practiced at Henley by the hotel keepers, cabmen and boatmen. This class of gentry has suffered very much in the same way as the jubilee spe lators did. Few Amerteans Present. Comparatively few Americans were to be seen among the spectators of the regatta. But a number of Harvard men, whom M Lehmann has been entertaining handsome- ly, have been much in evidence and in- tensely interested in everything. ‘The queen will start for Osborne House, Isle of Wight,on Tuesday next. Her decision to leave Windsor Castle is a great relief to the royal family, who fear that she is do- ing too much for her strength. ery cay of the week she has heen recciving dept tations of visitors, and entertaining gue at luncheon and dinner. When she celved the bishops the other day her own suggestion that a nur be personally presented to her. Whipple and Bishop Potter she sald very glad indeed to-see you here. On Thursday the queen received a depu- ation of non-conformists, headed by Dr. Joseph Parker, minister of the City ‘Tem- re- it was ¢ should To Bishop “Lam and Dr. Monroe Gibson, formerly of ieago and Toronio. Her’ majesty re- ceived them with ey more ¢ mony t he did the Episcopalians. They all lunch- ed at the castle, and n proceeded to the drawing reom, where they were usher nce of the queen, who was the high officers of the court, with a guard of honor. of a Gay While the -end of the season is almost at hand, this week been one of the gayest of the year in London. Every night there has balls and and ethers of set have been present. been receptions at whic the most exclus One feature of the season, and possibly the chief feature, been the revival of dancing among the men. Here © one of the chief diffcultic which London hos had to contena with has been the th y that it was the correct thing for the young men to refu: to dance and only to turn up at suppe time. his year a few prominent host formed a sort of social trust and declined to invite offenael men who thought tion rendered them 8 cure. The result of th sysiem of di cipline is that dancing men erous. The whole program of naval maneuve: came to a ludiercus fiasco, owing to a mi understanding of the orders of the a miralty. The fleet was divided into two parts, one commanded by Admiral Fellow: He had instruction to steam out of Bar try Bay, Ireland, to await a declaration of war, and then to endeavor to return into the bay without being intercepted by the other division. When still sixty miles from the rendez- vous a cruiser overtook Admiral Fellows and told him that war had been dec’ re again num- whereupon he turned about and, mi no enemy, entered the bay and telegr: ed to the admiralty, “Tne war is over. After several hours’ silence the admiraliy sent him a curt order to go to a rendez- vous 20) mies we This he did, and then turned ebout ain. As he approached ry Bay last Sunday merning the y appeared and cleared for action. Had Captured Ireland. The flagship Majestic opened fire, but Ad- miral Fellows did not respond. On the ccntrary, he signaled that he had already captured Ireland; that church service was being held in the various ships of his di- vision, and that he must decline to fight. The admiralty was furious; and St will be a long time before the last is heard of tnis flasco in naval circles, The Prince of Wales will li president of the rcyal commission having charge of the alain section of the Paris exposition of Good Price for Hunters, Six hunters, the property of Mr. Foxhall Keene, were sold at auction at Tattersalls on Monday. They brought £1,331, the top price being £450, for Balleyfermatt. Miss Greene, a beautiful American, long prominent in London, 1s engaged to be married to a member of the ducal family of Hamiltons. She gave a concert on Mon- cay evening at the house of Lady Bland- fcrd. Lendcn has been full of librarians this week, some 500 of them, from all parts of the world, being assembled here to hold the second international library conference. Sir Jekn Lubbock presided. During the week the members of the conference were ertertained at luncheon by ihe lord mayor; the Muarchioness of Bute gave a garden party in their hcnor; Sir John and Lady Lubbock and the Duke of Westminster held receptions for them, and Sir Henry Irving gave a spectal performance in thelr honor at the Lyceum Theater, SS PLAYED A SHREWD GAME, A Stranger Succeeds in Doing a Local Bicycle Firm, A well-dressed young man called at the Raleigh Hotel yesterday morning and reg- istered: “W. C. Howell and wife, Atlanta, Ga.” After telling the tlerk his wife would arrive later, the young man left the hotel. Shortly afterward a man giving the name mentioned, and saying he was stopping at the Raleigh, called at the bieycle establish ment of Burr & Jones and ordered a tan- dem sent to the hotel for use. He was par- ticular that the wheel should be a good one and a wheel in first-class. condition was sent. Later in the day the bicycle firm received a letter saying that theiman who had rent- ed the wheel had met with a serious acci- dent, and had been picked up in an uncon- scious condition. In the letter the dealers were assured that although the wheel had been wrecked, the damages’ would be paid, and said the machine would be found at the address given. a But the writer had failed to mention the address. When this letter was received the police were notified, and Detective Board- man went in search of the rfan and wheel. He failed to find the former, but learned that a tandem answering the description of the missing one had been shipped to Phila- delphia. — THE KNOX FIRE, Another Suit Filed for Property Lost Three Years Ago. Still another suit, growing out of the burning of the warehouses of the Geo. W. Knox Express Company, July 24, 1894, was filed today against the company, the plain- tiffs being Frey & Rahm. They claim, through Attorney Edward L. Gites, $1,500 because of the destruction in the fire of goods penion hee nee oe wath the com- pany for safekeeping. charg the fire resulted trom the negligence wat carelessness of the company in keeping a large quantity of combustible and inflam- mable materials in the buildings. (Continued from First Page.) seven miles. Pressure at starting, 2,000 pounds. Reserve at end of trip, 350 pounds, or sufficient for a run of about one and quarter miles. Made thirty-four full stops, including one at 6th and C streets, and again on Louisiana averue on the return trip, when restarting was done without dif- ficulty. The Compressor Plant. “The compressor used for experimental Purposes is a temporary affair, answering fairly well for purposes intended. “The general plant of power, plant and conduits, as outlined by Superintendent Tedd of the Eckington road, consists of a central station near 10th and H streets scuthwest. This location is selected to permit the use of river water, and would necessitate the use of at least two lines of pipe—one to vicinity of 7th and B streets northwest and one to 13th and D streets northeast. “In ccncluding the results of Mr. Mc- Farland’s investigation he finds the opera- ticn of the cars tested (Nos. 91 and 400), in the main, entirely satisfactory and suitable to the purposes intended, though he sug- gests a few minor changes in the arrange- ment of machinery, such as a slight ens lsrgement of the diameter of the cylinders and a reduction of wheel bases of the cars. “The objectionable features of the fire pot and stove pipe in car No. 91 have been eliminated in car No. 400. The vibration of the car while in motion he does not con- sider serious, though the noise from ex- haust air in starting and in ascending grades ts quite noticeable. The danger of rupture of air bottles, while not impossible, is improbable, and decreases proportionate- ly with the distance from the starting pcint. The dust arising from the motion of the car was not appreciable. Advisability Dixcussed. “Regarding the advisability of granting vermits for the equipment of these lines with air motors of the Hoadley-Knight pattern, it has been admitted by various authorities, and notably in an interview with Gen. Herman Haupt, that this sys- rejected in New York city im the underground electric. It has en tested on the various sections of ads over which it is expected to be operated. It has not been demonstrat that these cars would carry sufficient excess of power to enable them to reach a charg- ing point in case of loss through lea or defe chinery, of time required for recharging the re: voir at the proposed charging points is not 0 stated on fa sub- rounds that the people w ted in these roads are also interest- ystem of air motors, desire its adoption. It ems proper that a schedule should be public, and the cars run on ule for _a period of several succe The fears of the public of danger irom explosion of air reservoirs should be layed by actual tests to the point of « be required under s railroad mén wish a change in motive power? Are offered for the a nt system = suffic! tion in prefel view of the following facts? _“In order to get the t s of these I in condition to "Pr satisfactory servic ilar conditions 1 ndopt ent to war- e Lo others in and aut the me lime withstand th heavy raffle dental to the use of the air mo- ors ave prepared an approximate esti- mate of the cost of such repai mount- ing to $S1 te of November 7, 1 the an Air Power Com- of New York city submitted a prop- ‘ition to equip the two roads in question With compr air motors of the Ha system, consisting of sixty car: with air brakes, Pintsch gas appliances, apacity sufficient for a run st ten miles, with a large reso pable of being operated at the rat to twelve miles per hour, together fully equipped compresso exclusive of buildings of ity to run all the cars continuou to deliver the whole equipment re dy operation within six months of date of exccufion of contract, for $399,000. On the bi of eighty c hes computed that their price would $574,000, which would include an all ance of $40,000 for buildings and $1 for pipe lin Claims Made for System. “To this amount, however, should be add- ed the cost of track repairs as above ($87,- 430), making a total cost of equipment un- der the proposition of the American Air Power Company, $655,43 “Concerning this system, the Hardie, it is claimed to have been in successful opera- tion on 125th street in New York for t past nine months, in all weathers and co: ditions, without interruption, and able to pl nd underground trolleys were stalled by storm. Cost of opé is rot obtainable, but Mr. Frank Richard M. A. S.C. E. letter published in the New York Su states that ‘it can be proven lower than that of sy: Under date of November 9,18 ident of the compre i Ts, however, the recelyer be with the Hoacley-Knight system, consis ing of eighty complete car equipments ( clusive of car bodies), including Pintsch gas appliane: compressor and boiler plants (including building), storage _re- servoir, pipe line, etc., complete, to be fur- nished within twelve months from execu- tion of contract, for the sura of $508,000. “To this also should be added the cost of track repairs ($81,430), making the total cost of equipment under the proposition of the Compressed Air Company, $589,430. “A combined proposition from the General Electric, the American Wheelock Engine Co. and E. Saxton was submitted for the equipment of the roads with an electric underground trolley system, similar to that in use by the Metropolitan Railroad Com- pany of this city, making the total cost for the equipment of the roads (according to the receiver's report), $1,791,105. An Estimate of Cont. “I have also prepared an approximate es- timate of cost of equipping these Ines with the same system as above, from data be- lieved to be reliable, based on cost of the Metropolitan railroad, on the basis of 25 miles single track construction (within the city limits), 80 motor cars, 2 power stations, with complete equipments, Including cables and all necessary adjuncts, ete., amounting to $1,445,000. “The Westinghouse Electric and Manufac- turing Co. also submitted a proposition for equipping the roads with the clectro-mag- netic system at a cost (according to the receiver's report) of $2,075,036, to which is added the estimate of the American Whce- lock Engine Co. for steam equipment, amounting to $195,000, making the total cost of electro-magnetic system $2,270,036. “Summary of cost of systems: = American Air Sig (Hardie)... $655, So. Compressed Air Knight) - Underground electric (receiver's es- (Hoadley 589,430 791,11 Electro-magnetic (Westinghouse). ..2; “In the matter of the selection of the Hoadley-Knight system for experimental purposes by the receiver, it is but fair to state that he claims to have been actuated by the fact of the act of Congress of June 10, 1896, requiring a test of compressed air propulsion be made, and that such a test could be made under the proposition of the Compressed Air Company, for a period of thirty days, without any expense whatever other than the value of one car body, and without any obligation to adopt that sys- tem, such favorable terms not having been submitted by any of the other concerns from whom proposals were invited. And also its apparently successful and satisfac- tory operation on the Lennox avenue line in New York city, and being particularly favorably impressed with its simple and ef- feetive system of control. é “Regarding the comparative cost” of operation of the compressed air and under- ground electric systems, it fs difficult to Teach a definite conclusion owing to the former never having been operated other than in an experimental manner, and from which no reliable data is obtainable. ‘Though, in a communication to the Com- missioners from R. J. Mawhinney, et al. (No. 8397, ,.Engineer Department), it is stated: ‘However, we understand that the expense of running one of these air motors (Hoadley-Knight) is about 14 cents per mile, or the same as a cable car, while it costs but 9 cents per mile for the under- ground electric.’ In an interview with the president of the Metropolitan Ratflroad Cempany of this city, he gives the operat- ing expenses of their lines at about 9 cents These estimates, however, do not include the interest charges on ‘the funded indebtedness connected with the per car mile. Cifferent systems. - “From the report of the railroad com- missioners of the state of Massachusetts for the year 18%, I have selected five of the street railways operated by electriciiy (overhead trolley system) having the near- est approach in mileage of track operated to the Eckington and Belt lines, and find the average cost of operation, per car mile, of these five lines to be about 14% cents. Comparative Statemen: “Assuming, comparison, that if Belt lines were equipped with alr motor they could be operated at a cost of 14 cents per car mile, with an equipment of eigthy cars, seventy of which would be tn con- stant operation for eighteen hours per day at the average rate of seven miles hour, at 14 cents per car mile, cost $285,737 for the underground electric tem under similar conditions, ence in favor of the latter 5 968, e er system of $1 “Including the interest charges (at 7 per cent) on cost of equipment under the Mar- die, Hoadley-Knight and underground elec- comparative statement tric systems, a would be as follows: , Hardie, annual cost of operation, $454),- interest charges, $45,880; total, cost of arnual interest charges, WZ; annual $496,582; Hoadley-Knight, annual Operation, $450, 7 $41,200; total, $1,902; annual cost of operation, $295, interest charges, $101,910; total, §3%H “The report of the Eckington road for 1896 shows 4,006,039 passengers carried, and road for 1805 (report of the lat- of the Bel ter for 1896 not bein; making a total of 7,13 ried aunually by the the rate of 4. allabie), 3, 1 this city), $227, for a large introduction of a rapid these lines. “But from reports of the president of the ot under horse and elec- pectively, the gross receipts the Metropolitan railroad for June, 1896 and 189; tric power, re: show an increase of SS Georgetown line and 7 ner the month cent on ton th Connecticut avenue line. It would, ther fore, seem reasonable to allow 34 per sent increase for these lines. On which basis the gross annual receipts $401,088.52. Lack of Data. “As to the advi the Hoadic: air propul system, it -Knight s: ence to the rmer in New York cit a number of papers o operation of the state, dating Cis. Bt Corps of on the tracks of the N: railroad at Rome, N. Y., F (where a spe f about latter in from the re that city hour was maintained for twely at the slighte: cult or stopping ") dewn to oper (No. 4 from the pr Hardie air Upon th 1 the report of FB gineer M Commissioner} evolved his own deductions, which are s forth inhi tement ir 1 to the s of the District, and which Commiss is as follow The act ai June 10, 1896, requires the Commi to judge whether comp: r motors experimented with adopted by the Eckington and Soltie e and Belt Railway companies ‘proy spects a proper power for the sp: convenient propulsion of street cars. A Difficult Problem. “The problem presented to the Commis- of from the experience of a line in regular operation. onable, are made for and against the system of air motor pro- -Knight e circum- most difficult in the absence data to be obtained oniy the exact Claims, often unrea: pulsion in general and the Hoadle: system in particular. Under the: Stances it is to be expected that whate’ the conclusion aimed at, the evidence pre- sented will not be satisfactorily convincing. “To meet the motors in question must be ble, sure in operation and panying reports of As' Failand and Emaci of great intere following deductions are made: “Comtort—The features which the pro- cars have in common with all of the ‘inary forms of street cars may be con- sidered usfactor car ari from t e band fumes of comb plained of in the first type of car us motive power. n have been ¢ 2 with reason. In the second type the substi- tution of hot water for the furnace, it is re- reported, has removed these defects. rhe noise produced by the machine while in regular motion is not excessiv in starting and in ascending grades the exhaust produces a puffy sound similar to that of a steam locomotive, but not loud enough io be seriously objectionable. The welght of the car is favorable to smooth riding, and the car vibration and pitching on the wheel base in use is not excessive. It should be noted, however, that this base 1s too long for the curves now in the lines, and produces grinding and loss of power. It can be reduced, but if reduced may in- crease the pitching motion of the car. The dust thrown up by the exhaust has also been complained of, but apparently with slight cause, which Can be remedied easily. Solid Track a Factor. “A most important factor in the comfort of passengers is a solid track. The pres- ent tracks of the Eckington and Belt rail- ways were not designed for motors as heavy as air moiors, and probably would require considerable reconstruction before being fit for the proposed use. It may be added that a rigid track is necessary also to preserve the pavements adjacent. “Safety—This comprises safety to pas- sengers and safety to passers-by. The ccmpressed cir which provides the power is carried in from 31 to 37 seamless steel Mennesmann tubes, called bottles, with a capacity of 1.2 cubic feet each, said to be tested to a pressure of 6,000 pounds pe: square inch. They are charged with air under an initial pressure of 2,000 to 2,300 pounds per square inch. This pressure is diminished as the run is made. The in- itial pressure is approximately equal to that caused by the complete combustion of about 4.5 pounds of pebble powder per bot- tle. “An explosion is possible, but not prob- able under normal conditions, and barring accidents the cars may ve considered to be reasonably safe to the passengers. The risk of accident is not greater than on a steam motor. The machinery is easily con- trolled, and the danger of foreseen colli- sion is as slight as with an electric motor. In this respect the air motor ts considered safer than the cable car. The effect on herses of the puffing of the car on grades cannot be foretold. It might easily starde a rervous horse. Liable to Accidents, “Certainty of operation—The compressor machinery at the power station is able to the same accidents as are common to all heavy machines, and like all machines from which a continuous amount of work is essential, must be partially duplicated at each station to secure the line from stoppages and delays due to breakdowns. When this precaution is taken and a proper reserve reservoir for air provided, there !s no reason why there should be a stoppage of operation due to a failure of air supply. “Stould the attempt be made to make substations for recharging at which reser- voirs are supplied through pipes from a main station, success much more problematical. It has proved to be impos- sible to make gas mains absolutely tight winder a pressure of lees than twenty ‘rounds per squace inch. It is very doubt- ful if long mains could be laid and main- tained under the streets in such manner as to conduct air under the pressures therefore, for the sake of the Eckington ant f operation would be $450,702, against sys- . at the rate of % cents per car mile, or an annual differ- $2,731 passengers car- two roads, which at 59 cents per passenger (the average of the Metropolitan railroad of would make the annual gross receipts from passenger traffic amount to This however, does not allow percentage of increase in tratlic which would undoubtely result from the transit system on would amount to bility of the adoption of em of compressed Hardie ted that there are ng very recent re- 1 operation of the while there are file in the office of the Engineer Commissioner relative to the and at of hird Avenue Railroad Company i ork city), all of whi mbs vorable reports of the operation of the equirements of the act the afe, comforta- dapted to the work. Attention is invited to the accom- tant Engineers Mc- which present details From these reports the Those peculiar to the in view, if the propelling power (air) can. be controlled to the same extent as steam. This remains to be proved. “In any system, occasional complete lowns of machinery are expected. In all other systems there is a sufficient re- serve power in each motor to tow a dis- abled motor from any point on the route back to the power house. Mr. MeFar- land's tests show that the reserve of air in the motors in question is too small to provide for this contingency with cer- tainty. “Fitness for the work.—This includes the question of speed, power to overcome grades, curves, etc.; convenience of loca- tion of power plant, and economic suita- bility. The first two requisites can be met if the motors can be supplied with alr in quantity and at pressures sufficient for the work. The tests show that a car, In work- ing order, supplied with sufficient air at a proper pressure, can carry the required load up the worst grades on the road, and can atiain the requisite speed. it has not been shown, however, that trailers can be used with these motors. As traffic increases, trailers play a most important part in the reduction of operat- ing expenses, and, in fact, may be con- sidered a necessity, especially where un- usual transportation demands must be met on special occasions. System the Least Flextbie. “The air motor system seems the least flexible of systems as to the arrangement of its power plant. The shortness of pos- sible run requires recharging stations at points on the line which cannot be chang- ed to any material extent. The companies bow propose either to establish three pow- er plant houses or to establish one main power house, with two substations supplied with alt from the main station through pipes laid under the streets, ing a reheating piant. Neither alternative is advantageous to the city. The latter is by far the more objectionable, besides be- ing of doubtful practicability “There remains the economic problem. There are thirty-one miles of tracks in the combined systems. For a portion of the routes they pass through the busiest parts of the city. No system should be in- troduced which docs not give a sure prom- of commercial success. The needs of the District are too great mit the risk of to n. he use of comp power is not ne longed run supply of ai . in a well-designed ma- chine, rrises from the cold of expansion and leaky nd these causes of joss | ccme gre pssure under which the air used is incr 5 Ordinarily air fer running machinery ts delivered) at sures of than IW pounds per In the motors in question, to order y sutti- rent for a prelong ervoins * Charged with e of more than 2,000 p From ibese the a through a valve de- signed t reduce essure to 200 pounds and then goes to the machinery, being ¥ lo increase its expansive for the © great pre experim: the very gre: tailed in air Mr. port. if t with new dition of a en the valves a loss y. run una trial trip, what will it 1 and p muld be at o show what ar, nor how i d's peport show air motor system pr as a machin quired to be that the power om the only hale he with th nformation at- from about to 44. T power per car to be Jeve ctric line varies from 20 10 uld show in part the he operating expenses per car mile wld be relatively 14 cents and ® cents for the two classes of motors, as mentioned in Mr. Emack’s report. Earnings and “To keep a roa: Apennen, Ivent the earnings must the interest on the bonded indebte . ‘Phus, in two systems a cheap plant with large operating expenses 1 econom than a more expensiy with small operating expenses, “Taking Mr. Emack’s figures of the cost of equipping the roads with the air motor system and with the underground ¢ system, respectively, we have the follo of Two Systems. be less plant Cont motor — Interest Operating Cost of mKy Ble Difference tric system, $ > abov accurate. able. q $396,747.00 vor of underground elec- not claimed to be eS are not attain- In conclusion, it w m that the tem poss any «ood lities, but that as yet it is experimental. Being experimental, good policy wou seem to forbid its installation on so larga a scale as the equipment of the Eckington and Soldiers’ Home and Belt railways stem may be ‘in all respects a proper and satisfactory motive power for the speedy and convenient propulsion of street cars,’ but satisfactory evidence that it is has not yet been presented.” —_——— BY WHEEL FROM NEW YORK. Lieut. H. D. Wise Trying to Break the Record. Lieut. H. D. Wise, who ts detalled with the sth United States Infantry at Sackeit's Harbor, started at nine minutes past 12 o'clock this morning from the New York city hall on a bicycle for Washington, With the Intention of breaking the wheel- ing record for the route. Lieutenant Wise 1s accompanied by A. W. W. Evans of New Brunswick, N. J., and James W, Bailey, on single wheels, and J. W. Davi- son and H. J. Pepper, on a tandem. The tandem will accompany Wise over the whole route. The single wheelmen will act as runners as far as Philadelphia. The lieutenant comes as a representative of the New York Athictic Club, and rides a wheel weighing nineteen pounds, elgnty- veven and one-half gear, and carries two lanterns. Lieutenant Wise weighs 131 pounds, and expects to cover 244 miles, They will reach Perryville. Md., about 4 o'clock this afternoon, Baltimore at ® night, and Washington tomorrow morn- ing at 1 o'clock. Wise has made a number of records for distance rides of this kind. He holds the reecrd from Sackett’s Harbor to the city hall, New York, eighty-four hours, Behind Time at Trenton. TRENTON, N. J. July 17.—Lieut. H. D, Wise, U. S. A, who is making a bicycle trip from New York to Washington, reached Trenton at 6:10 o'clock this morn- ing, forty minutes behind schedule time. He was subject to a further detention of thirty minutes in order to repair the tan- dem which is acccmpanying him. Capt. Fell and a number of Mercer county wheel- men accompanied Licut. Wise as far as Bristol. Gained Thirty Minutes at Philadel- phia. PHILADELPHIA, July 17.—Lieut. H. D. Wise reached this city at 9:04 this morn- ing. thirty-aine minutes behind schedule time. He left Trenton than an hour behind the schedule, and made up thirty minutes in the run from the New Jersey capital. Lieut. Wise had breakfast at the erga Hotel, and left at 9:45 for Wash- ston. = The migration of the French-speaking People of Canada #0 the New Engiand