这场战斗of the Wires.

这场战斗of the Wires.

头顶的电线在许多大城市being vigorously discussed and criticised, says Age of Steel. Up to a certain date, and within certain limits, the suspended wire was accepted as a necessity, its service to public good more than covering its possible faults and dangers. The copper thread has, however,'multiplied its lines, and its intersections in public thoroughfares are a metal web where in too many instances electricity is the fatal spider and man the unfortunate fly. To such an extent has this aerial invasion been carried on that public streets areas unsightly as they are perilous; fire departments are hindered, with not a little grave suspicion that some of their work is due to the silent agencies over their heads. There is, of course, a wide margin for exaggeration and panic in this instance, as in all others, but with this reasonably allowed the fact remains that the hazards involved in the present system are not to be controverted, and that public sentiment is increasingly earnest in demanding improved and less menacing methods. This is specially forceful in the matter of the trolley wire that has taken so large a place in the equipment of electric traction. Street car service has become essential to modern life. It is practically co-extensive with the city growth of nations. It is here to stay, and to develop into a universal method of urban and possibly suburban transportation. To present date the trolley is the most easily available’ and economic method. It is, however, by no means final, and apart from the risks incurred to human life in its use, the progress of intelligence in methods of applied power must eventually improve or remove it. This is simply a question of time and science, and for the causes named a matter of urgency. Among other instances we note the recent action of the Metropelitan Traction Company of New York. A prize has been offered by this body of $50,000 for the invention of a system of street railroad propulsion superior to the cable and trolley methods. It is stated that the application of the trolley systems in the streets of New York will not meet with the approval of the community. To give an impulse to the development and perfection of a better system the following proposition has been submitted to the board of railroad commissioners :

First.-We will set aside the sum of $50,000 to be awarded as a prize to any person who shall, before March 1, 1894, submit to your honorable board an actual working system of motive power for street railway cars demonstrated to be superior or equal to the overhead trolley.