PRESENT PROBLEMS OF TECHNOLOGY 579 



transmission of power through long distances and under high ten- 

 sion, with corresponding gain in efficiency. Yet these fields are 

 still in an embryotic state. The possibilities of the radio-active 

 group is at present beyond the power of man to predict. The accom- 

 plishment of alleged impossibilities is becoming a commonplace 

 event. 



The great economy and convenience of fuel in a gaseous form 

 would seem to be manifest from the mere statement of the rela- 

 tive calorific powers of wood, 6480 F. ; coke, 13,550 F.; bitu- 

 minous coal, 13,692; anthracite, 14,200; ordinary illuminating gas, 

 23,000, and natural gas 35,000, which makes it nearly six times 

 greater than that of wood and threefold that of coal, yet a modern 

 publication recently announced the superior "economy of coal as 

 compared with oil and natural gas for fuel." 



In 1881 the late Sir Frederick Bramwell predicted that by the 

 year 1931 the steam engine would be of interest only as a relic 

 and would be supplanted by gas motors. Subsequent facts sustain 

 in some measure the prediction, for to-day they have reached 

 units of 1750 h. p. and are extensively used in many industries. 



The fear that the introduction of electric plants would exter- 

 minate gas for lighting and power has not been realized, since it is 

 found more economical in many cases to make the gas-plant sup- 

 plementary to the electric and thus increase the scope and efficiency 

 of both. But the application of electricity as a motor, whether 

 developed from water or steam, is merely a phase in the evolution 

 of power, which will ultimately yield in large part to the superior 

 advantages of pneumatic transmission from the natural sources 

 now available in the great waterfalls of the world, when they are 

 more fully appreciated and properly harnessed. 



Although much attention has been devoted to the application 

 of the tidal energy to manufacturing purposes, but little practical 

 use has thus far been made of it. This enormous storehouse is yet 

 awaiting the touch of a master hand to utilize it advantageously. 



Aside from the source and character of the power which may 

 ultimately be employed, there is also great room for further econo- 

 mies in the handling of the enormous tonnage already required to 

 meet present demands. Here the problem has been and still is to 

 increase the ratio of live to dead load and to reduce the resistances 

 by betterments in alignment, grade, distance, and terminal facil- 

 ities even at large increase of capital. Still the delays in handling 

 and drilling trains, composed of relatively small units and con- 

 taining miscellaneous freights, in complicated yards, and the use 

 of cars for many days for storage, necessitates great expense for 

 which no adequate solution has been provided, although some relief 

 may be obtained by the earliest possible transfer to waterways at 



