e more prominent manufacturers--and undoubtedly
it is true in special cases--that entire elements have lasted ten
months, and even longer.

It must be remembered, however, that the jolting and handling to which
these batteries are subjected, in traction work, increases the
tendency to disintegrate, buckle and short circuit, and that the
record for durability for this application can never be the same as
for stationary work. A serious inconvenience to the use of batteries
in traction work is the necessary presence of the liquid in the jars.
This causes the whole equipment to be somewhat cumbersome, and unless
arranged with great care, and with a variety of devices lately
designed, a source of considerable annoyance.

The connections between the plates, which formerly gave so much
trouble by breaking off, have been perfected so as to prevent this
difficulty, and the shape of the jars has been designed to prevent the
spilling of the acid while the car is running. The car seats are now
practically hermetically sealed, so that the escaping gases are not
offensive to the passengers.

The handling of the batteries is an exceedingly important
consideration. Many devices have been invented to render this easy and
cheap. I have witnessed the changing of batteries in a car, one set
being taken out and a charged set replaced by four men in the short
space of three minutes. This is accomplished by electrical elevators,
which move the batteries opposite the car, and upon the platforms of
which the discharged elements are again charged.

The general conclusions which the year's experience and progress have
afforded us an opportunity to make may be summarized as follows:

Storage battery cars are as yet applicable only to those roads which
are practically level; where the direct system cannot be used, and
where cable traction cannot be used; and applicable to those roads
only at about the same cost as horse traction.

I feel justified in making this statement in view of the guarantees
which some of the more prominent manufacturers of batteries are
willing to enter into, and which practically insure the customer
against loss due to the deterioration of plates: leaving the question
of the responsibility of the company the only one for him to look
into.

* * * * *

ON THE ELIMINATION OF SULPHUR FROM PIG IRON.[1]

[Footnote 1: Paper read before the Iron and Steel Institute.]

By J. MASSEN