There we had a method of storing that could give out the greater part
of the energy put in. The immense development which the electric
transmission of energy was even at that early day expected to undergo
pointed to the fact that a convenient method of receiving large
quantities of transmitted energy, and of holding it in readiness until
wanted, must be of the highest importance. Numerous applications of
the Faure battery were at once suggested, and the public jumped to the
conclusion that a thing for which so many uses could be instantly
found must necessarily be a profitable investment, and plenty of money
was provided forthwith, not with the idea of commencing careful
experiments and developing the then crude invention, which would have
been the correct thing, but for manufacturing tons of accumulators in
their first and immature form.

I need not describe the disappointments which followed the first
unfulfilled hopes, nor repeat the criticism that was heaped upon the
heads of the early promoters. Those early hopes were untimely and
unreasonable. A thousand difficulties had to be overcome--scientific
difficulties and manufacturing difficulties. This invention, like most
others, had to go through steady historical developments and
evolution, and follow the recognized laws of nature, which are against
abnormal and instantaneous maturity. The period of maturity has also
been retarded by injudicious treatment, but the ultimate success was
inevitable. Great advances have been made within the last few years,
and I propose now to offer a few facts and figures relating to the
present state of the subject with reference to the application of
storage batteries to locomotive purposes. It is not within the
province of this paper to discuss all the different inventions of
secondary batteries nor to offer any suggestions with regard to
priority, therefore I will confine myself to general statements. I am