New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-04
PUTTING WIRES UNDER GROUND.

DIFFICULTY OF FINDING AN INSULAToR-PIANs OF
THE UNITED STATES ELECTRIC LIGHTING COM
PANY.
X. j. Sheehy, superintendent of the Brush
Electric Light Company. stated yesterday that he
made affidavit recently TO the effect that no in
sulating compound had yet been made that would
answer for the transmission of power for his com
pany's electric light. He stated that the compound
mentioned in yesterdays tribune as iucosng the
Fire Departments telegraph lines might, and prob
ably would, answer for telegraphc and telephone
uses, but not for the electric light.
). Is. Eaton, vice-presdent of the Edison Electric
Light Company, said that all the wires of his COM
pany would be laid underground. The system con-
slSts OF an iron tube two inches diameter filled
with an insulating compound of Mr.. Edison's own
invention, impervious to heat, cold moisture. In
side the tube imbedded in the Insulation, are two
copper bars or discs, each one inch broad and one
quarter of an inch thick, which carry the positive
and negative currents. 1t has been used in Menlo
Park six months with perfect satisfaction, extend
ing over six miles of wire. 1t only foot under
ground, but it will be placed two feet below the
street in this city.
Referring to the Central Station of the company
Mr.. Eaton said : This morning we have purchased
Nos. 255 and 257 Pearl-st. now occupied bv the
New-liaven Copper Company and a dealer in medi-
cines. One tenant has left the placeand the other
goes out next Thursday Work will then be begun
be torn down. and we shall erect, independent of
the wall and not resting upon the present FONDA
lions, an iron structure resting solid foundations
in the EARTH to bear the entire strain of our engines
and generators. In this double building will be
placed twelve BabcOck and Wilcox boilers each of
15O-horse power; also twelve Porter engines made
by the Southwark Company of Philadelp hia each
of 125- horse power, and capable of being increased
10 1S5 horse power. To each engine will be attached
one OF Edisons dynanos, each capable of furnishing
over LOCO lamps of 16-candle power each or up,
wards of 12ohOrse power of electric current for
motors, elevators, prlntng-prcsses and small manu-
factories well as for running sewing machines
pumps and for other domestic purposes.
Upstairs the building will be used as testing
rooms for supplies metres, motors, lamps and the
executive offices of that district which is bounded
by the East River, Wall, Nassau Spruce and Ferry
SITS. An artesian well will be bored in the cellar
capable of producing 10000 gallons of water an
hour Street mains will be laid i'm September
though large force of men is engaged in 'wir-
ing the houses i'll the district"
Arrangements are nearly completed by which
Fifth-aye. from Fourteenth to Thirty fourth ats
and Madison and Union Squares are to be lighted
by this company. In each park there is a pole $50
feet high, upon the top of which will be placed six
lights of 5000 candle power each. Ordinary gas is
sixteen candle power
The wires of the Underground Telegraph Com
pany, connecting the Police and Fire Departments
not tested yesterday, owing to the inability of
the company to make the proper connections ia
time.