Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-10-22
PeriIs of the Electric Light Wires.

The Boston Herald OF October I'd, contains a
lengthy account of the new dangers occasiOned
by the of the electric current as an illumina
tor, from which we extract the following:
A few weeks ago the Herald called attention
to the dangers of life and property consequent
upon the existing and growing number of inn
properly constructed and improperly insulated
wires used i'm conveying the force employed in
generating the electric light. The incipient fires
i'm the Paris electrical exhibition building then
described have had several repetitiOns In this
country, and several cases of loss Of life and in
jury to limb have also been reported as the re-
suit of the dangers alluded to. Even Mr.. Brush,
the distinguished inventor of one Of these brilli
ant illumnators, was seriously wounded short
time ago, and he probably reckOns himself
fortunate that he escaped with his life. He
was showing some gentlemen the manner in
which the modern light is manufactured, and
by some careless move the powerful fluid took
refuge on one of his thumbs, inhicting an ugly
and painful wound and laying the flesh bare to
the bone. VIM. j. Denver, of Springfield. man.
ager of the Western Union telegraph Office in
that city, also had an unpleasant experience a
few evenings since. He was handling sOmefire-
alarm wires in an engine-hOuse, and while thus
engaged they became accidentally crossed out
side with some electric light wires. Tile shock
was so severe as to knock him down, and the
wire which he was holding was reduced to
molten iron in the fractional part of second. If
Mr.. Denver had been so unfortunate as to have
been in a position to allow the whole force of
the escaped current from the Illuminating wire
to pass through his body, the telegraph COM
pany would have been deprived of very eff
cient official, and the community would have
mOurned an esteemed member of society.
A man who came accidentally in contact with
some of these dangerous Illuminating conduc-
tors in Buffalo recently was instantly killed,
and member of the orchestra i'm one Of the st.
Petersburg theaters in Russia was also hurled
to eternity in twinkling by similar mishap.
There is a well-authenticated case in Boston Of
where u telephone was burned up by the wire
connected with it having become entangled or
crossed with an electric light wire, but, for
tunately. no conf1agratiOn ensued. The escape
of the building from destruction, however, was
not due to the inability of the electric current
to give it good start i'm that direction. This
question of protecting the lives and property of
the people from the danger described has very
properly created universal consideration of
the matter since it was first agitated in the
Herald. The insurance interest is not only look
ing into the matter. but even so distinguished
a body as the National Association of Fire En-
gineers has urged immediate and effective legiS-
latiOn. At its meeting, just concluded at Rich
mOnd, Va. a special committee considered and
reported upon the subject: 'What Relation
does Electricity Sustain to Quick COmbustiOn?"
was the language of the topic given the COM
mittee to investigate.
In its answer it admits that it was first at
loss to fully understand the significance of the
question, and then went on to say: "Quick COM
bustiOn may be so construed as to imply spOn-
taneOus combustion; and yet, in connection with
electricity, such construction seems out of
place. Quick combustion may convey also the
idea of speedy destruction of any given object
by fire, and therefore We are induced by the
quality Ofthe proposition to treat the matter gen.
orally. Scientists classify electricity under seve
raj heads, viz, FRACTIONAL chemical, animal, etc.
In considering the subject of electricity in con-
nectiOn with any form of combustion, we must.
OF necessity. ignore all forms of electrical cur
rents save the most condensed and powerful 1t
has been time and time again demonstrated that
lightning OF atmOsphercal, FRACTIONAL, cleo
triclty, in seeking lOdging-place in mother
earth, often becomes dangerous in
cendiary, against whose ravages no adequate
protection as yet has been satisfactorily devised.
The many disastrous fires in the Oil regions of
Pennsylvania during recent years have called
out much learned public discussion. and, while
men were devising means to ward Off future at
tacks, the clouds proceeded TRANQUILITY upon
their way, and the thunderbolts descended with
no respect to regularity or warning. The COM
bustiOn Of any object or ignitible material, when
infamed by a thunderbOlt, is doubtless more
rapid than would be the case under other Cir
cumstances of ignition, but probably no more
rapid than combustion arising from some ex-
posive agency, equally as destructive and in
Simultaneous in action. Until recently the danger
OF sudden fires arising from chemical ell ectricity
has been slight or entirely absent, because the
volume of electricity required to transmit mes
sageS by motion or sound was and is entirely
indifferent as fire-prOducing element. Danger
from this source can only arise where combined
and powerful currents are concentrated for the
production of heat and light and it is of the
greatest Importance that the conductors of such
currents of electricity be thoroughly insulated,
especially i'm connection with the electric light
now coming into use in many cities and local-
ties. Carelessness in this particular will some
day demonstrate that powerful electrical action
generated by chemical forces is as dangerous
and disastrous as the thunderbOlts Of Heaven
The only Illogical and practical suggestions look
ing to protection against this fire producing ele-
ment are found in the careful insula-
ton Of all objects to be protected,
such practical and thorough insulation,
and disasters arising. notwithstanding such pre-
caution, must be met and combatred with such
skill and apparatus as the present places within
our command"
Chief Engineer A. p Leisure of Springfield.
Mass. in urging discussion of the question in
the co invention, said that the electric light is
coming into use in many cities and he thought
the firemen, as well as the public, should know
whether they were calculated to endanger life
ana property. The fire marshal Of New York
reported that the cornice of building had been
set on fire at point where it came in contact
with an electric light wire, and ex-Chief Ben
nett stated that he knew of fire occurring in
Cleveland from similar cause.
Joseph w. StOyer, the well known Boston
e Electrician, was called upon, as an expert, to
& i've his views upon the subject. He did so at
length, and replied to many questions put to
hi by the members. The substance of his
statement was that the large wires used for
carrying currant of electricity sufficient for
lighting purposes were dangerous to b 9th life
and property, unless thoroughly insulated: that,
If one Of the wires were broken, and a person
grasped both ends OF the wire, the current
would pass through his body and kill him in
stantly; that the wires were charged so full Of
electricity, that the current was constantly seek
ing to escape from the wire apd take the
hortest route to the ground. If, in leaving
he wire it came in contact with an individual,
1t would be like stroke of lightning; if with
infiammable substances. a fire would be gem
Grated. He said that the principle of electric
lighting was yet in its infancy, and he had no
doubt the companies engaged in the business
would for their own protection. eventually find
adequate means for insulating the wires.
Chief Swenie, of Chicago, told how a fire was
caused in that city by the electricity leaving the
wire where the insulation was broken, and,
b eing attracted by steel nail, set fire to the
b uilding. The discussion among the chief en-
gineers was quite general and at the close q
sp ecial committee was appointed to consider
Sc ries Of resolutions, and Mr.. Slower was in
Wit ed to retire with the committee and give it
the benefit Of his counsel. The resolutions re-
pOrtpd nv the C0mmiffao woro odoDtod ord