The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-12-29
Alarm otf nj the Wfroe.

PHILADELPHIA C0UNCJLNEN SAY THEY CANT
STAY UP-wIRBs NOT INSULATED SAID TC
EXPLAIN THE TROUBLE.
The recent accident in philadelphia
caused by contact between the electric.
light and telephone wires, has stirred VI
the cOuncilmen and officials OF that city
and steps are TO be taken at once for thC
purpose of compelling at least the electric.
light company to put it, wires under
ground.
The Record. in explaining the trouble,
says:
The destruction by a current OF cleo
tricity, on Friday last, OF a telephone in
strlunent and switchboard in the Office OF
the Local Telegraph Company, southeast
corner OF Third ana Chestnut streets, is
ascribed TO the crossing OF a telephone wire
and an electric-light wire Of the Brush
Company at Thirteenth and Market streets.
The electric wire supplied business
house, was erected two years ago, and WAS
not insulated. II was removed yesterday
and pr0pcrly-protccted wire substituted.
II is claimed for the Brush Company that
all wires which il uses are insulated and
thoroughly inspected. The company con-
tends that it is impracticable TO run its
wires underground, and, to convince the
skeptica, has secured the use Of one OF
the tubes under Market street for an cX-
pertinent TO he made shortly.
At the moment when IN electrical dis
turbance played havoc in the Local Tele-
graph COmpany's Office streaks of flame
shot from the telephone box in the office OF
Edwin Harrington d Son, machinists, at
Fifteenth and Pennsylvania avenue. The
wires became red hot and melted the metal
curling up into ball OF fire. The instru-
ment in the Office Of +. NJ. Willard, lumber
dealer. No. 2219 Hamilton street, on the
same circuit, was affected TO slight extent
by the surplus OF electricity. These acct
dents are also attributed TO the crossed
wires at Thirteenth and Market streets.
Superintendent Sargent, Of the Bell Tel
ephone Company, said that their wires oc-
casionally become heated by contact with
telegraph wires, but damage is prevented
by throwing open the circuit. When the
heat becomes excessive the rubber spool on
which the wire Is wound gives out IN odoI
which serves as o warning. Accidents may
be always avoided by having careful EN-
ployes. The Bell and Brush Companies
have agreed to cooperate toward reducing
risks to minimum.
IlllOIllltllOIl lNttliNN W NV hhiFNlH vi
electricity is obtained with difficulty. The
telephone and lighting companies have for
bidden their employees to speak on the sub
ject, and there is a general desire to husl
up all mention OF the recent specimen brick
AN INVESTIGATION PROCEEDING.
The following is taken from the Philadel-
phia Times Of yesterday:
With view Of ascertaining the causes
leading 10 the fire at Third and Chestnut
streets from the electric-light wire, lnspec'
tor McDcvitt, of the insurance patrol, Is
making thorough investigation OF the
lighting and wire systems. During his in
ouiry the Inspector has learned that III
erecting a light in front Of Wanamaker'
store. at Thirteenth street, the lamp struck
a oalvaniZed-iron pipe erected TO sustain it,
and the electricity with which the lamI
WAS CHARGED passed through the pipe and
into a tclcphone-wirc underneath. Every
establishment connected with the wire is
believed TO have been affected. At Howel'S
paDer-storc, Nos. II and 1G south Sixth
street. the shock was very severe. Al
HowelPs mandatory, Twenty-iirst street
and Washington avenue, the shock SET fir'
TO partition. The shock at Harrington
mandatory, Fifteenth and Willow streets
was so severe as TO cause Il slight fire in The
counting-room. 1t is thought that about
TWENTY-FIVE places were set on fire through
this one mishap, which woald have proved
disastrous had il occurred after nightlall
when the buildings were closed and un
guarded.
The Board of Fire Underwriters has
given notice to owners and occupants OF
buildings deSirOus OF introducing electric
lights into their premises that they mus
first make application TO the companies in
which they are insured for permission tC
do so, with statement Of the number and
kinds Of lamps to be used, TO be subject tC
the approval OF the inspector OF the Board
when completed. This afternoon the BruSl
Electric Light Company officers and Tho
Fire Commissioners will hold conference
70 devise measures to obviate danger from
fires by the crossing of telegraphic and
electric light wires. The Underground
Electric Company yesterday inserted The
wires i'm the Market-street conduits be-
tween Twelfth and Thirteenth streets, com
pleting the connection between the Dela'
ware riv r and the new public buildings
IL is probable test OF the line will be made
this afternoon.
AT the meeting OF the Common Council
YESTERDAY Mr.. Morris, OF the Eighth ward
presented aresolution inStrueting the Com
mittee on Police and Fire Alarm Telegraph
10 inquire into the dangers attepdant upon
the present system OF electric lighting and
10 report the nature OF such dangers, to-
gether with the best plans for removing OF
avoiding them rs soon as practicable. 81
am fully sensible of the advantages OF the
electric light" said Mr.. Morris, speaking
in support OF bis resolution, "md l have
no desire TO antagonize the Brush company
or TO favor any other corporation, but accl-
dents like those OF last Friday afternoon
warn us that as long as the electric-light
wires are exposed to the chance OF contact
with those used for other purposes every
telephone in the city Is a source OF danger
and think that the public safety demands
immediate action in reference TO this mat
ter upon the part Of councils The reso'
luton was unanimously approved by the
Chamber. and was subsequently passed by
Select Council also.