Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-10-12

-EnituuCtDNlN LVCb.
While science has, with laudaole
zeal, diminished the terrorS that tgno-
rance and superstition long ago added
to death, it must be owned that IL mas
increased to some extent the dangers OF
life. simultaneously with the worlds
fluctuations over the conquest OF eiec-
tricity as an agency Of Illumination
comes a shocking proof that the TIL
umph is a peril as well as boon.
Edison's work in New York has
been attacked with vehement
protestations by scientific PERSONS,
who claim that the infinite agent or
light is az infinite an agent of death.
Taxed with the charge, Edison admits
frankly that the mass Of conducting
wires that disfgures the city streets Is
likely to put human life in danger at
almost any instant; that in the event
of fire the men who handle the hose are
likely to be withered to crisp by con-
tact with the conducting agencies they
must necessarily apply. Even the
streams of water thrown at an altitude
with the wires are liable to serve Is q
medium for the fork of the chained
lightning of the dynamo.
Even the cutting of the wires pre-
sents q sure means Of destruction, as the
axe-handle not only serves as high
way to the fatal shaft, but absolutely
attracts and eompels its dispersion from
the wires. Indeed, from Edison's own
statement death in perfect holocausts Is
inevitable, If the electric wires are ex-
posed to the vieissitudes of fires, process
siops or interference of whatsoever
sort. One startling proof of this was
shown the other day, when workman
ignorant of the tremendous influences
in lhe wire, touched it easily and was
almost shriveled by the hideous force OF
the concentrated fire. In Paris
two unfortunates who merely touched
the electric coils passing over the PAL
ing of a fence were instantly struck
dead. Upon this state OF things Edi-
son very properly argues that all con-
duetiug coils used as mediums OF this
ominoGs force should be securely -bCc
ried. to perform their mission, instead
Of running over the houset0psS and
along the public streets, as they do 10
most American cities where they are
used. His own paraphernalia has been
fabricated with o view OF subterrsnean
traverse, and he Is supplying 100
lights in the lower part Of New York by
this safe and philosophical method.
The. subject Is of vital importance to
Philadelphians, for We have set these
potent instruments Of death broadcast,
To accumulate the dangers that
already beset the community. The
wilderness of wires that disfigures our
streets has long been menace to life,
even aside from the electric currents
freshly added, and some decisive step
should at once be taken to force all
wires, telegraph, telephonic and cleo.
tric, under ground. The companies has
said that no satisfactory method has
vet been devised. If Edison has not
struck 1t, it concerns those who have
money invested In this kind OF property
to stimulate invention In this direction,
Every house touched by these wires \
In peril. Every fireman who attempts
to put out alconfagration ~ In dsngel
| of sudden death. Every painter ant
builder whose operations bring him In
line,with The wires risks ga tnstantane
Gus stroke Of an element that neYe
| SpSses.