Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-10-11
ELECTRICITY, GAS AND ELECTRIC


DANGERS.
Much interest is felt as 10 the question
whether the electrical light-taking expense,
practical utility, convenience and other coz
siderations into account-wili, within mod
crate space of time, prove better than light
from coal gas. The matter is still in doubt,
but the beginning made in New York BY the
use of Edison's electric lights will, no
doubt, afford the data required 10 ascertain
the prospective availability of gas and cleo
tricily for ordinary use. The gas companies
are making STRENUOUS efforts 10 "hold their
own" az against electricity, but little things
occur now and then thai show In how serious
4 light they view the forward strides their
rival ia making. An expression OF their
fears,the more noticeable as it is indirect, Tas
given the other day when the American Gas
Light Journal, The very able organ of the gas
companies of the country, admitted iato lis
columns statements as to the failure Of Edi-
sons dynamo TO supply the necessary eec-
trieity for lighting the $500 houses in New
York where his incandescent apparatus has
been putup. The statement was false, and
1t has given the Edison company opportunity
TO make statements Of a very encouraging
nature as to the success of incaHdescent Ii shI-
irg. The failure charged against the Edison
light in the columns of the gas company's
ORGAN was attributed by the writer to INSULT
cienf Insulation, owing to the wires being
placed underground instead of on poles.
The Edison company say that in no part oil
their management have they been more sue
cessfuI than IN their underground wires.
The insulation not only sustains their ex-
pectations, but goes beyond them. This is
gratifying statement outside OF its connection
with electric lighting, as it shows that electric
wires can be placed underground without in
furious loss of electric power. and such a
proof from such source may be considered
as pronouncing the doom of the detesiatIe
street telegraph poles. We observe that Mn
Edison has expressed himself on the subj CT OF
carrying electric wires upon poles in
a way that shows not only that the wires
can be put under ground, but that safety will
require that they must be put there and not
upon poles. A few days ago workman was
killed in New York by coming in contact
with one of the wires of the Brush system
of electric lighting, and when Mr.. Edison
WIS aekeO ldcts as 10 OSnger from suGh
electric wires he stated that if, during ire,
a stresm of water from fire engine should
come in contact with broken src-light !
wire the fireman who held the nozzle would |
be billed, as the stream OF water would prove
a perfect conductor of electricity, as much |
so as copper wire. More than this-should |
falling walls knock down pole laden with |
wires it would be impossible to Distinguish |
the harmless wires from those that were
charged to deadly degree with electricity, |
and 10 handle such would be death. To |
cut such wire with an ax-should the
handle of the implement be wet, as it almost
certainly would among the streams from
the engines-the same fatal result would
follow Sill further-poles bearing wires are
occasionally cast down during fires; should
the current from an electric wire come IN
contact with telegraph o. telephone wires
the electricity would be carried &c the places
which connected and set them on fire. After
.such statement the day OF doom for the
hide0us telegraph pole must be fast sp-
proaching.