The Portland daily press., 1882-03-02
Elantric I.ieht "a. Gas and Kerosene

Electric Light VS.. Gas and Kerosene.
Mr. ED1ToR:-Now that the electric light
has come and came to stay the question arises
els the danger to life and is the risk from ire
increased or diminished"
1t is very amusing to look back and notice
the objections to any innovation upon estab-
lished usages The first waterpower saw mill
erected was demolished by a mob OF laporlng
men because they feared ii would throw OUT Oh
employment those who earned their living BY
pit-sawing.
When railroads began to be constructed II
was said the farmers business of raising horses
would be annhilated. The best horse then
sold for $50 and 800 for horse was almost
an unheard of price. The invention OF sew
ing machines was regarded as very unfortunate
for the poor women who earned scanty living
with her needle. Where street cars were IN
troduced hack driving was to cease. Wheu
moving machines first came into use there was
supposed to be no need of scythe factories
When postage for long distances was reduced
from % cents to 10 cents great fears for the
postal revenue were expressed; few years
after it was reduced to five and afterwards to
three cents.
Now the electric light will destroy the gas
companies many inconsiderate person In TINS
and othercities say. Gas however will continue
to be used, possibly more than heretofore, be-
cause an increased light in one store will call
for corresponding increase in others and
those who do not adopt the electric light will
turn on the more gas. But the most absurd
complaint is the increased danger from the
use of electricity for lighting just as though 1T
has not been for sometime in use for telegraph
ing and telephoning. That under certain cir
cumstances it may endanger life and property
is possible but when have we read the papers
for a single week without noticing one or
more accounts of death or fire from gas or
kerosene.
Where is the insurance company that de-
mands special permit for using telephoneY
1t must be borne in mind that the electric
wires are all covered SO that they are perfect
ly safe to handle, but the bare wires il laid up
on muslin would not even scorch it,
1t is said that if a person takes hold of the
bare wires he will get a shock. So if a person
uses telephone in thunder storm he will get
a shock. If lodger blows out his gas on re-
turing he will "sleep the sleep that knows no
waking" 1t is only necessary to know the
danger to avoid it.
We cannot blame the agents of the insurance
companies for carryinggout the instructions of
their principals. But already the absurd in
structions have created the possibility OF the
formation of strong companies who will not
lights but will give the preference to such
property as will reject gas and use electricity
exclusively for lighting will risk the opinion
that when fully tested and tried it will be
found that as far as danger to lie or property
is concerned electricity will be- proved to be
80 per cent safer than gas or kerosene.
All the bugbear stories about being knock
ed over or killed by contact with electric
wires need confirmation, and the time is not far
distant when the electric light will come into
general use and be hailed as a boon both as a
superior light and almost absolute protection
against losses by death and fire caused hereto
fore by gas and kerosene. M. G. P.