Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-01-06
ELECTRIC STORAGE BATTERrEs

The GLOBE few days since gave a de-
scription of the newly invented and per-
fected Brush system of storing electricity
for domestic use, for the illumination of
dwellings, stores, Offices, etc. Mr.. Brush
claims for his system great practical adap-
liability to uses for which it is designed,
great Illuminating power, and safety if
properly adjusted and intelligently han
died.
Mr.. S. B. Eaton, of the Edison electric
system, declares that the Brush storage
system is unsafe, that the Brush arc light
is well known to be deadly, and that it has
caused the death of several persons who
had touched the wires. Mr. Eaton saws.
although every effort is made to keep the
covering of these wires unbroken and their
location intact, still innumerable oc-
casions will happen, such as house
repairs, etc., by which they will
be exposed to contact. Who
over touches these wires it may be curl
Gus child, stupid servant, a fireman, a
workman employed in plumbing, carpen-
tering or carrying coal-whoever touches
them so as to receive the current will be
killed"
If all this is true, if such liabilities to
accident and death exist, Mr.. Brush is GER
taiRly censurable for recommending his
system to public and domestic use. In
absolute safety alone must abide the will
lingHssS of the community to accept the
use OF electric light as an i!luminasor
Mr.. Katon claims that ''the electric current
is throughout his entire system of low
pressure, being about one-twentieth of the
intensity of the Brush current, and is alb
solutsly SAFE" This objection, if it can be
successfully maintained, will be, and ought
b be fatal to the Brush system. But the
Brush and Edison systems are rivals for
public favor and confidence, and
Mr.. Brush will undoubtedly have
some explanation to make in reference
to the charges Of Mr.. Eaton. But these
electricians must understand that the peo-
PIE are not SO much interested in their
rlValrisS and quarrels as they are in the
absolute security and safety in the use of
the electric light, and until such absolute
and positive assurance can be given and
demonstrated, people will turn their backs
uPsa both Of their systems however plaus-
IDLY presented. There must be disinter-
ssssd proof outside of special systems to
commend confidence. The public will
await With some interest the reply of Mr..
Brush to these charges. What the public
will want to know is whether these charges
are we'll founded, or whether they are the
interested statements Of rival companies
Fortunately the electric light companies
In st. Paul do not use either Of these rival
Systsns, and they are sufficiently conserve
tive net 10 indulge in dangerous expert
msnta- The Fuller light, which is opsr-
atsd by the st. Paul Gas company, has the
reputation of being absolutely safe. They
have declined to inaugurate the storage
systsm until its safety, economy and prac-
ticability 10 fully demonstrated. Our oiti-
zens can have the satisfaction Of knowing
that the electric lights of this company
will be supplied with all the modern i'm
proVsnsnts" practicable, and if our neigh
bNrs desire to diminish their census re-
ports by adopting the Brush storage plan,
We need nave no anxiety.