The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-11-18
pANaEE or rHE WIRES.

DANGER OF THE WIRES.
To one who has noted the frequent re-
ports OF serious and fatal accidents which
demonstrate the deadly nature OF the cur
rents used by electric lighting companies,
the apathy of municipal authorities, which
permits city to become enmeshed in a
giant web Of these menacing wires. Is in
expIicable. There is no escape from their
vicinity; every street carries its share of
the snaky lines; frequently both sides of
che electric light wires were not dangerous
enough by themselves. hundreds of other
wires, telegraph. telephone and district
telegraph, are stretched above, below and
about them. thus multiplying the danger
10 the public, for one Of the latter wires.
which are harmless In themselves. may be-
come charged with fatal current by csrn-
ing ia contact with an electric light ~ire at
some distant point. Too much credence is
placed in the statements so freely made by
representatives Of the different electric
light companies that "my system is per-
fectly safe"
AS matter Of fact, there is absolutely
no electric light current that Is perfectly
safe" They are oil dangerous. and the
public cannot too soon be made 10 under
stand IT, Accidents from this source have
occurred in this city, fortunately none
fatal, although one poor fellow was hurled
from the top OF pole 10 the ground below,
A.
his neck was not broken BY the fail is a
mystery People read Of such accidents
without realizing that they who read are
in continual danger OF accident from the
cold looking wires which are charged with
seething death. Given a dark night,
broken telephone wire dangling down over
an electric light wire, needless pesles-
trian, and you have all the materials for
fatal casualty.
A Inaiorityof the accidents which are re-
ported have occurred through broken tele-
phone wires touching tie lines Of the light
companies.
II Is not even necessary that the two
wires should be actually in contact. for the
current might pass from one to the other
upon film OF moisture, such as in this
country covers all poles during the greater
part OF the winter. The insulating cover
ing used upon electric light wires Is not ei-
fective-eontact with grounded wire de-
stoys the insulation instantly and leaves
the fallen wire charged with the deadly
current. which may tnlure some passer-by
or the street below
No perfect safeguard Is known. All that
can be done AZ present II 20 endeavor 70
redace the ever present danger 10 a mini
mum. Il is b tier TO place restrictions
about tlais dangerous business now while
there Is yet time, rather than 10 allow is
20 grow and strengthen until II can no
longer be controlled.
In his report 10 the Gre and water COM
mstsee. Mr.. Snow. the city electrician,
makes some sensible aud practical sugges-
tions as - The manner ia which the dan
ger from light and power earreats esn he
lesseued His Recommendation 20 confne
ali electric light companies 70 one and the
same side Of = street. i coed. The wires
carry the danger. therefore lee them BE Ia.
tsclaa dangerous and placed where there viii
BE- less liability Of contact with other wires
which woula convey she dangerous current
within reach Of people in the streets. The
bare wires q the motor company are alSo
dangerous, On any wet or nasty day let &
person place one Eeot on the rail and tie other
upon The iron step a the car aad nete the
force q the grip upon his ankles. That
fcrce Etip Il caused IS a. in5nstesSnal
postioa og the eurrsnt which i conveged
hy the moisture so the outside Of the car
and charges is metAllse steps. These who
try the experiments ear estimate the torce
Of gaa Iagi current.
Mr. SHow suggests that guard wires he
strung ss=asc the wires o. the motor COM
raay % pgevens contact with sallez teie-
Phone ard other wires and lessen the la.
hiissy to 4eSsdens from thai soaFee. The
suggestion = god. and il shows Mr. Snow
10 - practical aaAa ahe e2a indicate
aAnssz ard ssEsess . p4illasloa. i ROT
cogzpsete safeguard,
There w0ald un4enhseslsy ~ great sppo-
sitioa 10 an orcinsnce which soash1 70
earn cat these Suggestions. aud the eonA-
p@abez Interested woaia protest. vseosaasly
zSasnss tie unnecessary exrsass which
woasl& accomplish mo seal henefs TApy
III sag IL = rsysees sasegszy1 c2a ae
teaaa ws wsA gl&siy A.sors il, hus they
kuew sheFe i 10 reysees safeguard, ard tie
gesat Scr he eonnea - consider Is uheshex