Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-10-16
THE ELECTRIC ROW.
GOtham's Darkness Causes Inquiries
About the Local Lights.
NO WAR In STOREFOR PITTSBURG.
A Rigid Contract Between the City and
the East End Company.
THE OPINION OF THE CITY SOLICITOR

The trouble between the electric light
companies in New York and the city au-
thorities there which ended in the metropolis
being left in almost total darkness Monday
night caused quite q number of Pittsburg-
ers to wonder whether such thing as the
electric lights in this city being shut off in
the event of trouble about overhead wires
and other matters might some day come to
pass.
A DISPATCH reporter investigated the
matter last night and found that there was
no danger of the New York trouble being
repeated in this city. In conversation with
a number of prominent persons it was found
that the defective electric lighting of New
York was supposed to be due to the action
of the city authorities in allowing too many
companies to come into the city. There are
about 10 or IL companies competing for
business in the town. In making estim-
mates and bidding for work they have fig
ured on the cost Of the poorest construction
and materials. As a result the work was of
poor order and,the insulation very imper-
feet. The latter was entirely unknown
when there was but two or three companies
in the field.
NO DANGER IN PITTsBURG.
Samuel A. Duncan, General Agent of the
Allegheny County Light Company, was
asked last night whether there was any pos
sibility of the city being left in darkness at
any time. He said: ''The East End COM
pany and the city made a contract by which
the former was to furnish such lights in:
kind ano quality at prices specified, and at
points that may be designated and located
by the Commissioner of Public Works.
The company cannot violate this contract
without laying itself open to damages. On
the other hand, if the city violated the con-
tract, the company could continue to supply
the light and collect the charge for the
same.
SIN this city there are only two compa-
mics, and they practically operate In differ
ent districts. We use the best material in
the construction of our lines, and nothing
but the best method of insulation is al
lowed. If anyone invents better apparatus
or wire than we use now, we Will be only
too glad to adopt it as a matter of policy.
We have one man to thoroughly inspect all
lines and another to inspect the installation
of lights. Every carbon trimmer must re-
port the condition OF the lamps, and they
are a check on the linemen.
BEST IN THE COUNTRY.
This city has the best electric light service
in the country, fact that is almost univer-
sally acknowledged. About three years
ago, if you will remember, painter fell of
the market house and hung on with his
hands to two of our wires. Had there been
the slightest break in them he would have
been instantly killed"
City Attorney Major W. C. Moreland
was asked his opinion on the matter. He
said: 81 have not the least idea that the
East End Electric Light Company would
resort to the practice adopted by the New
York companies. If the company found
that the city arbitrarily violated
its contract with them they .re not bound
to supply the light, but as long as the city
pays for the light and does not violate its
contract the company must furnish it. The
contract is rigid one, and runs for three
years. The electric company Is so pleased
with it that they wanted to renew it upon
expiration for either three or five years
more. If the company shut off the light,
the city could supply light as best they
could and charge the expense to the COM
pany The day is not far off when the COM
panies will necessarily have to place all
their wires under ground. 1t is very costly
at first, but it is cheaper in the end"