The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1889-12-25
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES IN CROWD
ED CENTERS.

The recent fires in Boston and Lynn,
both traced more or less directly to cleo
trio light currents, raise question which
has grown more vital with time and the
multiplying Of wires, and is especially inn
portant now that we have entered upon
an era of subway construction. 1t is:
Are currents OF high potential, whether
above or below the ground, menace 10
property2 We learned long since by
practical experience that aerial mains
were not TO be trusted, because the fall
ing or dropping Of even telegraph wire
upon them will effect that cross circuiting
which has proved SO disastrous; charge,
may be, an Innocent gas pipe with 1000
volt current, and, perhaps, make water
pipe carry fire as well as water. AS TO
the buried wires, we have, it seems, still
less to hope for. Mr. Edison, in recent
interview, says of them: ''The placing
of electric wires in subways, instead of
lessening the dangers to life and property,
will increase them. They are likely to be
grounded through undiscoverable breaks
In insulation. This is followed by max
ing perhaps, lamp post dangerous to
life, charging the iron franc Of q store
awning, gas pipe or telephone wire.
Thus, it would appear, there is not yet
any known mode or safely distributing
high-tension currents in populous ccnters.
Such evidently is the view taken by the
authorities of Lynn, who, after an inquiry
into the causes leading to the recent dis
astrous fire, prayed the Common Council
to forbid the introduction of electric light
wires into the streets and buildings OF
that city's business center.
1t has been said by al expert electrician
that, though there is no agent more pro-
life of danger than electricity when I'M
scientifically or carelessly handled, there
is no other element or force that's more
capable of self.controi or that can DC rem
dered less harmful. But 1t is this very
fact that single defective wire or the act
of o stupid or careless person may i'm
peril life or fire buildings that makes the
introduction of high tension currents into
crowded centers of doubtful expediency.
In Boston, so We read, an arc light wire
fell upon burglar alarm wire and a wire
belonging 10 an electric time distributing
wire; these two carrying their borrowed
intensity into their respective buildings,
there to fire the woodwork along their
path.
Curiously enough, il was 10 Boston
where steps were frat taken looking to Of
fetal superintendent OF electric wiring,
the Board of Underwriters refusing risks
upon buildings having electric light SER
vice, unless the wiring was done by men
whom they had examined for efficiency
and licensed.
1t would thus seem that the Boston I'M
derwriters used due diligence, adopted
every known precaulion, and though, no
doubt, preventing many possible calami-
ties, they are yet unable TO avert such dis
asters as the late one. Wherever high
tension service parallels or crosses an ex-
posed low tension service, there is dan
ger of fire. A br glar alarm wire, though
protecting against housebreakers, may in
troduce an incendiary the convenience
Of telephone or district messenger service
may cost the value of whole building or,
perhaps, blocks of them. scientific
american.