Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-10-13
NO RUBBER GLOVES
Used by Allegheny County Light
Men Handling Electric Wires.
SAFE INSULATION IN PITTSBURG.
Accidental Deaths From Electricity Almost
Unknown Here.
NEW YORKERs SHOULD TAKE NOTICE

The occurrence in New York City, in such
rapid succession, of so many deaths caused
by contact with electric light wires, is not
without food for reflection in this city where
the invisible lighting power is so largely
employed. The Mayor of the metropolis
has commenced crusade against all ex-
posed telegraph, telephone and light wires,
and the attention Of civic authorities in all
the large cities is more or less directed to
the subject.
So far Pittsburg has enjoyed an immunity
from such horrible affairs as those recorded
In yesterdays DISPATCH, and to ascertain
just how such an immunity was preserved,
it yesterday became the duty of the writer.
One Of the most surprising things learned at
the outset was that the line operators en-
ployed by the Allegheny County Light
Company discarded the use of rubber
this, taken in conjunction with the
necessity for their use in New York and
other cities, seemed to point to the superb
ority of the lighting systems in vogue In
this city. 1t is fact that during the eight
years that the company mentioned have
been operating not single death has oc-
CURED directly attributable to contact with
electric wires, despite the fact the men en-
ployed in handling them were seemingly so
careless. This is due primarily to the care
exercised in properly insulating the wires
and, secondly, to the careful method OF
placing the wires in position and in making
connections.
CARE MUST BE EXERCISED.
Mr.. Robert j. Daily, the efficient fore
man of the outside work of the company,
said that when proper care was exercised In
making connections, so that when wire
was cut for splice it was again duly in
sulated, and provided that properly In
sulated wires were used for the distribution
of the current, and care taken to stop all
leakages caused by abrasions-al1 of which
came within the careful lineman's duty
that practically no danger existed from
freely handling the wires. Rubber gloves
were provided By the company, but the men
seldom used them. An incident was related
of painter who, some three years ago, fell
from scaffolding, seizing hold of pair of
live wires in his descent. He hung on to
them until rescued, and was quite unin-
jured.
The Allegheny County Light Company
uses wires made by local firm, the Stand
ard Underground Cable Company, and Sic
men, of Boston. An official stated that they
employed none but the very best insulated
wire attainable, and that all their lines
were of the manufacture of these firms, with
the exception of a short section, which would
be shortly replaced. This gentleman said
that he attributed the frequent accidents in
NewYork to Indifferent workmanship in plac-
ing the wires and forming connections, and
to the use of wires not thoroughly insulated.
On his system, tests for leakages were made
twice each day, and when any were discov-
cred the section was isolated and at once re-
paired. He held that where strict attention
to details was adhered to and the lines care
fully manipulated. there was no cause for
danger. 1t was claimed that Pittsburg was
far ahead of other cities in the matter of
electric lighting. She had one of the largest
plants, and the system in use was not sur
passed anywhere.
ONLY ONE WEST OF NEW YORK.
The Standard Underground Cable Com
psny, of this city. is the only firm west of
New York engaged in the manufacture of
electric light wires. 1t has supplied the
Light Company with many miles of wire,
and the official of the latter company before
in use.
Mr.. J. W. Marsh, the Secretary, claimed
that the deaths from contact with live
wires was due to insufficient insulation, and
be was of opinion that the New York COM
panies were using wires which necessitated
the use of gloves when handling them.
This should not be, and if wire properly
prepared was used the accidents so fire.
quently reported would not occur. Mr.. Il
Marsh said that yesterday his company had
received an order from New York for 80
miles of electric light wire, and more were
to follow. They were extending their fac
tory to overtake their orders.
All of which goes to show that when
electric wires are carefully insulated in the
first instance, and properly handled and
looked after in the next, that no danger
need be feared as arising from them, and
further that Pittsburg is at the head of the
electric lighting industry, and can furnish
other cities with the best material for the
purpose when they make up their minds to