Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-10-23
IT WILLEDIFY EDISON
A Noted Electrical Expert Rather
Goes for the Wizard.
HE CLAIMS HIS WIRES ARE CHEAP.
The Edison Theory of Imperfect Insulation
Ridiculed.
PITTSBURGS PRECAUTIONS PRAISED

Captain Willard L. Candee, of the Okla
mite Wire Company of New York, and one
of the oldest telegraph men in the country,
passed through the city yesterday on his
way home to New York from Western
trip. He stopped over in the city to visit
his friends, S. A. Duncan, General Agent
of the Allegheny County Light Company,
and Superintendent Morris Mead, of the
Fire Bureau. Captain Candee remained
over partly on account of the recent over
head wire agitation in Councils Monday
afternoon. In an interview he stated that
there was not the slightest danger of any
casualties like those in New York from the
overhead electric wires in Pittsburg. He
also gave some OF the secret history Of the
cause of the trouble in the metropolis, and
lays the blame mostly upon the Edison Com
pany. In the intervieY he said:
SIN his testimony Mr.. Edison is quoted as
saying that there is no such thing as good
insulation. 1t will be borne in mind that
Mr.. Edison's company manufactures and
sells wire known as the underwriters
wire.
PAINTED COTTON BRAID.
"The latter was approved by the Board of
Underwriters OF New York, and was used
all over the city. 1t is not much more than
painted cotton braid, and would not De used
in this city. do not know of anybody
using it outside of New York, because it is
no good.
"Mr. Edison's wire does not stand the ex-
posure to the air and elements, on account Of
its poor quality.
Therefore in order that his wire may
stand the voltage, the voltage of all other
companies must be reduced to that of his
company, in order that the system may be
nearly perfect The voltage of his system
will not exceed 300, while that of other arc
light companies will run up to 1000 volts.
''If the overhead wires are SO dangerous
in Pittsburg and New York, why does the
Board of Electric Control in the latter city
allow the insulated wire to be continued in
use? If all the wire is dangerous, why do
they not stop the work of stringing it? The
whole cause of the trouble is, first, i'm
proper construction; second, imperfect insu-
lation, and third, neglecttul inspection. If
a line is constructed properly, the best
quality of insulation used and proper in
spection is made there can be no danger
from the wires.
NO DANGER IN PITTsBURG.
''In this city the Okanite wire is used.
You cannot make an abrasion in it by
twisting, and there is not the least danger
of anybody being killed by coming into
contact with the wires. I am firmly con-
vinced by years of experience that it is not
necessary to put the electric light wires in
this city under ground.
st was stated in New York that there are
no poles in the streets in London. This
gives out the impression that the wires were
under ground. The statement is all right,
but on the housetops in London the poles
stand almost as large as they do on the
streets of this city. In no country in the
world has there been SO much study given
to the matter as in the United States. As
proof Of this 1 may state that we are shipping
our wire into London under the noses of the
English manufacturers.
at is also deplorable fact that Expert
Wheeler should send out Western Union
linemen to inspect the insulation of the
wires. What do these men know of electric
light insulation? They never did anything
but make joints, and are not the proper per-
sons to make such an inspection. When Mr..
Edison says there is no such thing as in
sulation he does not speak according to the
facts. In this city our wire has been up for
three years. aud is still in good condition"
Captain Candee has written paper onthe
matter which will appear in one of the cleo
trical journals.