New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-10-14
FOUR HUNDRED DEATH SPOTS FOUND.
TIE BOARD OF ELECTRICAL CONTROL READY

THE BOARD OF IONliNOb NM
TO PULL DOWN THE WIRES
The Office Of the Board Of Elc, trical Control was
busy place yesterday Commissioners Hess, Moss
and Gibbens and Mr. Wheeler, the Boarfs expert
were In and out all day and they kept large force
of lncmen outside the office and Of stcnographers and
clerks inside, busy preparing for action today. NO
wires were cut in the face Of Judge Andiewss IN
junction. but force of fifteen inspectors was busy
In that part Of the city below werty-thir-st' hhu
ing imperfect insuations and "spottng' dangerous
wires for the shears in case the Injunction shaH 10
dissolved.
Such wires are not hard to find. ANY one gifted
with sharp ewes can see I'm wadng along the Bo"ery
for instance the difference between wires wrapped in
the white insulating tape and those where the paIo
copper is exposed The latter are not scarce anu the
force that out yesterday reported over fVo
defective insulafOns. Commits Toner Gilroy Is Only
waiting for the courts give him chance at these
dangerous spots, and If the injnnc'io" is discover
II is safe to say that New-Y Workers VIII SEQ
wires coming down in all directions. The Inspectors
employed yesterday made oath TO their reports aS
they brought them in for use in to-day's hearing In
support of the Boards claim that the injunction
should be vacated.
The members Of the Board have also prepared
afdayts embracing the records OF their Office showing
instances I'm which the electric light companies have
neglected to comply with regulations OF the Board
The hearing promises 10 be highly interesting.
A good deal of Indignation was eApIcsscu ny ''io
members Of the Board and their friends over an attack
on the Board and on Mr.. Wheeler, its electrician,
made Yesterday by the president and electrician OF tho
Brush Company. The point Of the attack was charge
that the number of accidents had increased because the
Board interfcred with the Brush Companys manage
ment and repairs Of its wires. 1t is untrue,'
said an officer of the Board that the Board has ever
interfered with the Brush Company in repairing it,
wires Our main cfor; has been u make them repair
properly The only arrests made by the BoaI wore OF
men who were trying string new wires without a
permit The increase In the number OF accidents Is
due TO the fact that The companies have grown more
and more negligent about repairs, and that they have
been putting in lamps, and have tried 10 supply
them By Of the existing wires. until they have
terribly OVciChargcd the wires. As the demand for
lights has increased old wires that originally de
signed for light currents have been made 10 carry very
heavy ones. Then the lines have not been kept aut.
but have been allowed 10 sag and cross until
the currents have been diverted into other wires, as
in the Feehs case. The insulating tape which the
companies IS of cotton or linen, saturated with
white leach. II becomes porous on exposure 10 the
weather and the euTrcnt Will then leak through IL.
since June IA 1888. this Board has removed and
forced the companies TO remove 1000 miles OF over
head wires and 5000 poles. II tlat had not been
done the list Of accidents would probably be still
longer"
All day yesterday crowd Of sightSecrs passed the
tclccTaphpO! al Chambers and Centre stS. where
FcckS met bis death. The box for contributions for
the dead mans family was still attached - the pole,
and many stopped and gave freely. At dusk It was
taken down and the result of the days offerings
counted The sum aggregated s241 60, making tho
total for the two days 81 O63 -.