New-York tribune., 1890-03-28
a proposition to increase the fees OF ohcr'i'
Llncl.'s
ELECTRICIL CONTROL.

ELECTRICIL CONTROL
The State Senate Committee on Generaf
Laws. which WAS specially empowered 10 III
vesticatc the subject of electrical currents ana
conductors. and which has taken testimony IN
this city during the winter, made its report
Yesterday. When the Committee assumed this
task we expressed the opinion that, although
it was not composed OF experts. it might reason
ably be expected to procure mass OF vaillaDie
information and to draw therefrom sound ana
important conclusions upon which legislation
micht be based The report juStiiieS the pre-
diction. The opinions formed ny the 'om
mittce seem to be fairly and honestly dcduccd
from the knowledge and experience OF expert
Witnesses They are entirely sensible IN SUD
stance and they are expressed with COM
mendabc modcsty and caution. NO prctchce
a made that the subject has been exhausted
but. on the contrary the fact is frankly pointed
ont that the nature and operations OF cleo
tricty are very impcriectly understood. and
that any system of control must be prepared to
take advantage of added knowledge and to
provide for new conditions
In brief. the Committee concludes that tho
risk of fire is no greater from electlc-lgh's
than from gas that most OF the sixteen iatll
accidents of recent years have been due to bad
Insulation and other results OF carclcSSncSs on
the part of electric companies: that currents
Of all kinds and every degree of tension can be
safely and efficiently distributed by under
oround conductors that even the high tension
alternating current in street mains may be so
guarded by means OF the converter system as
TO be free from danger to life and property and
and
streets are less crowded and overhead telephone
and telegraph wires less numerous. electric
light wires above ground can hr made ana
kept safe by reasonable care. Guided by these
conclusions the Committee makes these recon-
mcndations
First that no electric light or power current Of over
go volts pressure be- allowed 70 enter any bnlhlnE
second that after say January !. i-'a. no overhead
conductors carving currents for lighting or power pur
noses be allowed in any street. highway or pubic
place in any city Of the state having population oi
100 900 persons or and that the local anth"l'
In the various cities coming under tins dc-'rp'i'h ~
the absence Of anv state authority. be empowered ana
directed to make proper provision for the burial Of such
wires.
Tho Committee reports fnrfher-and this Is
NOT one of the least valuable. though II Is ono
of tbc most obvious conclusions from the facts
suggested by the inqniry-that nasmnch aS the
electrical industry is not only highly technical,
hut is also constantly confronted by ne" con-
ditio,H the Legislature cannot frame ana APP
nlv 10 il rigid rules and regulations. " mere
should however" says the report. " be som"
form of supervision hy properly qualified state
/ or local authorities over the commercial Use OIL
cIcctriciiv analogous 10 the supervision now
exercised over steam boilers. Regulations
should be framed with competent expert al
vice and entrusted 10 authorities "h" nave
mower 10 modify them 50 ~ 20 meet ia" chang
inc conditions which the rapid growth OF me
ministry constantly ming> about. one OF mo
most amazing circumstances attending IN" sud-
denly developed use OF tremendous aud nfN
tcrjou> force is tie unhndcrcd liberty which
the electric companies haV" "nloN'd. Ih'E
have practically done what they 'hos" Win an
agent infinitely more dangerous. because. per
hans. infinitely less understood. than any other
employcd in the service Of man. he result
has been an neNcu>ahlc destruction of human
life. but also. happily. a. partial ronl"n'i-
tion therefor. universal comprehension of the
ueTllou> conditions under which "" haN" been
living. and firm demand for their suppression.
The report just submitted At Albany supplies
valuable. indeed All Indispensable. basis Tor
/ legislation. i ought 10 be- productive OF some
wise and comprehensive enactment when VIII
/ nlacc a, the service of every community IN the
| state an efficient and progressive system OF
! electrical control with which politics has moth
/ ing whatever 10 do.