New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-10
THE pPOELEV OF THE Hires

THE PROBLEM or THE Hires.
The replies made by several experienced
electricians to various questions relative to the
problem of making electric currents safe, which
were propounded by The Electric Age were
summarized in THE TRIBUNE yesterday. One
of the men whose views were desired, Mr.. +.
W. Jones, of the Postal Cable Company, did
not submit categorical answers, but made a
diSculSve statement of his opinions on the
general situation. We find in the published
compendium of his observations much that is
sensible and true. and that ought to be borne
in mind while the discussion is going ON. though
we think that he goes too far in certain dircc-
tons. He describes briefly, but accurately.
the origin Of our present troubles as follows:
"Thc Introduction of electricity for light and
power began in earnest in 1850. and cap
iaiStS exploited all kinds of systems to aSccr-
tain if they could be made commercially and
financially successful Lack of capital and
electrical knowledge and the cagcrncSS OF
everybody TO 90 into a new business. resulted
in very defective appliances" He then pro-
cccdS to tell in few but vigorous words how
New DIRK invited its own discontinue by the
manner in which il authorized or permitted the
/
and begin operations in this city.
As TO the initial folly of attempting to con
troll the business and make il systematic and
safe through a commission OF politicians who
possessed no knowledge whatsoever OF the
subject. we are quite ready to agree with Mr.
Jones: but his indictment Of the press Tor
having taken advantage of the Situation to
fan the flame of public sentiment into a
| frenzy: of the authorities for destroying
''without discrimination" the property of the
companies. and of the people for Their attitude
because lit looks cowaldly to hide behind
their power and destroy the investments of
eminent ctizcnS'-thiS thrcc-fold indictment
does not seem TO us just. though il has some
clements of plau,ibility. The case would have
been quite different if the destruction of the
wires had been demanded by the people and
accomplished by the authorities merely for
the purpose of removing impcdimcnt| and IN
convencnccS. though even then the past a.
titudc and action of the companies would have
nut upon them the burden Of proving that they
were subjected to unwaIrantablc hardShipS
But when the General Term rendered it, de-.
ci>ion affairs had reached a point which i'm
pcratvcy required immediate and uncomplo
missing measures Human life was lu contln-
nous and great peril. and it would have been
criminal to parcv and decker a moment after
the lawful right, Of the people had been de-
clared. The companic, had determined 10 do
nothing except in their own way and az their
own convenience and it wa high time to take
the matte out Of their haudS. II the now>.
papers gave vigorous expression 20 % popular
sentiment which they had been Instrumental
in compactirg they did their duty, and moth
ing more.
~ TO tho coWaIdicc Of the city. whether a,
an administrative unit or collection OF Indl.
yidual> in placing the full responsibility for
the hazaidou, and intolcrablc condition, which
mad the destruction of private property neco~-
Sary upon the corporations which had brought
those condition, into existence. we agree with
three eminent Judge, of the supreme Court
and not with Mr.. Jones. II j. true that the
electrical lighting companies were permitted To
embark in undertaking, which required more
knowledge than they possessed but they did
So a the court imprc>>ycy declared, under
an implied contract 10 protect the public from
peril and nuisance, and they cannot shift the
responsibility for the consequences Of their
own ignorance and lack of skill and conscience.
As to the future. we believe all intelligent
citizens are in agreement. The control OF
electrical currents must be placed in the hands
of men who know all that can be- known about
them, with full authority to apply their knowl-
! edge for the benefit Of the community.