New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-02
VIEWS ON ELECTRICITY.
TESTIMONY BEFORE THE STATE SENATE
COMMITTEE.
THE WHOLE SUBJECT IN A STAGE or IKANsi'
TIoN-FAvoRING STATE BOARD
OF CONTROL.

The Investigation of the Committee on General
Laws of the State Senate into the subject OF ciccucy
and its relations to life and property WAS con'hueu
yesterday at the Hotel Mctropoe. senators Er"lu'
Chase vcdder and Coggcslall were present Judging
from the number Of people who gathered IN the room
greater interest WAS taken IN the testimony yesterday
than on Friday The questions and answers were
followed with attention.
Tho first witness was Charles o. Maillous. an
electrical engineer. lie believed that all syslcms
had tho right live and that laws could be chactcd
which would make all systems comparatively harIi-
less lie did not think, however, that a cast iron
law should be framed Electricity was still III inc
stage OF development. There had not been suncleho
facts collected in regard to the workings OF the 1Oco
in various parts of the country insulators when
good in place were not necessarily eoou III
Others Things which seemed TO be true OF electricity
today would not be true tomorrow. There SHOULD
undoubtedly be board of control, whsc duty s"o"u
be to collect evidence continually as well TO en-
force enacted laws.
1t was his opinion that the hgh-tcnson system
was dangerous TO life than the lowlehsion
system. There was, however, little, If any, difference
In their danger to property. If there was diHer-
cncc, IL low tension system more dangerous 10
property. He did not think that system carrying
1000 volts necct arily harmful. insulation
could overcome the danger. The methods Oh liS"i|
ton should be carefully studied. lie believed that
safe overhead conduit could be erected The state
S"O~'
that could say absolutely OF system tlat IL WIS
the best. The underground system the more cx-
penslve ii a bad plan. in the overhead SYSTEM
10 allow the electric wires to be near other WlIes II
the wires were placed upon their own poles ana held
as far apart possible, the present existing danger
would be minimizcd. The highest pressure used IN
any system in New-York 1000 volts; tho low
est about 40. From commercial point Of view, the
hgh-tenson current might be preferable to companies.
Much less copper necessary TO carry the current
of certain pressure in the high tension system Than
in the low-tension system. In answer 10 ENpers
+. w. JONES' Mr. Maillous said that if the insulation
was properly attended TO and the safeguards applied
pressure of 900 1000 volts could be used with
impunity. But the Legislature in the present state
Uf the art should limit the voltage which the companies
might After the problem OF proper insulation had
been solved the voltage limit might be increased.
c. IL. Jackson, president OF the United States
Illuminating Company, and of the United Electrical
Light and Power Company, was then called 10 the Wit
ness chair. lie said that his company used the Wcsns.
house system. They had four stations in the city
with about 900 arc-lights. They had about $50
miles OF wire In the subways, and few miles of
overhead wire. For large Cities he advocated the
underground sastcm the safer. The company had
found that system satisfactory. The primary cost OF
insulation much greater but the expenses Of
maintenance aftcrward were much less. Mr.. Jackson
knew Of accident which had resulted from the
cables of his company. lie believed that the rules
Of the Board Of Control at present, sufficient to
insure the safety Of the cables. The over
head wires In this city had been put up
at time when the regulations governing them were
not strict and when less known regarding the
proper method OF insulation. There should be a com
mission competent and with full authority appointed
to look after the electric light companies. Permits
should be issued after Inspection Just in the of
boilers. It's power should extend the whole
state. Such control would be beneficial TO the
producer and consumer as WELL Regarding the merits
Of the kigtenson system and low tension system, he
\, was somewhat undccGed. lie did not see why
Zone should Of itself be dangerous Or harm
ful than the other when properly guarded.
Both. however, should be under ground.
Washington was then called upon to testify. lie
thought that electricity should be thoroughly
studed IN the schools Of the country and advocated
the appointment OF a commissioner Of electricity.
The investigation will be continued tomorrow at
10 o'clock