The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-05-23
ELECTRIC ROADS.
Their Advantages and Dangers
Discussed.
The Unprotected Overhead Wire Is Condemned
and the Blame Thrown on the Elec-
trio Light Wire.


and others interested in the construction Of
electric railroads, assembled in the Mayors
rooms yesterday evening to discuss the adj
vantages and various systems of electric
railroads. Among those present were the
Mayor, Supervisors Washington Aver. Bur-
ling. Coffey. Wilkinson. Curtis, Professor
Keith, George McNear, P. B. Cornwall and
Messrs. Clark, Thompson, Armstrong and
Eldridge.
The proceedings were opened by Mayor
Sanderson, who announced that the objects
OF the meeting were that the city authori-
ties might learn something about electric
roads, the danger arising from overhead
wires and tile possible changes in the direc-
ton of putting the wires underground.
Mr.. Clark of Boston then gave an ex-
haustivs account of the workings and ex-
tent of the electric-road system. He said
there are three essentials of electric roads:
First, railroad track, which might be the
same as an ordinary hOrse-car track. with
the exception that the rails must be more
carefully fitted at the junction; secondly.
power stations for generating the current
and thirdly, system of transferring the
power from the dynamos to motors. This,
he insisted, must be by overhead wires.
SYSTEMS CONSIDERED.
If the conduit system or storage system
were commercially practicable electric road
companies would adopt one or the other OF
them. They do not love overhead wires,
but they are necessity. III, after over
head wires had been used, q system were
afterward changed, the same track and the
same p0wer-station could be used. Two
hundred and fifty thousand dollars had been
spent without success TO find practicable
storage batteries. Practical electricians agree
that such a system is not commercially
feasible.
The danger arising from possible shocks
which persons might receive was then con-
sldered by Mr.. Clark, who maintained that
the standard current used by electric roads
Is not dangerous. No person had been
dangerously injured by shock from the
current The matter had been tested in an
Ohio court, aud it was established that the
current was not dangerous. AS to fire risk,
the Chief of the Boston Fire Department
agreed that OverheadswlreSs lnterfered less
with the firemen than either cable or ele-
waited roads. The cars are easily managed,
and if the motor is reversed the car can be
easily stopped in its own length when run
ming fifteen miles per hour.
MIR. Clark mentioned long list of cities
in which electric roads had been con-
structed. and asked the Mayor to communi-
cate with the municipal representatives Of
some Of these and inquire from them how
FROM A BOSTON PAPER.
The Mayor read extracts from a Boston
paper giving accounts Of accidents caused
by wires breaking, in which four or i've
horses had been killed and policeman in
jured. Horses, Mr.. Clarke replied, are of
all animals the most susceptible to cleo
tricity, aud he further resuggested that he
should communicate with The Mayor of
Boston on the accident question.
Mr.. Eldridge Of the Armstrong Storage
System urged the claims of this system of
electric roads The system, he urged, is
safe and commercially practicable. 1t
could operate ca at 81 81 car per mile.
Dr. Robertson, agent of the Thompson
Houston Company, said that it was true
that a man had been killed, but the accident
was eventually traced to an elecIric-light
wire.
George McNear stated that he had be-
come interested in electric cars during his
trip East and lie had since taken an inter-
est in the lately started Oakland road. the
few trivial accidents there had been due to
OtercrowdHg.
A PROTEST ENTERED.
A strong protest against the use of electric
roads In large cities was entered by P Is.
Cornwall. he considered the use of naked
wires charged with q current of 500 volts
especially dangerous.
Professor Keith said the force of the cur
rent had been growing. In 1882 Edison
used 10 volts and now 800 are employed
He considered the use Of the naked wires
dangerous.
An animated discussion between the pro,
fess0r and Messrs. McNear ana Thompson
followed. Professor Keith admitted he was
an advocate Of high voltage, but he was an
advocate of Insulation. He was an ad-
yOcate, too, Of putting all the wires under
ground at the proper time.
The meeting was. on motion Of DR.. Wash
ingtOn Aver, adjourned until Tuesday night