The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-05-27
ELECTRIC SYSTEMS.
Their Phases Again Discussed
Before the Mayor.

Another meeting of electricians and per-
sons interested in electric railroads was held
in the Mayors Office last evening, and cleo
trieity as motive power discussed in all
its phases.
R. B. Elder the electrician of the Pacific
Electrical Storage Com pany, read a paper
Of elaborate arguments to prove that the
overhead wire system is not the only avail
able commercial system. He stated that
the storage battery is being rapidly per-
fected in its practical application and is
proving in all tests to be the equal OF the
overhead system. with the single exception
that it cannot propel cars up quite as steep
a grade. In point of economy, however,
the storage battery is found to ha We
great advantage over the other system in
deed Is really cheaper than horse power.
THE OVERHEAD SYSTEM.
The overhead system was painted in very
ugly col0rs by Mr.. Elder He maintained
that the naked trolley-wires passing through
the public highways cannot but be a con-
slant menace TO public safety. Ii a tee-
phone or telegraph wire, or indeed any kind
OF conductor, comes IN contact with those
wires and is accidentally touched by hu-
man being or An animal the shock is almost
sure TO be fatal. a person may be playing
a hose on the lawn, and if by accident it is
turned on the wire the shock is certain to
follow. The deadly current will follow
stream of water downward as quickly as it
will wire and with as deadly effect, for
water is perfect conductor.
The speaker stated that several Eastern
cities, among them Philadelphia, Newton,
Providence and others, had prohibited the
overhead system. One city in Massachu-
sets has already paid over $400.00O in dam
ages and is not through yet.
THE TEST NOT ACCEPTED.
To put to test the statements made at
previous meeting by the opponents of the
overhead system that a 500-v0lt shock of
electricity is not dangerous, Mr.. Elder had
arranged an apparatus in the Mayors Office
whereby such a shock cOnld be taken and
challenged hr. Clark, whom he had under
stood to have made that statement to take
the shock. He added dryly that the City
Physician and Coroner could be easily sum-
mOned IL necessary.
Mr.. Clark, representing the Thompson
Houston Company. declined the invitation.
He explained, however, that he did not say
500 volts would not cause an injurious
shock; but that such shocks had been ex-
perieneed time and again without fatal con-
sequences.
DIR. Anderson, also representing the
Thompson Houston Company Overhead
SYSTEM likewise declined to take the 500
volt shock. He did not deny that the shock
strike him on the head with a base ball bat
1t might not be fatal, and yet it might not
probably would not-be very agreeable.
Further answering the arguments against
the overhead system, DR.. Anderson admitted
that the wires aud poles are unSightly, but
their commercial value overbalances that
objection. The streets filed with telephone
and telegraph wires are unSightly, but who
on that account would be willing to give up
the telephone and telegraph?
THE SUPERVISORS CAUTIONED.
Assemblyman Brusie of Sacramento eau
toned the Supervisors against granting
long term franchise TO an overhead system,
in view of the fact that experiments with
the underground system have so nearly
demonstrated that it is practicable. He rep
resented an underground system and hoped
TO be able to demonstrate its praetcabillty
in this city in very few weeks.
DR.. Anderson said he had heard such talk
for the last ten years, and the underground
system is no nearer solution to-day than it
was then.
Professor Keith. favorng the underground
system, gave quite scientific discourse on
the various uses OF electricity.