The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-04-22
ELECTRIC LIGHTS.

Whenever it is proposed to extend the
system of electric lights in San Francisco
the suggestion is countered by the assertion
that the system of electric illumination is
still imperfect. that the electric lights are
unsteady and that it will be time enough to
sRperSede gas when its substitute has
reached perfection. The objection must
apply abroad as well as it does here, but in
England, at all events, it does not seem TO
! be regarded as fatal. In London alone,
according to a statement published last De-
cember, the electric light system is being
extended at the rate of 5000 lamps week.
Sixteen hundred have been set up in the
general postoffice alone. Thirty-one cities,
including such prominent places as Edin-
burgh. Exeter, Bath, Sheffield, New
castle. Southampton and Cardiff. are
entirely lit by electricity, and hundred
other towns, including Dublin. Greenock,
Manchester, Bristol, Bradford. Brighton
and hull, are either putting up electric
works or making plans for the same. In a
short while 1t is evident that all England
Will be lit with electricity.
The change is being made not only be-
cause the electric light is brighter. better
for the eyes and less liable to accidents
than gaslisht, but because it is cheaper.
The electric companies charge in England
bv the unit. Thus in London the postoffice
department pays pence per unit. in New
castle sgd. in Liverpool 3D. All electric
companies in England are incorporated un-
der general charter which limits the charge
per unit to sd. At this rate the charge for
electric light is equal to gas at 6s Sd-say
81 50-per 1000 f. ct. In this city the gas
companies charge the public 81 per 1000
taa nit
electric light could be produced here as
cheaply as in England we could substitute
1t for gas at the highest price allowed in
England and still save one-fourth of our
bills for lighting. 1t may be noted that in
England the cities, as rule. have put up
the electric plants themselves and supply
the light TO consumers.
1t has been found in England that one of
the most marked advantages of electric
lighting is its moral effect. In London it
has absolutely wiped out of existence some
OF the worst hauntS of vice and crime. For
the commission of certain crimes the Shield
OF darkness is indispensable. They are al
most invariably committed at night. and in
an ObScurity which masks the features OF
the perpetrators and partially concealS their
actions. Electric lights are fatal to them.
They convert night into day and enable a
concealed watcher to detect faces and move
ments. The policeman standing under
cover can spot his man with the help of
the electric light, and need not fear the
question TO which SO many criminals owe
their escape from conviction: IF 1t was a
dark night. as you say, how could you
recognize the prisoners features at such a
distance?"
prudent municipal government would
set up an electric light in front of every dive
and ut the entrance OF every disreputabe
alley; If it did persons with any reputa-
ton to lose would be careful bow they were
seen near such places. Light Is a great
moralist 1t is also a boon in the family, q
blessing in a household. II is the general
belief that darkness promotes sound and
refreshing sleep, though the residents OF the
land OF the midnight sun must sleep like
| other people; but there is a medium be.
tween the broad daylight which strains the
eve and the Egyptian darkness in which
people tumble ever furniture and the sneak
thief pursnes his stealthy prowl for prey.
y sleep which can only be coaxed by cinn-
merriam gloom is the sleep OF the idler, and
is not healthy function.