New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-01-19
ARE GROUNDED WIRES SAFEY
CHARGES AGAINST AN EDISON COMPANY.
IT VIOLATES A RUIZ or THE BOARD OF FIRE
I-xDFcyyRITFps BY PERMISSION.


UNDERWRITERS BY PERMISSION
1t has been known f'T some time among Insurance
men and electricians of this city that the Edison
Electric Illuminating Company Of New York had per-
mied its neutral wires to be grounded, IN difect VIC
lation Of Rule 40 Of the Ncw-fork Board Oh f"V
Underwriters. Much indignation has been felt among
other electric lighting companies in TINS CITY ever
since the violation of the rule became known 10 c
that such condition of affairs should be allowed 10
90 nm for several years unchecked BY the Board OF
Fire Underwriters who could have put stop to it, mad
IL been disposed.
When the rules Of The Board now in force were
being framed expert electricians gave testimony u"V
the ground-wre exceedingly dangerous TO HE anu
property and it is still considered by many eiec-
fr,cans and electric companies. The Edison Com
papv saws such wires are not dangerous but lts eN
dence Is somewhat weakened when the enormous e>
nsnse which would be incurred in taking up It's GROUND
wire. and connecting them with metallic circuit IS
considered II is 80 much cheaper to use the carth
e. a return conductor that it enables the EdiSoh
Electric Illuminating Company say it, rivals, to run
its lamps and plant ut much less expense mon thoe
incur who obey the laws regulating the laying OF lhe
wires.
Although the violation Of insurance rules oS 'lc
Edison Company has been known fof seVeidl yo'i9 10
one was found who wa, willing 10 bring the matter 10
public notice until short time ago. III a suo oro"s
nv the Edison General Electric Company against uio
New Haven Thorn Houston Company for infringement
upon the socaled three wire system Ihe sun vas
brought in the United states Circuit Court III thiS Guy
and as the gathering of the evidence 10 De Piesei'"'
10 the court wouh consume considerable time 10 was
decided to hear the expert testimony OUTSIDE ana manu-
IL in as evidence in writing. This hearing hae been
going on in Room No. l2f at the Asor House Ior nearly
n MONTH and il here, n few days ago. tilio iiens
Morton president of Stevens Institute, testified abou
the adoption OF the groUndwire system by Tie EhlSoh
Electric Illuminating Company Of New-iork
William 4. Anderson superintendent OF ''e Ne"
York Board of Fire Underwriters, was seen by u
Tribune reporter afterward and he said in reference 10
the GROUND wires OF the Edison Company ; Inc boaru
has been Informed that the Edison Electric Illuminating
COMPANY has some Of its wires grounded, and we are
going TO make thorough investigation meeting
has been called at which this subject will be discussed
Grounded wires are in violation Of Rule 40 OF tle
Boar, and il the Edison people have violated this
rule measures will be taken to set things night. NO
insurance can be carried on buildings where te wires
Are not properly laid according to the p1eca''' ons
covered by the rules Of the Board Of Fire Under"rlttr
Colonel William De L. Bouehon. chairman Of che
Fire Committee of the Board OF Fire Underwriters was
seen al his office. and in reply 10 the question as 10
whether the Edison Electric Illuminating Company
NJ ths city grounded its wires. said "les. the
Edison company does ground some OF ITS "lies' ana
we have known of il for some time. We nave gwen
them certificate granting them permission 10 use
the grounded wires You ask me a uTeoV uuo>u'"
nd I
a controversy going on in which the Edison company
ia concerned and do to be quoted as SAVING
ANYTHING further about the subject. The Board OF
Fire Underwriters in negotiation with the Eulsoh
neonle about the grounded wires. and will do what 1t
can to remedy any violations of its rules.
Major S b. Eaton. of Eaton d Lewis. counsel Tor
the Edison General Electric Company. and the Edisoh
riecric Illuminating Company Of New-Iork. was also
called upou and admitted that the Edison company Oh
This CITY was using grounded wires we nope
he said "to convince the Board OF Fire Underwriters
that there is more danger to life ana property I'm
a grounded wire than from any other system lo" "
use The whole trouble has grown out OF the l'''
that President Morton. of stevens INSTITUTE i, u''
fortunately for us the confidential adviser oi INC
po.rd NJ Fire Underwriters, and has been W"rhihs
AGAINST MS for q number OF years. In nearly eN0''
snit involving the validity of Mr.. EdiSOh patents W
has appeared and testified against us. TIC j. ie
nv the Board of Fire Underwriters ana py Ihe i'o'
SON. Houston company as their expert du''7,' %
electrical matters and of it is TO his hteests
and the interests Of the hOmsoh-iousVon i"'
Company 10 keep the Board of Fire Underwriters Si
vised against the use of the grounded wires OF any
thing wrong I'm our system. In this particular 'a7
this could only be done BY condemning uhe Grouiu WIZ
sysem as dangerous TO life and property. -, no
President Morton helped DRAFT 'iie I"'T' %
pora NJ Fire Underwriters and il was he VINO ih'i'
duoeo the clause in rule 40 forbidding the use Vi
grounded wires and branding them as daiseioU9'
Boston beard of Fire UnderwrteIS 9pPloMr armT,,
ground-w wire system, and does not regain a. Gmcaco
=, ur1perty and life 50 do the boards al omio"so'
Minneapolis other cities which G an obont
call AZ This moment. The Edison Company mas 49,
300 OF its wires grounded, and the bcaiu " i"0
Underwriters has known of 1t for long iinr
President Merton found AT has home III Itop .t
and expressed surprise when he learned whst 'i. Ht
Eaton had said lie replied Il am satlsheu u1'
Major Eaton is ignorant TO nv conhectnQh "l,'i
the BOARD Of Fire Underwriters and the ihoilso u,
Horston Company. ! have never been retainer III
the Service OF the Board of Fire Underwriters or any
electric company except specific cases alone ior
which I have been paid "A specific sum Nhel ue
W. Is d,srosed of am free to called upon for pro
fesSionaI advice by any one who may want my ser,
vioes have no i'll fee ling toward the Edison COMPANY
or any other and IL they have case Which hts hyi
IL i'm its favor am ready and willing 10 serve Te
ccmnanv 10 the best Of my ability was retained pN
the Thomson Houston Company in the SUI now penn
ing and in the hearing at the AStor House. ap,
neared before Major Eaton and the counsel TOT ue
thomson. Houston Company and testified mar II was
Ing Con- pany was using ground wires in its plant
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