The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-10-30
HAVOC WROUGHT
BY ELECTROLYSlS.
The Damage to Underground Pipes
Under Discussion.
SHOULD DISCARD METAL PIPES.
Because Pipes Are Not Leaking Is No
Reason They Are Not Weakening.
Virginians in Washiugton-Nir-
ginian To- Locate in Atlanta.
SHOULD DISCARD METAL PIPES.

WASHINGTON, oct 29.-Special--
The destruction Of underground pipe
lines by electricity from street-car sys-
TENS was discussed by Harold p. Brown,
Of New York city before the Conven-
ton OF the Society for Municipal I'M
proycments which was held in this city
Mr.. Brown spoke of the Investigations
which had been undertaken at Dayton.
Ohio. IL had been round that many lead
and wrought iron pipes along the line
Of electric railroads had been corroded
Dy electrolysis. When the ground about
the pipes was removed, these seemed I'M
injured and the paint looked unaffected
But BY scfaplug with a knife. the pipes
could be shaved away without the slight
est difficulty and la many places were
practically perforated with soft spots
one sixth 10 one quarter OF an inch deep
In four years the loss in transverse
strength Of tine pipes had thus been 30
per cent, and in tensile strength s. per
cent, so thar they began 10 leak und,s
"a pressure Of l50 pounds. Mr. Brown
reached ihe conclusion that simple metal
pipes should be discarded, ana that i'm
or hoop iron and covered heavily with
asphaltum. bee usel and that several
consecutive lengths Of these be laid IN
each street surrounded by gravel and
connected, II possible, with d drain.
HEAVY LOSS
"Do nor imae'ne.' Mr. Brown said
that because your pines are no. leak
ing and bursting they are safe from
electroysis II the electrical conditions
are against them they are getting weaker
day by day The railway mana4er Is os
much Interested in stopping the trouble
AS you are. Every pound Of metal taken
from YOUR pipes means 20 him n heavy
loss of power. increased investment for
cuisines boilers dynam0s anil c0uduc-
tors. And IL &c IS finally established by
legal decisions that his current has IN
iured your property he will have 70 set
re the bill.
The best course for an concerned it
seems TO me Is 10 take mutual action
while tho bin Is small and not walt until
a bursting main during fire spreads
loss over the entire community The
usual procedure brings n deadlock
THE watcr-w0rks people discover signs
OF eecfrolysls and az once pounce upon
the railway managers. These either re-
fuse 10 believe that they are responsible
for the trouble and thus bring upon
themselves n shower Of threats or they
say that although they cannot Admit the
fsuit IS theirs they are. nevertheless.
willing rather than 10 earn the ill will
OF the public TO DO anything IN reason
n the others will only tell them what TO
DO"
After Mr.. Brown had finished his re-
port, Mr. " L. Holman. OF 81. Louis
told OF some Of the experiences In his
city. \ way 20 prevent electrolysis. he
said. had there been found by showing
the railroad companies that they did not
own the earth and the fuiiness thereof.
Cor the companies were required by law
% build return circuits for the currents
and properly 10 connect these with the
rails. Mr. Holman believed By such
system alone the Gradual destruction Of
pipes bv elecfrolvsis could be prevented.
MUNICIPAL PROTECTION
NJ Allen. electrical engineer or the
District OF Columbia, and Commissioner
Beach spoke Of the conditions In the
Dfsf-icf They evDianei that by an act
OF Congress the railroad companies were
po-~,istnf "a use the overhead trolley
outside OF the city limits only. snd that
IN Ell such places a double circuit must
be provided. Congressional act also pro-
vlles that m pole or DYNAMO snaH ~
connected with the earth. and IN TINS
manner Captain Beach EXPLAINED II was
hoped that the current would be kept en-
trely out Of Tho ground
PERSONAL NOTES.
Mr. A O. Rerehelmer, OF Richmond,
Is spending this week with his aunt
Mrs. A. W. Noack. 10 f street South
west.
Mrs. NJ A. Marks. who has been visit
ing Mrs Edna Thompson Of 1908 Ninth
street Northwest re.----- 10 her home
p''"~sbrrZ last evening.
Mr.. X. Leon Pssr. N this city.
who is well known 20 the Richmond con-
tiugent at Rockhridge Alum Springs. has