The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-09-20

Outside Wires Thought More DAN
Gerous Than Inside.

Gerous Than Inside.
The most important matters to come
before Council al its meeting tonight thus
far hera,ded are the Two ordinances to
be introduced by Alderman 1. G. Haas,
the one to provide for the inspection of
electric wiring in the city and the other
for a change in the course taken by ap-
plcations for bunding permits The body
will devote most of IFS attention to the
consideration Of matters Of a routine char
acter.
The opinion seems general that an in
spection of wiring should be made. Prop
erty owners regard the measure favorably,
as a rule They recognize the need OF
something that will decrease the IikeH-
hood Of fires being originated by faulty
wiring. either faulty when put in or grown
so with time. The frequent occurrence Of
fires attributable to electric currents forces
the conviction that some means should be
adopted to render them less likely TO oc-
cur.
An instance has come to light that
proves how one manager for a large es-
tate views the danger 1t was only re-
Gently that rather a disastrous fire oc-
CURED in one of the buildings under his
management, and the chief fireman as
cribed its origin to defective wiring An
other building belonging to the estate is
being fitted up for the occupancy of
firm that desires electric connections. The
manager of the estate positively refuses
10 allow the work TO be done. Another
large mercantile firm occupies a building
on Bay street that is under the gentle
mans management He has ordered the
electric connection broken off and the
wires will be taken out of the building.
IL IS possible that there are other such
instances that have not come to light. It
seems quite possible that property own
ers. through the frequency of fires origi-
mating from this cause, would hasten to
remove the danger. Unless Council takes
some satisfactory action in the matter,
the firms that do electrical job work may
have good deal of it coming their way
from those who want gas or other light
ing to supplant what seems. at present,
dangerous electricity.
Mr.. Joseph w. Walker of the Electrical
Supply Company favors the appointment
Of an inspector. He does not disapproVe
of the work as it is now done in buildings
by Inspector Sandiford of the Edison Flee
trio Illuminating Company, but feels
that there should be some officer who
might devote his entire time to it, and who
is clothed with the proper authority by the
city. When Mr. Walker Yves su-
TEN for the city. he reported in
favor of an electrical inspector. giving
his views a length and showing many rea-
sons why there should be such an officer.
Mr.. Lester w. Walker of Lester w.
Walker &, Co, believes there are sufficient
safeguards in the interior wiring of build
ings in the present pan followed by the
Electric Illuminating Company. He says
Inspector Sandiford finds errors in the
work sometimes, and that the company
refuses to make the connection that would
supply the current until they have been
corrected.
The method followed by the Illuminating
Company is to have the electrical job
workers make their reports in writing Of
any work they may have done. Such re-
ports go to the inspector, who visits the
buildings that have been wired aud care
fully notes al that has b en- done. His re-
port in writing, favorable or otherwise is
then made to the superintendent of the
company, who, if all is well, orders his
men to make the connection. Un.ess the
work is regarded by the inspec or as being
all that could be wished for safety Mr.,
Walker says the company VIII not make
the connection, it being as anxious as
anybody to prevent fires due to electric
wiring
Mr.. j. w. Walker thinks there should be
a competent man. appointed at such sal
airy as would secure one familiar with the
electrical science 10 make an inspection
of the overhead wires on the streets. He
believes they offer a much more threaten
ing danger than the wiring in the build
inss the latter securing the inspection Of
Mr.. Sandiford. II is often, Mr.. Walker be-
lieves, through the falling OF the over
head wires or their enhancement that
connection is made with the wires lead
ing into building, the resulting fire be-
ing due to that contact instead of TO any
faulty work in the interior.
One electrical job work man, who has
had a course of collegiate training in his
business, insists that the city will have to
have man who understands all about
electricity in order to secure the best re
suits. He via also have to be familiar
with wiring for electric railways, as the
system pays an important part in the
matter The electrician says he does not
believe the force employed by the city
to inspect the fire alarm system and keep
II in working order knows enough about
the science of electricity 10 do the work
of overhead or interior inspection salts
factorily. 1t is his opinion that it would
be the better plan to spend a fairly sized
salary say 500 a month, on an expert
electrician.
Alderman Haas does not contemplate
the creation of a new office in his ordi-
nance, it being his belief that Supt. Clai-
borne of the fire department wires has
time enough 10 devote TO the work. In
that view the Mayor concurs, and it is
not likely that there win be an inspectors
Office created.
4 Card.