The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-10-30
Proposition to Arbitrate the
EleCtr0lysiS Matter.
EXPERTS GIVE OPINIONS
Have Made Thorough Investigation
and Have Been at Work for
Some Time to Danish
Eleeirolysis.

meeting last nlsnt reCclVeu d PloPoSitioh
from the Richmond Passenger and Power
Company and the Richmond Traction
Company through their general manager.
AIR. S. w. Huff, to arbitrate the mattcr
of damage done to the city's water pipes
by electrolysis resulting from the tracks
of the companies, and 1t was ordered
printed and distributed among the mem
hers, and referred to the City Attorney
and superintendent for report.
The proposition, which will be found IN
fun below is for tho companies and the
city each TO select expert electrical
engineer. ana the latter shall choose
third and these then shall investigate
tho damage by means OF excavation, and
ianother engineer shall be chosen by the
parties jointly. who shall act as referee,
who shall estimate and determine atho
damage and report the same to the par
ties TO the agreement. s,s.
Tho referee shall have full charge of
the work and shall personally examine
all the damaged pipes.
The proposition contains clause bind
,ng the city to abide the plans of the
companies to prevent electrolysis In the
future.
Mr. w. F.. Jenkins. of the Virginia
Conduit Company, accompanied by his
counsel, Hon. s. L. Kelley, Wss present,
and they will make fight 81 the proper
time ~ compel tho companies to adopt
the underground system TO prevent re-
currence OF the electrolysis evil. The
whole matter is full of public interest,
any many citizens worc present last
night.
DISCUSSED BY EXPERTS.
After the meeting adjourned a reporter
of Tho Times Dispatch interviewed Mr..
st!Illwel and Mr.. Waterman about the
existing electrical conditions in Richm ond.
Mr.. l.. B. stillwell was prominently len
tilted with the electrical development OF
Niagara Falls, and Is now chief electrical
engineer of the marlborough Rapid
Trans. Company Of New York which
controls both the elevated lines. and the
new subway In the Metropolitan district.
He Is also consulting engineer for many
other important electrical enterprises ana
is one Of the leading electrical engineers
of the country Mr.. Waterman. who is as
socated with him as an expert for the
Virginia Passenger and Power Company,
is one of the best known scientific e1-
perts In the country. He has been con-
nected with many large eng. necring enter
prises and as expert he has been iden l.
fled with many of the most important
litigation about electric matters during
the past ten years. tits understood that
Mr.. Waterman has had especial charge OF
tho electroIysis problem In Richm ond,
having the advantage OF consultation with
Mr.. Stil,wel throughout
In answer to questions of the reporter
about the general situation IN Rlchmotio,
Mr.. Stillwel said:
.Thefc is apparently serious misap-
prehension In the minds OF number or
Influential people In Richmond with re-
,pect to the actual amount OF deterlora-
ton OF the water pipes since they were
first put down. and particularly In respect
tn the amount Of damage caused by the
railway currents Mr. Waterman and
have found no evidence OF an abnormal
rate Of deterioration Of the water pipe
system and of the total damage OBJ
served we believe that the part due to
railway currents is not large percentage
OF the whole. This however. Is ques-
1lon of fact, which can be definitely deter
mined by a complete investigation In line
with some such plan as that presented by
Mr. Huff to the Water Committee this
evening.
ALWAYS DETERIORATE.
"A moments thought will convince any
talr-mnded man that 1t Is enurely erro-
neous to assume that all damage to water
pipes Is due to railway currents. Pipes
laid in the earth were subject to deterio-
ration long before electricity was ever
thought OF for the operation of street
cars In many cases the rate OF dctcrlo-
ration has been extremely rapid, depend
ing upon the quality of the pipe. the
action OF the various acids in the soil and
other causes which have absolutely MOTH
ing to do with railway currents. per-
scnaly recall an instance In which iron
PIPES, which were put down in a city
where no electrically operated railways
were in use, We're entirely destroyed with
nv al -
ton, and this could not possibly nave
been caused by railway currents. which,
as I have stated, were not used In any
rart Of the city. If track circuits are
properly bonded and maintained IN GOOD
condition. there Is no reason why the
city's water pipes should suHer any mute
rial damage. By far the most enectlve
and practicable safeguard is to bond the
track circuits to the water pipes at points
properly selected. This remedy, intelligent
~ applied is thoroughly effective IN pre-
venting damage to the pipes. However,
many water works engineers throughout
the country, not feeling themselves SUI
fc!ently familiar with the laws OF cleo
trcity, hesitate to adopt this remedy,
which at first thought appears to them
dangerous, They cannot be fairly crltl-
cised for their attitude In the matter,
since in facing the subject they are IN
much the same position that the average
cupying were he called upon suddenly to
make an important decision with respect
to water works practice, with which. OF
course, he would not feel himself familiar.
WILL NOT PREVENT IT,
Another point In regard to which
there seems TO be general m!sapprehen-
sion, has to do with the so-called double
trolley, which is apparently assumed TO
be absolutely effective In preventing the
flow OF railway currents In water pipes
laid underground, Such an assumption
lie entirely erroneous There Is no meth
cd by which electric currents can be
kept absolutely out OF the water p.pes
in a city unless electric circuits are lam
jshed The double trolley has never cone
into anything like general use; in fact,
the cases where 1t is used are few ard
far between and actual measurements In
at least one city, where 1t is used have
revealed currents flowing In water pipes
exceeding any that we have found in
Richmond.
Ad,,,L oe fba mis- nrIDn which