New York Letter Post: Matthew Harrison

Editor of New York Letter,

In the war of whom owns the electrical power of the United States it is very easily decided on which system would be safer for the public, or does it. Edison saw the horrific killing of John E. H. Freeks and the execution of Kemmler as a way to show the public how dangerous Alternating current actually is. Although Edison was trying to prove a point that Alternating current is harmful if touched or used to kill someone, he was under minded by most people in his company. Part of his company was moving toward the idea of alternating current because of the great advantages it had over direct current. Alternating current was able to be sent over long distances while direct current would only reach a mile or so. Because of this great advantage, his company would slowly turn their back on his idea and go with alternative current. Edison knew of this and would try to pursue the public into thinking that alternating current is worse. Although Edison was able to show that alternating current is bad at high voltages by killing animals and using the deaths of Kemmler and Feek as proof of why its bad, Westinghouse still had the upper hand. Westinghouse stated that accidents do happen, and that with more modern technology accidents such as what happened to Feek will happen. Also Westinghouse was able to show that some of Edison’s company was separating from his ideas. Westinghouse was also able to show that with-in time, improvements will be made on how electric current is used and set up around the United States. When it really comes down to electric current and which one is worse, they both can kill someone, they both can have accidents, and they both can be harmful to any living object.   The public will want something that will transmit energy at a lower cost and is more efficient whether it kills people or not, from a business aspect, alternating current is more energy efficient and has more potential then direct.