The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-07-12
TELEPHONES IN CRY BUILDINGS.
Council VIII say ro.norrow Might
whether We Shall Have Them or Not

whether We Shall Have 1nem OF NOT
Their Advantages, &c. u5f
The special joint committee Of Council
to which was referred the mGtterot placing
telephones in the different city buildings
met last Friday night, and after consid-
erfpg the advantages Of the project,
unanimously determined to recommend
to Council the desirability ofsecuring these
important advantages to the city, and SO
reported. When the matter was first
preached in Council some Of the more
conservative members objected on &C:
count Of the expense itwould involve, and
urged against It that the new fire alarm
we are about to have would obviate the
necessity Of such a measure, and for the
benefit OF these gentlemen we will give the
following reasons In favor OF the project:
II ia true that the fire alarm will give no.
tice OF fire at once, yet BY the use OF the
telephone, from any engine house Chief
Eccies can instantly ascertain the extent
and necessities OF the fire; he can tell
whether one or more engines are neces'
sary and all that is required, while on
the other hand the fire alarm gives only
the bald notice Of fire. All other cities
using the telephones avail themselves Of
It's uses in this particular direction.
Then again In the police department oil
the city 1t will be OF invaluable assistance,
as the wires run through all portionsot the
city and will extend TO all the suburban
towns. thus bringing all quarters within
easy reach and rendering instant com.
munication practicable, so that in case Of
housebreakiDg, robbery or any other
emergency, night or day, a,policeman can
be summoned at once. The Workhouse
will be connected with police headquar-
tiers, so that any outbreak or uprising
could be easily frustrated.
Water pipes frequently burst in differ
emit quarters Of the city, and their immedi-
ate repair is q public necessity, and by
means OF the telephone Superintendent Rid
die can be notified at the works and the
repairs made without delay. Mr.. Riddle Is
very much impressed with the conven.
fence OF the telephone and expressed him.
self in favor Of the project, as 1t would
facilitate his operations very materially
There are numberless other reasons in ia
yor OF the telephone being brought into
public use. And to those who have
enjoyed its benefits already in
this city, the force Of the above
will be Immediately apparent, for II
1t is 80 convenient as private enterprise,
how much more so would 1t be when
used to subserve public interests. Itwould
be a convenience at once to all depart.
ments, to the police, fire department
water works, work house, and, in short
there is no department to which it would
not be q valuable adjunct.
The telephone exchange is open at all
hours, day or night, and there will be no
trouble in reaching the central office, as
the lines are strung all over the city, and
new ones are being put up daily; go that
shortly every business house in town will
have one, to say nothing oil the numerous
private ones in various sections. 1t is &c
be hoped that Council will see the obvious
benefits OF the project and give to the city
the benefits OF this convenience.
There are at present over 100 telephone
instruments in use in this city, and wher
the new fire alarm has been put up
there will be about one hundred and fifty
so that in case OF fire there will be tina
mapy alarms scattered throughout the
city.