Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-29

The nre at the Temple Theater, In Philadelphia,
has set the people OF that and other cities
talking about the danger OF continuing the tee-
graph wire service above ground. The wires and
cables troubled the f1remen so that the flames got
q better Roadway than they would otherwise. This
Is a familiar experience In American cities. The
most terrible illustration OF the evil Of sky wires
at q fire was at the obstruction OF the Newhall
house In Milwaukee, a few years ago. There they
were the direct cause OF the loss OF human life 1t
is obvious that one OF two things must be done:
Either the building laws OF our large cities must
be revised so TO permit the erection Of house
higher than TWO stories above ground or else the
telegraph poles and the network connecting them
must come down. It is impracticabe to have the
wires strung where they are now and make efrec-
tive use OF tall scaling ladders. Between the two
alternatives there should be hesftaney In choOS-
ing. The telegraph, while grandly valuable adj
1unct OF modern civilization, Is after al, prf-
vate money making project and limited In its
sphere OF usefulness, while the buildings and the
fire defenses OF city are popular property. II
one OF the two must give way 1t should be the
private enterprise. There Is money enough to be
made by the telegraph and telephone companies
when their wires are all underground. Moreover,
the convenience Of the citizens who use these ap-
planes would be promoted by such change; for
IRE, e. things are now, involves the severance OF
communication for time at least.
equally true Of Washington. II every wire now
strung on poles were run through an underground
trough the city would be vastly better of for 1t.
The sky wire is standing menace to the improved
property IN which so many millions OF dollars have
been invested during the last ten years. II we
expect Washington to continue its vigorous growth
we must bring It and keep 1t abreast Of the times
IN everything that makes the lives and the estates
Of Its citizens more surely proof against disaster.
The tributes TO the memory OF General Logan
are striking for their evident sincerity. whether
they come from former friends or foes. Down In
the bottom of his heart every true American ad-
mires man with a brave heart and clean hands,
no matter what his other qualities or what his
attitude on public questions may be. Besides the
ordinary subscription funds which friends OF the
dead senator are raising In behalf OF his widow, a
movement Is on foot TO insure her a regular in
come through the sale OF her husbands book. This
Is good idea. 1t not only will give Mrs. Logan a
sense OF Independence, but it will enable thou
sands OF citizens to contribute sums smaller than
tney would like to offer otherwise and yet as large
rs they feel able to give The securing of an ample
provision for Mrs. Logan will answer double pur-
pose forft will be, on the one hand a testimonial
Of gratitude to soldier whose work for his coun-
try In the field was above praise, and on the other
q rebuke TO those carpers at democratic institu-
lions who assert that the popular politician must
cttucT nest ny UNLAWFUL means OF leave
his family legacy of poverty and suffering.
Mr.. Powderly Is going to wage offensive as well
as defensive war, IL seems. Not content with sit
ting down and letting his enemies abuse him. he
has issued an order commanding the return to
the treasures OF the various local assemblies of
knights Of Labor in district No. a, in Chicago OF
all money drawn thence for the defense OF the
anarchist conspiratOrs or for any other object
not contemplated by the constitution and bylaws
OF the Knights OF Labor. This Is In conSonance
with the advice his best friends have been giving
him for year past They have urged upon him
the necessity for an aggressive campaign against
that element inside of the society who do 1t more
damage In a week than Jay Gould and Philip
Armour combined could do it I'm year. The en-
deavOr OF some OF these internal foes has been to
identify the Knights with the anarchist propa-
ganda. They have also striven to convince the
outside world that man OF the conservative ten
denotes and judicial temperament OF Mr.. Powdery
could not enforce his orders in Chicago The
best thing Mr.. Powderiy can do to dtsprove this
last assertion is 10 execute order by way of il
ustration; and the best choice he could make of
an order 10 enforce, he has already made in one
which shows that he Is free from any sentimental
leaning toward anarchiSu