St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-01-29
A Hitch in the ]. F. Bowen Habeas
Corpus Proceedings Somewhat
Delays Matters.
The Mysterious Missing Husband in
the Emery Divorce Case--
To the Carnival.
Mechanics Club--Gossip Of the
Politicians Matters Of
Sport--Globales.
UNDERGROUND WIRES.
An Interesting Discussion OF the
Cable and the COndu systems.

became DoSsessed of the Importance of
lowering the network of wires which gives
the fire department so much trouble in cases
of fires in the heart of the city, he has
labored indefatigaby to the end OF adopting
some practical underground system. He
has visited all the Eastern cities where un-
derground wires have been tried, and is
now supplied with valuable fund of infor-
nation. An ordinance has been drafted
regulating the proposed new system, and
Yesterday the council committees on ordi-
nance and on fire department held meet
ing in the council chamber to discuss the
system, and to possibly make needed amend
mentS to the ordinance. Another object of
the meeting was to hear the views of the
owners of the various electrical lines in the
city regarding the same. The meeting was
largely attended, and Aid. Cooley briefly
outlined the object of the session. "Objec-
tons have been made to putting wires UNI
derground." said he, ''and do not suppose
the council really wants them put there if
we can get perfect service in any other
manner. But we cannot, and therefore
want them under ground. We want to get
what the people are demanding-an under
ground system of electric wires, but we do
not want to do anything TO hurt the various
companies. 1t was suggested that the COM
panies who wish to get ordinances through
be given an opportunity to be heard also"
Mr.. Cooley desired the cooperation of all
the electrical companies in forming an ac-
ceptable ordinance to the end that the
nuisances which now hamper the city-the
poles and wires-be got rid of.
THE DEBATE OPENS.
The representatives of the lines in opera
ton here were not slow in giving their
views. Mr.. Cooley having asserted that the
nnnQrOrOln6 lie
used in the East. J. p. McKinstry, the
general superintendent of the telephone
company, stated that he differed with such
views. 1T is as vet only an experiment"
he said. I'VE have fortv-five miles of
wires in this city, and the cost of maintain
ing these wires in conduits would be S22,-
300 per annum."
Charles 2. Stevens, representing the
Dorsett system, stated that his system had
been i'll successful operation for some time.
he urged that not only the city wires should
60 underground, but all electrical wires.
He introduced F. w. Gushing of Chicago,
who explained that in that city the Dorset
system is employed. He said that eighty
blocks have been covered with four and one
half miles of wire. He read large num-
Der of complimentary testimonials showing
that the DOrsett gives eminent satisfaction.
In one instance wires, bare wires, had been
used underground for six months.
docs gas ever manage to get into the
condutsY" queried r. S. King.
Eyes; but we have had no trouble in fam
ming it out"
1t was stated that the cost of the Dorsett
coIduits in Chicago is from $40, 600 to $780,
900 per mile.
J. A. Wetmore Of the Okonite company
said that he had never heard of an instance
where his system failed. The wire has
often been used for carrying an arc light,
and the wire may be switched on mo-
ment's notice.
THOUGHT 1T COULD NOT BE DONE.
Mr.. Gushing then commenped Okonite
rs the best insulator and alleged that it is
cheaper to pay rent for underground wires
than it is to maintain wires on poles. He,
however, thought all the wires of the city
cannot be put under ground by the Okonite
system.
Mr. McMichaels of the Western Union
lad been informed that the cOnduits
mad been crushed i'm some in
stances and also that there is
considerable danger attending electric
light wires and telephone wires coming in
contact. Mr.. Gushing, however, disclaimed
any knowledge of such occurrences, and as
sured his hearers that there is not the
slightest danger from wires of different sys-
tens coming together. Every possible pre-
caution is employed to prevent accidents.
II. S. King had grave doubts of the prac-
ticability of the system as expounded AL
though he was not an electrician he disbe-
lieved in the success of the system. Fur
thermore, he could not see what right the
council had to give the streets to the conduit
:. or. other companies for fifty years. He
thought that if the conduit folks cannot ge
no 90 f.fh fhax, o,1a ad m oat tnnob
of it as they can. He did not think the
city could afford to give such rights to any
one. I'VE can't afford to pay $500 an inch.
excuse me, a mile, for conduits." he said.
When it comes to that we will sell out our
plant and take up our quartees at the
Friendly Inn"
AID. Cooley confessed that he. too. was
not an electrician, but he claimed to be a
practical man, and as such had seen wires
in successful operation under ground, not
withstanding what Mr.. King says.
Mr.. King insisted that the thing is not
feasible.
FREE OF COST.
Mr.. Stevens promised that If the DOrsett
is adopted, the city's wires will be put down
free of cost.
Mr.. King thought it scheme to kill the
electric lkht system.
Mr.. Gushing then proceeded to give
few facts and figures" regarding the prices
Of electric lighting in the East and referred
20 the cost here. This Mr.. King could not
stand. He sprang angrily to his feet, and
asked Mr.. Gushing what right he had in
coming to Minneapolis and attempting to
run the electric light business. He thought
If Gushing had an idea that he could do
anything of that kind. the sooner his mind
was dlsabused of the delusion the better it
wOnld be for him.
Mr.. Stevens explained that he no longer
asked for an exclusive franchise He was
willing to have an open one.
Mr. Wetmore stated that he could nut in
100-wire cable for 50, while the Dorsett
costs So so per foot.
Mr.. McKinstly stated that his people
were running some of their wires in the
Patterson armor cable overhead. and il can
be put down for from SLIGO to 81. 20 Der
foot. His company stood ready to put
their wires underground when it had been
demonstrated that it is practicable.
Chairman johnson asked if any of the
companies would object to the passage of
al ordinance to go into effect in six months
or year.
AN OBJECTION.
Mr. McMichaels-Yes; it would be a hard
ship on us. We would also, object TO put
ting our wires in conduit so near the cleo
trio light or telephone wires.
Mr.. King urged that the matter be de-
layed until it has been demonstrated that
the wires can be worked under ground.
The discussion was continued until 1
o'clock and an executive session was held
later in the afternoon. at which Mr.. Zeub-
lin of the Baltimore & Ohio appeared and
protested, as had all the other companies.
The session lasted some two hours and adj