The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-17

WAR ON POLES.
New York Electric Reform Begins.
The Overhanging Wires Must and
Do Come Down.
The Western Union Gets a Tough
Deal in the Work.
The Poles Are Gut Down and the
Wires Snapped.
The Brush Electric Light Company Turns
on Strong Current and Endan-
gers the Lives OF workmen-
Great Excitement Prevails.

poles and wires are falling at last. After
more than two years OF pickering between
the authorities and the Western Union
and other telegraph, telephone and electric
light companies the removal OF the over
head wires in the subway division was
begun today. The companies fought for
delay to the bitter end. The Western
Union Telegraph Company, acting like a
drowning person catching at a straw, did
not surrender until II had appealed TO the
United States courts to prevent Mayor
Grant from issuing the order taking down
the wires and poles Judge wallace's
order dissolving the injunction against the
Mayor left the companies no leg to stand
on, and il only awaited the receipt Of the
Judges order for the removal OF the poles
and wires TO commence. Early today
counsel for the Board OF Electrical Control
went to the Mayors office, taking with
him certified copy Of Judge Wallace's
order.
Mayor Grant was not present, but Com
missioner Gibbens and Expert Wheeler,
Of the Board of Electrical Control, were
there awaiting its arrival. Secretary Grain
handed the Commissioner an order signed
by Mayor Grant directing Commission OF
Public Works 10 remove poles and wires
from the streets in this order: beginning
on Broadway at the intersection OF Four
teenth street; thence on Third street from
Broadway to sixth avenue; then on
Broadway 10 the Fifth street; then on
IL.
Sixth avenue; then on Sixth avenue from
Twenty-Third street 30 oFiity-Eighth street;
then on Broadway from Twenty Fifth
street, then on Forty-Second street from
Sixth avenue 10 Madison avenue; then on
Fifth street from Sixth avenue 10 Fourth
ayenue.
II was 1920 o'clock when Mr. Gibbens
served the order on Commissioner Smith.
The latter at once summoned Supt. John
Richardson, OF the Bureau OF Encum-
branccs. Commissioner Gibbens and Ex-
pert Wheeler left at once for the scene OF
destruction, followed shortly after by
Supt. Richardson. Together with spurs
for the climbers, the workman took with
them axes, pinchers, hatchd and reach
trucks, the latter 10 be used In taking
away the poles cutdown and wires cut of.
The pole ON the southeast corner OF Uni
versity Place and Fourteenth street was
the scene Of the first attack. The foreman
had his spikes on, and IN few minutes.
with nippers in hand, he quickly climbed
the pole. while n gaping crowd gathered
around Commissioner Gibbens, who was
on hand, aud wondered what was going to
happen. The nippers were put In use aud
Western Union wire dropped into the
street This was followed by others until
twelve wires had been rendered useless.
The work Of clearing the pole was accom-
plishcd In six minues and the pole was
allowed TO remain standing 10 support the
now useless wires running South.
Then the forces were divided. One Soc
ton crossed into the park, where pole
stood Of the northerly lines Of the West
ern Union. II was soon cleared Of wires,
and at ll:i0 O'Clock the axmen had laid
the pole lengthwise.
The other gang Of workmen began clear
ing the heayiy-laden poles Of the Brush
Electric Light Company, starting with the
pole on the northwest corner Of fourteenth
street and Broadway. When the cutters
began work IL was found that nolwith-
standing the notice given the different
companies affected by the move OF the
board OF electrical control 10 cut OF the
left five circuits In full working order.
Thelinemen, however, we're fully pro-
pared for this difficulty, and wore rubber
gloves. As the nippcrs went through the
wires there was flash that made the
crowd below step aside in lively fashion,
y aud which proved tha, the powerful cur
rents were turned full on the wires. Com
missioner Gibbens. who stood on tho
street below watching the work, became
indignant.
"Why, they want TO kill our men. This
Is outrageous" he exclaimed.
He stated that word had been sent 10
the Brush Company that the wires were
20 b Q cut, with the request that the cir
cult which included these lines should be
turned of,
''It Is fortunate thing that the In
speclors have their rubber gloves" con-
tinued the Commissioner, ''as otherwise
the currents in the wires they cut would
have instantly killed them"
In about ten minutes the eighteen cleo
tric wires running north on Broadway
were rendered useless. The crowd grew
larger as the people realized that the war
on wires had begun, and fully thousand
thronged the space around the statue OF
Lincoln. While this work was In prog
ress the other gang had cleared the second
Western Union pole which stood in tho
Park few yards above Fifteenth street.
IL was n long pole, and rs the lineman
descended from his pcrlous position, II
Bwaycd. At that moment the
street was crowded with people and
vehicles Of all kinds, but few Of the
spectators realized the danger threatened.
A cracking sound was the only note oi
warning heard, but II was sufficient for
the throng which scattered almost Instant
ly. The pole, with Its hali-dozen cross.
arms, toppled over Just as n Broadway car
was standing at the street crossing TO allow
woman 10 get of. A cry Of mingled hor.
ror won't up from the crowd as the polo In.
clined toward the car which had about Il
passengers on board, mostly women.
The driver saw his danger, and with Q
sngle bound jumped from his car Just q,
tho pole crashed to the ground, the part
bearing the cross-arms falling between the
dashboard Of the car and the horscs-f
narrow escape for passengers, horses and
car. The horses started 10 run but ia,
lumber impcded their progress and Ia,
driver soon had them under control. TIVE