Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-04-16
NEW YORK'S OVERHEAD WIRES.
The Work of Tearing Them Down
Begun with a Will To-day.


New YORK, April LETT was expected that
Commissioner of Public Works Smith would
early this morning, send out a force of men to
clear some of the streets of telegraph wires, in
accordance with the order handed down by
Judge Wallace last week, but at 1920 nothing
had been done in that direction. In reply to a
question by reporter. the commissioner said
he had not yet received any word from the
mayor, and until he did no steps could be taken
As soon as instructions arrive the work will
begin.
armed with sharp axes and rippers and can
work them day and night if it is thought neces-
sary. The appropriation for the removal of
street encumbrances is $1,000, and that will pay
for removing many poles and wires.
In the subway district, from which all poles
and wires will be removed there are 1000
iamp-posts. When the electric lights were put
into operation the lanterns or globes were
taken off the posts, and now only 500 of them
are Immediately available for USE But Super
lntendent Mccormick, of the bureau of lamps
and gas, thinks that a sufficient number of gas
lights will be ready to illuminate the streets
fairly with the help of the moon at a late hour
Tho Brush and United States electric light
companies had men at work yesterday ener-
getically pulling cables through subways and
reelln5 up aerial wires to save them from the
ruthless workmen of the city. E. A. Leslie
general manager of the Manhattan electric
light company. has notified the board of cleo
trlcal control that his company now has oper-
atlng In the subways "a, 240 feet of cable.
The Work of Destruction Begun.
Shortly after 1890 o'clock L. g. Read, in the
employ of Lawyer ]. NJ. Bowers. of the board
of electrical control, handed the mayors secre-
tary, Grain, certified copy of Judge wallace's
order dissolving the injunction procured by the
Western Union telegraph company against the
&l,xl Il
Grain at once sent the order to the department
of public works. That department was expect
ing the order, and in anticipation thereof had
a large force Of axmen and laborers on hand
Hundreds OF people gathered in the vicinity of
Union square and 14th street, in which locality
the work of cutting down the poles was in
augurated The pole cutters were divided into
two gangs. One gang attacked the poles on one
side of the street while the other gang paid its
respects to those on the opposite side. Another
corps OF axmen were sent along 9th avenue to
clean That thoroughfare of the obnoxious
timbers. This party began its work at 23d street
and intend to level all poles on the avenue up
to 5Sth street.
THE MAYORS ORDER.
Secretary Grain sent the following order to
the commissioner Of public works, with copy
of Judge Wallace's decision:
"April 1s, 1885,
Hon. D. Lowber Smith,
''Sir: You are hereby directed to remove
forthwith from the streets and avenues named
poles and wires, also named below, in accord
ance with chapter TIC of the laws Of 1887, to
wit:
"First-On 9Th avenue, from 2sd street to
5sth street, all poles and wires except the wires
OF the Western telegraph company upon the
elevated railroad structure.
''SecOnd-On Broadway from 14th street to
45th street, all poles and wires except the fire
department line.
''Third-On 23d street. from 9Th avenue to
Broadway, all poles and wires.
"Fourth--On 25th street, from 9th avenue to
Broadway, all poles and wires.
"Fifth-On 42d street, from 9Th avenue to
Madison avenue. all poles and wires except a
pole on the southeast corner of 5sth street and
9th avenue.
.And you are further directed to take up the
removal of said poles and wires as described in
the following order: Beginning on Broadway
at the intersection of 14th street, and to con-
tinue up Broadway to Esd street. then on 2Sd
street from Broadway to 9Th avenue, then on
Broadway from 23d street to 25th street, then
on 25th street from Broadway to 9Th avenue,
then on 9Th avenue from Esd to 58th street,
then on Broadway from 25th street to 45th
street, then on 42d street from 9Th avenue to
Madison avenue, the poles and wires referred
to; then on 6Sth street from 9Th avenue to 4th
avenue Respectfully !.Hrou e..x,
mayor and President Of the Board Of Elec-
trical Control"
NARROW ESCAPE OF BROADWAY CAB.
One Of the telegraph poles on the Broadway
side of Union square, which was being taken
down by . gang Of men, fell suddenly, and
passing Broadway car narrowly escaped getting
crushed. No one was injured, however
Ten polls are being cut down every half hour.
A gang on the west side of Broadway have al
ready cleared the Tiffany block.
Commissioners Gibbens. Hess and Moss are
on the spot and say they are glad that the poles
are at last coming down. The fall of every
pole is hailed with cheers by the crowd. Com
missioner Gibbens has sent up to Captain Reilly
for more police, 80 that they may be ready for
any emergency.
MR. HUMsToNE WAS SURPRISED,
Superintendent Humstone, Of the Western
Union Telegraph company, was surprised this
morning when he heard that q gang Of men
had been sent out to cut down the poles. Mr.
Humstone said that the company was provided
for in all the streets mentioned in the mayor's
order. The only persons who would be incon-
venienced we're the subscribers to the Gold ana
Stock Telegraph company.
A Biarritz Club House Burned.
BIARRIrz, FRANCE, April 16-The British
club house here has been destroyed by ere.