Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-08-17
TALK ABOUT WIRES.
COLONEL CUTSHAW WILL NOT
ALLOW THEM ON TREES.
Proposition TO Operate the Two Car Lines
Jointly Under One Mango
ment.
Tho Street Committee held very in

The Street Cymmittee held very in
teresting meeting last night.
The members present wore Messrs'
Crenshaw (chairman), Carter. Higgins
Glover, Joynes, Stratton, CapeTs, Curtis
White, and Cump.
Mr.. C. Z. McCiuer. superintendent OF
the Southern Bell Telephone and Tele-
graph Company. was present. and ne ana
Colonel Cutshaw explained TO the commit
tee their positions in regard 10 the tele,,
graph wires being attached TO trees ana
nun through then branches, the matter
which has lately caused cOnslderaQle Us
pute between the city officials and the tcle-
phone company.
THE QUESTION AT IssCE.
Colonel Cutshaw told how tho trouble
began and the difficulty he had IN getting
his orders executed.
Mr.. NcCluer claimed that the wires were
attached - trees according to his recoliec-
tiOn) ut the suggestion OF the Street Coin-
mittee. Since the order OF the Engineer
was issued prohibiting the wires being al
tached TO trees his company had not done
so. This order WAS issued. he thought,
N 1885. and the Colonel had or
dered wires cut that were attached 10
tres urevioua 10 that time. Mr.. McCluer
thouGht the Engineers order only applied
TO wires that were actually attached to
trees and not 20 those which ran through
the branches, but he had lately learned
that the Colonel included the latter aiso.
Tie now understood the City Engineer, he
thought. and would obey his orders to INC
very letter.
THE ENG1NErn.
Colonel Cutshaw said that he never in
tended that any wires should be attached
to trees and had the record, he sald, 20
prove that they had actually been placed
there since his order was issued III 1879.
The Engineer claimed that the great num-
Der of poles in the city used for Telegraph
and telephone wires Is great dlsadVhh-
tage in the business portions ana thou9hJ
the question not so much one Ot wires De-
ing attached 20 trees as the different conf
panies prohibiting others from using their
poles.
THE PETITION.
The cause Of the matter being. brought
ND for discussion was petition from hr.
McCluer. asking to be allowed % put mp
tenpoles i'm the city 70 supply customers
with telephones. -.
The petitioner told the committee that
as far rs he was concerned he was per-
fectly Willing for other companies 70 run
wires on his poles. but he could not
speak aUthoratiyclv for his company.
TIE SOLUTION.
Mr.. Higgins offered resolution pro
viding that all Uses of existing poles ana
ali that shall hereafter he erected hall be
such as are approved by the Street Com
mittce and if their orders are not comphed
with the privileges granted shall be re-
vOked.
Colonel Cutshaw told Mr.. McCluer that
he would grant him the privilege Ia. put
MP the poles as soon az he could look at
the locations, where it is proposed to place
them.
TIE CITY RAILWAYS.
Captain Andrew Pizzini, secretary and
treasurer of both the CITY and hlcnmond
Union Passengcr-LailWay companies. was
present and asked that the petition which
was laid on the table March 4th. asking
that the Council grant the companies the
right to connect the two roads by double
tracks running along Iwenty-hrst street
from Main 10 Franklin, ana along Seventh
from Main 10 Franklin, be taken from the
table and considered.
TIE scHENE.
The Captain said a scheme was on foot
10 unite both roads and put them under
the control of one company. He had
brought the matter before northern capl-
talists. and thought if what he asked for
was granted syndicate would buy the pro-
ncrtics and cive Richmond the best service
she has ever had. lie explained the object
of the cOunectiOn-irack at length. The
roads own seventy cars-ffty closed and
twenty open Ones-and under the proposed
new Arrangement fifty would be kept III
constant service, to be'placed as follows:
Nineteen on the Richmond Union Passen-
scngcr-railway, eighteen on the Nam
Street Line, twelve on the l}road-Street
Line. and one on the Reservoir extension.
On the different divisions cars would pass
"A given point Mt the following inter-
vals: From Twenty-ninth and Z streets
10 Twenty-Erst and Franklin every
seven minutes: from TWenty-frst and
franklin to Seventh and franklin
every fifteen minutes; from Seventh
and Franklin to the Reservoir cxten-
sion every seven minutes; from Fulton
10 Twcnty-frst and Main every SIX min
utcs from Twenty-iirst and Man TO Sew
cnth and Main every three minutes; from
Seventh and Main 10 the Reservoir eXtcn-
sion every six minutes; from Seventh and
Broad TO Hollywood every six minutes,
and on all branch lines every fifteen mln-
utcs.
WHY HE WANTED ACTION.
Captain Pizzini said he would like favor
able action upon his petition so that he
MIGHT 90 before the proposed buyers with
this privilege granted, and they would
feel more encouraged to take hold Of the
matter, and he felt certain Richmond
would have service which she has long
needed. Mrs. Flynn. he said. was perfect
ly willing to sell her share Of the stock
about nine tenths in both cOmpanies-
~ cost. and the lines could easily be
bought bv the capitalists who are investi-
eating the matter.
Captain Pizziui admitted the bad service
which Richmond has received from the
strcct-car lines, and said he had given
them the best he could with the means at
his disposal. for some time the financial
condition Of the companies having been
ANYTHING but encouraging. The original
contributors, he said, have never received
one cent from their investments IN the
Richmond Union Passengcr-railway not
withstanding the large number of passen-
gers they have hauled.
Captain Pizzini urged that favorable ac-
tion be taken upon his petition in order
that it might lead t0a better service, which
he felt certain could be obtained.
MENpLRs' VIEWS.
Mr.. Gamers wanted TO know what il would
cost the company 10 lay double track on
Harrison street and said he was very anX-
ious for this To be done.
captain IlELiul luOusut tulS WoEh Noulu
cost about $4,000.
Mr.. Higgins wanted the petition referred
TO subcommittee tor consideration.
Mr. Stratton thought 1t should be con-
sidered at once 1t would, in his opinion,
bring better service. Every one, he said.
acquainted with the delicate machinery of
the electric cars must know how easily and
quickly il Is impaired bv the cars coming
up the steep grade on Franklin street trom
Seventeenth. and under the proposed plan
they would only have TO pass that route
once in fifteen minutes. while on Main
street they would pass every three min
utes. and it is only one square from one
road to the other along that portion of the
lines. He thought the comsttee owed it
to the public 70 give theIn this service If
possible.
Mr.. Joynes moved to refer to the City
Attorney, City Engineer, and the chairman
of the committee to prepare a. ordinance.
Mr.. Carter wanted az immediate cOnsid-
Grafton OF the matter and asked his associ-
ates 10 act without prejudice TO the rail
way. and reminded them IF how the line
had doomed property in ehe wilds Of Mar
shall Ward. lie wanted to make the road
more serviceable 10 the public.
Messrs. Joynes. Higgins, Crenshaw, and
Capars evprpsSed tloir WILLINGNESS to do