Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-03-15
The Senate Yesterday by a vote Of 81 70 1

The Senate yesterday by q vote Of 81 70 IS
attached to the proposed amendment Of the act
incorporating the lexington railway a pro-
vision that the authority Of the company to use
overhead wires within the city Of Washington
should cease on the LIST Of July, 1898. This &C.
ton indicates the great strength Of the popular
and legislative sentiment against overhead
electric wires and gives encouragement to
those who wish to remove all such wires from
the surface Of the city. The Senate should not,
however, be satisfied to stop short with the
abolition Of the railroad wires The latter
are less unsightly than the network Of
the telegraph system with its forest Of
great masts in the public streets, and from
their position in the center OF the street and
their low elevation they do not destroy the
trees and obstruct the operations Of the fire de-
partment in rescuing persons from burning
buildings as the overhead telegraph system
does. With their current OF $40 volts they
are far from being so dangerous as the electric
light wires, with their current Of several thou
sand volts, to touch which is certain death. And
by their isolated position, for the most part of
their course in the suburbs Of the city. they are
removed for the present from the danger of
contact with the electric light wires, a danger
which in the network of wires of the business
streets osRn renders deadly the otherwise
harmless telegraph wires. These considera-
tions, indicating that the railroad wires
now located are the least Objectionable of
the overhead electric wires, were viewed by
Major Raymond as sufficiently strong to justify
the suggestion of an exemption of them from
the general burial which he proposed. The
ideal capital of the future will have upon its
populated streets no overhead electric wires,
either supplying motive power to railroads or
for any other purpose, but Washington appeals
10 Congress not to begin and end its present
attack upon the overhead wires by the aboli-
ton of the kind which from situation and char
acter are of all in the city the least objection
able. The Senate should follow up its de-
cisive expression of opinion on the sub
ject by providing for the burial of
al the overhead wires in Washington and the
establishment Of a comprehensive and adequate
system of cOnduits for their accommodation
under ground. Major Raymond's report on the
subject of such a conduit system, which was
requested and received long ago, but upon
which no action has been based, furnishes val
liable suggestions that will aid in the task of
framing the necessary legislation. Spasmodic,
hap-hazard action on this important subject
viii not accomplish the best results. Congress
and Washington may not even congratulate
themselves that the erection of additional over
head wires is stopped in the capital. 1t was as
sumed i'll the Senate discussion that, though the
existing wires had not been buried, the law pre-
vented the erection of new wires.
This law is violated with impunity.
on the ground that no penalty for
its breach has been provided by the law
makers. Congress should strengthen the pro-
vision against additional wires in such manner
as to make 1t effective, and should promptly
devise and put into operation a comprehensive
plan of buryIng the existing wires. There is no
legislation to which Congress is by its express
sions more strongly committed, none which is
more powerfully backed by public sentiment,
aud little which will contribute more to the
beauty Of the capital and the safety Of its resi-
dents and its visitors