The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-06
CITY UNDERGROwTH.

itself.
CITY UNDERGROwTH.
1t would be difficult to conceive Of
more interesting and instructive model
than one that would present to the eye
the underground expansions of our
cities; interesting because of its variety
and completely; instructive by reason OF
its influence on hygienic education.
However apt we may be to forget or ig
more the existence Of the great network
of sewer, gas and water pipes, that un-
dermine our corporate being, we are not
long permitted to enjoy our forgetful-
ness. Especially is this the case in the
new cities OF the progressive northwest,
but we have by no means monopoly Of
the reminder. In old and new cities
alike, improvements are constantly be-
ing put in operation and additions to
the system made. The result 10 that on
most days of the year the jewellers in
cities find one or two OF the streets torn
up to increase the number or alter the
position of these roots of civilized
growth.
Their possibilities have. not escaped
the attention OF the novelist Under
ground Paris has been frequently writ
ten up. Authors Of the realistic school
have gloated over the death struggles Of
men and armies of rats in the enormous
sewers Of the French capital, and imag-
NATIVE scribblers have found them
convenient retreat for. midnight thugs
and assassins. In the course OF an i'm
aginary campaign between England and
Germany, writer describes q fierce
street fight in London between the in
vaders and the British. AS the adyan-
tage inclines to the side Of the island
ers, they find their further action So
verely hampered by the increasing
number Of their prisoners! Suddenly,
some 'great head" thinks Of the sewers
and their capabilities. Man.holes are
hastily thrust open, the unwilling Teu-
tons forced to descend at the point of
the bayonet. and single sentry is left to
control each closed aperture. Muffled
strains of "The Watch on the Rhine"
are the sole reminder of the existence
Of foreign force entombed in subterra-
mean London.
New York has possibilities in this way
that might recall the horrors OF Libby.
From figures furnished by the current
number of Bradstreets, it would appear
that beneath the city's 359 miles OF
paved streets there arc concealed from
view 10 miles of traction cable, 1l5 miles
of electric subways, 435 miles of sewers,
nearly zoo miles of water mains, DO
miles Of gas piping, and not less than
5000 receiving basins. Improvements,
additions, repairs and accidents must
mean tremendous amount of labor and
upheaval each year. The commissioner
Of public works does his best for the
citizens. He insists upon the completion
OF all underground work before new
pavements are laid, and endeayors tc
maintain the continuity Of city traffic
by limiting as far as possible the mum.
Der Of subterranean pipes and conduits
But, in spite of all precautions and pro
hibitions, few streets are allowed to en-
Joy long period OF surface quiet. A
company obtains a new franchise, il
may be for gas, for compressed air, TO
vaults, for hundred different objects
and confusion reigns supreme.
So annoying and expensive is the fire
quent recurrence OF this necessity tina
the writer whose figures we have quotes
, is forced to the belief that, in spite 0
the question of enormous cost, the pee
pie Of New York will have to face tn
J problem of duplicating their st reefs il
the congested districts. Broadwa!
Bowery and Sixth avenue will still col
) tinue to accommodate the citizens an
. the necessities of their traffic, while the
t buried namesakes will supply ample an
y accessible accommodation for the intr
y cate plant that has become necessi,
8 OF city life.