Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-12-17
CONDUIT WIRES.
THE ORDINANCE SUBMITTED BY THE Q. D. &
P. TEL. co. DISCUSSED.
Ths Matter Referred to a Subcommittee
Meetings of Other Council Committees
Last Night

A Joint meeting OF the Committees on
Ordinances, and Streets, Alleys anu
Grades. was held last night, for the pur-
nose of taking action upon the ordinance
submitted by the Central District anu
Printing Telegraph Company, providing
for the placing of wires in underground
condpfts. There were pres ent, IN auai-
zion 10 the members. City Solicitor l.
: Riley. Hon. Alfred Caldwell, attorney
for the company, Manager NJ. K. Woin'
OF this city, and General Manager l.
Mr. NJ. J. O'Kane was chosen as
chairman of the meeting. After tue
ordinance was read by Clerk HanKe,,
Mr.. Caldwell stated the intentions anu
wishes of the telephone company ne
referred to the unsightly appearance Vi
the present pole wires, and the danger
70 life and property. The electric mo-
tor line could use current OF 4'ooo
volts. and If a telephone wire fell down,
crossed the street railway caoles' anu
anv person came in contact with IT, Sno
result would be certain death. Inc
trouble would not be obviated by string
ing cables upon the poles, as the Ice
and sleet which would adhere to them
would make them so heaVy
as to pull down the poles.
There are now 700 wires running
into the office, and wires upon single
poles along Main street. The business
of the Telephone Company Is increasing
and il cannot find room for more wires
upon the poles. The only remedy IS 10
place the wires in underground cohuu-
its. He thought it was TO the city'S IN
terest TO grant the right, as the compa-
nv agreed to find room for all the hre
alarm and police call wires, and they
would be placed in alright chambers
making it unnecessary TO renew then,
being free from the destructive action
of the air and the weather. The
Telephone Company did not In
tend to place the conduits all
over the city, as it would be too eXpen-
siye: they only desired to remove the
wires in portions Of the city near the
central office. The company came TO
the city in good faith and he hoped the
ordinance would be reported faYoraoly.
Mr.. Bailey objected to granting per-
petual right, and in reply Mr.. Caldwell
pointed out the expense, stating that
a company several years ago discussed
the question of building a cable railroad
and abandoned il when they ascertalned
that the underground conduit would
cost $4,000 per mile. The company
now used about 700 wires, and 1t propos-
ed to place in the conduits 800 or 5000,
TO provide for the future growth or
their business and Of the city. Mr..
Neither then addressed the gentlemen
briefly, stating the telephone company
proposed TO introduce here the metallic
circuit, which would be great benefit
to subscribers, but which would require
twice as many wires, and it would be
impossible to do so, under the present
system of pole wires. The conduitS
would be placed beneath all the gas and
water mains, and the streets wound be
disturbed but once. The company
asked for perpetual right, but did not
ask for an exclusive right. The metal
lie circuit enabled subscribers in Pitts
burg TO talk easily with persons in New
York, Philadelphia and intermediate
points.
MIR. Robertson pointed out the defect
in the Natural Gas Company's ordi-
nance, in that it did not provide for
a penalty in case OF violation. The city
had seen its evil effects, and in case the
Telephone Company thought they could
not find room in the conduits for the
city's wires, it was apt to leave them
out. He wanted the city protected by
provision in the ordinance, making it
null and void in case of violation by
the Telephone Company. Mr.. Bailey
wanted the telephones furnished free to
the city. Mr.. Robinson moved to
amend section 4, so as to protect the
interests OF the city therein pro-
dided for. Mr.. Polack amend
ed by moving to appoint a
committee of five to meet with the City
Solicitor and prepare a new ordinance
to be submitted at another joint meet
ing OF the committees. The amend
ment prevailed, and the following COM
mittee was appointed: Robinson,
Bailey, Pollock, Robertson and Had
Itch.
After adjournment an informal meet
ing was held by the committee and the
matter was discussed in all its bearings.
A new ordinance will be prepared by
City Solicitor Riley, and another meet
ing will be held in o few days.