Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-04-12

For years Washington has been struggling to
lid itself Of the overhead wires. In 1888 Con-
Rress enacted that no more of such wires should
Be erected In the city. At every session Of our
legislature since there has been some step taken
IN the direction Of burying those already above
the surface. Congress has even required
the lexington to put underground
within . limited period its semi-subur-
ban wires The electrical commission
70 frame . comprehensive system for the burial
Of all the wires has made an exhaustive and
able report, including the railway wires in the
city within the reasoning and recommends
tions Of its project For several years the
community and Congress have been of one
mind concerning the matter. There is not the
slightest indication Of q change in this popu-
bar sentiment
Yesterday the House without division, with
out any discussion worthy the name, without
demand for such legislation either from the
public or the railway affected authorized the
cheap. ugly and dangerous method OF street
railway transportation on the Metropolitan
road, and broke down, as far as it could, the
wise Law and policy established with 30 much
labor for the protection of the beauty and
safety Of the streets of Washington.
The Washington and Georgetown railway, in
obedience to law and in Difference 70 the pub
JIG sentiment against overhead wires, put in an
expensive cable system with reasonable
promptnessL The Metropolitan, failing to make
speedy improvement of its motive power. is
rewarded by House which d5claims vocifer-
ously against corporations with this incidentally
valuable privilege. A premium is put upon
delay in obeying the public demands, prem
Sum eIscted from the public For failing to
change its system within the prescribed time
the Metropolitan Is to be permitted to equip
itself with ''the cheap and nasty variety
Of improved motor, and to be favored with a
bonus Of several million dollars at the expense
of the city which is called upon to surrender
for its benefit comparatively narrow and
thickly peopled business streets and handsome
residence avenues to the Disagreement and
danger of overhead poles and wires.
The storage battery system works to the
srtisfaction Of the community on the city ex-
tension Of the lexington The Metropolitan
has expressed its perfect confidence in the sue
cess OF its own storage battery systematic
ideal railway motive power-and has merely
asked for short extension of time in which to
perfect its plans. IL neither the community
nor the railway has asked this reversal Of local
Jaw and policy who is it that has
quietly worked the House into the frame
of mind to take this extraordinary step? Is it
the Massachusetts, electric corporation. which
showed its powers few years ago as a manipu-
-lator Of Commissioners and Congress? Or is
1t some other electric company which aspires
20 place itself among our steam and street rail-
road and other semi-public corporations which
sometimes appear by favor Of Congress to con-
'trol the legislative destinies OF the District?
The present well-settled policy of the capital
Is that overhead wires shall be permitted only
In the suburbs. Washington's main strength
Ike that of woman, is in her beauty. The same
rules are not to be applied to her as to the un-
esthetic commercial city or to the prairie
town What would be marvellous public i'm
provement for the main street OF progressive
and aspiring Squedunk would be blot upon
the avenues of the capital. After infinite
and persistent labor the streets Of the
city have been made smooth, projecting
rails have been abolished, every surface
obstruction has been removed, parking has
adorned the sides of footways and driveways.
and some progress has been made in clearing
distractions from the air. Many miles of wire
have been buried Others will rapidly follow
ital are and will continue to be oneof its crown
ing glories. No Squedunk legislation is wanted
for Washington.
The House bill proposes a step backward in
Washlngtons progress in more respects than
one. With the cable and storage-b battery
systems supplying the entire motive power for
its street railways, and to this condition the
city was rapidly tending, Washington would be
q model city in this respect, the admiration of
the world Instead of compelling the Metro
politan either to use the storage-battery
system or to straighten some points of its line
and put in the cable, the House proposes for it
& system which is ugly and dangerous, and
which has the sole merit of cheapness The
action OF the House is a blow at the
excellence of Washingtons street railway sys-
tenn Of the future. and a perpetuation of the
overhead wires For what prospect Will there
be Of putting underground the telegraph and
telephone wires with their electric current
harmless in itself, if the erection all over the
city OF the railway wires with their electric cur
rent at the verge Of the certainly fatal point,
which has killed horses and mules in Montgom-
cry, Richmond and other places, is to be per-
mitted?