St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-02-21
TO DOWN THE WIRES.
The Committee Agree on the
Ordinance and Will Pre-
sent 1t.
IL Names the Prohibited and
Regulates Wire Re-
moVals.

The underground wire ordinance was
again considered by the assembly com
mittee on streets last night. The sub
committee, Of which Assemblyman
Lightne: was chairman, reported an
ordinance, which, after discussion, was
recommended to pass. The ordinance
requires that by Jan. l, 1897, all
wires must be placed underground in
the district bounded by the following
streets:
Commencing at the corner of B road
way and Third street, north on Broad
way to Sixth street; east on Sixth to
Kttson; north on Kittson to Eighth;
west on Eighth to Wapasha; south on
Wabasha to Seventh; west on Seventh
to Fifth; west on Fifth to Third, and
south OH Third to place of beginning.
The ordinance, instead OF providing
for the laying of any designated length
of conduits in year, provides that at
least 1000 feet OF wire shall be removed
during 1898; 1000 feet in 1894; 5000 feet
in 1895, and all the remaining wires in
1885, Poles and wires may be put up
and strung in alleys to be used in dis
tributing wires, but for no other pur-
pose. The other provisions are the
same as before published, with the
exception of the clause requiring
companies to pay a 3 per cent
tax on gross earnings and
compelling the city's wires to be placed
in one of the conduits. The Northwest
ern Telephone company, Edison Elec-
trio Light and Power company, and
street railway company are exempted
from the provisions requiring a certain
distance of wire to be removed for the
reason that the companies have now the
greater part of their wires in the dis
trlct under ground.
ASSemblyman Reardon said Peter
Berkey had informed him the St. Paul
Gas Light company was bonded for
100000, aud yet they only paid taxes
on one-tenth of that sum. He thought
under the circumstances it did not look
well for the company to come before the
committee and claim they were SO
badly fixed financially that the
expense of putting the wires
under ground could not be met.
Some OF the members were Skeptical re-
garding the statement, but Mr.. ReardOn
assured them it was correct, as Mr..
Berkey had requested him not to say
anything about it. Mr.. Van Slyke said
the only thing to be considered was the
best interests Of the city nd not the
amount of bonded stock issued by any
company. The question was raised as
to whether the ordinance would be &C
eeptable to the companies. Mr.. Llghtner
said he supposed there would be some
objection, but there was another way to
reach those who did not accept the ordi-
nance. The supreme court, he said, had
decided that owners OF property could
remove poles from their property unless
permission had been obtained to place
the poles on the premises.
Joseph Rothschild, on behalf of prop
erty owners, made protest again st the
grading Of Fulton street, from Ran
dolph to Palace street. The improv e.
ment was not necessary, and at this
time would work great hardship ON
the property owners. He was advised
to relate his tale to the board of
aldermen this evening. E. r. Sandeen
was present with his claim of 3,427,
and wanted the committee to recon-
mend the passage of resolution order
ing the city treasurer to pay him that
amount. In 1889 Sandeen graded Law
son street, and, acting on the advice of
the council at that time, he lost money
on the contract. Assistant City Attor-
ney Phillips explained that Judge Cor
nish had thrown Sandeen out of court
when suit was brought against the city.
The matter was referred to subcom-
mittee, as it was considered Sandeen,
while having no legal claim, was en-
titled to some relief from the city.
Before YOU borrow money or renew
loans see The State Savings Bank. Ger
mania Life Bldg, 4th and Mimi, SITS.