The record-union., 1894-06-23
coNcERNNG OVERHEAD WIRE


In all the cities of the Union the ques
ton of dispensing with overhead electri-
cal wires is more or less under discussion.
In several of them subways have been
provided and all poles for wires are
ordered down, or are already taken down.
@. II. Morse, Inspector of Wires for Cam
bridge, Mass, has recently given to the
sets Highway Commission, much valu-
able information upon the subject show
ing that it is feasible to dispense with
overhead wires, and that it is economic to
do so. His paper includes reports from
large number of cities and towns where
the subject is under debate or the reform
has been accomplished.
One thing may be accepted as true be-
yond any doubt. and that is that over
head wires are sooner or later to go from
business streets, and that very soon; and
another truth is obvious, that the city
is far more wisely economic than the city
that waits until the removal of the wires
becomes a matter of great expense and
much contention. Those cities able to
place subways inside curbstone lines and
beneath or in the sidewalk excavations
are peculiarly well conditioned.
In Chicago the wires for eleven hum
dred lights ara all under ground in con-
duits owned by the city, and it is found
there that the system is cheaper than
with overhead wires. So. too, the tele-
phone companies find it better in that
city to use the same suDways. The safety
OF wires underground is there, as else
where. conceded to be greater than if the
lines are overhead. In Chicago, says
Superintendent Hyland, we find no diff
Guilty in placing high and low tension
wires in the subway-by low tension
is meant telegraph and telephone wires,
and by high tension the electric light
wires. Superintendent Smith of New
York bears the same testimony, but there
the telephone wires, though in the sub
way with other wires, have separate
ducts. In Philadelphia the high and low
tension wires occupy the same subways,
and no serious trouble arises, especially
where the separate duct system is used.
President Harrison appointed COM
mission to look into the matter for the
District of Columbia, and it reported
through Professor Rowland that over
head wires are Objectionable, and under
ground wires practicable; that high and
loW-tensicn wires in separate ducts may
occupy the same subway; that single sub
ways in the middle of the street are i'm
practible because of cost, difficulty of
making connections and the cutting up of
streets; subways on each side OF the street
are best and easily reached; finally the
subways should be owned by the munich
palities. That commission recommended
abandonment of overhead wires, con-
struction of side subways and rental for
their use.
The belief is quite generally enter
tanned that the cost to electrical COM
panies is less where subways are used;
that there is less liability to disturbance,
wreck, fire. ETC.
Professor Barrett. City Electrician of
Chicago, advises municipal ownership of
subways, with the right 10 electrical COM
panies to have separate condnits. Tie
subject is one of much interest, and the
pleasing phase of it is, that in about all
places the electrical companies are now
in harmony with the local government
regarding the desirability and economy
of subways in all the thickly settled res
idenee and business sections of cities
and towns.