The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-09-24
TOO LATE FOR BURIAL.
Council Thinks Wires Must
Stay in the Air.
WILL ONLY THIN OUT POLES.
Delay to Paving Would Re Dangerous
Petition for Torpedo Boat Con-
tract-Gravify Water.

The disposition Of the electric wires on
the streets occupied the general attention
OF both houses OF tire city council last
night. and IL was agreed among the alder
men that IL was imprscticable 70 compel
the companies to place them IN conduifs.
now that the contracts for street paving
have been let. and Informally decided 10
allow a uniform system OF poles to pa
placed on the sidewalks. three on eacn
side OF a street. r. G. ElibOurne and 81
r. Baclsus were present. and addressed
the board briefly for the companies they
represent.
The matter was brought up by the read
ing OF an ordinance drawn Up BY Corpora
ton Counsel Scott. compelling the electric
light telephone and telegraph con-
panles 10 place their wires under
the sidewalks in c0nouits. and the street
car companies 10 erect on the sidewalks
iron poles for the transmission Of power.
within ninety days after the passage Of
the ordinance. the whole matter to be un-
der the supervision OF the board Of pubic
works.
Sweeney. said the hoard had always been
in favor 81 this kind OF an ordinance. and
thought 1t the proper method. bat did not
think e should prevail at this time, a. the
contracts for paving Front and Second
streets had been let and work had been
commenced. which would be delayed II the
ordinance In it's present form passed. The
city might then 6e Liable for damages 10
the contractors.
r. G. Kilbourne. president Of the Union
Electric Company, stated that his com
pany had accorded the railroad companies
the privilege OF placing their wires on the
poles OF his company. and stTinging them
across the street for transmission TO the
electric cars. He said the poles could be
so arranged that there would be but six
10 a block, three on each side. The wires
could not be placed In coHduits without
great expense. and when they were once
laid the expense OF lighting would be
greater TO the public. N. +. Backus. re-
ceiver OF the Consolidated lines, said ne
did not think Il wise 10 pass the ordinance
as II was and compel the company he rep
resents To tear down its poles and erect
iron ones IN their stead, as the company
was spending a great deal OF money and
doing everything asked BY the city. He
did not question the city's power in the
matter. but did not think IL wise 70 dis
courage the company. He could not name
n city where iron poles were used.
Jordan. Brewer and Miller were in favor
OF quick action and the taking down Of
the unslghtly poles from the center of
the streets. Jordan stated that he had in
spected the poles along both streets, and
was satisfied they could Be reduced In
number and made more uniform He did
not believe In allowing the matter 10 70
over until the house Of delegates became
enlightened on the subject
elise spoke al some length, and support
ed Sweeneys motion 20 refer the mat
ter 10 a committee from both houses. II
the ordinance passed compelling the COM
panies 10 lay their wires under ground.
the paving would necessarily be delayed.
The motion 10 refer 10 "A Joint committee
prevailed. and the president appointed
Jordan. Miller and elise to represent the
board.
In the house Of delegates the conduit
ordinance was reported back by the board
OF public works with a statement that IL
~ not practicable 10 erect poles in either
the sidewalk or street space The house
Instructed the street committee 10 meet
committee Of three from the aldermen
20 draft an ordinance agreeable to both
houses.
Tho two houses IN joint session APP
proved tie assessment rolls for the con-
structlon of sewer on Market street.
Alderman Sweeney, only, voting no.
A concurrent resolution for the con-
struction OF sewer on Anna street was
adopted.
Prepared Of the hest materials. by expert