The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-09-20
SEATTLE. FRIDAY. SEPT. 30.
SHALL, THE WIRES BE BURIEDs


The question a. 10 whether the electric
wires IN our leading thoroughfares should
be nut under ground before the compile
ton OF the work OF paving promises 10 re
a very serious one. No one viii deny that
the proper place for wires is beneath tho
surface OF the street. Experience has de-
nonstrated this and in all the large cities
wires have been placed out of sight or the
work of doing It is either IN progress or
soon 10 be undertaken.
with the modern extensive use OF cleo
.rlclty and the multiplying OF almost
countless poles and hundreds OF miles OF
wire. city streets have become 80 disfig-
ured aud the danger 50 measursbly In
creased. that the authorities in nearly all
the larger municipalities have had - deal
with this problem with the result that in
most instances the poles and wires have
been removed and placed underground.
That the same thing viii have 10 be done
In Seattle there Is little reason TO doubt.
The question that must be decided now is
as 10 whether this change is absolutely
necessary at the present time, or whether
II can be postponed I'LL more convenient
season. u viii certainly not be contended
that there Is the same urgent demand for
the removal Of poles and wires in Seattle
that may have existed in such crowded
cities as Chicago. New York or Boston.
While there are probably a few blocks
where a removal Of the unsightly electrical
equipments would be advantageous both
from a safety as well as an artistic point
OF view, there are. on the other hand. por-
tons OF the city where A change 10 the
underground system Will not he an actual
or urgent necessity for some years to
come.
/, IL well 70 take into consideration the
fact that the contemplated change will
mean large outlay on the part OF the
companies required 10 make H. And just
a. this time they are indeed ill-prep3rod
60 meet any such unusual item of ex-
pense Some OF the interests affected are
in the hands Of receivers: others have suf-
fered the emharrassments incident 10 hari
times and financial depression. and Tor all
Of them the demand Tor undertaking 81
extensive and costly a piece OF work could
probably come at 10 more lnoppcr,une
moment.
Whether AZ such time ard under such
circumstances It r. reasonable u insist
upon compliance With What arr unusual
81 not severe demands. 81 Is dlficult 10 say
without knowing exactly the cost or the
work and the financial ability ~ the COM
Germs required "a undertake H. II is safe
- predict that Sc VIII he a burden or ua
"a insisted upon by The city Government.
care should pa taken 60 sea taat the DOING
OF what IS asked Tor viii rot seriously,
cripple or permanently iafura chose raf7-
rsnles which already havo ha8 much ~
contend WITH during the past tA~ee a. four
yeas
Whue the utmost leaIen-v. consistent
wlth fairness. should be shown gre elo..r.,
companies. an3 while the present demands
may no; ne sHffe.entIy urgent q, warrant,
the removal ~ wires iumefatfv. .se-c
can - 20 question ma. j sr.uf4 be .--
sisted upon 50 soon as the request
can reason saly re compiled wien
Dur.nS enc NEXT Few Years a.,
cur development j; VII - ru-7 easier
- SETTLE differences between fr4n..s. Sd.
holders and Tho c.Jy ana Els make sr,t-shle
Arrangements between the PARTIES interest
ed than u vii Re iate- ~ when ths som
Germs now n their Infancy have Ae-,r,s
strong. sturdy ans ross3e'y less .1cl.7.,4 ~,
look AZ matters from a rual., welfare
sandpo'nt- Fair treatment sh,aI4 hc A.
corded eur corporations Whsle We are
weaiherinS storms. tHt L sHnuis Ne wfts