The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-11-17

may occur, and in such cases TO send out
their linemen to remove the trouble
These men are very expert. ana a long
service enables them to handle them
selves upon a high pole with the actiyi-
~ almost OF a squirrel The life IL a
hard one. and subject TO much exposure
but a general thing they are che -rful
workers and 20 out In all weithfrs TO re-
pair damages, which may be caused by
storms.
INuREAsE or LINES or POLES ~ CITIES
Prof Morse. perhaps did not dream
when he invented a system of telegraph
that before half century had passed, dr.
electric current would be applied 10 the
propulsion OF cars, and TO the transin.s-
sion OF messages by telephone, the cur
rent absolutely conveying the exact tones
OF the human voice
"1he numerous poles in cities used ny
the various companies for electrlcal pui-
poses are perhaps an eye-sore. but 10 dse
an old prOvefb I'VE cannot eat or Gaze
ana have IL 90 X cannot DE Denied
That the telegraph Companies the phone
companies. and the electric street rail-
way companies each In their way; are
Necessities in the handling Of business
matters. and that something should be
conceded In view Of this fact.
III would seem. however. that in many
cases city governments pass restrictive
ordinances. which are rot only restrlc-
tive but prohibitory. For example. II
We 'titSlIti inc CONDUIT lt1E-
el by the City Council and approved ty
the MSy or in September last. n looks as
III the city government OF lticnmond Is
not OifpCfed 10 consider the Interests ard
IN convenience Of its citizens. rms ofct-
n9nce stipulates that no privilege ~ 10
The building and owing of condui'e shall
last longer than fifteen years, al the cN-
piratiOn or the time the city may put
such other restrictions. conditions. and
Cd argcs as IL may see III and proper. or
Il Of
tho owner IT is well 10 remark that this
ordinance provides fer the removal OF
poles and wires on about q squares in the
city. and is effective June -. 1896. the
N.res 10 be placed I'm conduits by June g.
49,. The building Of cOuduits is 4 costly
matter The Western Union has about Us
wires. II would not. therefore. pay 10
take down y squares Of poles and wires
IN this city. and substitute conlIils. but
the ordinance requires II the Telegraph
company shall build the conduit TO pro-
vide for every company and individual
who may Use wires on street. and 70 al
low 10 per cent increase In excess of the
wires now staining on the streets.
THE ordnance however, discfiniindtes
In favor OF trolley wires and poles as
against Tie poles and wires OF the West
ern Union. the telephone company, and
the electric light company.
"TLe Western Union and its predeces-
sors have occupied the streets II ri h
mond from The moment the construction
of telegraph lines e. distant cities WAS
commenced.
THE CONDUIT SYSTEM.
The Southern Bell Telephone Company
has occupied the streets of Richmond for
n ere than fifteen years. and use about L.
100 " Tres. ana has been an applicant 10
the city Council TO lay down conduit
system so the streets could be relieved Of
the large number of poles AMI wires. but
the city Council have said. no. yol shall
not have the privilege 10 30 underground
with your wires, you should blili for