Evening star., 1896-10-28
STRICT AFFAIR S
The Proposed Viaduct on the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad.
ssionerS and Board OF Trade
Committee Consider the Plans
Overhead Wires-Other News.

tn6 DiStrlct DullQlng yesterday AFTERNOON
between the railroad committee of the
beard of trade and the Commissioners upon
the subject of railroads.
The hearing related more particularly to
the steam roads. and the result of the dis
cussion resulted in one important change
in the recommendation of the Commission
ers for improving the situation.
The Star has already given the public the
benefit of the Commissioners proposed
action. 1t will be recalled, among other
things, that the Baltimore and Ohio rail-
road insisted upon entering the city on two
viaducts. While this proposition did not
receive the sanction Of the Commissioners,
no definite action was taken in the matter
during the last session of Congress, and
when that body adjourned the plans and
specifications were laid aside for future
consideration.
Recently the matter has been called up,
and Engineer Commissioner Powell re-
freshed his memory Of the case by going
over the plans.
The railroad committee of the board of
trade learning that the matter had again
assumed shape. visited the Commissioners
office yesterday afternoon, as stated above,
and had an understanding. The committee
was composed of Messrs. T. A. Lambert
Frank Hume, w. J. FriZzell and Evan
Tucker. 1t was stated in advance that the
object OF the conference was to agree upon
some plan Of action. 1t would be mani
festly improper to have the committee and
the Commissioners antagoniZe each other
before Congress in this important matter.
Maj. Powell expressed himself as gratified
with the purpose of the committee to CO.
operate with the Commissioners, and forth
with sent for all the papers in the case.
Ifen he went over the plans of the Balti-
more and Ohio road. discussing the points
as they arose. Everything proved satisfac-
tory to the committee. When the question
OF Vladucts arose, the committee had some
decided ideas on the subject. 1t was op-
posed to more than one viadIct So was
the Engineer Commissioner. And it was
decided unanimously to urge upon Con-
gress, In changing the mode of entrance Of
the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. to permit
only one viaduct. This was the most i'm
pcrtant matter decided upon
Mr.. Frank Hume, in discussing the hear
ing with reporter of The Star after the
discussion had concluded. said the commit
tee was getting ready for a brisk cam
paign in railroad matters Everything look
ed promising. There were no differences
between the Commissioners and the COM
mittee on railroads of the board Of trade
and with hard work he looked for some
legislation at the coming session of Con-
sresS which would remedy the existing
railroad situation.
Proposal Accepted.
With certain notifications. the proposal
OF w. +. Beers & Co. TO construct frame
school house near the Conduit road has
been accepted by the Commissioners.
Order for Overhead Wires.
The Commissioners today formulated the
following order for the overhead system of
the Potomac Electric Power Company west
OF Rock creek: Poles shall be at least 45
feet high. No span shall be greater than
10 feet. Poles are to be set inches from
the outside face of the curb.
All poles are to be stamped or branded
with the initials of the company and with
number of the pole. not less than feet
nor more than Z feet above the ground.
Cross-arms shall be uniform in length
be attached thereto with glass, porcelain
or rubber insulators, and must be stretched
tightly and fastened with strap of the same
kind of wire.
All wires shall be continuously fnsu]a ted
with durable and waterproof material and
this insulation is to be carried to all por-
t1ons OF the circuit. including joints and is
to be kept in constant repair.
No wire shall be stretched within inch
eS of any pole. building or other object
without being attached thereto and insu-
lated therefrom.
No line Of 500 volts or over shall hang
within 20 feet of the surface of the ground
at the lowest point.
Every line. pole. fixture, etc, must be
kept in order and repair in conformity with
these regulations; but no additional poles
pairs, nor shall the route or location be
changed without a permit
The company shall, upon completion of
the overhead line, file with the engineer de-
partment plats showing the exact location
of the poles and the number and character
OF the wires strung thereon
Removed From the Force.
Private c. c. Smith of the metronoIitan
police force. recently tried for violation OF
paragraphs 1S5 and 13s has been removed
from the force by the commissioners.
Fire Promotion.
The Commissioners have promoted Prt-
Vate James Frazier Of the fire department
to the position of fireman, vice Mcclure.
deceased. and appointed r. 1. Williams a
private, vice Frazier, promoted.
Charges Dismissed.
The Commissioners have dismissed the
charges against the following named Off
GERS: w. H. West, for conduct unbecoming
an officer; Thomas Lynch and c. H. Stein
breaker, same
Interpreting the Law.
An important matter is under considera-
tion by the Commissioners, involving an
Interpretation of the law concerning the
erection of additional overhead wires
The first assistant postmaster general
has written letter to the Commissioners
asking that permit be issued for the pur-
pose of stringing sufficient overhead wires
to complete telephone service between
the main office and several branch offices
throughout the District.
The question arises. is the government
included in the law which prohibits the
erection of any additional overhead wires?
The Commissioners believe that it Is not,
and if it is possible to find sufficient ex-
fsting poles upon which the wires can he
strung it is possible that the Commission
ers will grant the required permission.