Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-14

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the overhead wires on 18th street in the
one conduit, still all Of them could be taken
care of in other ways, so as to take them
off the poles. Thus, for example, one of the
tween the avenue and F street, could be
taken from the power house to F street
through 14th street conduit. which is not
crowded at present, and provision could be
made for the others in much the same way
On cross-examination, Mr.. Allen was oues-
TIC ned at some length as to his quaiifica tons
as an expert electrician. The results being
satisfactory-that is to say, favorable to the
animation on live wires. return wires, three
wire systems and the like. This made the
trial anything but interesting to the specta-
tors generally.
After explaining at length his plan for
putting all the overhead wires underground,
by substituting three cables for the six
wires now used in the one complete incan-
descent circuit, the witness was asked:
But, suppose these OVERHEAD wires were
strung to an old and rotten pole, would it
not require considerable time to manufac-
ture the special cables in order to put them
underground"
yes. unless the company already has
''Well, las it?'
Il can't say as to that, but there are miles
Of just such cables in general use in this
city"
'Where?'
Don't you know that the pole in ques-
tion is the property of the Western Union
Company, and does not belong to US at
all?' asked Mr.. Reddington.
Il understand that it does belong to tie
Western Union Company"
Then your beautiful scheme for getting
all our wires under ground would not ac-
complish the removal of the pole at all?"
MOT unless the other wires On the pole
were taken doWn?'
And those other wires belong to the tele-
graph conlpany?'
Il believe So ---
"Ani that company has no underground
ccnduits in which it could place its wires pa
continued Mr.. Reddingtcn.
mo, SIR --
Then this whole prosecution of the
United States Electric Lighting Company Is
iE a Pickwickisn sense; simply for the fun
OF tine thing
That's not the way 1 understand it." re-
piled MIR. Allen.
We'll. how would you get the telegraph
wires of that pole?"
Il did not make any investigation of that
matter at ALL
We were the game you were after.
theB?''
Yes, sir"
And WREN you were after us and struck
other game it did not distract you in the
well. now. unless those wires are taken
down that pole will still have to remain.
will it not?'
Il presume So"
Then all this legal fuss and feathers
can accomplish nothing. for the pole will
still be In place when you get through"
remarked Mr.. Reddingtor, as if thoroughly
disgusted with the whole affair.
But 1t is the efec; ton of that particular
pole that we are inte-cs.el in just now"
replied Mr. Push
After some further questions on the tech
meal side of the case the witness was ex-
cused and the court took a recess at 1910
o'clock.
After RcccsA
After recess MIR. Pu@lI introduced in evi.
derce, with the agreement Of the defense
Il Eumber of permits to String wires On
pennsylvania avenue and f5tf street, run
ming from April, 1850. downito the prints
which were issued afte.' the law of 1888
went into effect compelling wires to so un-
dprGround.
J. B. c. Shipmar, superintendent Of
lamps n the District Commissioners Office
was then called rs witness. He was Wiz h
Allen when the latter made his inspection
OF the conflHits, and gave some corrobora-
tive testimony on the subject o. combining
the overhead wires in such way IS to
make 1t possible to put them u.der The sur
fare. ~
Cross-examined as to whether he had
80 hdu any experience in the matter
oI running IN the same duct two large
cables, one carrying a positive and the
other negative current, he said that he
nae not, but that if the two cables were
properly insulated it could he done wi.h
perfect safety. The witness was also
questioned as to the effect of eIectrolysis
and said that it would be no greater with
TWO cables than 1t would be with one. In
Po,nt OF TACT, THIS company has two such
cables IN one duct at the very point in
ques ton.
j., do you not know he was asked. that
therc is an obstruction in the conduit be-
tween pennsylvania avenue and T street?"
Haye you ever tried to get anything
through that conduit?' 'e
NO, SIR"
Then you do not know whether cable
or not?'' '' 1''- oAe'
or my own knowledge I do not
W after +. Keeae, also of the engineers
once, testified as to the examinations he
pad made alone and with Alien and Ship
man Oh the wires and conduits on 15;h
street.
Superintendent A. R. Miles of the District
teiegrapn and telephone service was called
along much the same line as the others
He thought that if all the dead wires were
removed from the six ducts it Woull give
the equivalent of two empty ducts and
Els impression was that all the electric
light wires on the poles could be accom-
modated in tnem
Mr. Miles was still on the stand when
Ihe Stars report closed, and it is likely
that several days will be required to COM
plete the case.