The morning times., 1897-01-21
REMOVING OVERHEAD WIRES
New York City's Subway System
Eminently Successful.
ITS WORKINGS EXPLAINED
Commissioners Hess, of the Board
J of Electrical Control. Tells How
the Burying of All Wires Has
Been Accomplished in That City.
It Could Easily BE Done Here.

A subcommittee of the House Committee
| on the District Of Columbia, appointed
under the authority Of a resolution, adopted
| June 10 last to inquire into, and report
upon the systems of subways for under
ground wires in operation in other cities,
| held meeting this afternoon. The sub
committee consists of Representatives Bah
cock, Richardson, and Odell. The only wit
ness examined this afternoon was Commits
sioner Jacob Hess, senior member of the
Board of Electrical Control, of New York
city.
> New York is probably the only city in
the country where general system of
subways for underground wires has been
put into successful operation. In 1885 the
New York Legislature passed an act COM
pelling all telegraph, telephone, electric
light companies, and others using overhead
wires, to place the same under ground.
The act provided for the appointment Of
three commissioners TO carry out the pro-
visions of the new law. The subway COM
mission, or Board of Electrical Control, as
tits known, at once set to work to formulate
a plan whereby all wires should be placed
under ground, and the result of their ten
years labor is that New York has today
345 miles of trenches or subways, and
1,S40 miles OF ducts, carrying 40, ,992
miles OF telephone and telegraph wires;
| i3S4 miles or police wires; $50 miles Edi-
son electric; 734 miles of electric light,
and 1895 miles of fire-alarm wires, re-
placing over $500 unsightly poles.
When the board, said Mr. Hess, began
to formulate its plans some 800 patented
systems were presented to their notice.
After careful examination were all were
rel jected and a subway, which should be
built OF brick, with concrete foundation
and wrought iron pipe TO carry the wires
was adopted. These subways were con-
strueted by contract, the contract for
the entire work having been given for
a term OF years to a syndicate known as
the Construction Telegraph and Telephone
Company. This company was empowered
to open the streets and lay the conduits
under the supervision OF the board OF
electrical control
Tie comprehensive and general system
OF subways adopted by New York city does
not cost the city one penny; in fact, it
benefits largely, inasmuch as the con-
struction company is obliged to carry
Through its subways all fire and police
wires free of charge. The construction
company lease their subways to the va
rous telegraph, telephone, lighting and
other companies using wires at an annual
rental OF $500 per mile. This rate OF
rental was fixed by the board OF electrical
control. Out Of tie gross amount collected
by the construction company the salaries
| and expenses of tile board OF electrical
control are paid, so, as heretofore stated,
the city is not put TO one cent OF expense.
Mr.. Hess was asked that sh ould new
company desire to lay its wires in the
| city 10 compete with Older companies al
ready in the field what would be the
modus operandi
We'll" replied Mr.. Hess, 1.-THE new
company would simply apply TO the con-
struction company, which, when it laid
the subways, provided abundant space for
Increasing business, rent such ducts as they
wanted, pay their rent, and in fact get
into the game on the same basis exactly
as the older companies. Under our system
there is no discrimination
Mr.. Hess was asked whether, in his
Judgment, law similar to the New York
statute could be put into successful opera
ton in the city of Washington. He re-
piled that there was not the least doubt
of it. But. he continued, it would work a
hardship TO those who have already put
down private subways. He would suggest
| that the government should acquire title
| to these subways by condemnation pro-
| ceedings, and then a comprehensive plan
| for general subways could easily be evolved.
Many of the questions asked Mr.. Hess
regarding the company he could not an
swer, and it is thought the committees
| next witness will be the president of the
| Construction Telegraph and Telephone Com
Dany