The morning news., 1897-01-01
SQUARES DTsFiGTRED BY POLES.
The Park Commission to See If 1t
Can he stopped.

~
Can he stopped.
The manner in which the squares are
disfgured by telegraph and telephone
poles has attracted the attention of citi-
zens now that the park and tree commits
sion has demonstrated that the squares
are intended for the beautifying of tte
city and not for the convenience or ac-
oommodation of anybody who chooses to
make use of them, whether small boys or
big corporations.
The small boys and the hoodlums have
been taught that they cannot abuse the
squares any longer. hut the corporations
still appear to be under the impression
that they can use them in any manner
they see fit. There is probably not a
square in the city which is not disfgured
to a greater or less extent by the presence
of one to a dozen telephone, telegraph,
electric light and electric railway poles.
With the exception Of the poles used by
the street railways there is no regularity
or order observed in placing these poles.
They are set about anywhere as suits the
convenience of the companies to which
they belong. Many OF these poles are of
an unsightly appearance and most of
them black and rotten with age.
II is a cardinal principle with all of
these companies never to replace a pole
with a new one until it threatens to fall
or actually falls. There are some new
poles being placed in the squares now,
however, and they arc being placed with
the usual disregard of appearances or the
fitness of things A rough hewn and un-
slightly pole has just been placed on The
south side of Johnson square There is an
ordinance which requires all of these poles
erected in the city 10 be painted, but it
to g,, he a.
observance.
The attention of DIR. G. H. Stone, chair
man of the park and tree commission,
was called TO this matter yesterday. DIR.
Stone said that the subject is one which
he intends bringing before the commission
at an early date. As the commission has
control of the squares. he said, it doubt
less has the right to require the removal
of these poles. DR.. Stone said he was
in favor of requiring this, except where
there is very good reason to allow them
TO remain.
Il intend to find out by what right" he
said, these companies go and plant their
poles any and everywhere. There must
be ordinances requiring them to obtain
permission before erecting pole. Another
thing that will be put a stop to, Is the
reckless trimming of trees by the en-
ployes of these companies in stringing
their wires. Hereafter such trimming
where necessary, must be done under the
supervision of an employe of the COM
mission, or more likely, by such employe,
at the expense of the company wishing
the work done"
1t has been suggested that where neces-
sary to place poles on the streets or in
the squares they should be placed in line
with the rows of trees on the street, or
In accord with the plan of arrangement of
the squares so as to be inconspicuous. In
many cities the street railways are re-
quired TO use iron posts with bracket
arms for suspending the wires, which are
superior in every way to the wooden
posts There is a row of these iron posts
or poles down the center of Broad street
in Augusta, with bracket arms branching
in opposite directions, supporting wires
for lines on each side of the poles.