The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-02-17

During the past year the Sunset Tsis-
phone and Telegraph Company has been
in3ustriouslv improving its service. and II
ar interview yesterday w.tb Post-li1felii-
genCer representative Superintendent v y
liam 3 Armstrong states That tnere Rad
been less trouble during the pas winter
than az any other similar period OF the
year since the organization and establish
ulent OF the company IN this city While
during the great storm In the earlier part
Of the winter, when almost al commUni-
cation with the outside world vas cut or,
when the railroads win mails ana papers
were de.Ryed 81 STOW storms and wash
outs. and telegraph wires were DelAs
snapped with every tick OF a watch, gen
eraI attention was called 20 the efforts Of
the Sunset company 10 keep up its service.
In an almost Incredibly short time the
broken wires we're replaced BY new ones,
heavier and stronger and better n every
way. When the storm suosidea the com
pany kept on taking down the wires OF a
smaller gauge and substituting others that
were IN every way better. canes That
have been unsatisfactory Tor any reason
have been taken down. and the Old cotton
and parafine insulation has been re.egated
TO the waste room and the more modern
and much superior paper Insulation mas
taken its Place. The armor OF the cables
has also been improved, and general bet
terment al around IN service ana equip
ment has followed on the heels of the big
snow storm and the Chinook Winds The
cross-arms in many districts have been re-
placed BY newer ones braced with steel,
and in many PAGES the poles have been
renewed.
New city Lines.
The company now is al work on a con-
tinuation OF its line out Cherry street and
Minor avenue, and on the Madison street
line 10 East street and from there 10 the
lake The proposed new routes will sup
ply the same service as now. probably 20
telephones, AMI shorten the lines three
fourths of il mile. This fact viii alone
improve the service by pacing subscribers
on a shorter circuit. as We'll as reducing
the chances for trouble in the future by
the improved equipment Another new
line is projected on Terry avenue. from
Madison street 10 Broadway, taking out
the old poles and replacing them with new
ores.
The amount Of new cables contemplated
will probably reach 5000 feet, which VIII
be of the latest and most approved form
OF construction. Mr. Armstrong says that
the results of the improved service are al
ready apparent.
Long-Distance Extensions.
Another feature Of great general interest
will be in connection with extensions OF
tire line between Seattle and New What
com will be renewed and improved. II IS
nov possible 10 use the long-distance serv-
ice from Seattle TO Spokane, but the
switching and connections are by way of
Portland. The distance direct from Sc
attic 10 Spokane by present railroad and
wire routes is about 40 miles. while the
telephone line uses up under present cir-
cumstances about 100 miles. The Sunset
Company's share in the maintenance of
the additional 800 miles has led II 10 con-
template line OF its own across the
mountains. which another year viii prob
ably see IN operation.
To the Mining Districts.
II is not impossible that those interested
IN such matters or having investments ia
the newer mining districts Of British Co
lumbia will be abe To stasd in their offices
or houses in Seattle and telephone 10 Nell
son. Trail and Kaslo on business or per-
soual matters Rich strikes may be her
aided over the wires. accompanied by the
usual Joyful expressions that convey tho
full measure Of satisfaction to listening
ears AT the Seattle end of a long stretch OF
small. round metal.
4 meeting was held in Mr.. Armstrong;
office last month by the representatives Of
the British Columbia Telephone Company
and the Inland Telephone Company. OF
Spokane. relative 10 this very matter. The
scheme Is entirely practical and Mr.. Arm