The times., 1899-10-12
DANGER in THE TROLLEY
A Complaint Filed Against Street
Railway Company.
A Citizen Calls the Attention of the
District Commissioners TO the Con-
diti0n OF the Overhead Wires-Be-
port of Inspector Eddy - Orders
for Immediate Repairs Issued.

Several days ago the Commissioners re-
ceiyed a letter from w S. Daniels, of
BrookIand, d. c., complaining against the
management of the City and Suburban Rail-
road Company in regard to the manner in
which their trolley wire is attached TO the
poles in Fourth Street northeast. between
7 Street and the entrance to the Catholic
University. Mr.. Daniels states that the
wire was broken about two weeks ago, and
that when the workmen were sent TO re-
pair il, instead of making the proper altera>
tions in the line, they simply tied the wire
to the pole with piece of rope.
For two weeks past, it is stated, the cars
passing the point mentioned have been
compelled to remove their trolleys ana
catch the wire again, thus loosening the
wire in other places. Mr. Daniels says
further that the wire is off the insulators
in a number of places, and is tied with
rope in a great many others. 1t is not
considered in a safe condition. Last night,
as / was going 10 Brooklsnd, al about 1880
o'clock" says Mr. Daniels, ''tha wire had
become loosened from the poles, and had
fallen far below the roof of the car. We
passed the spot with great difficulty. a
man was sent 10 repair the break, and he
used the usual piece of rope in making
the repairs. Today as / rode in, ! saw the
wire swinging down again.
las you know, and certainly the officers
of the company know it, these wires carry
enormous electrical power, and it is as
tOnishing that they are permitted to remain
loose, falling TO the ground, of insulators.
id r.-.sI
conditions for indefinite periods. 1t is more
than astonishing. 1t is disgrace and an
outrage that a corporation using the rights
Of way in this District should so abuse
them.
''0f course. we know what their excuse
will be. They are working rapidly, on
another route. This route, however, is
not graded yet, and there is little if any
prospect that il will be ready for operation
this winter. But | submit to you that this
road has no right for day even to main
tain dangerous wire in this District, in
view of the fatalities which have occurred
through such carelessness-'
Almost at the same time of the rec ptiol
of the complaint from Mr.. Daniels, the
electrical engineer OF the District received
a communication from the Police Depart
ment. setting forth the dangerous condi-
tion OF the wire at the point mentioned, and
requesting that measuI es be taken to have
the road repair their line. Electrical
Engineer Allen detailed Inspector Eddy
to make an inspection of the place. and his
report was forwarded to Commissioner
Wight yesterday. Mr.. Eidy's stat .meat is
as follows:
Upon my inspection / found the t.ol e :
wire broken One span was eatiIe.y gona
and the hangers by which the wire is sus-
pended on the cross arms were in many in
stances either broken or missing alto
gether. At these points the trolley wire is
suspended by pieces of rope. and in some
of the spans the wire says TO within
twelve feet of the ground.
Il reported this state of affairs to the
superintendent OF the company with the
request that the line be put in safe con-
dition. which request the superintendent
promised to comply with. At the same
time he stated that this portion of the line
is to be rebuilt in short time. On in
specting the line this morning | found
that the only repairs which the company
have made since the 18th inst was to
splice the wire where it had been broken
! again requested the company TO put the
line in a safe condition Immediately, and
they replied that it was impossible to
secure hangers and other materials to
repair the line, in this city, and ii would
require several days to secure them from
elsewhere.
The line can be put in safe oondi-
tion temporarily without the use of hang
ers. by replacing the rope which is now
used, with pieces of span wire, globe
insulator being interposed to prevent the
current from leaking from the trolley
wire TO the arm of the pole. This would
make a safe, temporary job, and at the
same time the line would be serviceable.
The company has promised to do this i'm
medistely; also, to take the slack out OF
the wire so that it win be safe distance
| from the ground. They have requested
! that an official order shall be sent them
/ from the Commissioners requiring them to
| do this work"
Mr.. Eddy recommended that the order
J be issued al once. and his recommendation
has been approved by Commissioner
Wight.