The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-09
cITY's POLICY AGAINST WIRES.
Mr.. Bisbee's Grant Withdrawn I'm
less Wires Are Put Underground.

less wires are fut tnderSrounus
BY a resolution adopted by Council last
night the policy Of the city in the area
bounded by Liberty, East Broad. West
Broad and River streets, is against the
erection of poles and overhead wires No
company win be granted a franchise for
telephone system except it agrees 10 put
the wires under ground.
"And It is further resolved" the resoIu-
ton continues. that The privilege hereto
fore granted w. A Bisbee, for himself,
his associates and his assigns, for the use
of the streets and lanes of the city Of Sa-
vannah for the purpose of establishing and
MAINTAINING telephone wires, by resolution
adopted Jan. 20. 1899, be withdrawn in so
far as same affects that portion Of the city
of Savannah hereinbefore mentioned.
Resolved further, That the use of the
streets and lanes of the city for the pur-
pose of operating telephone system is
granted TO w. A. Bisbee within The area
hereinbefore mentioned, but with the eX-
press understanding that within said dis
trict the wires shall be put underground.
Supt Mcguire of the fire department had
submitted a report to Alderman James NJ.
Dixon, acting chairman of che committee
on fire, which probably had much to do
with the adoption of the resolution.
Supt Mcguire says in his communica-
ton that he noticed in the official proceed
ings Of Council, held Jan. 20, a resolution
by Alderman Davis, then chairman of the
committee on streets and lanes which
granted permission TO Mr. w. A. Bisbee
and others the right TO use the streets and
lanes for the purpose of establishing and
maintaining telephone poles and wires.
y have at various times endeaVored to
impress upon the City Council" Supt Ma
gnire che inn of
wires placed underground. ! now appeal
to you for assistance in this direction We
have at present so many wires strung
through the streets that we are frequently
delayed in the performance Of our duties
our men are compelled to work with
great care to avoid crosses on these wires
and much valuable time Is lost on this
account. The permission to allow an in
crease In these Instructions Is a decided
step backward, and / respectfully ask that
you discuss the ACCESSIBILITY OF Withdraw
ing the permission recently granted
by reference to the statistics of the
electrical bureau of the national board of
fire underwriters it viii be found that
there are more wires stretched along and
over the streets of Savannah than there
are in any city the same size in the South
These wires, unless well insulated. prop
erly installed and frequently inspected,
are source of constant danger.
Il am informed from reliable sources
that there are many miles of dead or
unused wire stretched upon poles in this
city. late inspection discloses 10 me the
fact that the wires of the various cleo
tric companies are supported in many
places by small knobs screwed into rotten
poles, and as evidence of carelessness dis
played in the overhead system (Which il
has been found impossible to properly
rpu1JlatpA fraUt1apf Nv uyni
more or less damage results.
A number of accidents have occurred in
this city as a result of the overhead sys-
tenn A year or so ago a German at the
Savannah Hospital attempted to pick up
a wire which had fallen near that place
and was so badly burned that he is now
an Invalid for life. Within the last four
years two men have been killed as a re-
suit of having touched wires lying in the
street. Numerous instances could be
mentioned of slight injuries and severe
shocks TO members OF this department in
the discharge of their duties. l would
also cali your attention 10 the financial
loss sustained by this department and the
numerous fires originating from crosses in
overhead wires.
Il fully realize the necessity for some
overhead wires" Supt Mcguire concludes.
but | earnestly ask that the danger be
as nearly removed as possible The tele-
phone company has placed its wires UNI
derground. and l trust that during this
year the fire and police departments will
follow in the telephone company's steps
| understand that the electric light COM
pany is preparing to put it's wires under
ground. l deplore the fact that a new
company Is to he allowed TO continue 10
endauger life and property"
Supt. Maguire's suggestions were not
only adopted, but when elections were
called, the unanimous vote of Council was
cast for him as superintendent of the fire
department lie had not been elected. hut
was serving as an appointee by the Mayor