The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-04-06
COMPETITION
IN LIGHTING
IS ASSURED
Supervisors and Mer-
chants Meet.
MATTER OF POLES DISCUSSED
WANT ONE SET TO BE USED IN
COMMON BY ALL.
The Present Company Has No Privi-
lege in the Use of the Streets
Which Cannot Be Re
voked.
MATTER OF POLES DISCUSSED
WANT ONE SET TO BE USED IN
COMMON BY ALL.

The Street Committee of the Supervs-
ors held conference yesterday after
noon with representatives of the Mer-
chants Association. Two questions of
vital interest TO the city were consid-
ered-the granting of permission to any
corporation now in existence or project
ed 10 erect poles for lighting purposes
in the outlying districts, and the nlacing
OF all wires underground in the business
section Of the city.
The discussion, which extended over
several hours, was of a desultory char
acter. II was participated in by Mayor
Phelan, A. B. Spreckels, A. S. Baldwin,
w. r. Hewitt, J. c. Quinn, J. B. Corn
wall and Manager Summerhayes Of the
Mutual Electric Light Company. Mr.
Spreckels was present as a representa-
tive of the recently incorporated hide
pendent Electric Light and Power Com
pany, and took an active part in the dis
cussion.
The dominant idea was TO formulate
plan whereby the unnecessary erection
Of poles could be prevented. 1t was held
that II this privilege was granted to all
who might apply, the sidewalks would
be lined with unsightly poles and the city
covered with a network Of wires. The
plan suggested to avoid this condition
was the letting by the city of a fran
chise to one company to erect poles
which would carry the wires Of all COM
panies.
The resolution introduced by DR.. Per
Tault covering the matter was read and
an amendment suggested. The original
resolution read:
Resolved, That permission is thereby
granted 70 all incorporated companies or
Corporations having plant projected or
in operation TO supply the Inhabitants Of
this city and county with artificial light,
10 erect poles and wires over the
streets in this city and county within the
outlying districts of the fire limits.
The suggested amendment was not act
ed upon, the committee having no powers
in the premises. 1t was as follows:
Provided that the first company erect
ing or having erected poles within said
limits should erect or maintain the
to allow sufficient accommodation for the
wires Of other companies under such con-
ditions TO the expense as may be pre-
scribed by the board to be betrayed by
said companies as to the cost Of erection
ing distinctly understood that the priVi-
leee granted shall not allow of poles being
erected by any other company streets
where poles have been erected by the
company FIRST awaiting itself OF this privi-
lege. and in such cases where additional
the Fire Alarm shall first be notified and
permission obtained from said superin-
tendeut for the erection, who shall desig-
nate the location Of the same.
Mayor Phelan promised to prepare
Draft of a franchise which will be sub
mitted at the next meeting of the COM
mittee. For poles alone his Honor
thought a modest Incorporation might be
formed to handle the proposition. He be-
lieved a short franchise, one not extend
ing over ten years, would be just to the