The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-16
new TELEPHONE SYSTEM
Its Projectors Given a Hearing by
the District Commissioners.
Plan and Scope of the Proposed Com
paDy Set Forth In nm Application
for incorporation - Proposition to
Institute General subway
Schedule of Rates 10 Be Changed.

| The representatives of the proposed
! Washington Telegraph and Telephone Com
pany were given hearing by the Commits
sioners yesterday morning on the bill
which was introduced in both houses OF
Congress early this session for the purpose
of Incorporating the concern in the Dis
| trict The result OF the Commissioners
| deliberations Is not known. but from what
was said when the bill was first introduced
some time ago. and from the action on sim
| liar bills which have been introduced in
Congress from time to time, it is not be-
lieved that favorable action on the measure
will be advised by the executive officers Of
the District
The representatives OF the new company
II. W. Rusk. George II. Webb, II. ". We5b.
Sidney Brown, and Samuel Ross. met the
Commissioners at IL o'clock yesterday
morning. and the full plans of the company
were laid before them. Mr.. Webb stated
that the concern had heavy financial bIck-
ing aud had already introduced independent
systems in other cities. separate or
ganization is maintained in each city where
the system is installed. and 1t Is the inten-
ton of the company to join all the large
cities on a long distance circuit which will
be operated in connection with the city
phones.
We want to put in first class plant
Mr.. Webb stated. We will give a metallic
circuit. unlimited service without reference
TO the number OF calls, for s4s for business
and 500 for residence. We do not encour-
age three or four on a wire. We give
straight telephone wire for So and 81
nut oil u-tra
as far as we cam
The chief engineer OF the Baltimore
plant. Sidney Fl. Brown. told the Commits
sioners there would not be over forty ducts
for the system, this estimate being based
upon 5000 subscribers. By using the 20C-
pair cable the company would not need
more than twenty-five cables. which would
allow for a reserve in account OF unused or
defective wires. The trenches would he
laid as close to the surface as possible. be
said. and would not be more than two and
one-half feet in depth. allowing for the
regulation six-inch space between The top
of the duct and the surface OF the pave
ment Another important matter which
was brought out was the fact that the
company will not use distributing poles for
their service. terra Gotta box will be
placed on every third or fourth house and
the top line from the ducts would be run
through this box and connect with the side
pipes running into the house. All house
connections will be made through base
ments or vaults. he further stated.
Commissioner Ross asked Mr. Webb if
the large corporation ne represented would
be willing to construct in this city gen
eral subway system and rent out space to
all corporations requiring underground ser
vice
Mr.. Webb replied that mis- company
would he perfectly willing to do that. II
will go further" he said. Il will say
right now that I will have the subway
suggested constructed. | will put down
couduits large enough for all purposes. and
will rent out space to all who want it,"
Commissioner Wight said that the time
had come when a general subway system
should be inaugurated in this city. The
conduits which have been laid have been
placed In haphazard fashion. lie said
with no reference to a general plan or
system. Owing to the increase in the
number of concerns and businesses which
use such conduits il has become impera-
tive that some system shC,fd be estab- !
lshed so that all companies could use the |
same line and the authorities could be |
given a general and comprehensive idea !
of the position and space occupied by all /.
the wires In the city.
set OF plans for the proposed subway |
system and a set Of plans of the subways !
existing in other cities was then pre- !
scented to the Commissioners. and long |
time was spent in studying the system
and listening to an explanation of its ad-
over other subways.
There are a number Of conditions to
be taken into consideration in connection
with the incorporation of this company"
Wight told n reporter for
The Times after the board meeting. The
general question OF the District subways
must he decided and the future must be
looked after. Owing to the proximity of
the city to the river IL is not possible to
open the streets to great depth without
striking water. 1t Is a thing that must
be considered very soon, and conditions
ire arising every day that call for imme-
late adjustment.
with the applications that are on file
or permits to dig the streets and lay con
luts for various purposes the Commits
'ioners have a problem on their hands.
The District telephone and telegraph ser
ice is now all under ground. The tele-
,raph wires of all the companies. he Clec-
rio light wires as far as practicable. the
treet car conduits, the sewer and water
,ipes are some of the things which are
low underground. aud the question arises
rhat is to be done with che streets. and
o what purposes are all these sulways
o be converted. That is the sacs ion