The Washington times., 1901-09-12

sPcctor Harris-To sto? Assaults
| John Hadley Doyle, of 30l6 o Street
northwest recently wrote to the Com
mssioners complaining of the dumping of
a pole in front of his residence. He says
that it is an unsightly object, and that he
learns that it is to be erected upon the
street, and that it will be in the nature of
a permanent DETACHMENT. Mr.. Doyle
wishes to know by what authority the
dumping of the pole and Its erection in o
Street is ordered.
The matter was referred to the Electri-
cal Department. and r. Can't Harris has
reported as follows to the Electrical En-
gineer:
The pole in question is the property of
the District of Colt mbia, and was one of
several which, in conjunction with the
Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Com
pany, it was proposed to erect and main
tain jointly, said construction to be one
of a line of poles running from trunk line
in square 1909 between Thirt.ath and
Thirty-first and NJ and n Streets north
west, northward through squares between
Thrtieth and Thirty-first TO square 1852
between @ and r Streets.
by the Electrical Engineer of the District,
in his recommendation of June %, 1901,
and was in process of erection under or
der to the Chesapeake and Potomac Tel
ephone Company, dated August "a. 1901,
when owing to some complication in an
other part OF the proposed line the work
was temporarily discontinued pending the
adjustment of the aforesaid differ ences.
owing to the absence of alleys, as
general rule, in the squares of George
town, and the costliness of conduits, it is
absolutely necessary for the District Gov
eminent to maintain and extend its signal
telephone and police patrol system by the
use of poles erected upon the streets, and
as the appropriation for such extension
and maintenance is none too large for
the growing needs of the community.
and, further, as it is very expensive to
construct large and extensive pole line
for the purpose of maintaining a few
necessary wires. it is the policy of this
department to use the poles of other COM
panies as far as possible or engage in
some joint construction as in the present
case.
But before the present work was au-
thorized the subject was presented to the
Attorney for the District, who rendered
salient features of the case, to wit:
'1-That the District of Columbia can
erect poles on the streets of the City of
Washington and string wires thereon.
.2-That the District of Columbia can
string wires along the streets of the City
of Washington on it's own existing poles
or on existing poles of other companies.
''2-That the telephone company can use
existing poles of, or poles to be erected
by, the District of Columbia on streets
of the City of Washington, stringing the
wires thereon under the provisions of the
alley law.
"EThat the District of Columbia can ar
range with the telephone company for
the erection without cost TO the District
of Columbia of poles on ta) streets, and
(b) in alleys of the City of Washington.
1t is thus apparent that the proposed
poles are to be erected legally and after
mature deliberation. The proposed line
Will necessitate the erection of eight poles
four on streets and four in alleys on
private property, right-of-way over which
has been secured by the telephone COM
pany. Thus long line will be established
with the minimum amount OF discomfort
to the residents and 10 the Disagreement
Of the streets The locations of the poles
on the streets have all been selected with
to the adjacent property, care
upon the rights OF the peo-
pie and tc avoid all possible injury to
property.
I'm regard to its condition might state
that all poles purchased by the telephone |
are carefully examined by men |
skilled in the business before they are ac-
cepted, and no exception was made in this |
case. When digging the hole in the loca-
ton selected a heavy ledge of rock was
encountered which necessitated a slight |
change of position which made the exca- |
vation approach the premises of Mr.. |
Doyle, but this apparent encroachnent |
Will be remedied when work is resumed |
and position further west will be Sc |
ected.
THE above complaint is only sample |
1f the many received at this Office in |
which the writer hastens to condemn and |
abuse before he reflects upon the situa-
ion, or, in fact, has time to ascertain the |
rue facts of the case. Ii is very uphill |
md discouraging work trying to satisfy |
he whole community in regard to supply |
ng new districts with adequate fire alarm
and police patrol protection, and instead |
IF rendering all assistance possible 1t |
seems to be a case of opposition, which
opposition in reality tends to retard the |
growth of the community.
I'm the present case the erection of |
.hese four District of Columbia poles will
not only save hundreds of dollars in cost
If construction. but will save many miles
IF wire. 1t Will not only enable the de-
to render better service. but will
also allow of efficient protection in hither-
% uncovered districts. Further, il Will
Enable the District of Columbia to remove
-our poles ON Thirtieth Street
"A clear insight into the facts of the
,ase make it apparent at once that the
construction, so far from being !
IN injury to this section, will in reality
De a benefit, and IL seems to me that as
he extension of the fire alarm and patrol
ystems is retroactive in its effect, not for
he benefit of the officers Of the depart
nent. but for the welfare Of the com
nunity, it behooves every citizen to as
list and not put obstacles in the way of
he department in its endeavors to in
rease the efficiency of the service under
is charge"
The Commissioners have issued an or
Ter providing that the time for compile
ion of contract 2909, with NJ. F. McNama-
a & Co, for the construction of sewer
long Connecticut Avenue extended, be-
ween Nourse Road and Pierce's Mill
Road. be extended for a period of sixty
lays. or until November ., 1901, without
penalty, but cost of inspection during eX-
ended period to be charged to contractor.
A. II. s. Davis, in charge of the public
jumps, has reported to the Superintendent
f the Street Cleaning Department of the
district an assault upon Dumpman Fitz-
,eraId by negroes hauling material to the
ump on South Capitol Street. between Z
nd Q Streets. He suggests that the
umpmen be clothed with police author
ty and be given a badge to wear to pro-
ect them from the vicious attacks of
egroes.
Mr.. Davis says that the dumpmen are
requently attacked by laWless and worth
sss negroes who are employed in hauling
efuse whenever the former attempt to
ell them whore TO dispose of their loads.