New-York tribune., 1902-02-24
PHILADELPHLA'S TANGLE.
WIRES DOWN AND TOWN ALMOST COM
PLETELY ISOLATED BY STORM

Philadelphia, Feb. 23-Although the shone
brightly to-day and the weather conditions were all
that could be desired, this city remained cut off
from telegraphic communication with the outside
world with only a hope that possibly two
wires OF the Western Union Telegraph Company
might be put IN working order between PhiadeI-
pha and Baltimore before niGhtfall The telegraph
officials concentrated their energies in effort to
accomplish this result, they realized that this
was the route by which communication with New
York and other points could be quickest estab-
lished It known that a few wires were in
working order between Wilmington. Del, and Balti-
more. 1t also known that New-York had sue
ceeded in getting into Baltimore by way Of Chi
cago Atlanta, Jacksonville and Washington. With
this knowledge in their possession the Western
Union officials placed large forces OF Hnemen in the
territory between Philadelphia and Wilmington.
covering twenty-seven miles. These men rebuilt
wires and planted poles.
In the face Of their almost complete isolation the
newspapers Of Philadelphia have made extraordi-
nary efforts 10 obtain the news. A lucky chance
placed the local Office of The Associated Press in
possession OF the knowledge yesterday afternoon
that a wire working between Wilmington and
Baltimore. A working force hastily sent 20 the
former city. and these fortunate enough
to the Of the wire for a part Of the
time. the news thus received being sent to Phla-
delphia by train. BY this means the full details
Of tho sensational encounter between Senators
Thlman and McLanrin, the report Of the great fire
in New-York and the McG2yern-Sullivan night and
tained for the Philadelphia newspapers in time for
publication this morning The wire operated
TO the utmost limit Of speed, and between ; O'Clock
p. m. and a. IN. nearly twenty thousand words
received.
The various telegraph and telephone routes lead
ing into Phnadephia, with the exception of the
route on the Pennsylvania Railroad, between
Wilmington and Philadelphia were in almost
bad condition to-day they yesterday. Line
men were at work I'm every direction, but the sup
ply Of skilled in this trade limited and the
task before them great be almost dis
heartening Never in the history OF the telegraph
the prostration of the wires in this locality so
complete. Within radius of sixty miles hum
dreds of poles broken off. Where the poles
were not carried down by the weight Of the ice on
the wires one or more wires in nearly every span
was broken, and in some localities it will be neCes-
sary practically rebuild mile after mile Of line.
1t is exaEgeration to say that the telegraph
telephone companies Will not fully from
the effects the storm for months come.
In addition to their effort establish coInmuni-
cation by way OF Baltimore. the Western Union
and postal officials worked hard toward getting
hole through 10 New-York
Within the city limits there was network OF
tangled wires Slowly but surely this tangle is
being Strengthened out, and in few days the
police alarm and loca! telegraph wires will be
in working order again
1t is not possible 10 estimate the money loss occa-
stoned by the storm in this section but will run
into hundreds Of thousands of dollars