The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-10-18
MAY BOND. CABLES
WITH CAR RAILS
Street Committee Grants Bell
Company This Permissionto
Prevent EIectre|ysis.

After debate which lasted something
over two hours yesterday afternoon the
Council Committee on Streets and Shock
o.. Creek gave the Southern Bell Tele-
phone Company permission to connect the
cal,.es at two if its man-holes by bonded
wire with the rails of the Virginia Pas
senser and Power Campany's car tracks.
sucn action being necessary for the pre-
venton Of electrolysis. This action was
taken in direct opposition to the advice
of City Engineer Cutsilaw, and is regard
ed as quite a victory for the telephone
company and Superintendent Hunt Chip
ley.
Some time ago Mr.. Chipley appeared
before the committee and requested that
his company be given permission to con-
rect by bonded wire the cables OF two
different n1an-hoIes with the tracks OF
the car company. He said that electricity
sis had been discovered. and that there
was eminent danger Of the cables being
destroyed unless immediate action was
taken He added that he had requested
the City Engineer for the necessary per-
scme reason, despite that previously he
he'd granted them the right to make
eight similar connections
The matter at that time was referred
to the special subcommittee, Messrs Mi
Tor. Burton and West being named by
Chairman sller rs the gentlemen to in
vestisate the matter. They have held
several meetings. and the evidence of
number OF well known electricians was
heard by them. after which Mr.. Burton
and Mr.. Minor drafted report recon-
rlendfng that the company be given the
desired permits. Mr.. West formulated a
minority report, In which he recommend
ed an entirely new and different means
for the prevention of electrolysis
At the meeting yesterday afternoon
both Of these reports were submitted and
read. Immediately after which Mr.. West
moved the adoption OF his report He
srol>e at some length along the line OF
his report. and urged the committee to
adopt it. It was the idea OF Mr.. West
to have the company connect their cables
with a return current wire, which would
gather the loose electricity and return 1t
to the plant Of the street railway COM
pany. thus preventing electrolysis.
Upon the conclusion Of the remarks by
the patron of the minority report. Mr..
John 3. Minor made clear and strong
talk on the report of the maIority Of the
committee. He seemed to think that the
proper way to prevent the electrolysis
was by the connection Of the cables with
TIE street car rails by means OF a bonded
wire. which will be entirely underground.
He cited the opinion OF City Electrician
Phone company.
Superintendent Chip1ey was called upon
fsr few remarks. He responded with a
strong argument along the line of the
majority report He knew OF no other
means OF preventing electrolysis being
used anywhere else. and stated that the
destructive element had only been dis
covered In ten places In the city. eight
Of which have already been repaired by
r. of hnrHa9 wire To the
rails. His company simply wanted thu
cor mittee to give them consent to make
lust two more connections. which for
some unknown reason City Engineer cut
shaw had seen flt to refuse.
Here Mr.. Peters moved that both re-
ports be laid on tine table md the matter
held M until Colonel ClitshaT coIfG be
pre- sent and give his oninion on sn.. mat
ter. he having failed to specify any par
tic11ar reason for turning elown tac re-
crest asked by the phone cofEpnnI.
This motion was lost. several sfsri!,ers
stating that the ma tte-5 was one of vital
inrcortance and Immediate action was
net..,ssary. after which Mr. Mjnor n1o.stl
20 a substitute for the motion 90 Ar.
west. tina the majority TeroEt 10 adopt
OIL. A vote showed that six OF the COM
mite eren favored such action. while
orly three opposed it. ar1 it was there
fcrc declared PASSED. The recorded VOC
was: Ayes-Al'en. Burton. Eahen. Phil
I.,s Minor and Adams Noes-lIarn. Pc
ters and West
The committee then adjourned to meet
again next Tuesday night
irbv Sweere~A Acquitted.
(special Dispatch % me Times,
WTTHEVILE. VA. October T.-lrny
sweeney. charged with robbing the post