Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-10
UNDERGROUND WIRES
CHANGES MAnE BY C. AND p.
TELEPHoNE COMPANY.
Report Made to Commissioners-Ten
and a HalhgMiles Of Con-
duits scheduled.

SommiSS1onerE mcfarland, VINO mas
charge Of all eltctIical matters under the
control Of the lecakauthorities, received a
letter today from Nh. U. N. Bethel, pres-
dent OF the Chesapeake and Potomac Teie-
phone Company, showing the amount OF
work accomplished during the past six
months In compliance with the law which
requires the placing Of all wires now over
head In underground conduits. Mr.. Mac
fariand has given constant attention to the
execution Of the act, which gives the Com
missioners discretionary power as to the
amount OF time which shall be allowed for
compliance with its terms. He was much
gratihed today to learn of the great amount
OF work already accomplished, which is in
excess OF what was contemplated. Mr..
Bethel shows that plans for continuing the
work are well advanced and gives general
outline OF the conduits to be constructed
during the coming season.
Mr.. Mcfarland said today that he feels
the company has done Its full duty In con-
structang nearly three miles more of con-
Quits than had been expected, since July
last, Notwithstanding unexpected and una
Vo1dable delays in getting material, etc. He
will recommend to the Commissioners that
they present the facts to the committees of
Congress. He will hold further conference
with President Bethel as to the details Of
the plans for continuing the work.
President Bethell's Letter.
The following is President Bethelrs letter
to Mr.. Mcfarland.
las you are aware, the general plan for
conduit work to be done during 1902 adopt
ed as a result of our several conferences in
July last. provided for the construction of
about seven and a half miles of conduit.
In response to various suggestions subse-
Quently made by you and the electrical en-
gineer Of the District, the plan was some
what exten~ed. The weather continuing
favorable for such work until very late in
the season, We succeeded in constructing a
total of ten and three-tenths miles Of con-
duit. The entire work was done without
accident, and, believe, without serious in
convenience to the public.
Our preliminary plans for the present
season have been completed and provide
for the construction Of ten and a half miles
Of additional conduit. These plans include
conduits to be constructed in the following
streets: 9Th street east from M street north
to X street south, 9TH street east from K
street south to M street south, M street
| north from North Capitol street to 9th
street east. H street north from 9Th street
east to Florida avenue; B street north from
Sd street east to 7th street east, East Capi--
tol street from I'd street east to 18th street
east. d street south from New Jersey ave-
nue. to Pennsylvania avenue, l. street south
from Sd street east to 18th street east, o
street north from LIST street west to 18th
street west, 18th street west from Florida
avenue to Columbia road. Connecticut ave-
nut from Wyoming avenue to Woodley
lane NJ street north from 31st street west
to 32d street west. .32d street west from NJ
street north to- Prospect street, Prospect
street from SD street west to Beth street
west. Both street. west from Prospect
street to AQueduct bridge; 31st street west
from M street north to U street north, U
street north from 3ist street west to Valley
street. 33d street west from Prospect street
to T street north. 5a,.. ~
You will observe that the plan con-
terminates a largo Of work CAM.
tol Hill and In Georgetown. This is with
view to improving the wire conditions and
to meet the demand for telephone service
in those sections. AT your convenience
shall be pleased to, confer with you as to
the details of the work and submit any ad-
ditional information that you may require.
1.-THE work OF placing cables in the con-
Quits constructed during the past season Is
being carried ON as rapidly as possible.
Some poles and overhead wires have
already been taken down. and we cont en-
plate during the present season much addi-
tional work Of this character, the total
number of poles already removed and to be
removed being, approximately, two hun
dred, and the amount Of overhead wire
being, approximately, eight hundred miles.
Poles Slated for Removal.
"Among the poles to be removed are
those on.the following streets: aa7 = -
l. az street north from 18th street west to
Massachusetts avenue; Massachusetts, ave-
nue. from 9th street west to 18th strset
west; 9th street west from Massachusetts
avenue to Florida avenue; r street north,
from 18th street west to Goth street west;
Goth street west from o street north to r
street north; B street north from 9th street
west to 10th street west; 9th street west
from street north to c street north.
IF District wires are on any of the poles
referred to. I respectfully request that you
make such arrangements as may seem to
you necessary and proper to permit the re-
moval Of the poles. Should you desire 1
shall be pleased to confer with you respect
ing the details Of this work.
when this question of enacting the law
under which this work is being done was
under discussion in Congress 1t was stated
that some seven hundred citizens desiring
telephone service could not be supplied be-
cause of lack Of facilities. l therefore
think 1t proper to state, as matter Of in
terest to you, that from June 80 to Decem-
Der 81, 1902, we made net gain in tele-
phone stations in our Washington system
of 49,"