The St. Louis Republic., 1903-10-12
NEW Conduit LIMITS.


Having taken under consideration bill provid-
inc for the enlargement Of the underground wire
district the present Board Of Public Improvements
should not fail 10 take conclusive action. Altered
and inproved II changes are needed the hill should
be transmitted 10 the Municipal Assembly in due
time
Reports have it that some Of the wire-using com
panie are opposed to extension OF the district limits
II is hardly possible however. that this opposition
is either spirited or general There may be objec-
tions against certain features OF the proposed law
on the part of some companies or even by all Yet
the voluntary construction OF cOnduits by all OF the
progressive concerns indicates that there cannot he
much genuine opposition to the plan as a public or
private enterprise.
Perhaps the companies advise against beginning
conduit construction Immediately upon the passage
Of the ordinance Perhaps they prefer not to tear
up the streets next year during the progress Of the
Exposition. Perhaps they desire more time in which
10 arrange for the work economic and systematic
lines. Perhaps they are disposed TO submit argu-
against certain sections Of the bill, in order TO
produce practicable measure.
The board should bear in mind that no protest
could be weghty enough 10 prevent the enlarge
ment Of the district. In the interest Of the COM
panes in the interest Of their patrons and in the
public interest, the district boundaries should be
extended. Wires. cables and poles must disappear.
for reasons which are numerous. What the board
is 10 determine is when and how the wires shall he
buried.
Time is important factor. Extension OF the
limits TO Chouteau Cass and Grand or vandevener
avenues would require three years. and ex
tension out TO Union boulevard would take two or
three years more. Therefore. since the streets In
this district viii have 10 be torn up. IL would ap
parently be wise 10 have all underground work done
at once. much be done. 10y all companies
which space under the surface.
The streets should not be in disorder next year
during the Exposition. That state would be dis
agreeable and inconvenient aI-resdents visitors
and the companies. There is much 10 do. once
the work started. that there would be ces-
sation for several years. Under ordinary circun-
stances the work can be done without discOmmOdng
the public. But under extraordinary circumstances.
such viii prevail in 1904. it would impru-
dent 10 attempt the work Therefore. it might be
better not TO proceed at once with complete plan
of construction.
still. the board is expected TO take a course which
will assure that the boundaries will be extended.
The project has been before the board again and
again in the last five years or more. and it is time
now that definite plan were devised. This board
should approve bill creating new limits and fixing
the time aud conditions for the work and the bill
should be sent TO the Assembly in the near future.
The public will accept a decision against having |
so many pavements removed next year. On the
other hand, the public looks 10 this board TO make
law to rid the city OF ugly and dangerous wires.
The bill containing the conditions for the enlarge
ment could provide that the work should be started
Immediately at the close of the Worlds Fair and he
finished within specific boundaries in definite
term of years. No objection or excuse should ~ |
hibit the enactment Of an adequate law.
There is cause TO postpone the commencement of
the work. but there is no reason why competent
law should not be passed at this time. These points
referred TO the board. with the advice that law
be passed, so that there may be surety that the
OF the underground wire district will be
extended.