The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1903-02-09
UNDERGROUND WIRES.


q ever may be the form Of the govern
-Inent which must in the future under
take the control Of the communities {
the islands, there VIII be use for IN
; valuable statement OF necessities con
tanned in the report
There are two things in il whicf
: while not of the strictly intimate char
i acter of the road and school and bridg
3 estimate viii appeal 10 those who lool
70 the future with confidence in TIT
growth and spread of Honolulu. 1t il
only the selfish man who would see IL
the necessities of the moment care fol
his personal comfort or ends. 1t is the
man of breadth who builds for the fu-
ture. and whose children will never
cease to call down praises upon his
memory. for his legacy of a brighter
and better city.
| In the line of distinct improvement is
the recommendation that the city shall
place in its streets conduits for the car
rage of electric wires. put these at the
disposal of the various companies at a
rental WHICH " III give NAC G. 4tOA- "a
city fair profit on the investment,
and then enact laws compelling the
companies to place their wires under
ground The Superintendent places the
limit Of underground wires at two
miles, and perhaps even a less distance
from the business center would secure
the results, for once the companies
found the advantage of having their |
cables safely in conduits, they would |
not willingly change or fail to have the
under surface construction keep pace
with their leads TO the suburbs.
The plan could be made operative
easily with a comparatively small in
vestment, as has been demonstrated by
the success attending the putting down
of the cable land lines. There was mol
trouble, the streets were not opened no.
tieeably, and now that the wires are I'M
position there is no present danger that
there will be disturbance of the lines
for some time TO come at least. It has
been estimated that with main lines of
leads in alternate streets, the supply
wires being taken from these to reach
residences, there could be
secured a system which would place
he electric distribution companies be-
yond fear of wind or rain and which
would insure the people continuous and
perfect service.
These are considerations worth while, ]
tut they are overshadowed perhaps, at ,
east equalIed, by the effect which
would be produced by the taking off I
he streets of the forest of poles and {
he singing chorus of overhead wires. f
There is no way to make a beautiful S
street which is lined with many poles
md where the foliage must fall for the {
afety of slight line of wire, as has f
been the case in this city. All along s
he streets the scars of the lineman's a
* and saw are TO be seen among the v
ranches of valued shade trees. 1t is r
necessary but it is none the less to be {
Once put the phone and
ght wires underground and the beauty n
f the streets will be enhanced fifty b
old. ii
There will be of course comment adj s
erse, owing to the cost. One of the
able experts who drove about Honolulu n
Tas of opinion that there could be
laced in the city, within a limit of one
lille from the Executive building, a
omplete system of conduits for the
Tres of all users at less than $3.50, 600
his sum bonded would mean that -
entails sufficient to pay five per cent =
terest on the investment and as much "
ore to provide for a sinking fund for
lie extinguishment of the debt in TWEEN VI
years, would alone be necessary to ="
axe it advisable for the government re
go into it as a business enterprise, -
lille if the security of the police and e
re telegraph and the street lighting 81
'stems is considered, it would be in
sluable if there was no return from III
ntals. al
Too much cannot be said as to the se
ecessity of the Territory being rep u
scented and well represented too at "
lie st. Louis Exposition. The people pi
ave been recently awakened to the pl
eed of making Hawaii known to the
orld, and if any one means will &C 81
'mplish this end it is by making dl
rilliant display at the exposition pe
avail is sure to be represented and pc
remains only that the representation pi
laH be along right lines, and Mr.
ooper's enthusiastic endorsement of
e plans of the business men will meet
it'll response from every progressive Y
awaiian. CI'
&- ed
The Duke of Tetuan, of Irish blood \
Id Spanish training, was a fire eater IN