The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-10-02
CITY ELECTRICIAN
MIR. DLAKEY RECO1lllENDs UNDER
GROUND WIRES.
Service Of Street Railway II Criticized
and Attsatten - Called to New Po-
lice Alarm Syiten.

In his annual report submitted to
Mayor league yesterday, City Electro
clan B. A. Blakey strongly urged the
Importance Of underground wires In
Montgomery. Including the wires OF
the city's police and fire alarm sys-
TENS. and he severely criticised the
service given by the Montgomery Trac-
ton Company during tn past year. al
though saying. at the same TIME that
some OF the conditions were overlook
ed on account of the temporary facili-
ties OF the company.
In the beginning Of his report, Mr.
Blakey refers at. length to the installa-
ton of a police telegraph alarm sys-
tenn during the past year and the val
liable Improvement 1t has been. He re-
commends the installation of at least
ten more Of such boxes and says each
box increases the efficiency Of the
force.
He reports that the fire alarm sys-
tenn has given satisfaction. not a sim
gle case of trouble having occurred. He
regrets that citizens do not take adj
vantage of this excellent system rather
than BEND in fire alarms by telephone.
fire boxes during the year and the ex-
tension OF the system to the West End
and North Montgomery stations.
In regard to underground wires, Mr..
Blakey says:
THE wires of both fire alarm and
police telegraph systems should be put
underground. both from a standpoint
OF economy and safety to the costly
station apparatus and street boxes The
wire that is now in use. except that
which has been put UP within the past
two years, Is very old and badly cut
up. with quite a number Of bad joints.
This wire should be replaced very soon.
and / would advise replacing it with
underground cable, which will cost a
little more to install but will be far
more durable and safe. and economical
In the end.
The placing OF all wires under
mediaately taken up by the city coYn-
Gil. The overhead wires In the business
district OF the city are certainly in
very chaotic condition. The pole lines
and wires are unsightly. and to a great
extent dangerous, on account OF the
crossing of high and low potential
wires which often occurs where so
many wires Of different companies are
strung overhead.
TN determining the matter of plac-
ing wires underground. the Importance
of this city. as the capital OF the great
state OF Alabama, should be taken into
consideration. rather than simply the
number of its population. The city OF
MONTGOMERY Is expected to take the
lead In many ways on account Of being
the capital Of the state.
Tho city OF Washington, d. c.,
ranks with New York in having under
ground trolleys while Chicago. Phila-
delphia. st. Louis. Boston and other
cities much larger chan Washington
are still contending with the overhead
trolley.
II hope your honor Will see fit to
take this matter up with the city coun-
Gil at some very early date"
Mr.. Blakey reported that something
electric wires for lighting and power
were made during the year. some re-
curing several Inspections but none
less than two All inside wiring he re-
ported first class.
Both lighting and power companies,
he says. have given good service and
his only criticism is on few bad poles
OF the "old company"
The telephone service he says. was
good with the exception of a few sum-
mer months during the strike and at
a time when number OF changes were
being made In wires.
He reported Improvement In the
vice OF both telegraph companies dur
ing the year and mentiones the fire
which compelled the Western Union to
abandon Its old building.
As to the street railway Mr.. Blakey
says:
The operation Of the street railway
system OF the city has not been at all
The working force Of this
company seems never to have been
organized or systematized at
any time since the consolidation Of the
two railway lines. A great deal Of
the track in the paved district IL in
very bad condition and should be re.
built without delay. Quite number
Of the cars are very noisy and need
a general overhauling. but have not
at anytime been dangerous to keep In
service.
Some of these conditions have been
overlooked to a great extent on ac-
count Of the lack o: facilities temper
arily to do the necessary work on these
cars. and the inclination shown by the
company towards Improvement.
'The new car house and shops OF
the company are about completed and
am satisfied that the next few months
will show considerable Improvement in
street railway service"
Mr.. Blakey concluded his report with
thanks to the mayor and other city
officers and employees for courtesises
IL