The Poles Remain

THE POLES REMAIN,

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But Their Number is Cut Down to Seven.

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ALL IS NOW AT PEACE.

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The Council Compromised with Electric Company.

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It Was a Hot Day Yesterday and Hot Work was Done--Only a Few Rumblings of a Coming Thunder Storm Remain.

Some time ago the property owners on Washington st,. between Ashley and, Fifth ave., petitioned the council to pave that street. They also understood that the electric light wires and Bell Telephone wires were to be placed under ground in conduits. An attempt was made to have this done. So far as the Bell Telephone Co. was concerned there was no objection, but the Electric Light Co. strongly objected and refused to do so. The contract for the paving was let, and at the last meeting of the board of public works the contractors notified the city that they were ready to begin work. At a meeting of the council a few weeks ago the business men on Washington st. signified their wish to accept gas lighting rather than electric if the poles and wires should remain. At the last meeting of the council such men as J. D. Ryan, John Heinzmann and others stated that the polls must come down. The Electric Light Co. employed M. J. Cavanaugh, who stated that it could not be forced as the only question was whether the Electric Light Co. 's contract with the city is valid or not. Attorney Wm. B. Thompson, of Detroit, was here in the interest of the Bell Telephone Co., and Aid. Arthur Brown claimed that the poles could be removed at the city's expense The council now found itself in a pocket. If they should try to force the Electric Light Co., there would be trouble in the courts and therefore a long delay. This delay would bring on another suit with the paving contractors who are now ready and have bricks piled on the sidewalks, against which the property owners might also kick if they were there too long. Mr Davidson came to this city Monday and explained why the company could not build a conduit and gave some of the aldermen a good all around jolly. So that at the council meeting last night there were only three who voted against the company's proposition. The floating voters were captured and all this talking and excitement for the past two weeks was useless. When President Seabolt called the council to order for the special meeting, Aid Coon was the only one absent. The lobby was full. Among tliose sitting on the benches were Mr. Davidson, Electric Light Co. 's lobbyist; J. E. Beal, for Electric Light Co. Wm. Thompson, of Detroit, attorney for Bell Telephone Co. ; M. J. Cavauaugh, attorney for Electric Light Co. ; Tom D. Kearney, attorney for Bell Telephone Co. ; ex-Ald. Herz and Heinzmann, et al.

A NEW PROPOSITION.

Mr. Beal was called upon and stated that since last meeting had been in Detroit and conferred with the insurance inspectors and found that the wires could run over stores, but he also found that the Washington property owners do not want it. The company has thought of every possible way to suit the people and he submitted a drawing of how the poles could be located and decreased to seven poles. Of course on each corner where there is to be a light there must also be a pole and the others would go in the alleys. The wires from which the are lamps now hang would also be removed and the lamps would be hung on yard arms. The wires running along Washington st. would be as high as the cornice of the highest buildings and would not interfere in case of a fire. Michael Staebler could not understand why a corporation should have more rights than a private citizen. He spoke of the council ordering him to remove his scales which he had done at a great loss, as the scales can not be used, nor can he carry on his weighing business. J. D. Ryan was in favor of accepting the offer if it was the best thing that could be done. He investigated but could find no one who had said that the company could be forced to take down the wires. However, he would be one "to tackle it. Aid. Herz said he wanted them down. "What would it be," said he, '"in 16 months when the company's contract runs out. Will we tear up the pavement again to put the wires under ground?" It was moved by Ald. Brown that permission be granted the Electric Light Co., to make changes according to the plan submitted at the expense of the company and under the supervision of the board of public works and three Washington st. business men.

WILL NEVER COME DOWN.

This caused more discussion and Aid. Hamilton asked whether the company intend to build a conduit after their contract with the city is up in 16 months. Mr. Beal said no, that it would now cost $7,500 to do the work for three blocks. The company would take its chances at the end of their contract. Aid. Koch said that people forget that it takes a pole at each corner for a lamp. You couldn't get along without them.

FIGHT IN THE SECOND.

If what John Heinzmann said to the council last night has any significance, there will be a warm time when Aid. Koch again comes up for re-election in the Second ward. He said: "We elect our representative to take care of us. Our representative has taken care of us - nit. I am surprised that he should take the stand he does. We want the poles down." Aid. Koch retorted that "Mr. Heinzmann had told him several times that he always did as he thought right when he was on the council. That's what I'm doing now." Aid. Hamilton also threw a shot at Heinzmann. He said: "Heinzmann says that people have to do as the council says. It is not so. The property owners petitioned for paving and it was granted. " The motion carried only Aid. Dieterle, Vandawarker and Grose voting against it. The committee appointed was J. D. Ryan, John Heinzmann and Louis Weinmann.