City Pipe Crew Clashes with Telephone Company

Whether the city of Walla Walla or the Pacific States Telephone and Telegraph company has the right of way on what is known as the 25-foot line in the streets of the city for laying pipes is a matter that came up this morning between the water department and the management of the telephone company. When Water Superintendent Knight, while putting in a new eight-inch main between First and Third streets on Main street, found his way blocked at Third and Main by the underground conduits of the telephone company, a dispute arose. For a time it looked as if there would be a serious clash between city officials and the telephone company. Superintendent Knight ordered the conduits either raised or lowered to allow the city pipes a clear right of way, but as this work would take at least a month and require an expert from San Francisco, the telephone company refused and threatened injunction proceedings. Mayor Hunt was appealed to but decided he was not in a position to adjudicate. Superintendent Knight maintains that the telephone company failed to observe notifications regarding the depth of these conduits, while the company claims they have a franchise to operate on any street or alley. City Attorney Blandford is currently reviewing the matter.