THE UNDERGROUND INSTALLATION OF UTILITIES 379 



I suspect in California that one community couldn't have electric 

 lines underground and the next community above ground, and so 

 on. It is a matter of statewide concern, and local ordinances run 

 into that danger. This is why State control is what is required. 



Mrs. WILLIAM G. REYMOND. As a housewife, I think we should 

 not fail to point out what a wonderful job the utilities do and have 

 done in supplying our utility services. They keep us cool in the sum- 

 mer, warm in the winter and cook our food, and do all the other 

 things which we would miss otherwise. In fact, Hurricane Hilda, 

 which blew into Louisiana last October, knocked our power out for 

 four days and brought closely to our mind how important utilities 

 are and how much we depend on them. 



But I think utilities for the most part, although they supply us 

 with something very important, have been negligent in doing just the 

 minimum in preserving the beauty of our country. I am glad to see 

 that so much work has been done on improving the design of the 

 facilities, for I am aware of a pipeline situation in our local refinery 

 which is comparable. They had so much confusion in the pipes, 

 they finally took them all up from underground and organized them 

 on well-designed overhead tracks through the refinery. Now, they 

 have become an aesthetic asset, not an eyesore. 



The utility companies are missing a bet in not doing something like 

 this with their wires. A well-designed pole and well-organized lines 

 could actually remind the consumer, as he drives down the highway, 

 that these wires keep him cool in the summer and warm in the winter. 



A DELEGATE. A gentleman here asked the question of multiple 

 use of rights-of-way, and there was no discussion and no answer. I 

 should like to ask Mr. Bennett or Mr. Dyckman if there is any reason 

 why various utilities shouldn't use the same right-of-way and thereby 

 condemn less property. 



Mr. LISCHER. Speaking only for the area that I am familiar with, 

 we have underway an intensive program to put high-voltage trans- 

 mission lines on railroad rights-of-way wherever possible. We 

 think this is a benefit to us, to our consumers, and to the railroads. 

 Just recently we completed an arrangement with the Illinois Tollway 

 Commission, whereby we can actually put powerlines on their right- 

 of-way for a given distance. I think there is much to be said in 

 favor of this. 



779-5956525 



