Burlington and Missouri Railroad used 14,000 Brooks insulators

The Burlington and Missouri River R. R.

Telegraph. - Brooks Insulators and

Common Sense in Construction.

BURLINGTON, IOWA, Dec. 7.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TELEGRAPHER

SELDOM, if ever, seeing anything in THE TELEGRAPHER from this part of the country, perhaps a few "jottings by the way" would be acceptable, and give you and your readers an idea of the telegraphic developments in this section of the west.

The Burlington and Missouri River Railroad Company have just completed a third wire along their road. This gives them one direct wire, of No. 8 capacity, from Burlington to Omaha, Neb. - a distance of 300 miles; a second wire, of the same capacity, to Nebraska City, Neb., 295 miles, and one, of No. 9, to Plattsmouth, 285 miles, besides 35 miles of pony wires. Additional wires are now being built from Creston, Iowa, to St. Joseph, Mo., to be completed this fall to Bedford, a distance of 40 miles, and one from Chariton, Iowa, to Cameron, Mo., also to be completed this fall to Garden Grove, a distance of 25 miles (these two lines are on branches of the B. and M.), making 366 miles of wire put up this season, for which 14,000 Brooks insulators have been used. The cross-arms are pointed twice, morticed [sic] mortised and bolted into the poles; they are also running wires down the poles for lightning arresters. No effort has been spared to make the insulation and permanence of construction of these lines superior to any in the west or in the Union. As a comparison between Brooks and glass insulators, I would say that they worked a circuit of 120 miles with a small Hill's battery at one end, during a three days' rain, without change of adjustment, while the same length of wire on glass, with 100 cups at each end, could not be worked with any degree of satisfaction. Glass tubes are used where the wires run into offices, and Jones' Lock Switch, made by A. S. Chubbuck, at all important points.

They have 60 offices opened, and I venture to say that no road in the west or east has a better organized or more competent staff of operators.

Mr. A. B. Ellison, formerly manager of the Western Union office at Louisville, has been lately appointed chief operator of these lines, with headquarters at Ottumwa, Iowa. It is a position he is well qualified for and worthy of, being a thorough electrician, and having a long experience in telegraphy.

Mr. J. W. Unwin, an experienced and expert operator, is manager of the company's general office in this city, which position he has held for some time, assisted by Messrs. Root and Bobbitt, both good artists.

Mr. C. E. Yates, their efficient and genial Superintendent, will be kindly remembered by many old friends. He came here several years ago, and was assigned to the superintendency when the road had but one wire, which extended a distance of 75 miles. He is pleasant and obliging to his employes, and commands the respect and esteem of all. How much happier would a great many of us be if other Superintendents would follow his example. I would say to railroad operators east, that good steady men can, at almost any time, obtain a position on one of the many railroads centring [sic] centering in Burlington.

Mr. J. F. Ludwig, an old stand-by, is manager of the Western Union office here, and is ably assisted by Archie Frame and Frank G. Brown, both first class operators and pleasant gentlemen. There are many other old and well known telegraphers in this section of the country whom I would like to mention, but space forbids. I fear I have already imposed too much upon your time and patience. Success to THE TELEGRAPHER. More anon, if agreeable.

HAWK EYE.