National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-02-17

Inc use OF electric lamps IN Just that way Is Ger
tdlnly very largely an experiment, as well as the
scheme of making an artificial illumination SO in
tense AMI powerful as TO fully light UP the halls
and rooms not reached by the direct rays from the
lamps but the company assume i'll may be done,
and undertake 10 do ii, and offer to make their
compensation depend on such test. Therefore
they take all the risk aud not Jhe.GoVernment.
In fact, the Government will only have to pay, in
any event, in addition to actual prime cost, Il sum
nor greater thar i ordinarily paid to an architect
and for Superintendent.
The capital of the country furnishes a grand
! theatre for this experiment. Should the nation
not foster that which seems to be grand advance
i'll the useful arts, and promises within very
short time 10 work revolution III the important
! industry of supplying artificial illumination?
As a strict matter Of economy will it pay? The
Government pays yearly for lighting the Capitol
and grounds around il the sum of So 400. The
Government and District of Columbia pay jointly
for lighting the streets of the Capital the sum of
Sl23,400. Of the latter sum the Government paws
one hall. Leaving out the half paid by the Dis
trict the Government pays for lighting the Capi-
toll grounds around IT, and the streets Si yearly
After the works proposed are erected they can be
operated, near as we can estimate at an annual
cost Of $4,000. This shows an annual saving TO
the Government of SSi,lOO and 70 the Government
and city together OF So, 500.
The machinery proposed is durable and will not
rapidly deteFiorate; but if We allow for that and
also interest al four per cent. per annum on the
cost of erectiOns machinery, &c. large saving in
addition will accrue to the Government if the new
method proves q success.
We have concluded that the best mode of secur-
by the electric method. and testing, rejecting or
accepting and pairing for the same will be by the
creation of a commission wit power to contract
according to the terms contained i'll the memorial
petition, statement in writing and plans and speci-
iicatiOns Of the petitioners. and 10 examine and
test the erections, machinery and appliances of
said company, and also to determine whether the
light is OF the power and intensity promised and
whether the method furnishes the amount of light
suggested; and if said commission shall find the
contract FULLY complied with on behalf OF said
company, 10 accept and pay according to It's terms.
The committee present with their report bill to
carry out the suggestions therein contained. 1t is
perhaps, imperfect, but the wisdom of the House
will suggest the necessary changes and amend
ments, and with hesitation We present it is the
basis for action.
EXHIBIT b.
The Northern Electric Light Company proposes
10 place in, around, and upon the Gapi!O Suffi-
cient amount of lamps, apparatus, engines. and
machines, including houses and other structures
and to supply the requisite lanI therefor not now
the property OF the Government, 70 put into full
and practical operation the system OF lighting
known as Artificial DAYLIGHT which consists in
lighting all places both indoors and out by means
OF groups of lamps massed together and placed
higher than the tops Of buildings. in sucl proxim-
ity another to light intervening spaces in
manner and degree similar 10 the natural light
OF day.
The company will undertake tn accomplish this
result in Il way which cannot in any sense dcface
or njuTe the appearance of the Capitol but Oh the
contrary will increase the atrdciivcHcSS ana beauty
ton
tits proposed 10 surround the dome with an iron
railing, which Will r,St on small posts feet apart
secured into the top Of the great cornice. The
railing and posts will he only inch in diameter
and will be scarcely visible from below when
painted white. This railing will support l50 cleo
trio lamps of such style and construction that
they will not be obnoxious to view in the daytime
The lights of the ab0Eed described $50 lamps are to
be arranged to shine into the skyights i'll the
roofs Of the wings of the Capitol in similar man
ner to that of the sun when near its meridian.
The company further propose to erect six iron
towers, to be summarized by circular. coricni IAN
terms placed AT such elevations above the surface
of the earth that the light coroHcts therein will be
about 30 feet higher than the roofs of the wings of
the Capitol. II is proposed TO place one OF these
towers over the sidewalk Of Pennsylvania avenue
Mt the corner of the Botanical Garden Two Of the
fonr tubular columns of this tower would be placed
garden wall. The span would be about so feet,
and the height Of clear space from the pavement
~ the first girder would be ID feet.
These columns would not be InO.c obstructive 10
travel than an ordinary lamp post or telegraph
pole. they will not exceed 10 inches in diameter
at the base, and they will gradually diminish TO
! inches at the top, where they would Join the bot
tom of the lantern ut elevation CT 300 feet above
the ground. The horizontal tubular gir(lers would
be of the same diameter as the columns of their
several functions herewith They would be placed
at such distances apart that there would be an
average Of not less than Is feet of clear space be-
tween them. Being open en- all sides. the tower
will offer very little obstruction to theyiew, and
being OfSymmetlfcal proportions, they will add 10
the interest OF The prospect rather than the reverse
1t Is proposed to place another tower precisely
similar to the above the southwest angle OF tlIe
Capital grounds near The brick church also. one
in North Capitol street. over the west sidewalk
also, one i'll South Capitol street over the east side
walk about loo feet from the corner thereof These
two would he 1J feet high and about - broad at the
base. One of the two remaining towers should be
located at the northeast entrance TO- but out
side of the enclosure Of the Capitol grounds: and
the other mt the corner OF First street east and
Pennsylvania avenue. The two latter would be
125 feet in height.
II Is proposed 10 secure The columns supporting
all the towers to masses of masonry timbadled in
the earth Insufficient weight 10 prevent the over
tions of these structures are designed TO resist
wind pressure of fifty pounds 10 the square fOJt,
with sufficient factor for safety
The lanterns are TO be II feet in diameter. con-
strucied with iron beams framework and rafters
all securely boltcd together The lower section OF
the lantern VIII he glazed with y panes If plate
glass, about feet high. IL will be of cylindrica
form. The roof and evcrhangfnS rcaect0rS sill he
conicai, and all will be arranged so as TO be thor
oughy well prOpo:tioned and pleasing to the eye.
They viii be indeStructible, except by such an
earthquake would destroy mos; other buildings
Suitable appliances for safe and easy transit Of
employees from and 20 the lantern and the ground
are included.
Each of these lanterns should contain 70 electric
lamps arranged in a circular group about 10 f:rt
in diameter. All the 80 lamps upon the dome
and in the tower lanterns should oe of about QUO
candles power each, constituting total Of abOII!
100000 candies power. equal 10 about IL times
the light power Of all the lamps now employed in
and about the Capitol, about 200G0 gas-bur1l-
ers OF average power III common use. II is cx-
Pccted and intended that this volume Of light
will illuminate all parts and places in the Capitol
and grounds which are accessible 10 the natural
daylight to such extent that the usual Occupa-
lions incident thereto can be carried on Al night
without difficulty. and the company offer to guar
autee that the Senate Chamber and the ReprcScn-
taives Hall shall be 10 lighted that clean fmpres-
sionS in pearl type shall be easily readable in all
parts thereof.
The electric currents requisite for Such light
power should bn supplied from not less than -
dynamo electric machines capable of absorbing
the power Of 1 steam engines aggrcgating 100
horses power These will be supplied with steam
from II honl0gCao;; steel boilers OF feet diameter
and Is feet long each Of which shall be capable of
resisting 4 pressure of more than so pounds per
square inch. 1t is proposed to SCI these boilers
with the most perfect combustion and smoke con
sIming appliances by means of which both econ
Omy and cleanliness will he cxCmplfcd and pro
NOTED. All the machinery and boilers are to be
housed in well built, neat connections. and sub
stanta brick buildings of one story, complete iii
all respects.
The electric conductors are not to be placed OIL /
poles but under ground, between the engine /
houses and the structures WhcrcOn the lamps are /
to be placed.
The surplus OF light which will be difused over !
the city viii be great TO preclude the ncccS-
SHY for use Of street lamps therein.
The runnin. expenses of all sorts are estimated I
not TO exceed sS9.JM annually. The present scale