National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-08-16
ELECTRIC LIGHTS IN SIRE FITS.


Refiectors n Public Nuisance--stor-
age batteries.
1--WE have been anxious, since the COM
pany has been in operation, to illuminate
certain streets and avenues Of this city,
but until recently tho appropriation for
that purpose has been limited to gas,'
said Mr.. Renshaw, tho general manager OF
tho United States Electric Light company
yesterday, in answer to question.
Have you made any experiments with
that purpose in viewp
I'VE have refrained from making any
experiments here. Our general company
furnishes light in more than forty Of the
principal cities Of the United States, and
we have preferred to rely upon our gem
eral experience. The subject of street
illumination has been pretty we'll settled
in many respects. Tower lighting has
had its advocates who have claimed for IL
advantages for its diffusiveness, and In a
number of western towns where the
trees scarce it has had limited success.
But in q city like this, with numerous
parks of lovely foliage nine months in
the year, IL is entirely unsuitable. Again.
there Is great loss of light by elevating
1t. The experiments from the top Of tho
monument were not made by us. / was
somewhat amused when it was stated that
the light from that point would illumin-
ate the treasury building sufficiently to
read in that locality. i remarked ut the
time that such light would have no more
practical influence at that point than tho
rays OF the polar star.
THE illumination OF stro cts by project
ors Is an innovation l had not expected
to zee in this city. We manufacture very
powerful focusing lamps with projectors.
They are usually used upon steamships.
and are very useful in projecting light
o long distance in advance, but for street
lighting. for obvious reasons, IL has not
been deemed practicable. The concentra.
ton of powerful light, instead Of
enabling us to see, really blinds, dazzles,
and confuses the vision of both man and
beast, while the least obstruction casts q
magnifed and intensified shade. The
least unsteadiness in the lamp Is mag
nifed, and most continuous movement
of shadows Is the result of 1000
candle power in protector Such
q light would not be permitted in
any of the large cities. You can
readily imagine the state of things
upon Chestnut or Market streets, in Phil
adelphia, or Broadway and Fifth avenue,
New York, were they to be lighted in
that manner. OF course it would BIO much
more practicable to do 30 there, as there
are but few obstacles, comparatively.
However, such nuisance would not be
tolerated for night"
Cannot the intensity Of the light BIO
lessenedW
Just in proportion as you reduce the
brilliancy of the light you must increase
their number to obtain tho same amount
of light. You will then probably need
one on each square, and then the best
method would be to remove the protector
and let the light radiate in all directions.
In fact, we have found the most practi-
cable, useful, and ornamental system is
to place arc lights upon electric lamp
posts or pillars at proper intervals"
Can that be done here at the present
price paid for gasp"
eyes; and for much less, provided tho
quantity Of light shall be increased. The
city pays $22 per 1900 hours for each 10
candle powers, which Is just 11-20Sths OF
4 CChs pCE Alkhts W. WOulu w
glad to furnish II for one-fifth of that
price. Our lamps are rated at 1000
candle power, French measurement, but
estimate Thorn, by actual measurement,
ct 500 candle power, and would furnish
light upon that basis. The present law
permits the commissioners to pay for
electric light not exceeding the rate paid
for gas. We have made an application to
erect an electric lamp pillar upon Penn
sylvania avenue and give fair exposition
Of street illumination. There are but few
streets in Washington that are really
adapted to the electric light, and upon
these the cost should be no obstacle to
their proper illumination. Washington
is beautiful city, into which pours a
great concourse of tourists and strangers
and tho Embellishments Of few of its
principal boulevards by electric light:
would be money we'll invested"
The commissioners are at present watch
ing some experiments in street lighting
and we may possibly put up some pro.
jecting lights for that purpose, but we
have no confidence they will approve OF
such a system. Our aim has been t.
introduce something that would be per
manent, and give them and the public
entire satisfaction.
Have you been directed to remove
your wires from the capitol on account
pointPn
awe have M w;res pnon tho canito,
building Onr Ismns ara an the gropnd,
oniv. have beap ;nformed tbat Nh,
apparatus which has disagured the MI
tional capitol building for the last min,
We do not desire In dis6uure the nnbIir
or priyate bnildinos nv nutt;nS annaratns
upon them for street Iightins. The ef-
feet is far from elevsnto
"The storage system seems IN have
subsid ed9n
ayes. yor douht,a.a ,emambor ,ou,
wears ago tbare was cons;darshIa axcita
ment ereated bv NJ Eonre ;nusntins
storage or aecondarv haitian IT, con
sisted of nIates of ioad contcd with raf
Lad or more nronerIv nYida Of iaad
nlaced in diImted snInh1ric acid Thes,
connectsd with tho poias If dvnamr