The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-06-02

ed by the accumulate OF nearly nVe m0ntnH Oh
gas bills amounting to S6,250, and II we estimate
the cost of lighting for the year, provided the offer
of the Electric Light Company is accepted, we find
it as follows:
Five months gas at present price,. ....,s G,2sooo
Two months electric lights. ............ 751.60
Two months naphtha lights. ........ 476.S3
Ten months electric lights (under new
Seven months gas. 2os lights -. S625.oo
Ten months naphtha lights 1,O43.S4
826,s55Oo
gencies go ....,............. - 645Oo
s27 10000
These figures are as nearly correct as can be made
1t will thus be seen that, provided you should
think the demands of the citizens for additional
light warrant you in instructing the committee to
make contract for 100 lights with the Consoidat-
ed Electric Light Company, an additional appropri
alton of $4,000 must be made to meet the extraor-
dinary expenses for the current municipal year.
The committee also beg to remind you that the
city has direct pecuniary interest in the gas COM
pany, and while they believe that the reduction OF
income to the gas company of S5,7O0, would be
partially compensated to the company by addition
al private consumption, they are unwilling 70 as
sumo the responsibility Of deciding so important
question alone.
The experiment of lighting city so crowded
with large shade trees, involves the employment Of
very tall poles and various devices for placing the
lights where long vistas may be gained for unob-
structed diffusion of light. The mast light in Con-
gress Square, and the suspended light corner OF
Centre and Free, powerfully effective, but the
extra cost above the ordinary pole must Be borne
by the city. Quite number Of suspended lights
will be required, which will make heavy draft on
the contingent fund.
1t is hoped that two very high poles, with two
lights, may prove sufficient TO light great part of
Munjoy Hill, but it is not believed that even with
100 electric lights all the streets can be lighted but
your committee are well assured that great ditter-
ence even upon those streets win result from reec
ton.
Your committee believe that the citizens general
ly will uphold the city council in making this addi-
biOndI hXnanlitUrR adds n comfort
and safety in passing to and fro at night, making
the principal thoroughfares secure for the prom
enade of either in the daylight, but the sp-
preparation In the hands of the committee is not
sufficient to further increase the number Of electric
lights and as they are receiving constant calls from
the citizens for electric lights they have taken this
method Of explaining their position.
+. A. MOVES.
X. T. MCLELLAN,
NJ. @. McCANN,
p. O'NEIL,
Committee on Street Lamps.
The report was accepted and sent up. The
following petition was presented in regard to
the matter:
To His Honor the Mayor and the Honorable Board
Of Aldermen Of the City Of Portland.
Whereas, 1t is known and admitted by all who
have had occasion to observe and inquire into the
matter that the placing Of electric lights upon the
streets and public squares of the city has given the
only adequate and satisfactory illumination yet
tried, and has provided for the citizens the best
safeguards for life and property, proving the most
efficient aid to the police force in discharge of their
duty; and
Whereas, by the introduction of the electric
lights, proving that they are the most economical
by giving greater volume of light at about the
same cost as the now present imperfect system Of
lighting.
Therefore, Your memoriallsts, residents and tax
payers of Portland, urgently request that the num-
Der OF electric street lamps in Portland be increased
from the number now in use by the city, to such
number as can be placed to advantage by the Street
Lighting Committee, for the greater security, COM
fort and benefit of the Dublie