Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-09-03


ONLY TO ELRcrRIc LIGHTING, TELEGRAPH AND
TELEPHONE LINES AND NOT 10 NorrvK-powrR
WIRES FOR STREET cARs-ro TAKE EFFECT JULY
], 1850
In the resolution agreed to by the Senate COM
mittee on the District Of Columbia Saturday and
reported to-day, requiring the removal OF overhead
wires for electric lighting, telegraph and telephone
service by July 1, 1889. no mention is made Of
electric wires for the purpose OF furnishing motive
power. These wires were purposely omitted by
the committee, who hold that the charters granted
to several new railway corporations OF the District
at the present session of Congress permit the en-
ployment OF overhead wires for motive power II
desired. 1t Is the sense OF the committee that as
these charters authorize the OF electric power
without excluding the overhead system the COM
panies have legal authority to take the latter, and
that legislation to prohibit that would be AN In
fringement OF charter rights
COMPARATIVE COST OF THE TWO sYsTRNs.
Expert testimony taken by the committee last
week was to the effect that 1t would cost Sos, 900
or $50 900 per mile oconstruct single track rail-
conduit system, while the overhead system, as
proposed by the lexington Company, can be con-
structed for about g. 900 per mile. This difference
the overhead system by the lexington Company,
and the same idea OF economy will, no doubt,
prompt the other newly y.chartered companies 70
establishing its legal right to plant poles and
string wires. The resolution as adopted and re-
ported Is designed TO put an end 70 overhead wires
for telegraph, telephone and electric lighting but
10 It's present shape IL does not interfere with mo-
uve-power wires.
The Reports in the Senate To-Day.
THE SUBJECT LAID OVER AFTER DEBATE UNTIL TIE
RETURN OF SENATOR RDMUNDS
In the Senate to-day Mr.. Farwell, from the Dis
trict committee reported the joint resolution re-
wal nf vii nv Sf
OF next July. He also reported the resolution d.
rectng that the Commissions be required to revoke
any permit granted for overhead electric wires
for motive purposes, with the recommendation
that 1t do not pass.
Mr. Hoar inquired If there was any report upon
the petition he had recently presented from the
Thomson Houston Co., OF Boston
Mr.. Farweli replied that the report he had sub
mitted embodied that
Mr. sherman said II was essential to dispose of
this question as early as practicable; that the
lexington Co. is ready TO go on with the construc-
ba s s 10 0
Mr. Sherman said that In his opinion the work
ought to go ahead and in order to facilitate that,
He did not nke, however, to ask constellation OF
the subject in the absence Of Senator Edmunds,
who was the author OF the resolution referred TO
the District committee with Instructions In the
premises.
Mr.. VEST ON THE DIVERSITY OF OPINION IN REGARD
TO THE NATTER.
Senator Vest said that when this question was
before the Senate recently he took part In the de-
baIe. He was not well Informed on the subject.
Since then q gentleman called upon Mr.. Vest and
assured him that he was entirely wrong in having
said that the system OF motive power proposed
would endanger life. The visitor, continued Mr..
Vest, said he could demonstrate TO the Senate
that the system proposed 70 be used Is not In the
lea ast dangerous TO animal life. He complained TO
Mr.. Vest that the Senate had cut the matter on
summarily and refused to AFFORD the company an
its system; that the company stood ready
to demonstrate that the quantity OF electricity
employed while amply sufficient to propel cars is
too small to tnjure animal life. Mr. Vest sug-
gested that If the company would induce some
Senator to oner resolution he Vestl had no
doubt the Senate would grant any fair and proper
hearing. Since that conversation Mr Vest said
he had received communications from company
in Philadelphia asserting that wires for motive
power can be placed underground as cheaply as
overhead. Mr.. Vest suggested that in this diver
Sty OF sentiment and conflict or testimony the
subject ought not To be taken up In the absence Of
Senator Edmunds.
proper time he would move TO indefinitely post
pOne the subject.
The presiding officer remarked that the commit
tee recommended that course.
Mr.. H0ar stated that he had presented petition
from reputable and responsible parties OF Massa-
chusetts asserting the ABILITY to demonstrate that
the overhead system In controversy is
ENTIRELY HARMLESS 70 ANIMAL LIFE.
IcLuaIAC tudt tuc UlStI1Ct SOluIulCCee
had examined number Of experts and had taken
quite mass OF testimony, which would be printed
and laid before the Senate. The testimony shows,
he added, conclus1vely TO his mind, that there Is
no danger to animal life in the system Of motive
power proposed TO be used here; that the quantity
OF electricity used is too small to be hurtful life
The subject then laid over until the return of
Senator EdmundS.
Capitol Topics.
10 CHECK TRUSTS
The bill introduced In the House to-day by Rep
resentative Newton, OF Louisiana, to punish psr-
sons connected with trusts, proposes to subject
such persons to q fine ranging from 1000 to
$4,000, or imprisonment from one to f1ve years
TWO MORE PENSION vRroRs.
The President returned to the House, Saturday.
without his approval, bills granting q pension to
Edwin ]. Godfrey and John S. Bryant The Presi-
dents message says Godfrey was discharged less
than three months after his enlistment In 1851 on
surgeons certificate OF disability occasioned by
disease OF heart existing prior to enlistment"
The application for pension Is based upon the al
legation that his disease or the heart was the
suit or fatigue and overheattng at Bull Rum Va,
July q, 1851. AS to Bryant, the President says
the man never did a single days actual military
service at the 'front.' ever left In such service
the state (Matne) In which be was enlisted; that
the surgeons certificate shows that Bryant was
discharged for disability occasioned "by q falI
from Q wagon while at home on furlough"
NOTES
Speaker Carlisle missed the train yesterday af.
ternoOn and will not be able to get TO Lexington,
KY, in time to meet his engagement to make =
speech at the democratic rally"
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