Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-09-14
LIGHTING THE CITY.
Annual Report Of the Superintendent Of
Lamps.

Annual Report Of the Superintendent OF
| Lamps.
KLEcTRIc LIGHTS, GAS LAMPS AND OIL LANPs-
SHADE TREES WHICH oBsTRUcT THE LOOT
RECOMMENDATIONS As TO STREET LIeHTINa-
ESTIMATES FOB THE NEXT FISCAL YEAh.
The annual report Of the superintendent Of
lamps, Mr.. Harrison, has been submitted to
the Engineer Commissioner. The receipts
from all sources on account Of street lighting
amounted to s136, 961. 80 and the expenditures
to S136, 294. Al. During the year 372 new gas
lamps were erected at q cost Of %, 02AsA
The lamps erected in the different sections
were as follows: Northwest, I'll; northeast, 81;
southeast, 10; southwest, 81; Georgetown, IL;
suburban roads and streets, 49,
OIL LAMPS FoR ALLEYS
The report says that the experiment Of light
ing streets, alleys and suburban roads in which
gas mains have not been laid with oil lamps
has been tried during the year with
the most gratifying success. One
hundred and ninety oil lamps were erected
and maintained under a contract with the
Wheeler reflector light company and have
been made for their introduction in other Sec
tons OF the District still nnsupplied with gas.
The expense of erecting these lamps is small,
while the great benefit derived from their use
fully justifies their further introduction in I'M
lighted localities. S694.50 was deducted from
the bills of the various companies
under contract for lighting the
streets on account of failure of service.
The following shows the increase in the num-
Der Of lamps in service: New lamps, 49, re-
lighted during the year, 20, discontinued dur
ing the year, 224; increase over last year, PSI.
ELECTRIC LIGHTING
The number Of electric lights in service on
July 1, 1888, was 105, the number in service
June 80, 1885, was III. Thereport says that the
company will have all its wires under ground
~ September 80, 1889, and MIR. Harrison
recommends that the company be directed to
remove all its overhead lines and surplus poles
after that date.
The number Of gas lamps maintained under
contract by the District of Columbia is 4,941;
oil lamps. 1877; electric arc lamps, III. Total,
$685. The report calls attention to the urgent
necessity OF increasing the hours of street
lighting from $500 to 8, 200 hours.
INTERFERENCE BY SHADE TREES.
During the summer season the density Of the
shade trees interferes very seriously with the
street lamps at all times, but if storm arises
suddenly during the hours in which the moon
Is relied on for light the streets left in utter
darkness. Frequent complaints are made by
citizens OF this evil, but. under the circum-
stances, no improvement can be made.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
Mr.. Harrison says that it seems to him that
the District government should have some
power to compel the gas companies to lay
mains on such streets as it may desire to im-
prove and light and also control the size Of
such mains. Many streets in Georgetown are
supplied with gas through one-inch pipes,
which are totally inadequate for the service
required. He recommends, further, that
map be prepared showing the ex-
act location of all mains and public
lamps and that the gas companies be
required to report the exact location
OF any proposed new mains. He says, further,
that there are many streets on which the pub
lie lamps have been located at too great dis
lance from each other and this evil should be
remedled by Encouragement of the lamps.
The rapid growth of the city and the extern
sion OF suburban roads will require the erec-
ton Of much larger number Of lamps during
the fiscal year 1S9O-1891 than ever before and
the following estimates based upon such
contemplated increase and present contract
prices for materials:
THE ESTIMATES.
Maintenance Of 5000 street lamps s11200O;
maintenance Of 600 new street lamps, $4,000;
purchase of 600 lamp posts, $500; purchase
and oil, 5000; painting lamp posts and
lanterns and the purchase Of street designa-
tions, 1880. Total, sl3l, 900.
In conclusion he says that the number Of
electric lights contracted for for the year
1s89-90 is ISL. In consequence Of an error in
engrossing the appropriation bill it was neces-
sary to cut off thirteen lights on Z street,
10th street west, 18th street west
and 32d street west, in order
to relight part of the electric lights on the
south side OF Pennsylvania avenue between LIST
and 18th. Should these lights be again started,
with nine still unlighted on the south side of
Pennsylvania avenue between LIST and 18th
streets, the number of lights to be provided for
in 1880 and 1891 will be 203.
The amount required for this service will be
S4i.557, exclusive Of the necessary expenses of
inspection. making total for street lighting
for 189O-1891 of S176,157.
Go TO BALTIMORE VIA THE BALTIMORE AND
OHIo.-The only 45-minute line to the Monu-
mental City. Twenty-four trains, of which six
are 45minute express trains, leave Baltimore
and Ohio station, one square from the Capitol.
Round trip during exposition week, $12O.