Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-05
THE ELECTRICAL COMMISSION,
All the Members in the Ctty-Their Plan
Not Yet Formulated,


Mr.. Andrew Rosewater of Omaha, Neb., and
Lieut.. Francis R. Skunk Of the engineer corps
of the army arrived in this city last night and
are registered at the Riggs. They are mem
| bers Of the electrical commission that was
appointed last October by the President
in accordance with q provision of the
District appropriation act. Prof. Row
land of Johns Hopkins, the third men,
Der of the commission, arrived here at noon,
and later in the day meeting was held for the
purpose of organizing and looking over the
ground that must be covered by the commits
sion in the performance of the duties for
which it was appointed.
with public works, as he is the surveyor Of the
city Of Omaha, and the other two members of
the commission are noted electricians.
CALL AT THE DISTRICT BUILDING.
This morning the two members of the COM
mission who first arrived in the city called at
the District building and spent some little time
with the Engineer Commissioner, Col Robert,
and his assistants, Capt Rossen and Capt
Lusk.
Mr.. Rosewater told STAR reporter this
morning that it was impossible to say just yet
what course of work the commission would be-
gin with and how they would 20 about their
work. 1t would first be necessary for the
members Of the commission to get acquainted
with each other and to formally organize
before anything definite could be said. The
duties OF the commission are largely Of an
advisory nature, az they have no executive
powers. They are given until the LIST Of next
December to complete their work and TO send
their report to the President for transmission
to Congress.
WHAT TIE CONFUSION Is TO coNsrpKR.
The commission is to consider the location,
-
wires in the District Of Columbia for all pur-
poses, with view to securing - soon O. prac-
ticable the construction OF q safe and convent
ent system Of condnits or subvsys, the placing
therein Of all necessary electric wires along the
streets and other public places, and the re-
moval OF all overhead wires and their SUP
ports.
WHAT Irs REPORT Will COVER
It ID provided that in their report they shall
make certain points bearing on the various
branches of the topic. First there shall bs
recommendations for . complete system Of
subwsys. with all suitable branches, &C.,
s %ssaa y nsp. dss a;a; and sss-
whether the subways should be built, owned
and operated BY private corporations or indi-
viduals, or constructed and maintained by
public authority and leased; II the latter the
terms and conditions of such leases are to be
mendations concerning the construction.
location, operation and maintenance
Of underground cables and current
conductors. with . view to promoting the
public safety and 10 secure the most convenieut
and efficient service. There shall be notes ppcu
the restrictions that are to DO imposed BY law
upon the character and intensity Of the currents
and also upon the arrangement and use Of the
authorized wiresL
A bill now pending before Congress WIN, Il
passed, increase the duties and responsibilities
Of the commission, - il calls upon them also
to report on the matter Of electric wires.
lighting, &C., for private houses.