Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-23
ELECTRIC. LIGHT PROTEST
A Sharp Letter From the Company to
the commissioners ~
The Law Calls for a Certain Sum
Per Lamp, Says the
...- President.

The District appropriation act fer the
current fiscal Year Provides a specific SUN
for electric street lighting, with this pro-
viso: THAT not more than 40 cents per
night be paid for any electric arc light
burning every night from sunset to s,In-
rise" This is 10 cents per lamp less than
the amount which Congress previously APP
+propriated.
Some time ago Capt. Powell set about
to reduce further the price to be paid for
electric light. He argued that there was
period just before sunrise that was un-
necessarily lighted. as there also was con-
siderable time after sunset. and before
dark, that lighting could be dispensed
with. 50 he accordingly issued an order
to the street lighting department to notify
the electric lighting company that here
after it should light according to a sched-
uie 10 be furnished by the department.
This brought a storm of objection from the
electric company.
This afternoon the president OF. the COM
pany' Mr.. A. A. Thomas. wrote the follow
subject:
ITO the END that the matter may be
definitely settled, / have to say that 1t is
the desire of the company to have from
board. positive and definite statement az to
what contract 1t will enter into with the
company and upon precisely what terms.
This Is desired in writing in order that
ing on the subject. ,.., s. Sod. --:. g.
In this connection 1t is proper that the
boaD should clearly understand certain
points in the position Of the company. from
recede.
Il. The provision of law found in this
appropriation act Is positive ascertain
ment by Congress of the number of hours
VI N no lnv htrr nd xfl hn
price for which that service must be paid.
1t covers every hour from sunset to sun
rise, and that service Is to be paid for at
the rate OF 40 cents a night: The provision
Is plain expression OF legislative viii.
which neither the company nor the board
is at liberty to disregard.
80 The price of ~ cents per night was
established by Congress. after full con-
sideration. as the utmost reduction whio h
could be made and yet leave the company
any margin whatever Of profit.
Third. The pretense upon which this is
sought to be done. viz: The so-called neces-
ing for them will not Justify the action pro-
posed. II the board desires additional
lights. plain business principles require
that 1t shall pay for them at the rate fixed
by the statute. II the appropriation be in
sufficient for this purpose. 1t would seem to
be the duty Of the board to remedy the de-
feet In subsequent legislation rather than
levy tribute upon the company and de-
cents per night, which Congress has fixed.
Fourth. The company denies absolutely
all right and power in the Commissioners
to dictate to It'll terms upon which 1t will
furnish electrlse current. 1t must In any
event be a puEe matter Of contract. No
service can be forced upon the company
which 1t does not desire. and 1t cannot be
compelled to render service at a loss to Its
STOCKHOLDERS.
III the CONTRACT Is 10 be made 1t must be
drawn in conformity to the statute, and
not otherwise. Congress has placed in the
hands Of the Commissioners money for the
purpose of executing such a contract, and
has fixed the hours o{ service and the price
to be paid Unaer these circumstances no
power whatevey, exists In the Commission
ers to shorten tie hours Of service or to re-
adjust the price to be paid by any such
criterion or by any criterion of additional
lamps to be erected and maintained"
. Continuing, the LITTER. states that the
electric company IS Sincere In Its desire 70
avoid controversy a fepid to prevent the dis
continuance Of the present public service,
and Is willing tUenter into a contract with
the board for rS1Gced, hours of service al
the rate Of 80 cents per lamp per night
the Commissioners, however, to assume
the responsibility for the reduction in the
hours Of service.