The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-09-12
TALK ABOUT LIGHT.
Aldermen Discuss the Much
Discussed Problem.
NEW SPECIFICATIONS WANTED.
DR.. kGibearse states the Electric Cens-
pays CA.e-Fre.ent Contract
TO Be Exseadea.


raenaed number OF amendments 70 the
specifications prepared by the board Of
pnbIie works and which are to goysrn the
contract for lighting the city for the COM
ing fiscal year. The chairman said that
the COMMITTEES had only bad time to 20
through about one-half the Specifications.
The result vas a motion for Joint meet
ing of.fhe light committee Of the two
houses to be he'd at 30 tomorrow after
noon. A number Of ordinances were
Passed and the ordinance ordering the
purchase Of FIRE hose, drafted in accord
ance with the report Of the COMMITTEES, was
turned down. Miller. Jordan, Dzulton and
elise voting against i.
The following communication was read
from the Union Electric Company:
at the request OF the joint committee
on street light of the council tfor the par
pose of securing sufficient time to advertise
for and secure bids for lighting the streets
Of the city for the ensuing year, the Union
Electric Company hereby sabmAts an offer
and agrees 10 costume Lighting che streets
Of the city OF Seattle at the same rate as
now charged under the present contract.
for period Of thirty days. or sixty days
from the date OF expiration of the present
contract. provided any legislation neces-
is enacted BY the city council
Anderson, as chairman of the committee
on lights. reported a number Of amend
menss to the specifications for lighting the
streets OF the city, in substance as follows:
THAT The service as adopted by The
council and presented to the board OF
public works shall not at any time be in
creased more than 10 per cent aud no in
crease after June unless under special
contract; that no discontinuance OF light
shall be ordered during the entire exist
ence OF the contract; that all new lamps or
changed lamps be suspended over street
intersections; TO strike the words they
shall be washed IS frequently as necessary:
that lneandescen: lamps can not be IN
creased more than 10 per cent of the nnIa-
Der contracted for and no increase shall be
made after June of the following year
unless specially contracted for; that light
ordered shall be erected in the shortest
possible time"
President kilhourne, of the Union Eiec-
trio Company. addressed the aldermen to
the effect that the specifications as pre-
scented were such as his company could
not possibly live up to without a heavy
loss. The company would cooperate with
the city in an effort to secure the lowest
possible results, but they must be
allowed to consult with the city as one
business man would consult another in a
business transaction; thea the best results
would accrue TO the city. He did not
want his company treated as If il was
composed of robbers. It's members were
well-known business men of integrity aud
standing. and all his company wanted was
to be protected in its pay ments and to pre-
vent the promiseuous changes of lights at
the discretion Of the council, which if
allowed TO be carried out would ruin any
company in existence. His company was
ready 10 furnish good Lights. bot it re-
CURED the protection that one business
arm had a right TO expect from another
business house. He wanted to bid In a
manner to give the most light for the
least money.
Compton said the council could not
throw too many safeguards around its
contracts, especially where such a large
amount of money was involved.
Dr. kilbourne was willing that all neces-
sary safeguards should be thrown around
city contracts, but these contracts should
not be hampered with specifications that
were OF no practical use or protection to
the city.
DR.. Jordan suggested that DR.. Kilbourne
should submit two propositions lone COW
ering the specifications as proposed by the
board of public works and another TO meet
the ideas of the Union Electric Company.
DR.. Kilbourne said his company would
gladly furnish its own specifications and
figures if the city would advertise for bids
on its own specifications.
motion was then passed that the light
committee of the aldermen should meet
the same committee from the house. and,
after a conference with the board OF public
works, report next Monday evening. The
joint COMMITTEES will meet at 80 p. m. to-
morrow.
The following ordinances were acted on !;
Franchise to Thomas Burke to lay wires
| TO furnish light, heat ana power; passed.
| passed.
Establishing grade of Willow street;
| passed.
Vacating Dyer avenue, from Depot
| street TO supplementary plat OF Pontins'
/ addition; passed.
Vacatlng deed from Margaret J. Pontius !;
| passed.
Authorizing issuing to George I. Wilson
/ a warrant In lieu OF fire fund warrant
/ issued 10 :. Baxter & Co. November Is,
/ 1891. for $sl7ss. which vas lost
Authorizing the purchase OF fro hose;
/ rejected. Miller, Jordan, DAuiton and elise
| voting no.
Authorizing The return Of sis 81 TO A..
| EermurIe on account Of music license re-
| yoked; passed.
Authorizing sale OF unclaimed property
/ IN police department; passed