Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-10
OF LOCAL INTEREST
DISTRICT Measures Considered IN Both
= Branches Of Congress.
A new GAS BILL INTRODUCED
Some important Provisions That
Are Embodied in 1t.
DISTRICT DAY TOMORROW

An important bill has been introduced in
the House by Mr.. Circuit, chairman of the
subcommittee, as an outcome of the strik-
ing out of the clause in the District ap-
preparation bill granting competition in bid
ding for the electric lighting of the city.
The bill authorizes the Potomac Light and
Power Company, an existing corporation,
to extend it's wires so as to enter into COM
petition.
The bill provides, first, that all Of the
construction which may be done under au-
tbority of this act shall be, in regard to
engineering features, under the supervision
of the Commissioners of the District of
Columbia.
No overhead wires shall be erected by the
company within the limits of the city of
Washington. In that part of the District
of Columbia not included in the city of
Washington the District Commissioners
may, at their discretion, grant permits for
the construction of overhead or under
ground lines.
In the case of the erection of an over
head or pole line, provisions shall be made
for the erection of at least four wires, for
which the pole right shall be given without
charge to the Commissioners of the District
of Columbia, to be used by them for the
erection of such wires as may be employed
in the public telegraph, telephone messen-
ger or fire alarm service. In the case of
the construction of underground conduits
along any streets Of the city of Washing
ton, or streets or roads outside of the city
OF Washington, the Commissioners in
granting permits for such construction,
may require the company to provide an
additional duct at least four square inches
in cross section, which duct may be used
without charge to and at the discretion of
the District Commissioners for the laying
therein Of the public telephone, telegraph
mes Senger or hre alarm service wires.
AGhifinnoI n-o<. Me-
One of the most important sections of the
bill is the one which provides as follows:
THE District Commissioners may also re-
quire the building of additional ducts be-
ytnd those strictly required by the COM
parry, and in number not exceeding ten;
such additional ducts to be subject to
rental by other authorized parties who may
from time to time be named by the Com
mlssioners of the District of Columbia to
the company owning such ducts, SUCH
rental to be on basis of per centum
az nually on the cost of said ducts, the
nalntenaI ce OF the same 10 De at the ex-
Pc use of the lessee
The Commissioners of the District in
granting such permits, may also require
that the company shall cooperate in the
construction of the same with any other
party or parties who, by authority of law
may De empowered at the same time to lay
eieotrlc conduits on the same street, such
cooperation to be to the end that all such
parties shall lay their ducts in the same
trench.
1t is stipulated that as a condition of the
rlsnt to the continuous use of any such
ducts as may be constructed under author
lily of this act shall be that the company to
winch the rights granted by this act are
conveyed, Or the assigns or successors of
such company, shall, at any time within
thirty days from the date of demand made
by the commissioners of the District of
Columbia for the supply, along the streets
IN which said ducts may be made of are
hshts of not less than one thousand actual
candle power under a contract for one year
or more, enter into, and faithfully execute
srch contract, at prices not exceeding 800
per year for each lamp burning all night
ana every night between sunset and sun
rise.
right to use the said ducts by the company
named in this act shall be that the said
company, IT'S assigns or successors, shall
at all times furnish, on due demand, and to
all private or public pure hasers having
proper facilities to use the same electric
current for the generation of light, heat or
power, and at rates at least 10 per centum
less than those generally charged in the
city of Washington during the month Of
December, 1895. 1t being understood that
the rates here meant are the regular rates
proportional according to the amount CT
current used, and not special contract rates.
Territory to he Used.
The authority given for the erection of
overhead or the construction Of under
ground lines, and the operation of the
same, shall extend territorially, as follows:
(a) 10 all streets and roads along which
no existing lines of any other electric light
company may now be established.
(b) Along such streets as may be occu-
pied by the company as the result of sue
cessful competition for the furnishing of
lights to the public authorities.
t0 Along such other streets. or parts of
streets, In the city of Washington on or
over which there may be, one year from
the date of this act, overhead lines of any
electric light company.
I'D Along any streets parts of streets,
whether now provided with electric light
conduitS or overhead wires provided own
ers of majority in value of the real estate
fronting on such streets or parts of streets
shall petition to the Commissioners of the
District OF Columbia for the establishment
therein of the conduits and electric service
of the company named in this act
1t IS provided that the conduits, which
may be constructed under authority of this
aet, snail be held by the owners thereof
subject to the right of purchase by the
proper public authorities and for the pub
lie ownership, at figures that shall be CAL
culated In the following manner: The origi-
nal cost OF the conduits to be taken as
basis, to this per centum per annum dur
ing the time when they may not have been
rented shall be added to the proportionate
cost of all ducts which have been built in
or owners and at the demand of the Dis
trict Commissioners. In case of disagree
ment between the owners and the public
officers acting under authority of law in the
matter of such purchase, such differences
shall be submitted to the Supreme Court
of the District of Columbia, whose findings
shall be accepted az final by both parties.
Should such purchase be made, the original
owners to have the prior right over other
parties to the rental for O. period of fiftv
years or less of said ducts from the gov
eminent, at an annual rental eo1al to q
per ceatum on the cost of said ducts to the
government. such prior right to subsist for
the term of ninety days after the date of
purchase by the government
More Permission for Gas Pines.
Mr.. Babcoek has INTRODUCED a bill in the
House. by request, providing that the Com
missioners of the District of Columbia be
authorized to grant to the Pintsch Com
pressing Company. corporation organized
under the laws of the state of New Jersey.
and having plant located in square 269 in
said city, permission to lay pipes for the
distribution of the gas manufactured at its
plant for the purpose of furnishing light to
railway postal mail cars and the gas buovs
of the United States lighthouse board in the
following named streets in Washington. to
wit: From the works or plant of said COM