Evening star., 1896-08-07
ELECTRIC LIGHT CONTRACT
What Major Powell Says as to the Commis-
sioners' Action.
Telephone Service Dfnercnt-An In
junction by the United States
Company Likely.

The usual calm after a storm prevailed at
the District building today. After the tur-
n,oil of yesterday. the office wore a peace
full aspect. Perhaps this was due to the
absence of Commissioner Truesdell who
left last evening for Deer Park, to be gone
over Sunday. Bright and early this morn
Ing Maj. Powell tlrned up. and looked
much benefited from his sea trip. He went
at once to work When approached by a
| reporter of The Star this morning upon the
electric light contract the major stopped
| work and leaned back in his chair. He had
before him Col. Truesdells majority report
on the lighting of the parks. He said, in
answer to a question. that he had not yet
signed the report. In fact, he had not even
read 1t. There was nothing new to add, he
said, to what had already been printed IN
The Star The case had been fully covered,
and his motion which was approved bv
Commissioner TruesdelI at the board meet
ing Wednesday evening, gave his views
He would add. however, by way of expla-
nation. that 1t was the fundamental law of
the District that all public works which
aggregated in cost over 81 900 should be
advertised for, and let to the lowest bid
ger Ihere was no doubt on this point, as
far as he was concerned. 1t was plain
law, and admitted Of no other construction
Telephone Service Different.
Maj. Powell asked if competition was in
Niteu oii Inc telepnOIe service. He replied
that an offer had been received by an out
side company. but the contract for the SER
vice rendered the District by the Chess
peake and Potomac Telephone Company
had been awarded to that company 1t
was different in this case, he said, because
II was we'll Known that there was only one
telepnone company. Congress, however he
thought, never intended to grant a mo-
hopoly to any company. The case of the
Of pffx.
from any other case. This was the first
year that there had ever been more than
one bid received for the work. In fact
this year only one regular formal bid was
received, and that was the bid of the Po-
tCmac company.
President Thomas of the United States
company was an early caller at the Dis
trict building. He declined 10 he inter
viewed on the subject adding that the case
would work itself out in little while
IL Is understood that an injunction will
be taken out tomorrow by the United
states Electric Lighting Company to pro
hibt the Commissioners from Issuing !,
permit 10 the Potomac company to omen
the streets.
Yesterday afternoon as soon as the record
OF the case was made no time was lost In
furnishing a copy Of the Commissioners
order to the Potomac company A copy of
the order was printed in The Star Of yes
ttrdGy letter was also sent to Presi-
dent Thomas of the United States com
pany, as stated in The Star asking him ;f
iis company would enter into contract un-
der the Districts specifications for lightin,,
east OF ROCK creek with arc light, and also
maintain line of lights along II street
Tbs Commissioners were in q letter-Writ-
ing frame of mind, for before closing the
Office letter was indited to Col Wilson
iotifyins him OF the action of a majority of
'he toard ana stating permit would be
granted either of the electric lighting COM
Ianles to make the park connections.
Capt. Burr's Report.
The action of majority of the Commits
sioners upon the contract for electric light
ing east of Rock creek. was based as set
forth in the original motion of Major Pow
ell to accept the Potomac company's bid,
upon the report of Capt. Edward Burr the
assistant engineer commissioner, who has
the immediate charge Of street lighting
His report was made public for the first
time today. 1t SAYS:
Il have the honor to report that for fur
nishing and maintaining electric arc lamps
only one bid. that of the Potomac Electric
Power Company, was received. The United
States Electric Lighting Company declined
to bid for this service. The prices named
by the Potomac Electric Power Company
are S94-9O per lamp per annum in George
town, and 800 per lamp per annum for ex-
listing and additional lamps in Washington
east of Rock creek. These prices are reason
able and are considera bly, below the amount
authorized by the appropriation act. and
for which the United States Electric Light
ing Company offers to continue the lighting
during the present fiscal year. 1t is recon-
mended that the contract be awarded the
Potomac Electric Power Company for cleo
trio arc lamps in Washington west of Rock
creek, as may be reached by such under
ground connections the Commissioners
may deem that they are empowered to au-
thoriZe under existing legislation with re-
gard to underground conduits, at the prices
| named in their bid-s1OO per annum These
contracts should take effect at such time as
its underground conduits completed so as
to do the lighting entirely by underground
wires