Evening star., 1896-03-16


electric lighting Of Washington involved
| in the application Of the Potomac Electric
Light and Power Company to extend Its
wires through the city.
Attorney Redington's Remarks.
Attorney J. K. Redington, representing
the United States Electric Light Company,
addressed the committee. He said he had
been connected with the company for four
or five years in a legal capacity. He de-
sired to speak upon the legal questions Of
the case rather than upon technical mat
ters. AS he understand the bill, it is a
proposition to admit to the District a new
company. with new apparatus, involving
radical change from existing affairs
Chairman Babcock Interrupted with the
suggestion that the Potomac Company was
not new one. but one already established.
Mr.. Redington maintained that it was a
new company to all intents and purposes
and he would attempt to show it.
Mr.. Hulick said MIR. Redington would
fall short in his arguments unless he could
show that the Potomac Company would
not operate to the advantage OF the citizens.
That was the point in which the committee
was interested.
What the United States Company Has
Done.
Mr.. Redingto1 reviewed the history of
electric lighting in this city. The United
States Electric Light Company was organ
lied with capital stock of 100000 paid
in, and proceeded with the work of ex-
tending an electric light plant. The capi-
tai stock was afterward increased, but
in every case the stock was paid up In
cash, dollar for dollar. From its Organi-
zation 1t has never passed out of the
hands of Washington men. The stock
AMOUNTS to $1.06S,OOO. All except per
cent is cwEed by local people. From every
point of view, therefore, it Is local in
n
with the company he had never heard a
complaint against the service or the price
charged, except where Congress has inves-
tigated the price of lights the public
streets. In advance of the requirements
of public sentiment the company COM
menced laying it's wires underground. The
position of the company has from the
start been pioneer in the underground
conduit system believing that every wire
in the District should go underground and
| 1t has only been question how 1t should
be done. Prior to 1883 the company had
fifty miles of underground wire. which
cost $25O.OOO. When Congress finally pass
| ed an act requiring all wires to go under
ground the company had half million
dollars invested in underground wires. At
the present time the company has not
more than four miles of overhead wires
left. These wires are all old wires in the
heart of the city. namely, street.
from 9TH to 15th. AS to this line, the
company has asked permission to put the
wires underground, but had been refused
by the Commissioners
The company Is not only willing but
anxious TO put every overhead wire in the
city underground" said Mr.. Redngton
The Attorneys Contention.
In the course of the discussion Chairman n
Babcock observed that Mr.. Redington
seemed to hold that his company, by reason
OF recognition of Congress in appropriation
acts, had been virtually granted a vested
charter by Congress-
Mr. Redington admitted that such was
his contention. Furthermore, Mr.. Reding-
ION insisted. his company has the exclusive
rlgnt to lay electric light wires At this
point Mr.. Redington digressed to make a
statement relative to the Potomac Com
pany. ~
This Potomac Electric Company has had
tne actVe, partisan assistance and support
OF at least tive OF the Commissioners from
the very Start" said Mr. Redington
DO you mean there is anything improper
In that support" asked Mr. Hulick.
,,,a VIII leave that for the committee to
ln1er when l have finished replied Mr..
Redington. Continuing, he said his com.
pahy mad met the opposition of the Commits
Slohers at every turn, based ostensbly upon
Judge Bingham's recent decision
In the course Of mis- argument Mr. Red,po
ton cited what he said was case in noint
When TIE Metropolitan Railway Comnanw
desired to lay it's underground trolley alonS
r street northwest it was necessary for the
NASSS 1icCtIiC Light COMPANY to
sink its cross -conduits below the Level Of the
faliWay eonduits. At present these cross
sections have hand-hole at the end to ger
at the wires. If the conduits were sum,
6wer 1t would be necessary to have man
holes. The Commissioners refused to allow
the construction of man-holes. Then it was
suggested by the Engineer Commissioner
that instead of sinking the cross-sections.
| another conduit might be laid on the opposite
side of the street. To this the company
readily agreed, and suggested that the over
head wires on F street could be laid in this
trench. thus clearing street
10 this proposition the Commissioners OBJ
Jected, basing their objections on Judge
| Bnghams decision, although they had the
still had the full power to grant the permit
At this point the hearing was adjourned
| to be resumed upon day to be named later
| in the week.