Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-22

pany in this bill are .meager, yet large
enough, doubtless, to permit the satfsfac-
tory operation Of its electric lines within
the limited territory marked out IN the
hill. It will permit the execution of a con-
tract which latterfy has been prepared,
awaiting only such authority from Con-
gress, and which provides for the supply
ing to the Capital Traction Company pow
er from the station built by this company.
The contract with the lexington Railway
Company lapsed by reason of our inability
to reach them, but there Is little OF no
question of their readiness at any moment
to revive such contract, carrying as it does
a benefit direct and immediate to their
operations.
1.-The extension of these lines to Ecking-
ton will also permit the revival of the
lighting Of the streets of that district
which are now in darkness and which 1t
may be possible, even If appropriation be
tfnue to light from the small plant now
running in lexington. While the Ecking-
ton Railway Company is DESTROYS Of shut
ting down its plant, yet today the Potomac
company Is depending upon the lexington
company for the continuing of the lighting
business In that part Of the city. 1t is not
clear that in a plant so small. and operated
chiefly for railway purposes, 1t could ever
become permanently profitable to light the
streets and private houses in lexington
now depending wholly upon electricity Cor
oil as an alternative) for illumination.
1T will be noted that the bill as prepared
gives the right to conduit, for power
purposes only, to be built across the north
western portion of the city to the pump
ing station on U street. If this company
is permitted to reach this pumping station
1t can supplant the steam power with cleo
trio power that can save to the District
ABOUT cne-third of the operating expenses
of this plant
Attention is directed to the fact that
the class of business chiefly to be done in
the operations Of this bill is one not here
tofore attempted by the United States
Company or any other company In this
District. 1t is, in the opinion Of the COM
mlttee, important, since, as Is we'll known,
the suburban electric railways have in but
lew instances been able to earn operating
expenses, the chief drawback being the
expenses of the station.
or Interest to Anacostia.
1.-The committee is informed that agree
ments have been made between parties in
terested i'll the Potomac Company and par
ties interested in the Anacostia Company
during the months past, for furnishing
said railroad company with electric power.
In view of the fact that the Potomac
Company has incurred large expense In the
establishment of a first-class plant, and in
the running Of wires in the country dis
tricts outside of the city limits for the pur-
pose OF furnishing power to suburban rail-
ways and lights to country houses, under
authority that the District Commissioners
and the Potomac Company confidently be-
lieved they had the right to give to said
company, and the fact that this bill does
hot give authority to the Potomac Com
pany to invade any part of the territory
within the city Of Washington now occu-
pied by the United States Company, and
the additional fact that the suburban rail-
ways and the residences in the country will
be greatly benefited, the first by obtaining
their power more cheaply than they can
produce 1t, and the second by obtaining
electric lights, of which up to this time they
have been deprived, the committee does not
hesitate to recommend the passage of the
bill"