The morning times., 1896-11-15
MORE TALK ON MONDAY
Elec ric Light Case Arguments
Wsre Not Finished.
MIR. TRUESDELL WAS SCORED
Attorneys Recalled the Wire Meas-
urement Used by Him in His Re.
port-Major POwelfs Change Of
Heart in the Famous Permit
Authority OF the Commissioners.

Argument in the electric light injunction
case, being heard by Judge Cole, was not
completed yesterday as was expected. In
fact, il is only haif finished.
Mr.. Redngton continued his argument
throughout the afternoon, following out the
points as tuthe status OF The United states
Company as created by Congressional en-
actment.
He continued his reference to the acts
OF 1858, IsS9, 1890, and contended that
the act of 1891, authorizing the construc-
ton of but five miles of conduit, showed
that Congress knew unat the CoIninissiohets
had no general authority before the act OF
lSsS. but granted them jurisdiction WITHIN
the limited time of the legislative act OF
1891, after which time the Commissioners
would have general jurisdiction unless Con-
gress should mea antime make different leg's-
lation.
To show that the Commissioners had
no authority before the act or 1891, Mr..
Redington stated that the Commissioners
ut the time Of giving the contract to the
United States Company for the live miles OF
conduit themselves decided that the contract
was given under the act OF 1891, and not
under the inherent right Of their power.
as u municipality.
PowELL'S CHANGE OF MIND.
At that time Mr.. Ross and Ma jor Powell
were members of the Board of Commits,
sioners Since that time Major Powell
has declared an opposite opinion, while
Mr. Ross has maintained his original po-
sition.
Mr. Redington scored the answer of
Ma jor Powell and Mr.. Truesdell and char
acterized a certain part of it as incorrect
and false.
The bal of complaint of the United
States Company alleged that originally it
had fifty-fiye miles OF wire in existence
in the District, but has put underground
fifty-one miles, and now has in existence
only about four miles OF poles and wire
overhead.
Major Powell and Mr.. Truesdcll, with
the purpose of showing the incorrectness
OF this statement, alleged in their answer
that by report from their inspector they
were able 10 state that at the present
time the United States Company controlled
siXty-siX miles OF overhead wire.
1t was thought that this would be q
material point in showing how untruth-
full the United States Company could be.
WAS A BOOMERANG.
1t proved a boomerang, however when
Mr.. kedinStop explained To the court yes-
terday afternoon tn at wire was never
measured of itself but the distance over
which The poles extended. A duct or
conduit one square long, might contain
stNtidi VI " IL anu ~ aS jese '''iS
way that the Commissioners had replied.
The siXty-SiX miles of wire referred to
the multiplication of the wires, by which
scheme OF counting it was sought to con-
tradict the United States Company, which
in its statement referred only to miles Of
pole or street miles of wire.
Mr. Redingion having concluded about
8 O'Clock Judge Jere Wilson suggested
that an adjournment be taken until Mon
day Judge Cole consent cd and early
Monday Mr.. A S. Worthington Will close
for the Commissioners. Counsel had not
left the courtroom when Commi ssioner
Trucsdell appeared and held consulta-
ton with Messrs. Darlington and Worth
ington.