Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-07-13
STREET LIGHTING
Potomac Electric Company's Bid
Cannot Be Accepted.
COMMISSIONERS CONSIDER AFFAIRS
Provisional Acceptance Of the Gas
Company's Bid.
ELECTRICITY IN GEORGETOWN

The contention of President Thomas of
the United States Electric Lighting Com
pany, that the Commissioners had no power
to accept the bid of the Potomac Electric
Light Company to light the city, has been
| upheld by the attorney for the District
Several days ago 1t was stated that the
Commissioners had accepted the proposal
of the Potomac company for incandescent
electric light, and as the bid submitted by
that company covered all OF the streets of
the city, it was thought that incandescent
lights would be substituted for the gas
lamps. But such was not the case as
! pointed out at the time In The Star. The
Commissioners could only accept a con-
tract for incandescent lights by the Po-
tomac company for that territory west of
Rock creek. Existing legislation prohibited
of Rock creek, and the opinion OF Judge
Bingham prevented 1t from lighting any
lamps by means of overhead wires.
There was a great desire on the part OF
the Commissioners to bring about a cempe-
tition In the electric lighting business. and
the attorney for the District was consulted
several times concerning their jurisdiction
In the premises. He decided in the first
instance that the Potomac company had no
right or authority to light "A street, should
contract be awarded to 1t, and today held,
In an opinion to the Commissioners that
they were without authority to accept the
Potomac companys bid.
Important Matter.
There was an executive meeting of the
beard Of Commissioners this morning upon
this subject, and the doors leading to their
sanctum were locked. The attorney for the
District was summoned before them and
the subject Of street lighting was immedi-
ately taken up. This is perhaps the most
important subject that has come before the
commissioners during the year. 1t means
II the Commissioners have the power,
new light for the streets. avenues and al
ieys or the city: The bid of the Potomac
Company was broad in It's scope and a
direct challenge for all public lighting Its
bid for lncandescent lights was $50 per
lamp per year. and as this is the price paid
the gas company for gas lamps. it will be
seen at a glance that the object of the bid
Is 10 suppiant the gas lamps.
NO one denies a certain anxiety on the
part OF the Commissioners to bring about
street lighting. Their hands are practically
tied In the gas lighting matter. This was
demonstrated a few days ago, when the
commissioners We're forced to accept the
DID or the gas company based upon speci-
hcations drawn by the company. The Com
missloners' specifications were totally ig-
nored. The United States Electric Lighting
Company submitted bid, based upon the
to be paid.
His Opinion.
Inc hearing this morning was attended
by the three Commissioners and the attor-
ney Tor the District. Major Powell called
the subject up, it is understood and ex-
planned the conditions. The attorney was
asked 1t is stated, what action he had
taken regarding their request for an opin
ION upon the question whether they had
me risht 10 award contract to the Poto-
mac Electric Company for street Upbt;ny
east OF Rock creek The attorney replied
IL Is understood, that he had given the mat
Ter MS careful attention and consideration
ana mad come to the conclusion that nv
reason OF the wording of the clause re,st.
ing to street lighting in the current an
preparation bill, the Commissioners couli
tio. accept It's bid. nor award 1t contract
TOT lighting east of Rock creek
II was stated later that the opinion of the
attorney Tor the District, after being read
oy the commissioners. was returned IT,
that ofncial, together with a brief filed ty
me Ioto1nac company, setting forth why ii
should receive the contract The attorney
was requested to examine the matter 90 ra
lily, ana submit supplemental opinion
The Commissioners refused to discnss
the matter with a reporter of The Star
When applied to for information concerninp
the secret hearing. Major Powell said
mere Is nothing new. We have granted
contract to the Potomac company for
lighting west of Rock creek with arv lishta
Inc matter Of the contract for lighting the
streets with electricity east of Rock creek
Is under consideration
ms afternoon permit was granted the
Potomac company to lay underground con-
Quits west of Rock creek as follows: M
street from Aaueduct bridge to Rock creek
32d street from NJ to o street; 33d street
from NJ to the property 81 the Chesapea
and Ohio Canal Company.
Later in the day the Commissioners wrote
letter to President John r. Mclean of the
gas light company notifying him that the
Commissioners would accept his bid for
lighting the streets Of the city at $40 per
lamp per annum. provided he would agree
to their specifications. The specifications
submitted with the letter. it Is understood
are much simpler than those upon which
bids were originally asked.