Evening star., 1897-01-06
ELECTRIC LIGHT CONTRACTS
They Are Evidently to Be Fought at
Every Step.
ResOlation introduced In the Senate
Today Against Tearing Up
the Streets.

The contention over the electric light con-
tracts for the District Of Columbia is still
under way and constantly new evidence Is
being given that the right of the Potomac
Electric Light Company to come east Of
Rock creek will be contested as long as
there seems to be the least probability that
that company can be defeated in any effort
to extend the territory over which 1t may
operate in the District.
Senator Chandler gave notice in the Sen
ate this afternoon of an amendment that
he would propose to the District of Colum-
bia appropriation bill. which reads as fol-
lows:
That to secure time for inquiry as to the
actual meaning Of the provisions concern
ing electric arc lighting contained in the
District of Columbia appropriation act OF
June IL. 1896, and for legislation to enforce
the same it is hereby made unlawful for
any electric light company or it's officers or
agents acting under any authority Whatso-
ever to open any pavements or sidewalks
in the streets avenues In the city OF
Washington east of Rock creek for the
purpose of placing conduits for wires there-
in until further legislation on the subject
shall be enacted by Congress.
This proposition is in line with the reso-
lutions introduced in the Senate by Mr..
Gallinger Of New Hampshire and Mr.. Cock
rell of Missouri, the resolution introduced
by the latter having been accepted by Mr.
The Cockrell resolution provides that the
Commissioners of the District "are hereby
requested not to permit the said Potomac
Light and Power Company to open any
streets, roads, avenues or alleys in the Dis
trict of Columbia for the purpose of laying
conduits. therein for lighting the streets
and parks as provided in said contracO
until SOME definite action is taken by Con-
gress regarding the construction of said
general subway system and that the said
Commissioners and the commissioner of
public buildings and grounds are request
ed in view of the great importance of hav-
ing the parks, streets and avenues as thor
oughly lighted as possible before the Dis
trtct becomes crowded with people to wit
Eess the Inauguration of the President-eiect
March f. 1897, in order to afford protection
TO life and property, to issue permits to the
United States Electric Lighting Company
for the erection of temporary poles in the
parks streets and alleys of the District
upon which to string electric wires"
Mr.. Cockrelrs resolution was referred to
the committee on the District of Columbia
and that committee will have a hearing
upon II at o'clock tomorrow afternoon
when the Commissioners of the District
Will be present as well officials Of the
two electric light companies involved in
the controversy, so that the whole subject
may be gone over.
Mr.. COckrells Resolution.
Mr.. Cockrell introduced in the Senat, this
afternoon joint resolution which pro-
vides:
That until definite action is taken by
Congress regarding the construction of
general subway system in the District of
Columbia it shall be unlawful to open any
streets, avenues or alleys in said District
1or the purpose of laying electric wires
cables or conduits therein excepting in the
extension of the existing electric light
service within the territorial limits specified
In the act of June IL, 1896.
Provided. however, that N cases where
tie public interests shall in the opinion Of
the Commissioners of the District of CO.
lUmbia require an Immediate extension of
existing services permits may be issued
thcrefer, and also for all necessary house
connections to the United States Electric
Lighting Company In the territory living
east of Rock creek, and to the Potomac
Light and Power Company In the territory
lying west of Rock creek'' - -