Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-01-19

New York had not given the members an
opportunity to explain it, He said that the
matter would be explained in due time
He said he did not intend to explain it at
present. He said Mr.. Hill could make his
speech in his own time, but he objected to
having him impute dishonorable motives to
the members of the committee who had re-
ported this resolution. He said he hoped
that Mr.. Hill in this regard would keep
strictly within the rules of the Senate.
Mr.. Hill replied that he did not think it
would violate any rule Of the Senate if
some member of the committee would ex-
plain wherein the potomac company was
violating the law. He then produced an
argument that had been made before the
committee and had been printed This ar
gument was by Col. A. T. Britton," as
Mr.. Hill said
"a man must ia colonel" said Mr.. Hill
nowadays. The colonel seems well aware
Of all the litigation that has been carried
On In the District courts"
Analyxfng Col. BrittOn's Brief.
He went on to analyze Mr. Britton's brief,
with the remark that it laid great stress
to the fact that the people outside of the
District had come into competition with the
United States Electric Lighting Company,
which was owned by the people here, and
which was monopoly.
You must be one of the oldest inhabi-
tants, in order to compete for electric light
sons and daughters of the oldest residents
can enter into this competition"
Mr. Hill said he did not care to go into
the manner in which the hearings had been
conducted before the committee on the Dis
trict of Columbia, and he did not care 10
mention some of the things that he had
been told about those hearings He said
that Senator Harris. a member of the COM
mittee on the District of Columbia, was
opposed to the Cockrell resolution, and
would oppose it, but he had been kept away
from the Senate through the sickness of
his wife
He said the general impression had pre-
vailed that the report of the committee on
the District of Columbia had been unani-
nous, but he said that was far from the
case. Mr.. Hill continued to argue that he
did not believe in bringing all the details
relating to the management of the affairs
of the District of Columbia before Con-
gress. and he thought it much better to al
low the Commissioners discretionary pow
ers He said the Commissioners were men
of ability. capacity and honesty. He then
asked to know what bill had been intro
duced in Congress relating to subways,
directing his question to Mr.. Faulkner.
Mr.. Faulkner replied that the records of
the Senate would show the proceedings,
and that the senator from New York could
investigate for himself. Mr.. Faulkner said
that the senator from New York should
assume that distinguished senator as
Mr.. Cockrell would not introduce the resolu-
ton that bore his name without being
aware of the things he stated as facts in
that re solution.
Senator Tillmnn Breaks In.
Senator Tillman broke In the debate and
asked whether the company that was now
seeking to operate east of Rock creek could
do private lighting. He said that for one
he would like to have electric light in his
house in place of the sinking gas he
now has to endure.
Mr.. Hill replied that he understood that
the Potomac company did not now seek to
interfere with the monopoly for doing pri-
v&te lighting that was, enjoyed by the
United States company.
Then we can buy electricity only Of one
company" asked Mr.. Tillrnan.
The senator has reached IAN accurate
conclusion very quickly replied Mr.. Hill,
"aS Is his CUSTOM"
Mr. Hill went on to say that it would
not do to indorse the sentiment that only
people living in the District of Columbia
could compete for work here, and referred
to the people of the District as "exclu-
sive." He said there should be competi-
ton rot only in the electric lighting busI-
ness, bur in the furnishing of gas.
The morning hour having expired the
Senate proceeded to the consideration of
the Nicaraguan canal bill Mr.. Hill re-
marking that he would suspend his re-
marks until tomorrow.
1t is understood that the electric light
discussion will consume the morning hour
tomorrow and that Mr.. Tillman will speak
against the Cockrel resolution.
A Petition Against 1t.
Senator Mcmillan presented to the Senate
a petition signed by Herbert M. Locke and
800 other citizens of the District in oppo-
sition to the passage of the Cockrell reso-
lutions as to electric lighting.
Tillman to Talk.
Senator Tillman proposes to take lively
hand in the electric light fight and will
probably be heard from in the Senate to-
morrow.