The morning times., 1897-02-03
The Appropriation Bill Consid-
cred by the House.
THE ELECTRIC LIGHTING FIGHT
An Excited Debate on This Subject.
the Water Supply, Schools, Chari-
ties, and Old Claims Were Also
Discussed, But No Conclusion
Was Reached in Any Case,


was questioned by many members touch
ing certain items in the bill.
Mr.. McMillin said regarding the water
item that Congress should be very care
full about appropriating more money for
the Lydecker tunnel Mr.. Grout said that
in his opinion Congress would be derelict
in its duty ir it did not very soon extend
the water service of the city.
Touching the public school question, Mr..
Grout said the future needs OF the Dis
trict regarding Industrial training would
be met by the appropriation for the In
dustrial Home School, and would also do
away with the government contributing
to sectarian industrial schools. Regard.
ing charities, Mr., Grout said the com
mittee had recommended the approximation
OF a lump sum, the same amount as la ct
year, and placed the same under the con-
troll of the District Commissioners.
The charities paragraphs brought on a
discussion, especially upon the question
of re-enacting the provision made last wear
as to the distribution of the funds for the
care OF the sick Messrs. Grout, Raw and
several others took part Gen Grout, sun
ported by Mr.. Fitncy, of New Jersey, and
Mr.. Blue, OF Kansas, took the ground that
there was really no need to re-enact this
provision, us it had already been made a
permanent law. The paragraph was finally
passed over, to betaken up after other mat
ters have been agreed upon.
Wien the Guest on of electric lighting was
reached, Mr.. Pitncy made the statement
that the Appropriations Committee in
tended TO permit competition in electric
lighting. He sand the District Commits
s'ouers had for years been advertising for
electric light proposals to see if they
couldn't get rid OF the existing monopoly
The old company, so-tallCd, he stated, has
been in existence since 81 1t has had
a practical monopoly, and under it has
tot extended it's lines, has not shown any
enterprise, and has never reduced the
price except under CompulSion.
He ridiculcd the opposition to a new
COmpany's tearing up 1.-THE solid asphalt
of Washington The pavemcnts, he
said, would have to be opened for the ex-
tens on of the service of whichever of the
two companies the contract was awarded
There would be, therefore, no unnecessary
construction OF condutS
Mr.. Baker OF New Hampshire interrupted
Mr.. Pitney TO ask II Secretary Of War
Lamont was interested in the Potomac
company Mr. Pitney said he had no
means o: knowing but ADDED: Il am not
a stockholder in either company, and don't
know the stockholders i'll either company"
Mr.. Pitney entered into vigorous defense
of the Commissioners for, as he said, doing
r.,If.
gress in the matter OF the extension of
the Potomac company's conduits. He eX-
pressed his pleasure at seeing the United
States company enter the field He be
iieved that the new enterprise should be
encouraged Competition is Just as neces-
sary in electric lighting as in anything
else
Mr.. Baker referred to Mr.. Pitney's speech
as very peculiar statement and argument
He did lot believe that any member OF the
House knew three stockholders in either
company. The question is whether the
pavcmentS and streets have been cut up
to enable the new electric light company
to put down wires and extend its lines and
citizens thereby put to trouble and their
lives endangered. The complaint is that
one company has secured privileges over
another company. He did not understand
how any one could justify the action of
the Commissioners in allowing the new
company to dig up miles of streets, when
the old company only needed to cut up
three squares In order to light up all the
parks in the city.
Mr.. Mahan of Pennsylvania thought the
time had come in the history of this city
when the city should put in its own light
and water works plants and own and
operate them. He wanted to stop this ever
lasting digging up Of the streets of the
National Capital Mr.. Mahan said the
water works and lights in his city are
owned ny the city and they cost just about
one-half to the taxpayers as in other
cities. Mr.. Mahan closed his short speech
by predicting that within very few years
both electric light companies would be
under one head
When the street-sw eepipg clause in the
bill was reached, Mr. Hepburn, of Iowa,
entered protest against the employment Of
so large force of street sweeping inspec-
tors. The cost of inspecting the streets,
Mr. Hepburn said, was 20 per cent of the
cost of the whole work Of street sweeping.
He moved to cut off three inspectors at
instead OF ten, ,assistantinspectors at 81 100
each. Mr.. Hcpburn's motion was passed
for the present.
Mr.. Dockery OF Missouri, moved to
repeal the act of February 13, 1895, al
lowing contractors to file claim for board
rates. Mr.. Dockery said that when the
act was first passed it was understood
that there were only between $50 900 or
$40, 900 OF such claims. Since, however,
it has been ascertained that nearly every
man who ever had contract under the
old board of public works, 'of unsavory
memory" had filed claim, and to this
time claims have been filed for S753,526,
with interest, 81 100000.
Mr. Meredith raised the point OF order
against the Dockery motion, and the
chairman sustained him. This, however,
did not prevent a debate on the merits OF
the question Mr.. Dockery maintained that
the bill in question was passed in the
closing hours of the Fifty-third Congress
under misapprehension as to what it
carried. In this he was sustained by Mr..
Sayers, who was chairman of Appropria-
tions of that Congress.
Mr. Meredith said he had no patience
with the argument advanced that because
the claims carried large sum they should
not be adjusted by the Court of Claims and
paid, if honestly due the claimants. II it
is right in principle to pay small amount
it is right to pay large amount If the
District owes the money.
Mr.. pitney said most Of the claimants
had once had their claims satisfied on
basis satisfactory to themselves and the
board Of public works. This, it is true,