Evening star., 1897-01-16
The Subway ProbIem.

The situation with regard to the electric
lighting contracts is full of embarrass
ments and complications. The resolution
favorably considered yesterday by the Sen
ate District committee is based upon the
assumption, often advanced as a reason
for delay. that something Is to be done in
the future toward the construction of
general subway system. This excellent
plan has been postponed from session to
session. operating to prevent extensions
and improvements of existing plants and to
prevent as well the Introduction of new en-
terprise and consequent competition and
lowering of prices along with the better
ment Of the service. There should be
prompt action of definite and conclusive
character either establishing a complete
system of conduits for all purposes with
the control vested in the District or mega
tiving finally this project. and regulating
Enthusiastically and In the public interest the
corporation OF corporations by whom these
functions are to be performed
Competition is desirable in such matters
but is difficult to secure under conditions
which promote the public welfare . The
electric lighting franchise in its bearings
upon civic rights resembles the gas fran
chise- Each requires an underground plant
necessitating for its installment dis
turbance of street surfaces, with the ac-
cOmpanying dangers and discomforts. In
order to afford complete and fully service
able competition. each requires a practical
ly duplicate plant. owned by rival holders
of franchises. In the nature of things so
far as the public lighting Is concerned but
one of these plants can be completely util-
lied at once. leaving the second useless for
the time being. Without such duplication
competition is only possible in the opening
up of new territory and in the possible CO.
ercive Influence that one company may
have upon another through the chance to
underbid. 1t is questionable, indeed,
whether newcomers in the field could be
expected to go to the great expense de-
manded by modern subway construction
for the purpose of securing only the public
work in new territories. for such sections
naturally do not afford a profitable field for
competition for private subscriptions and
must depend upon future growth to be of
financial advantage TO the occupant of the
field.
Under these circumstances the question
reverts TO the proposition of municipal own
ership. Expert opinion Is now divided as
TO the economy of the complete control of
gas and electric lighting plants by the
community. In this country such expert
ments have not been conducted long enough
to warrant any general declaration with
regard TO their advsa blity In European
cities the records vary. Glasgow has sue
ceeded admirably and has control of the
gas franchise and some of the continental
cities have had the same experience In
the matter of electric lighting perhaps the
best example of such system as seems
now to be most advisable Is to be found in
Paris That city possesses most complete
subway system in connection with the sew
erS. 1t obtains an annual rental income of
sD francs kilometer from all electric ca
bles in use in addition to five per cent of
the gross receipts. According to one au-
thority the municipal treasury is In recent
of about million francs a year from these
subway privileges.
Public ownership of the lighting plants is
not. OF course. necessarily involved in
municipal control of the subways. With
the city owning complete conduit system
genuine competition for the privilege of
using the conduits for lighting and other
purposes would be expected to reimburse
the heavy initial cost to the municipality
OF building the subways. The necessity of
making large primary expenditure from
insufficient means has been the powerful
argument against the project of municipal
conduits.