Evening star., 1897-01-20

the District OF Columbia would involve an
expenditure of from S. 600, 900 to SIS, 900, 600
ana mat the perfection Of the plan re-
CURED great deal of consideration. For
that reason he suggested that the work
could not be done more rapidly than II was
being accomplished.
MT Faukner, referring to the energetic
way In which thei Potomac Electric Power
Company Is now constructing its conduits.
remarked that he believed the company
would beat Congress. and would get
tnrougn with all their work before the
resolution pending before the Senate could
De passed. That, he said, did not affect the
question occupying the attention of the
Senate, which hads relation to future per-
mfts that might be applied for on the part
Of companies. MI. 4 Faulkner. speaking of
the Commissioners report in favor Of a
general subway scheme, and against grant
ing permission to private companies to tear
up the streets for the construction OF con-
duits. was interrupted by Mr.. Tillman. who
reminded him that he was quoting the very
men who had granted these permits MI.
Tillman thought he was quoting witnesses
against his side of the case.
Mr.. Faulkner said that he was showing
that these Commissioners reported against
doing the very things they have permitted
to be DONE
Can you tell me why they have granted
these permits?' inquired Mr.. Tillman.
''Oh-h,' replied Mr.. Faulkner, laughing.
Il have no doubt that in the hurry they did
not remember this matter of the report.
A Lively Set-To.
Quite a lively set-to took place between
Mr.. Hill and Mr.. Faulkner when the former
senator referred to the contention of one
of the companies.
Il am not arguing for any company, re-
torted Mr.. Faulkner, hotly. This is
great public question. involving principle,
and don't care anything about one or the
other of the companies"
Il hope so,' said Mr.. Hill.
Mr.. Hill continued to ask questions which
Mr.. Faulkner said ne had answered In
his statement.
Mr.. Tillman wanted to know whether the
Commissioners had not carried out the
law In letting a contract for electric light
ing to the lowest bidder.
Mr. Faulkner replied that that was not
in the law. He said that that provision had
been stricken out of the bill by the House
conferees for fear that it might interfere
with the general subway plan which 1t
was the policy of Congress to adopt. He
said the committee appropriations had
fixed the price and the conditions under
which electric lighting should be done and
that the price had been lowered from year
to year.
Again Mr.. Faulkner and Mr. Hill came
together in parrying or words. Mr.. Hill
persisted in asking questions, and finally
Mr.. Faulkner replied:
"He who will not understand will not be
enlightened"
Mr.. Hill-"And he who will not explain
cannot enlighten."
Mr.. Stewart Breaks In.
Mr.. Stewart here broke in and wanted to
know If the Potomac Power Company had
not some rights in the District, in view of
the fact that they lad expended their
money In the fuItillment OF a government
contract.
They have TO right at all that will be
interfered with by this resolution said Mr..
Faulkner. "In the permit granted them by
the Commissioners 1t was provided that
their right to do this work should be sub
ject to revocation at any time by the Con-
gress of the United States
Have they acquired any equities:" asked
Mr.. Stewart.
mo. they have acquired no equities" re-
piled Mr.. Faulkner, but l do not want to
go into the question of equities This is
too great a question to be measured by
mere dollars and cents. 1t is a question of
carrying out policy of Congress-.
Mr. Hill wanted TO know whether the
government had not saved money by letting
the contracts to the Potomac company.
Mr. Faulkner replied that it had saved
about 500 in the lighting of parks. and in
order to save that 500 year five miles of
asphalt pavemepts have been torn up.
rs that all that was saved? Was there
no other lighting than in the parks that
was taken at reduced price," asked Mr.
Hill.
Mr. Faulkner replied that he was re-
ferr1ng to the. lighting in the parks, and
that he would answer the question put by
Mr.. Hill In his own way.
The morning hour having expired. the
consideration Of the Cockrell resolution
was laid over until tomorrow.