Evening star., 1898-12-22
MEETS GENERAL APPROVAL
Unanimity Respecting Bill for Extending
Electric Lighting Conduits.
Hearing Given Today by the Commits
.,oner.-Electric | co@panie. and
Business Men Represented

At a hearing given to day by the District
Commissioners on Senate bill 4SS1 providing
for the extension of electric lighting con-
duits in the District, the officials of the
United States Electric Light Company and
of the Potomac Electric Light and Power
Company expressed their approval of the
measure. and also expressed entire willing
ness that Congress should give the Com
missioners full discretion in the matter A
delegation from the Business Mems Asso-
citation stated to the Commi ssioners that
the association fully approves the BILL and
agreed with the representatives, of the two
electric companies that Congress should
confer upon the Commissioners full juris-
diction in the premises.
The hearing did not occupy more than
ten or fifteen minutes of the Commission
ers' time. The United States company was
represented by President James L. Norris
and Attorney Tallmadge A Lambert; the
Potomac company by President O. T. Cros-
by, and the Business Mems Association by
President w. S. Knox, Mr.. r. Dyrenforth
Mr.. Lawrence Gardner and Attorney Con-
rad H. Syme.
Provisions of the Bill.
The BILL which was introduced the 9th
instant by Senator Mcmillan, chairman of
the Senate District committee, provides
that within one year from its passage any
person or corporation operating or main
tanning overhead electric-light wires within
the fire limits of the District of Columbia
shall be subject to a fine of $50 for each
day during which such operation or main
tenance continues which fine may be re-
covered in any court of competent jurisdic-
ton. 1t authorizes the District Commits
sioners to grant permits for the extension
of existing eiectric-lightng conduits and
for connections with the same under prop
er regulations, and directs that in every
such conduit at least three ducts shall be
reserved for the use of the United States
and the District of Columbia
Mr.. Lambert said his company recognizes
that the bill is one of the utmost import
ance, and one which. If properly worked ont
as to details. would have the company's
full approval. He presumed it is indica-
tive of the purpose of Congress to abandon
the subway system. but he doubted if a
measure of twenty lines is sufficiently ex-
plicit and comprehensive to fully carry out
and provide for such extensions as are pro-
posed by the bill. His company, he stated
has nothing to suggest at the present time
and is quite content and satisfied to have
Congress clothe the District Commissioners
with full power and jurisdiction to arrange
such details as may seem to them neces-
sary and proper.
Potomac Company Also Approves.
Mr.. Crosby spoke in similar vein re-
marking that his company approves the
bill He pointed out that the House of
Representatives has already expressed its
approval of such extensions as the bill has
in view, and as TO the details it appeared
that bills 4S33 and 1891, introduced last sum
mer by Senator Gallinger, contained many
of them. That the public desires such eXten-
sions no one can question, said Mr.. Crosby,
nor can any one doubt that the public par
ucularly the business public, desires more
competition in the matter. of electric light
ing and electric power r.
Mr.. Syme, speaking on behalf of the
Business Mems Association said the asso-
citation approves the bill, and is delighted
that both the electric companies also ap-
prove it. The association also believes that
the details of the proposed extension may
properly be left to the discretion and judg-
ment of the District Commissioners.