Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-12
NEW ELECTRIC LIGHT PLANT
Permit to Be Issued for Installation in Hotel
johnson.
Opinion OF Attorney Thomas Filed
With Commissioners - Conditions
Under Which Plant Is Authorised.

There Is pending before the District Com
missioners an application made by Mr. H.
P. Hill, president Of the Hill Lighting Com
pany, for a permit to install in the Hotel
Johnson a gas engine for the purpose of
running an electric light plant Mr.. Hill
explains that, while he has not yet made
any such contracts, he feels that he would
be entitled, should the permit be granted,
to supply neighboring houses with an cleo
trio current, provided he makes the neces-
sary arrangements with other parties, and
provided further that such extension does
not involve the use of public domain.
The District building inspector, in report
ing on the application. explained that such
proposed outside use of the machinery
would be what Is termed block lighting, -
or an electric power station. The author
ity to locate such. in the opinion of the
building inspector. is not provided for in
the building regulations. The application
was subsequently referred to Capt Burr,
the assistant to the Engineer Commission
er, VINO held that the erection of such ma
chinery to be authorized under the build
ing regulations for domestic purposes, aud
for other than domestic purposes the cree
ton of engines propelled by steam or other
motive power would be permitted only with
the assent of the owner or owners Of two
thirds of the property not occupied wholly
or partly for business purposes within nine
ty feet of the outline Of the building erected
or used therefor.
Capt. Burr's Comment.
IT see no objection" says Capt Burr, "to
the issuance of a permit for the erection
of the engine for the purpose stated, pro-
vided the above noted and all other re-
quirements of the building regulations re-
lating to the erection of engines. wiring Of
hill hn cd hoe
recently come to my knowledge that the
Hotel Raleigh furnishes current for Castle
bergs jewelry store, and that Belt & Dyer
furnish current for Barber & Ross. The
conditions in these instances are similar to
what would exist. in the case now under
consideration"
Still later the application of Mr.. Hill was,
on the suggestion of Commissioner Black,
referred to the attorney for the District.
The attorney was requested to report
whether, in his opinion the action Of Con-
gress in restricting the areas to be served
by the several electric lighting companies
in the District would admit or prohibit the
installation of plant by another COM
pany for the purpose of furnishing light
ard power, or whether the matter is en-
tirely outside of the control of the Com
missioners, other than as provided for in
tie building regulations for the installation
of machinery, so long as the public streets
and alleys are not touched
The Statutory Provisions.
The opinion of the attorney for the Dis
trict is that existing statutes in regard
to electric lighting restrict the occupation
of public streets, avenues and alleys in the
city, and the public roads of the District,
to the electric lighting conduits and wires
OF the two electric lighting companies now
operating here; but that those laws do not
prevent the installation of a plant for fur
nishing light and power on private prop
erty. So far as the present application is
concerned, it would appear to be controlled
by section 100 of the building regulations.
IF the owner or lessee Of the property
known as the Hotel Johnson requests per-
mission to put a gas engine in that build
ing, and accompanies his request with the
written assent of property owners, as pre-
scribed in section 100 of the building regu-
lations, he would be entitled to a permit.
Whether, after an electric plant is installed
in the Hotel Johnson, that company or the
owner or lessee of the hotel will be enti-
tied to furnish electric light and power
from that plant to other premises in the
block is question that does not arise on
this application.
1t is understood that permit will be
granted to Mr.. Hill in accordance with the
opinion Of the attorney for the District.