Evening star., 1898-03-21
BUT ONE ELECTRIC PLANT
Question Of Possible Consolidation Of Inter
ssts Being Considered.
The Ranning Of Electric Cars q,
Geergetewn Lime Of Capital
Traeiioa Co.pany.

Cars are running today by the under
ground system on the Georgetown branch
OF the Capital Traction road from George
town to the Peace monument. The opera
ton OF this section of the mad by the
new motive power was begun yesterday
morning. as stated in Saturdays Star would
be the case. and no mechanical difficulties
occurred to interfere with the successful
inauguration Of the new system. The cur
rent for this part of the road, as well as
that which Is used In operating the l4tn
street line, is obtained from the Potomac
Electric Power Company. and, as the
power for operating several Of the other
electric roads is obtained from the same
company, the situation Is attracting con-
siderable attention in business circles.
The phase oS the matter which seems to
be of special interest Is the possibility in
the near future OF practically all the elec-
trio power being obtained from one central
station. not only for corporations. but for
private individuals, who have use for an
eectric current. One of the factors in the
proposed scheme which Is now under con-
alteration, as stated in The star. for the
consolidation Of the two electric light COM
panfes, ic the estimated reduction in the
cost Of administrative expenses, as well az
In the production Of power by having one
set Of officers and practically one plant to
do. the work which is now done by two
sets Of officers and two electric plants.
1t Is claimed there would be q great saw
ing in the cost of running street railroads
II the companies could buy power instead
Of producing it from their own plants.
All the suburban railroads about this city
now operated by electricity. with one ex-
ception. have adopted the policy of buying
power instead of maintaining separate
power houses. 1t Is understood that those
who are interested In tine reorganization Of
the lexington road do not propose to erect
power house, but will hire the current
which will be used in the operation Of that
road. 1t Is believed that a decided tendency
has been manifested in this city toward
consolidation in the line OF the production
OF electrical power. but whether II will ex-
tend to the two large street railroads which
now have Independent plants Is a question
for the future.
When the work of eQuipping the Capital
Traction railroad with the new under
ground electric system was in progress and
especially when the condufts which are
used for carrying the feed wires were being
put in place, rumors were common that
provision was being made by the Capital
Traction Company SO as to be able to lease
portion OF the conduits for the use Of one
of the electric lighting companies.
Those, however, who were in a position
to know the plans OF the Traction company
gave no credit to these rumors and eiec-
trical experts say that the capacity of the
conduits Is required by the needs of the
company in operating the road. In the Dis
trict appropriation bill, however, a clause
is inserted which prohibits electric lighting
companies from using railroad electrical
conduits.