Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-09
WITHIN SMALLER COMPASS
The Work Of Combining the Local Electric
Lighting Companies
Changes I'm the Clerical Force Re-
suits in n Saving of Expense
Other Features

The process of combining the two prop
critics of the two electric lighting com
panies so as to bring them under one man
agement as they are under one ownership,
has been about completed. The executive
offices of the two companies-for. while the
management and ownership is the same
the individual company organization has
been preserved-are now at 1417 G street
where Mr. Crosby. who is the president of
both companies. has his office, and where
he was located when he was at the head
of the Potomac company.
The clerical force Of the Potomac COM
pany has been removed from the office in
Georgetown to the offices of the United
States company. on 14;h street. The cler-
ical force of the United States company has
been retained. with few exceptions. Mr.
L. f. Sinclair. the superintendent of the
Potomac, IS now the general Superinten-
dent in charge of both companies, while
Mr.. K. S. NARROW. formerly the cashier and
also the treasurer of the United States
company, is the soliciting agent of the COM
panies.
The bookkeeper of the Potomac company
W. S. Terry. is now the auditor of the joint
concerns. Under the old regime the presi-
dent. secretary. treasurer and cashier Of
the United States company were salared
offices. the last. however receiving small
yearly compensation. All these salaried po-
stions have been done away with and
small reduction in the clerical force eff
fected, so that IL is estimated that an an
nual saving has been made in the adu1inis-
trative expenses alone of the United States
company amounting TO over $4,000 am
nCally.
Further Saving.
1t is expected the united management
will result in further saving, as 1t is the
purpose to have only one power plant
where the current used by both companies
will be produced The steam-power plant
of the Potomac company in Georgetown IS
the one selected, and when 1t will be posi-
bic to obtain from that source a sufficient
current to do the work of electric lighting
in this city. and also supply the power that
will be required in the operation of the
street roads controlled by the same inter
ests then the use of the independent power
plants as they now exist will be discon-
tinued.
1t may not be possible to equip a central
power plant Of sufficie mt capacity to do all
the required work within the course Of the
next year. After that time however. il is
expected that all the current required will
be produced from one station. The plant of
the United States company on 18th street
VIII ultimately become merAly a subs ,tion
where the high tension current transmitted
from the central power house will be re-
duced to such a current as can be used
The same is true of the electric power
houses of the Metropolitan and Columbia
roads. They will be continued in use until
such a time as they can be dispensed with
and then they will be dismantled An cleo
trio power house is being installed for the
electric system on the Columbia road Ire
only change in this detail of the plans
brought about by the recent sale of that
company Will be that only one engine will
De set up In the power house, and that one
VIII only be for temporary use.