The times., 1899-08-13

A truce has been declared between the
District government and the allied electric
lighting companies of Washington in the
controversy which has been waged for the
past four or five weeks over the price to
be paid for Illuminating local streets and
avenues with electric arc lamps. The
lighting companies have submitted prop
osition whereby they agree 10 furnish
lights at S72 each for the period OF year.
until Congress acts on the clause in the
District Appropriation act OF 1899. which
has been given two different and opposite
constructions by the parties to the con-
troyersy.
The District Commissioners maintain
that only $72 should be paid for arc lamps.
The electric lighting officials are equally
as firmly convinced that they are under
the law entitled TO charge S91-25 for each
lamp. The proposition of the companies
has been accepted and the city Will pay
$72 for each light used during the present
year. The payment will not be regarded
as full until Congress has settled the mat
ter in the next appropriation bill for the
District.
The proposition Of the lighting concerns
was made by their new head, George
TruesdelI, President Of the Potomac Elee-
trio Power Company and Acting Presi-
dent of the United States Electric Lighting
Company, as well as president or the
syndicated street railways of the city. He
wrote TO the Commissioners last Thursday
offering to compromise the question tenn
porarily and leave the matter for Con-
gress to determine, and it is that propo-
sition that has been accepted.
President Truesdeil's letter reads as fol-
lows: in reply TO your communication
relative TO arc lighting for the now current
fiscal year, as heretofore stated We are ad-
yised by our counsel, and confirmed by the
conclusion and opinion Of the officer in
charge of public buildings and grounds, that
the appropriation act does not contemplate
the requirement that We should furnish the
street lights at the minimum rate OF Sl2
per annum, and unless We are legally bOund
10 do So we are unwilling 10 provide them
at so inadequate price. We are. however.
entirely desirous of carrying out the viii or
Congress in the matter, and we, therefore.
propose, If agreeable to you, 20 furnish the
requisite service until the meeting or Con-
gress, when that body can. by appropriate
action, place upon the act the construction
! which il is intended TO bear
IF this is satisfactory to you. We will
proceed upon that basis until Congress shall
have removed the Obscurity which occasions
the present difference between US. Our
proposition is 10 perform the required ser
vice and 10 accept in full satisfaction there
for the sum OF $9125 per light per annum,
or $72 per light per annum, as Congress it.
self shall determine to be the true intent
and meaning of the appropriation act for
the current fiscal year Pending such de-
termination we are to accept payment at
the rate of $72 per annum, but with tbs
distinct understanding that IL is only pay
ment on account, not in full, unless Con-
gress should so act as to make it fun pay
ment."
AS the matter now stands under the CON-
promise agreement, the company viii OBJ
tain S72 for each light, as much as the
/ Commissioners are willing 10 allow, and 1t
/ also has chance OF receiving an addi-
/ tional 1925 for each light, provided Con-
gress decides against the District officials.