The times., 1899-07-09

fiscal year. and although the new fiscal
year is now nine days old the municipality
does not know how much it is paying for
its arc lights difference of about
sl2, 500 in the prices is involved in the
matter.
The Potomac people claim the right
under the law 10 charge % cents per arc
lamp per night or se1.25 per arc light per
annum. The Commissioners maintain that
under the law only s72 may be charged
for each lamp during the year. Several
weeks ago the lighting company proposed
to light the city at the S91.25 rate, the
maximum mentioned in the District ep-
preparation act of March last The same
act contains a provision to the effect that
all local electric lighting companies shall
at all times be required to furnish stand
ard arc lights to public and private con-
surners In the District of Columbia at a
price not exceeding SI2 for each light.
The Commissioners contend that they are
bound by this provision not to pay more
than the smaller sum and have rejected the
bid of the Potomac Company, informing
the corporation that they are ready to
accept a proposal to furnish lights at S72.
II is understood that the matter will have
TO be settled in the courts, inasmuch as the
Commissioners and the corporation cannot
agree upon construction of the law. The
Commissioners have thrown down the
gauntlet TO the lighting officials and II re-
mains to be seen what they will do next.
The municipal authorities are now await
ing the next move on the part OF the cor
poration Meanwhile the city is being
lighted nightly, but at what price neither
party is able TO state. The Potomac peo-
pie are and have been furnishing arc lights
since July 1, at the price to be agreed
upon in the future, whatever that NAV be,
The difficulty in agreeing upon prices
is the result of a proyiso which was IN
serted in the District Appropriation act,
and it is understood. very hurriedly, just
prior 10 the adjournment of Congress. The
belief was prevalent that the city was pay
ing excessive rates for its electric lights.
In the haste with which the paragraph
was passed il seems, or at least SO II is
stated, Congress failed to remove the
25 cents per night provision and the
appropriation bill became a law with
two proyisos regulating the prices TO be
paid for electric lighting. The power COM
pany clings TO the first. having been SO ad-
vised by its attorney and the District au-
thorities. on the strength OF an opinion
from their legal adviser. hang on TO the
second or lower price. The paragraph in
the appropriation act which is used by the
lighting concern as the basis OF its ar
gument for the higher price, reads as fol-
lows:
Provided. That not more than ej cents per
night shall be uaid for any electric arc light
burning from fifteen minutes after sunset 20
forty-five minutes before sunrise, and operated
wholly hy means OF underground wire; and, each
arc light shall be OF not less than 1000 actual
candle power. and part Of this appropriation
shall be used Tor electric lighting by means Of
wires that may exist on or any OF the
streets or avenues OF the city Of Washington.
This is the rate which was paid the
company at the time OF the passage of the
act. The second proviso, which is the one
that the Commissioners hold as being
binding upon them. reads as follows:
Provided further, That the Commissioners of
the District Of Columbia hereby authorized 60
grant permits foi the repair, enlargement, and
extension, under proper regulations, OF existing
electic lighting conduits, and in every conduit
constructed, or 20 be constructed, under the
provisions OF this paragraph, three ducts shall be
reserved for the use Of the United States and the
right to use conduits heretofore built, or 10 be
built under the provisions Of this act, the cleo
trfc lighting companies shall be required TO ftIr-
nish at all times TO the public and to private
consumers in all parts OF the District standard
arc lights Of not less than 1000 actual candle
power. at a rate not exceeding S32 per annum
for saah b-ht.
There are now 65s electric arc lights in
the District. Were the District Commits
sioners TO pay the sum demanded by the
electric lighting company, at the rate of
1926 per light, the cost OF arc lighting
would amount 10 s50.os2, 30. On the other
hand, the cost at s72 per lamp would
amount 10 si7.375.