Evening star., 1899-03-03

they are manufacturing under their inn
proved processes and can manufacture to-
day, and furnish a 2,0o0-candle power arc
light for s37 year, and that the cost of in,
candescent lighting is 4 cents per LOCO
watts, of which the maximum price now is
10 cents.
when we reduced the price of gas in this
House it was shown on the floor that gas
cost 6S cents per 1000 feet to deliver. and
we reduced the price to 1.10. and then
further on to s1.o5, the latter basis of
which Will soon be reached. Another thing
known to most of the members of the
house Is that the control recently of one
of the electric light companies has passed
INTO the hands of a syndicate. and the
prospect is that nearly all the corporations
viii go into the hands of one syndicate.
Now, L insist that before we grant the
nights that we have in the streets we shall
regulate the rates for lighting. That is all
this amendment means''
Mr.. GrOut-'Mr. Sneaker 7 believe with
the gentleman from Wisconsin that while
we grant this privilege of extending con-
QUITS and enlarging those in existence we
ought to deal with this question of rates.
But am not prepared to go to the extent
OF the proposition submitted by him. In
deed, L think it is too drastic I NAV he
come satisfied that it is not. | will state
ipr the information of the House that
these companies have agreed upon a nrovi-
sion which they have submitted to us hut
Whlch was not satisfactory or else there
Wouid nave been an agreement upon this
ainshalnent In this report of the committee
Now. Mr.. Speaker this proposition was
not satisfactory to the committee, The
rate rate IN this city now is IL cents for a
hioWatt hour. i am informed that in other
p,,'I DIS iihe Chlcago, New York Boston and
Phnadelphia, the price charged nar kun-
watt hour for individual service is oo cents
ne Two companies propose to reduce the
service from II cents per kilowatt hou, 70
- - IIiils, ana after three years to reduce it
70 IL cents, and three wears after tbat 70
~ cents l believe there is a Iarge nroft
en- 10 cents but to cut it down at once
from ID cents to cents might do ,nd 7
panieS." " the COM
Mr.. Dockery-"Mr. Speaker. we have boa
t1pn'ToVefsies 1' for years with reference &c 70
81 ciilteu states Electric Light Comnanv
compJain W ,E e2aduits m and to its prices | do not
uo.nl'iain OF the company. 1t is nerfectIv
laura; urai ina they should seek to secure tho
nlshest prices. But they now come to ConI
stesS Tor additional privileges. and let ns
inst md ',alie 10 hx the rates which are
pdhN, nat to the people of the District Nov
as 10 What the rates should be T confess
49,, it,s no trustworthy opinion. do not know
i VI" personal information what they shonld
ne. L will say, however to tho eron. .1a ~
flphn s1 Wisconsin that | have absolute con-
80, a~vite III the rugged integrity of the chair
5 man OF my committee, although I confess 7
40 not agree with him that the ratas fivaJ
at TINS time should be on the basis of -
GT@duated or sliding scale. such as that
Wlilch has been suggested. I do not under
n.an" S,s,1l wny, II It is possible for this COM
Iany 10 furnish light at reduced rates three
) ears hence, it should not be able to give
/ 'iat 1. rate at the present time.
me gentleman says that an exception
must be made in this case. because it will
ne necessary for the company to enlarge
their plan. which would involve a consid-
cradle expenditure. l do not dispute that
staleme MT. But, Mr.. Speaker, that is y
charse against the capital stock of the com
panE And, besides that. we must not lose
slsht OF the fact that as you Increase tha
earning capacity of the company by ey-
tehulng It's conduits and its line you in
cl ease also its income; and therefore. 7
heneve that the rates to be charged by them
should be fixed absolutely. and not on a
siding scale such as has been suggested
ne amendment of the gentleman from Wis
colisll therefore seems to me to be entirely
appropriate, and the only question is as 10
"hether the House will instruct its con-
iefees or not. | am satisfied, as far as |
nave been able to investigate the matter.
that the rate fixed by the amendment is "a
just and proper one
Mr.. BabcJck's instructions We're adopted
ana the bill sent back to conference.