Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-04-28
NAPHTHA STREET LIGHTING
Hearing Granted Upon Application for
Change in Specifications.
Claim Made That Present Contractor
Has an Neutrality-suspicious. by
Commissioner Beach.

Mr.. Lawrence S. Nicolai accompanied by
his attorney Mr.. w. c. Dodge, called upon
Captain Beach, the Engineer Commissioner
this morning for the purpose of securing, il
possible, an amendment of the specifica-
tons governing the bids for naphtha street
lighting in the District during the coming
fiscal year. The present contractor is the
Pennsylvania Globe Company, and it was
contended on behalf of MIR. Nicolai that as
this company owns the lamps, and as il
will be Impossible for any other party to
furnish lamps for several months after the
awarding of the contract, the Pennsylvania
company stands in the position of a favor
ed bidder.
Mr.. Dodge read several letters from man.
ufacturers, in which they stated that they
would require several months in all Hkeli-
mood, after receiving orders for lamps, in
which to supply them, and he explained
that all Mr. Nicolai desires is that the spec
lllcatlons and the time for furnishing the
lamps be so arranged as to make it possible
for MIN and any other person desiring to
submit bids to compete against the Penn
SylNania company. Mr.. Dodge said lie has
been informed that Mr.. ". c. Allen. the
District electrical engineer, has stated that
the award will not be made before the mid
die of June. As the new contract runs from
the lst OF july, Mr.. Dodge said. in view of
the letters received from the manufactu-
rerS, it would be utterly impossible for any
other bidder than the PENNSYLVANIA COM
pany TO furnish the lamps by July l. If
this company should be underbid he asked
what could be done by the District in the
matter.
Capt. Beach's Response.
Capt. Beach, without explaining what
would be done by the District in such an
event, stated that such contingency has
been thought of, and there would be no
trouble in the matter He admitted that
the lamps are owned by the Pennsylvania
Company. but explained that that situation
is the result of a course adopted in the
matter by his predecessors. Capt. Beach
intimated however, that he favors District
ownership of the lamps, and called atten-
ton to the fact that bids have been invited
by the District for furnishing 1t with 1000
OF the lamps, more or less. Capt Beach
also called the attention Of Mr.. Dodge to
the TACT that the Specitica tons governing
the bids for naphtha lighting permit bid
ders to agree to furnish the lamps or not.
and he stated that the contract Will be
| awarded to the lowest responsible bidder,
| no matter who that bidder may be,
Law Will Govern.
Mr.. Nicolai remarked that the specifica-
lions do not state that such will be the
case, but Capt. Beach replied that the law
requires such disposition of the bids and
assured him that the law will be observed
in this matter and in all other instances
Replying to a suggestion of Mr.. Dodge that
bids cannot be safely made on the first
item of the proposals, requiring that 1000
lamps he furnished including lanterns
tanks, burners, pipes and all necessary APP
pllances, Capt. Beach explained that Mr.
Nicolal and all other bidders can expressly
state the time In which they can furnish
the lamps. which statement will be given
due consideration, in view of the alleged
inability OF the manufacturers to fill orders
for the lamps by July l.