Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-12
PRICE FOR ARC LIGHTING
Seeming Conflict in Law Leads to Difference
of Opinion.

When the bids of the two local electric
lighting companies, the United States and
the Potomac, for lighting the streets and
avenues of the District during the present
fiscal year Were opened several weeks ago
it was discovered that they agreed to fur
nish arc lights at S9l. % each for the year.
The current District appropriation act re-
fers twice to the price to be paid for such
lights. The first clause reads as follows:
Not more than 70 cents per night shall
be paid for any arc light" ETC., and the
other reference to these lights is as fol-
lows, after alluding to certain conditions
under which the companies shall be op-
Grated: THE electric lighting companies
shall be required at all times to furnish 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 S72 per annum for
each arc light etc.
In view of the latter provision, the Com
missioners informed the electric lighting
companies that they would enter into
contract with them for furnishing such
lights at the minimum rate of 81 per an
mum for each light. This proposition, it
appears, is not acceptable to the companies
although in letter addressed to the Com
missioners by Mr.. George TruesdelI presi-
dent of the Potomac and acting president
of the United States company, they ex-
press Willingness to accept the rate of
$I2 per annum for each light until Congress
determines the true intent and meaning of
the appropriation act, the companies also
agreeing to abide by such determination of
the question.
President TruesdelIs Letter.
Mr.. TruesdeIl's letter is as follows:
In reply to your communication ad-
dressed to the Potomac Electric Power
Company and the United States Electric
Lighting Company, in regard TO the street
arc lighting for the current fiscal year as
heretofore stated We are advised by our
counsel, and confirmed by the conclusion
and opinion of the officer in charge of pub
lie buildings and grounds, that the appro-
priatfon act does not contemplate the re-
quirement that we should furnish the street
nShts at the minimum rate OF So per an
mum, and unless we are legally bound to do
SO we are unwilling to provide them at so
inadequate price, We are, however en-
tlrely DESTROYS of carrying out the will of
Congress In the matter, and We therefore
propose II agreeable to you, to furnish the
requisite service until the meeting of Com
action, place upon the act the construction
which 1t intended it to bear.
II TINS is satisfactory to you, kindly adj
wise US, and we will proceed upon that
basis until Congress shall have removed
the obscurity which occasions the present
dfHerence between U.S. In other words
our proposition is to perform the required
service and to accept in full satisfaction
therefor the sum of $91. 25 per light per
annuln. or S12 per light per annum, as
Congress itself shall determine to be the
true Intent and meaning of the appropria-
ton act for the current fiscal year Pend
Ing such determination, We accept payment
at the rate OF S12 per annum, but with the
distinct understanding that 1t is only a
payment on account, not in full, unless
payment"