The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-04-10

According to L. S Ni.olai a wholesale
dealer in oils, the management OF the
naphtha street lighting service in the Dis
trict is a matter which calls loudly for
investigation. In talking or the subject TO
a Times reporter. Mr.. Niaolai said
the Commissioners, and in Iar-
ticular Commissioner Wight, have been in
strumental in breaking down all competi-
tion in the furnishing Of naphtha lamps for
street lighting in the District. Further
than that" continued Mr.. Nicolai, the
Commissioners. at the recommendation OF
Mr.. Wight 2; l understand il, have turned
over to a firm in Philadelphia the entire
naphtha street lighting service in disregard
of the claims Of local firms Of reliable
standing.
Mr. Nicolai represented TO the reporter
that the Philadelphia concern holds the
contract for furnishing nsphtha and the
lamps for the service in this city. Mr..
Nicolai claims that an inferior burner is
used in the place Of one formerly used and
owned by the District, The dismantling Of
the old lamps and the introduction Of the
new ones took place. Nh NicOlai said. by
the consent OF the Commissioners and un-
der the supervision Of the Superintendent
Of Street Lighting. What became Of the old
burners. Mr.. Nicolai thought would be an
interesting subject Of enquiry. BY this
means Mr. Nicolai stated that the Phila-
delphia firm not only got possession OF the
street lighting service. but put inferior
property I'm the place OF that removed
The contract for the year being about to
expire. about a month ago Mr.. Nicoiai said
he made enquiry Of the Commissioners
whether in future contracts il would be
stipulated that the District or the con-
tractor should own The burners. tubing
etc. urging prompt decision on the ques-
ton. as he wished TO become 2 competitor
for the service Mr. Nicolai declared that
he had not received satisfactory reply 70
this or any Of his requests OF representa-
tiOus regarding the naphtha street light
I ing Of the District To him IL now appears
plain that the Commissioners DO not care
20 throw the service open 10 competitive
, bidding.
Mr.. Nicolai continued. after reading
the articles in the local uapers bearing IN
the subject OF naphtha street lighting
! within the District particularly the one
written by w. 9. Dodge and published in
! The Times under date of April O. 1900. l
1 can only agree with him in the various
| points OF his argument iE bringing 20 the
/ attention OF our citizens and taxpayers enc
/ OF the errors that Is being committed by
! our District authorities. This is done ap-
parently with a view 10 serving certain
| interest or interests or from iueNperience
! on the part OF the official I'm charge in
/ handling a matter OF which be knows moth
| ing. but in my opinion 81 cannot be attrib-
/ uted 10 the latter cause. for on several
| occasions the attention OF the Commits
! sioners has been called TO their mistakes
I In handling this service, for which our
( citizen taxpayers have 10 suffer
The question now is how long do the
/ people propose 10 stand such conduct on
/ the part OF the Board of Commissioner In
/ the careless handling of the District mon
| ey under the appropriation OF Congress
Il too have had a communication be
I fore the Commissioners. presented az the
/ District Building by myself IN person dur
I ing January 1900. bearing on the annual
/ contracts for uapEyha lightning and as Yet
/ I have NOT received reply officially 7
/ can only say ] have read the article pre-
/ viOusly published IN the papers as being
I Mr.. WigEt's view or opinion on the quCs-
tion Of municipal ownership OF the uaphtha
/ lanterns complete. and am much surpris-
! ed at him the Chairman OK our Board Of
! Commissioner. displaying as be does. 50
/ lttle business judgment In expressing him
( self as he has done In This case j NAY
( be that he has no personal desire 10 In
injure The INTEREST," Of our citizens. but he
1 does not appear TO have desire 10 study
! carefully the recommendation Of the
! Electric Engineer. when this department,
/ comes directly under his charge"