The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-10
LOTG BRIDGE TOO DARK
Tae Electrical Engineers Sugges-
tions to the Commissioners.
Recommends Incandcscent Lamps for
the Purpose-How They should BE
Lighting It-How They should he
From a Grounded Trolley Circuit
Approved by MIR. mcfarland.

The Commissioners yesterday considered
the report of the Electrical Engineer Iela-
tive to the lighting OF Long Bridge. This
report was made at the instance Of the au-
thorities upon the letter of enquiry from the
Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore
Railroad Company, as to the number and
character of lights desired.
The railroad company addressed this en-
quiry to the Commissioners in answer TO a
letter from them advising the company that
It was the intention of the District Gov
ernment to have the bridge patrolled and
to afford people passing over it protection
both by day and by night. TIC this end the
Commissioners Informed the company that
Is owners OF Long Bridge they should pro-
vide for 1t proper lighting at night.
Thomas J. Fisher. the Inspector OF Eleo-
trio Lighting at the request of the Com
missioners. went over the ground careful
ly and has reported to the Electrical En-
gineer that the best and most feasible way
TO light this bridge would be by means of
incandescent electric lights.
Starting from the Washington en-
trance" he says, lights TO the number OF
thirteen should be placed, one on every
other existing pole of the Mount Vernon
Electric Railway. which extend along the
south side Of the roadway. This would
bring these lights on an average distance
OF 1876 feet apart. up to the commencing OF
the wooden bridge construction. the ap-
proximate length of which construction to
the Virginia end is 1880 feet. l would rec
ommend the placing on this structure OF
sixteen lights, suspended from the top LAT
eral struts at about an average distance o.
123 feet apart. This would make a total of
twenty-nine incandeecent electric lights,
which, in my opinion, owing TO the narrow
width of the road and the fact that .he
lights are unobstructed, would light this
bridge amply. If this means of lighting is
adopted. 1t would be better II the lamps
were supported with current from source
other than the power now used for opera
ting the Mount Vernon Railway. owing to
the fact that the voltage OF this line is apt
TO be very unsteady, thereby causing the
lights at times TO burn dim"
Walter c. Allen, the Electrical Engineer,
in forwarding the report of Mr.. Fisher 10
the Commissioners this morning. added:
ut would not. in my opinion. be advisa-
bic TO operate these lights from grounded
trolley circuit. Owing to the compare
lively short distance between the roadway
and the top OF the bridge il would not be
advisable to use arc lamps. because sufi-
cient distribution for the lights could not
be obtained. The location OF the lights
SIS proposed by Mr.. Fisher. has been care
fully considered and think will light the
bridge very satisfactorily, provided the
lamps are not less than twenty-five candle
power"
Commissioner Mcfarland has approved
the recommendation from the Electrical
Department. and it is expected that his as
sociates will acquiesce in the decision,
when the railroad company will be in
formed In accordance Herewith