The evening times., 1900-04-10

According 10 L. S. Nicolai, a wholesale
dealer In oils, the management of the
naphtha street lighting service in the Dis
trict is a matter which calls loudly Tor
investigation. In talking on the subject TO
a Times reporter, Mr.. Nicolai SAID
the Commissioners, and in Iar-
ticular Commissioner Wight, have been IN
strumental in breaking down all compeu-
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. as | understand it. have turned
over to a firm in Philadelphia the entire
naphtha street lighting service in disregard
of the claims of local firms OF rehaoie
standing.
Mr.. Nicolai represented to the reporter
that the Philadelphia concern holds the
contract for furnishing naphtha and the
lamps for the service in this city. Mt.
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. Mr. Nlcolai 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.. Ncolli stated that the Phila =
delphia firm not only got possession OF the
street lighting service. but put inferior
property in the place OF that removed.
The contract for the year being about to
expire. about month ago Mr.. Nicoiai said
he made enquiry Of the Commissioners
whether in future contracts it would be
stipulated that the District or the con-
tractor should own the burners, tubing,
! etc. urging prompt decision on the ques-
tion. as he wished TO become competitor
| for the service Mr. Nicolai declared that
| he had not received a satisfactory reply TO
| this or any of his requests or representa-
| tions regarding the naphtha street light
! ing of the District To him it now appears
plain that the Commissioners do not care
20 throw the service open TO competitive
I, bidding.
| Mr. Nicolai continued: after reading
the articles in the local papers bearing on
the subject Of naphtha street lighting
| within the District, particularly the one
written by w. c. Dodge and published in
| The Times under date of April 9, l@VV, !
| can only agree with him in the various
points of his argument in bringing to the
attention OF our citizens and taxpayers Cne
1
our District authorities. This is done ap'
! parently with a view TO serving certain
! interest or interests, or from ineXperienct
| on the part of the official in charge III
| handling a matter of which he knows moth
ing. but in my opinion ii cannot be attrib'
| uted to the latter cause, for on several
| occasions the attention OF the Commis
| sioners has been called to their mistake
| In handling this service, for Whicn oui
| citizen taxpayers have TO suffer
The question now is. how long do the
| people propose to stand such conduct on
the part OF the Board of Commissioners II
the careless handling of the District mon
ey under the appropriation of Congress
! 4 too have had communication be
fore the Commissioners. presented at the
District Building by myself IN person dur
! ing January 1900. bearing on the annual
contracts for naptjha lightning, and as Vel
have not received 2 reply officially.
can only say ] have read the article pre-
| viousiy published in the papers as BENG
MIR. Wights view or opinion on the ques-
iion of municipal ownership OF the naphtha
lanterns complete and / am much surpris'
| ed at him. the Chairman OF our Board oi
! Commissioners. displaying as he does. Sc
little business judgment in expressing him.
self as he has done in this case. Ii may
be that ne has no personal desire 10 ln-
| iniure tie INTEREST," Of our citizens. but h'
does not appear TO have desire 10 STUDY
! carefully the recommendations OF th'
Electric Engineer. when this department
comes directly under his charge