The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-20

A recent order Of the Dis.fiCG Gem
missioners provided for number CT ad-
ditional are lamps to be erected in vari-
Gus parts of the city. Upon the represen-
tation of the United States Electric Light
ing Company, the Electrical Engineer OF
The District, w. c. Allen. recommended
that the company be permitted to put in
The electric light connection, laying two
way conduit without the reservation Of
the ducts for the District and the United
States as required by law in ordinary con-
duit extensions.
This recommendation was made by Mr.
Allen in view of the fact that the COM
pany had been requested by the District
to erect and maintain these lamps by
means of underground wires. and he con-
sidered that the connections should be
held to be constructions for the pubic
service of the District.
In the absence of any certainty as 10
the right of the District to accept TINS
construction the matter was referred 10
the Attorney for the District, who yes
iterday submitted his opinion that the
commissioners are without authority to
case. except in accordance with the pro-
vision, of the act of Congress approved
June G. 1900. providing for the expenses
Of the District during the current nscai
year.
1.-The Electrical Engineer reports that II
will be necessary to lay short sections Oh
conduit connections in order TO connect the
arc lamps. and as the electric nshllhs
company does not desire to build the CON
Quits for any other purpose he recommends
that il be allowed to put in these conhec-
tfrns laying a two-way CONDUIT without
the reservation of three conduits for the
District and the United States, inasmucn
as these connections could be considered
constructions for the District for the pup
lie service In the District Appropriation
act approved June g. 1900, Congress appfo-
priated for electric arc lighting, lnclouihs
necessary inspection, and for extension ol
such service not exceeding S5S,OUO
provided further that hereafter the Com
uissioners of the District Of Columbia are
hereby authorized to grant permits ior the
repair. enlargement, and extension, under
proper regulations, of existing elecule
lighting conduits, and in every conduit 50
constructed or TO be constructed, under the
provisions of this paragraph, three duets
shall be reserved for the use of the United
States ana Inc DlSirlCl Oh NOluiIble1s co.
The proposed connections can only be
made by the extension OF existing electric
lighting condu.ts, and the explicit require
ment of the act CT Congress is that in
every conduit constructed, or to be con-
structed. under the provisions of this par
agraph, three ducts shall be reserved for
the use of the United States and the Dis
trict of Columbia The reserved ducts, it
will be observed, are not alone for the
use CT the District, but for the use of the
United States and the District Of Column
bia. Provision might have been made 10
accommodate such situation as is now
presented, but such provision was not
made.
THE Commissioners do not have au-
thcrity. as suggested, to waive literal
compliance with the act of Congress and
consider the constructions as for the pub
lie service If Congress had directed the
Commissioners to locate and maintain by
means of underground wires electric arc
lights at designated points. different
question might have been presented in re-
spect TO the character Of the conduit.
II am of the opinion that the Commits
siorers are without authority to gram
permits for the conduits in the present
case except in accordance with the pro-
Visions of the above mentioned act Of
Congress-