The Washington times., 1901-11-02
AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT.
4 Change in the Type Of Electric
Arc Lamps.
United states Lighting Company In
nugurntes nm ImproVemcnt-New
Engineer Commissioner sworn In
Opening of Sherman Avenue.

| Engineer Commissioner sworn In
| Opening of Sherman Avenue.
Tie United States Electric Lighting
| Company recent wrote to the Commits
sioners asking permission to begin the
proposed change of arc lights on their
| system from the present type to the en-
closed arc type. In reporting upon the
! proposed change in the kind of lights to
! be used the Electrical Engineer recently
said:
For several months PAST the Depart
inent has been experimenting with a new
| style and system of arc lamps with
view of finding one that would reduce
| to The minimum the great number of out
ages in the arc light service. Thirty-two
| lamps of the direct current, enclosed type,
were substituted for the old series, open
arc type, on Fourteenth Street, from B
Street to Thomas Circle, and in one or
two other locations. They have proved
so satisfactory that l would recommend
tnat all the are lamps in the section
bounded by B Street on the south. Sew
enteenth Street on the west, X Street.
Massachusetts and Indiana Avenues on
the north. and First Street on the east, he
changed TO the enclosed type This area
comprises practically the extent of the
electric lighting company's low tension
system, from which these lamps are
operated.
These new lamps burn with greater
steadiness than the old They diffuse
their rays better, and they are not sub
Ject to the frequent breaking down of
the circuit, as Is The case with the old
lamp on a circuit varying from 1000 to
6.WO volts. Moreover. they meet all the
requirements of the law regarding candle
power.
'.I wnrlId also r.cop,p,ap1 ,l,-,t a.. ,,.,,,
pany be permitted to substitute the en-
closed series of arc lamps for the re-
mainder of the PRESENT open series arc
lamps, the advantage of the former over
the latter being practically the same as
in the case of the low tension lamps
While the voltage Of the circuit remains
the same, the regulation is greatly i'm
proved. and The danger of breaking down
the circuit is greatly reduced"
Major John Biddle the new Engineer
Commissioner of the District was sworn
in shortly after o'clock yesterday and
entered immediately upon the discharge |
of his dGties. The oath was administered |
by DR.. William Tindall, Secretary to the |
Board of Commissioners, who is a notary |
public Major Biddle Immediately turned |
his attention to his morning mail and |
spent an hour with his secretary, Moncure |
Burk, going over the business of the day. |
accessible to visitors and more than a |
hundred citizens Of the District called |
TO pay their respects. Major Biddle's first
oflcial act was the approval of several !
his signature
AT 10 o'clock there was called meet
ing of the Board of Commissioners at
w hich Major Biddle was formally receiv-
ed by his colleagues. The Secretary to !
the Board read the order of the Secretary |
OF war detailing Major Biddle as En-
sineer Commissioner of the District OF
Board followed. Commissioner Ross of
Tered motion that Commissioner Mac |
fariaId be chosen president. which was
carried. Commissioner Macfarland offer
ed motion that his colleagues be auth
oriZed to act as president in his absence
and the Board proceed to the considera-
ton Of current business.
The Commissioners yesterday authorized
he following items of public work
through the Engineer Department:
That 224 feet of six-inch water main be
aid in V Street west, from Fourth Street
northwest, at estimated cost of $3.50
That temporary change be made in
water main at Twelfth and NJ Streets
southeast, to enable sewer to be con-
'tructed at that point; estimated cost
100. chargeable TO the contractor for lay
ng said sewer John Jacoby.
That sewers be constructed in alley of |
,lock 90. Columbia College Lands. and in |
Columbia Street, between Fourteenth |
street and said alley, at an estimated cost |
II 1,26l; and that catch basin be con- |
tructed in alley OF said block 80; at an |
cost of $50; cost of sewer to be
harged to appropriation for suburban
ewers. and cost of catch basin to the |
appropriation for main and pipe sewers,
902
That catch basins be constructed on the |
orth side Of Erie Street Just west of |
sixteenth Street extended. and on the | .
asst side of Central Avenue, just north ! .
f Erie Street, at an estimated cost OF | .
lS5, chargeable to the current appropria- .
ion for main and pipe sewers.
That Twenty-second Street and Queens | .
'hapel Road, from Cincinnati Street TO .
he bridge over the Baltimore and Ohio
be macadamized at an estimated
ost Of $l,lOO, chargeable to the current
ppropriation for repairs to county roads. :
That fire hydrants be erected in the fol- :
owing localities at estimated cost of
j98, chargeable to the appropriation for
jumping expenses and pipe distribution:
'orth side Florida Avenue, between Four
eenth and Fifteenth Streets; south side
florida Avenue. between Thirteenth and
fourteenth Streets; V Street, between
fourteenth and Fifteenth Streets; L