Evening star., 1901-01-16
Contracts Made for Beginning an E1-
tensive Enterprise.
POWER FOR WASHINGTON TRACTION
United States Lighting Co. Site
Selected for Central Station.
e CON OMY IN VICE

Contracts have been made for the en-
largement Of the electric power plant Of
the United States Electric Lighting Com
pany at the corner of 14th and streets
northwest, and If the proposed add1-
tion is erected the building will cover
| the entire frohtage Of the square
fronting on B street between 14th
and 1871 streets. At present the struc-
ture, which was erected by the company
prior to its coming into the possession Of
the interests now controlling it, under the
name of the Washington Traction and Elec-
trio Company. covers only a portion Of the
when the plans which have been approved
are carried out the entire frontage will be
occupied by building.
The entire holdings of realty Of the COM
pany on this square comprises about two
thirds of the entire area of the square, and
in addition to the B street frontage the
property extends up the 14th street front
24O feet with about the same extent on
131s street.
The addition, the construction Of which
Is contemplated during the present year,
Will be, it is understood. only a part Of a
ground. 1t will then be the only power
house Of the entire system controlled by
the Washington Traction Company, COM
prlslng eleven street railroads and two
of the new power plant proper provision Is
made for future growth, and 1t Is calculated
that the capacity of the plant will be about
10000 horsepower, which is twice the
amount of power now required for the en-
tire system.
An Original Feature.
The concentrating Of power production in
one place was one of the features Of the
original scheme for the purchase Of these
properties. but it was then thought that the
plant Of the Potomac company in George
town, the other electric lighting company
now controlled by the same interests. would
be enlarged to sufficient capacity to fur
nish all the power that would be needed.
1t has however, been decided to have one
power plant and locate it as above stated
for the reason that such location is more
central than any of the others of the power
plants controlled by this company, and. in
fact, Is as central as 1t Is pratical. When
the scheme of this plant is completed, then
the Potomac power house will become a
substation, while the four other power
plants now in use to operate this system
will be abandoned or will not be used as
principal stations.
The expenditure Of money to bring this
about will be considerable. but the advan-
tages are thought to be many, and besides
1t will result in freeing good deal Of real
estate, which can be sold If deemed best
1t Is estimated that the cost of the extern
sion contemplated during the present year
will amount to 100000. This expenditure
will result in more than duplicating the
present plant of the United States Electric
Lighting Company, as the capacity Of that
plant is now 1890 horse power, and the
new plant will have q capacity Of 5,4O0
horse power.
AS soon as that is finished 1t will be pos
sible to shut down the power plant Of the
Potomac company. that of the Brightwood
railroad and of the Columbia railroad.
1t will still be necessary to operate in
order TO SlInnlV the needed amount OF
rent the power stations of the Metropoli-
tan road at AZ and at P street. but when
the further increase In the central power
house at 14th and B streets is made, then
1t will be possible to abandon all the plants
now in use.
Contracts Already Made.
While 1t Is stated that the contracts have
been made for this work and that it Is ex-
pected to have it done during the present
year and that part Of next year that may
be required, still actual work has not yet
been begun.
1t Is evident that If this project Is carried
out in it's details those controlling the
Washington Traction Company have no
idea of breaking up the present holdings
and parting with any portion of it, as for
instance, the two electric lighting COM
panies. as has lately been discussed, owing
to the legislation asked for by the Wash
ington Gas Company. and which is thought
by some to look to the acquisition Of those
concerns. The provision of a one-power
plant tends, 1t is thought, rather to con-
solidating these properties than to their