Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-08-08
WELSBACH LIGHT CONTRACT
Why Itis Cheaper Than the Bid
for Electric Light.
THE DIFFERENCE PLAINLY SHOWN
Wilmington to Getthe Cheapest
Service.
This is Due to tho Low Rate at which Gas
is Furnished inThis City-comparison of
the Welsbach Light With the 10 Candle
Electric Light for Street Lamps.

The questions of the cost and the
value of the VI elstach system of street
lighting as applied to the city of Will
nington were discussed in PHILADELPHIA
Monday, by representative of the
Welsbacn Street Lighting Co. OF
America, The company recently was
awarded a contract by the Street and
Sewer Departm ent to supply this city
with 500 lamps at s27 year per lamp.
1t was alleged by the Sunday Star
that as between this and the Whining
ton City Electric Go. "a bid of sl4. 88
for 16 candle power inoandescent lights,
there was 80 marked difference in
price that the awarding OF the contract
gave rise to suspiciousness of crooked
ness. When Every Evening took the
position that the Sunday Star was not
corIeot as to its deductions, that journal
took Every Evening to task as an apollo
gist for the Street and Sewer Depart
ment and continued to harp on the old
string.
When the representative OF the Wells.
bach Street Lighting Co. became ac-
quainted with tina Star'n criticisms and
structures, he consented to make u
statement concerning the company 3
business, and especially with reference
to the Wilmington bid. Three points
were made by him: One, thyt the COM
pany's light is making great headway
for street lighting purposes; another,
that Wilmington pays less than any
other city in the country for its Wells
bach lighting; and third, that the
Welsbach light is far cheaper In pro-
portion than the incandescent electric
light Of 16 candle power. After re.
ferring to the fact that the Welsbaoh
light is largely used abroad, the repre-
sentative of the Welsbach Street Light.
ing 20. OF America said:
I'VE have in Boston 1000 lamps: New
York, 10000: st. Louis, 12, 600; San
Francisco, 5000: Lowell, Mass, 1900;
Yonkers, N. ", 1,700; Providence, r..
l., LOCO; Washington, 500, and smaller
numbers in many other cities; in all
$4,000 to 100000 lamps, in $50 con-
tracts. When there is local gas con-
pany we use its gas, and when there is
no such local company, we use naphtha.
We give 65 candle power light, which is
accurately measured by photometer,
a machine for measuring light.
THE prices Of the Welsbach Street
Lighting Go. are the same throughout
the United States and Canada; that ia
to say, they are governed by the prices
Of the gas quoted by the local com.
pany, by length Of contract, and by
number OF lamps.
THE bid for Wilmington, was S27,
which Is the lowest price quoted in any
city in the United States. for an every
night and all night service, which fact is
owing to the Wilmington Coal Gas %.
having quoted very low prices for gas.
"Our company gives bond for the
faithful performance of the work, sup
plying the lamps, materials, mantels
and SO forth, guaranteeing good ser
vice; and under tho terms of the oon-
tract any lights that are out will be
deducted pro rata from the contract
Price.
" Electric incandescent lights having
l6 candle power at Sl4.S8 per light
per year are much more expensive than
the Welsbaoh lights at s27 giving a 65
candle power light. The light which we
put in is soft, incandesoent light, free
from shadows and peculiarly adapted
to street lighting, Hnich is nroven by
many lotters from towns and cities in
the United States and by the increase
in present use.
In regard to electric inoandescent
lights, they were never meant for street
lights. but for house lights In most of
the cities where they have been used
they have been abandoned for the
Welsbach lights, as it has been proven
that the Welsbach lights are much
superior in quality Of light and candle
power, and in the cost of same.
1--WE have had sample lamps in Will
ming ton since 1872