The times., 1901-06-04

screens
L. S. Nicolai, contractor for naphtha
street lighting, has addressed the Com
nissioners with reference to the alleged
infringement of the mantle proposed to
be furnished to the District during the
next fiscal year in connection with the
high candle power street lighting con-
tract Mr.. Nicolai says:
Il have noted an article published in
the Washington Times under date of June
l, where Arthur L. Shaw, of the WeIsbach
Street Lighting Company of America, has
addressed you a communication inform
ing you that the incandescent mantle
which the American Lighting Company
of Baltimore proposes to furnish for the
District Of c 'lumbia infringes upon let
ters patent of the United States controlled
by the WelSbach Company, such utter
ance coming from this company, particu-
larly through Arthur +. Shaw, the agent
also OF the Pennsylvania Globe Gaslight.
This very concern has recently under
taken to control the situation of mean
descent lighting at Baltimore, Nd, and
against the same company who has
underbid them there en- May % for in
candescent gas, but tie superintendent
OF lamps IN that city, Mr.; McCuen, acted
wisely and recommended the award OF
contract to the lowest responsible bic
ders, namely, the American Lighting
Company of Baltimore, Md.
lower figures for the same or better serv-
ice in this city, and can and will furnish
necessary sureties or bond in accordance
to specifications attached, also cover any
action by law on questions of mantle in
fringementS, which may or may not be
brought by other parties. l therefore
trust that the Electrical Engineer Of the
District viii do his duty and recommend
the acceptance of the lowest bid for this
work and encourage further competition
in the future the same as has been done
in naphtha street lighting by me-"
The Commissioners yesterday took ac-
tion relative to the contract for high
candle power street lighting for the en-
suing fiscal year by voting TO accept the
porposal of the Welsbach Street Light
ing Company of America. This action
was based upon the recommendation of
Walter c. Allen, Electrical Engineer In
his report upon the subject to khe Com
missioners, Mr.. Allen said:
"A reference to the report Of tests by
the Inspector of Gas Meters shows that
the meter Of the " elsbach Company Is
TAR superior TO that of the American
Lighting Company, the only other bidders.
W lille the latter company is lower In
price, yet their burner is not nearly as
good. Mr.. Allen also invites attention to
the letter written to the Commissioners
by the Welsbach Company. in which the
claim is advanced that the attachments
to be used by the competing company in
YOlVe lnfringemcntS on the patents of
the Welsbach Company. The Wesbach
Street Lighting Company, of America, has
taken the American Lighting Company
and the city OF Baltimore into the courts
in that city for similar alleged infring-
ment and 1 do not recommend that this
portion OF our street lighting system be
tied up or the District embarrassed by
similar suit"
The Commissioners yesterday, after con
sidering the matter of the findings of
the jury in the case of the Sixteenth
Street extension, voted to reject the as
sessments and benefits. This action was
taken in pursuance of the fact that the
assessment OF benefits was less than 80
per cent of the damages. in which case
the law gives the Commissioners discre-
tionary power to act in rejecting the
findings Of the jury and in ordering a new
trial.
The Commissioners also voted that the
Attorney be instructed TO proceed in the
case as soon as the Pennsylvania Avenue
and Fifth Street cases are disposed Of
The Commissioners yesterday voted that
Seventeenth Street from Pennsylvania
Avenue to / Street be designated as Il
business street.
The Commissioners yesterday, on the
recommendation Of Capt. Lansing Ii.
Beach. the Engineer Commissioner. voted
to remove George n. BcaIe, Superintendent
Of County Roads. For some time past
there is said to have been growing fric-
tion between the Superintendent and his
superiors, and it is alleged that the work
of improving the county roads has not
been done 10 the satisfaction of the de
partmcnt a few days ago Mr.. Beale was
requested to send IN his resignation, TO
take effect June !. This Mr.. Beale refused
10 do, and action ordering his removal
from office was taken yesterday. At the
same time il was voted that Morris Hack
er be appointed TO the office of Superin-
tendont of County Roads, vice Beale re
moved.
f. f. Caverly has written to the Com
Tnissioners stating that he desires TO
withdraw his name as a signer in favor
OF the establishment Of the market in
square 235 on Fourteenth Street, near v
Mr.. Caverly says that he is an owner of
property in square 2S5 and that he now
protests against the establishment of the
proposed market
II is understood that this withdrawal
viii not affect the ma jority OF the prop
erty holders in favor Of the market.
Lieut.. John Kenney, Of the Eeghth pre-
cinct, has forwarded TO Headquarters the
sum OF $40 presented by j. f. Walsh to