Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-16
REACHED IT'S MAJORITY
Continued from First Page.)

there were laboratory experiments long
prior to that time, and there was occasional
display Of individual interest when there
came news of modern Illuminating methods
put in comman practice elsewhere, but no
one had made any commercial attempt at
electric lighting within the District of Co
lumbia-
That first effort doubtless dwelis In the
memories Of many people. The Society Of
the Army Of the Cumberland was holding
its reunion at the national capital, and
there was a great deal of public concern
az to the proceedings Of the society. Money
was contributed by the citizens In order
that the celebration might be completely
successful. One Of the projected plans of
entertainment included the illumination Of
Pennsylvania avenue from the Peace monu-
ument to the Treasury building. The idea
aroused great enthusiasm and there was
wholesale manifestation of interest In the
work of suspending arc lamps above the
center Of the avenue at considerable inter-
walls. A dynamo was imported for the oc-
casion and was belted to engine in a
18th street sawmll. When the appointed
time arrived the avenue was thronged with
people who were anxious to see the prom
ised transformation Of night into day. The
transformation did not take place. All the
way from the boiler room to the carbons
there was all sorts of trouble. and the wait
ing multitude saw nothing more than an
occasional glow or suffering succession
Of sparkling efforts to do business.
Out Of that very distressing failure came
success. The very magnitude of the dis
appointment operated on a few minds with
so much of force that In little while there
was organized a company whose members
proceeded to wrestle with the many diff
culties In the way OF maintaining an ell
Client electric light plant. That company
went the way of so many companies. and
a little more than year thereafter was
organized the United States Electric Light
ing Company; when. for the first time, was
the electric light proposition placed upon
business basis. 1t was a very small bust
ness, though, for at the first annual meeting
the report showed that there were only
ninety-one arc lights and one hundred in
candescent lights In operation. Satisfied
with the prospects, however, the company
proceeded to increase its equipment and to
reach out for business. The first was easy,
50 long there was money available The
second was slow because there was pop
ular timidity as to the electric current. and
there was strong opposition from organiza
tons interested in the burning of oil and
gas.
From the outset the United States Elec-
trio Lighting Company was intent upon
usinE only the most modern devices and
methods. Realizing that the city was en-
titled, to all possible consideration, 1t pro-
ceeded to lay conduits that its many
lines would be beneath the street surfaces.
That was an extremely expensive propcsi-
tton. but 1t was appreciated by the public
and by all who believed In the Identification
of Washington Today the company's con-
duit system is a model In every respect.
For about two years Pennsylvania avenue
had a monopoly of public arc lighting-light-
Ing for which the company was not remuner-
ated-and then q number of property hold
ers and merchants on F street decided that
arc lights were needed on their principal
thoroughfare; 30 they subscribed a suffl-
cient sum and thus made excellent showing
of the spirit which gave to F street an I'M
assailable business supremacy.
For two weeks In July, 1885. gas. oil and
other ancient iilumtnants were temporarily
In complete possession Of the city q fire
having destroyed the lighting company.s
plant. Two weeks after the fire all of the
principal lamps were again In operation,
and before the close of the year there were
moro than two hundred arc lamps and near
Iy three hundred incandescent lamps rem
dering satisfactory service.
Since that time the growth has been
steady Changes OF administration have
occurred, old equipment has been replaced
by new. building has succeeded building.
until now the Potomac Electric Power Com
pany-whioh has recently absorbed the
United States Electric Lighting Company
supplies all Of the power needed for cleo
trio lighting purposes and nearly all the
power necsssary Cor the operation OF the