The Washington times., 1902-08-29
Declare There IS No
Money in Contracts
With the District.
COMPROMISE ON REPAIRS
Agreement Made by Which Companies
Will Divide Expense of Maintenance
With the District Say Gas Costs
More Than They Receive.

Tae District Commissioners have re
Gently entered into contracts with the
Washington Gaslight Company and the
Georgetown Gaslight Company whereby
the companies are to maintain gas lamps
in certain streets, roads. avenues and al
leys In the District at the rate OF 500 per
annum. The companies in signing
the contracts have protested against the
price they are to receive, declaring it to
be below the cost of the gas.
Under the provisions OF the last Dis
trict appropriations act it was set forth
that no more than 500 per annum for
each street lamp shall be aid for gas,
and no more than $40 for oil. lighting,
extinguishing, repairing painting, clean
ing. purchasing and expenses of erect
ing and maintaining new lamp posts.
street designations. lanterns and fix
lures. under any expenditure provided
for in this act
The gas companies called the atten-
tion OF the Commissioners to the unfair
ness of the act soon after it was passed,
and the beard asked the corporation
whether they had authority TO enter into
a contract for the maintenance Of the
lamps with the proviso ignored. The
counsel said such a contract could be
made The Commissioners were. how
ever. loath TO act directly against the
provisions made by Congress in this re-
spect as they were well aware OF the
long conferences and discussion that
took place during the last session Of
Congress over this self-same clause.
Maintenance of Lanterns
On the other hand the gas companies
contended that the $50 named for the
erection of lanterns and the other items
of maintenance would cost them at least
s47 per lantern erected. and therefore
If they should enter such contract they
would make a loss inste Of Il profit
In it.
The Commissioners held a conference
with the officials of the two gas com
panies The latter saw clearly that it
would not be wise for the Commission
ers 10 disregard the express provision
made by Congress. and they decided TO
sign the contracts as per the provisions
of the recent appropriation act.
It was suggested that each of the com
panies sign two contracts. No. l to read
"specif atoms for gas lighting" This
repair of gas lamps in the various roads.
alleys, highways and streets Of the Dis
trict for the fiscal year. 1903. This con-
tract will cover the maintenance OF all
lamps in service prior to August 13.
1902. which were erected under the ap-
preparation for the year ending Jtne 30.
1902 The lamps will be maintained al
the rate Of $50 per lamp per annum and
no additional costs will be incurred be-
yond those heretofore borne by the
company.
No. will read. Specifications for new
street lamps" This is for the erection,
operation and maintenance OF such ad-
ditional gas lamps as may be ordered by
the Commissioners during the fiscal year
1908. This contract will also cover the
furnishing OF all the necessary material
and appliances both for the new lamps
and for replacing all posts. lanterns and
other fixtures broken during the fiscal
year The rate OF pay win be 500 per
lamp per annum, which the company
will accept under protest. as the addi-
tional items Of cost under this contract
have heretofore been borne by the Dis
trict.
Both gas companies have entered into
these contracts.