Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-11-06
[CoMMUSIoATEp.
ELECTRIC LIGHTS.

To the Editor of the Alexandria Gazette
have observed with great interest,
the discussions which have from time to
time taken place in Council Regarding
the introduction of electric lighting in
Alexandria, and hope they will event
ualIy lead to results, which will at
least, place us upon equality, in this re-
spect, with some of our less pretentlous
neighbors, such as Warrenton, Leesburg,
Front Royal, Fredericksburg, Charlottes-
vile, ETC.
1t seems that the principal objection to
the use of electricity for lighting pur-
noses. is that the city owns the gas works.
Assuming this to be sound doctrine,
the experience of other cities, similarly
situated. shows that the introduction of
electric lighting has been an advantage
to the municipality rather than det-
riment.
The city of Richmond affords an in
teresting object lesson. That city owns
and operates its gas works. Finding it
inexpedient to install an electric lighting
plant of its own. and believing it det-
rimental to the public good to deny its
citizens the use Of electric light and
power, it has permitted two private
companies to con rsie, not only one with
the other, but botn with the gas works.
In order to ascertain exactly what
effect this condition has had upon the
gas consumption in that city, the writer
addressed letter to the superintendent
asking for data on the subject, and has
received copy of his last annual report
showing an increase in gas sold con-
sumers of 1884, oil cubic feet, as
compared with the proceeding year.
This can be explained by the natural
growth of the gas plant, and the fact that
very large percentage of the incandes-
cent electric lights are used for adyer-
Using and decorative purposes, field in
which gas is not competitor. Anyone
doubling this let him observe Pennsyl-
vania avenue, Washington, at night.
While Council is endeavoring to re-
strict citizens to the use of gas by i'm
posing penalty upon the use of cleo
tricity, we must not lose sight of the
fact that during the past few years some
of onr largest business establishments,
finding electricity more desirable for
their particular use, have Install
ed their own lighting plants,
depriving the city of considerable
revenue that it might have otherwise re-
tanned, in part at least. The Southern
Railway, | am told formerly paid the
city about fifteen-hundred dollars per
annum for light, a sum alone sufficient
to pay the interest upon $50, 900 cleo
trio plant.
Another consideration in this con-
nection, is that many of our new manu-
featuring establishments would use cleo
trio power for operating their machinery
were it available. In fact this is the
most remunerative service of an electric
plant, as the demand is practically con
tinuous during the day, while the light
ing period covers only a few hours.
Council should certainly give this
matter more serious consideration that it
has received. If it is impracticable for
the city to construct a proper lighting
plant, let it be done by private COM
pany who shall pay the city a portion OF
its receipts, and have it specified in the
franchise that the city reserves the right
to purchase the plant at any time it may
see fit. At any rate, let us have light.
CHAs F. THOMPSON.