Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-24
HIGH POWER GASLAMPS
THEIR RESTORATION ON IMPORT
ANT THoRoUGHFAREs.
Electrical Engineer Recommends the
Award Of Contract to a Balti-
more Company.

The high-power incandesCent street gas
lamps formerly in use on many of the more
important thoroughfares in the residence
sections of the city are to be re-established
after July 1, when the new appropriation
act becomes effective. The lights were
abandoned at the beginning of the present
fiscal year by reason of the fact that no
bids for their erection and maintenance
could be secured within the limit of $25 per
lamp fixed by Congress. In the new appro-
priation bill the limit was raised to s2s.
Bids were received March % from four
concerns. all coming within the SIS mark.
After considering the matter for nearly a
month the Commissioners have decided to
ing Company of Baltimore, which has been
represented in the bidding by Attorney
Wilton j. Lambert. The American COM
pany proposes to furnish the lights for
SO. 10 each. The next lowest bid was re-
ceived from the Union Lighting Company
of this city. and was but 3 cents lamp
above the successful firm, namely, $3.50.
Two other bids were received. The West
ern Street Lighting Company of Ohio pro-
posed to do the work for $500 each lamp,
while the Welsbach Street Lighting Com
pany of America, Philadelphia, put in a
bid of $2S for each lamp.
The specifications of the contract require
that the contractors shall furnish every
thing. The lanterns are in most instances
placed upon the ordinary gas lamp posts
owned by the District. Prior to the award
of the contract a letter was received by the
Commissioners from the Pennsylvania
Globe Gas Light Company of Philadelphia,
claiming that the style of lantern proposed
to be used by the American Lighting Com
pany of Baltimore is an infringement of
patents owned by the Philadelphia concern.
The patent is now in litigation in the
United States court at Wilmington, Del.
Mr.. Aliens Comment.
In recommending the award of the con-
tract Mr.. Walter c. Allen, the electrical en-
gineer of the District said:
I'm this connection I would invite your
attention to the inclosed letter of the Penn
Philadelphia, claiming an infringement of
their type of lamp. l think there is no fear
of inconvenience to the District from such
suit, as a similar type of lamp was pur
chased and used by this department prior
to the date of the patent issued to the
Pennsylvania Globe Gas Light Company. /
think the patent would not be upheld in
the COURTS
The Commissioners inquired into the mat
ter and have approved the award of the
gineer, believing the American company
capable of proving its right to the use of
the style Of lamp decided upon.
Some of the principal thoroughfares upon
which the incandescent gas lighting will be
re-established are 10Th street, from H street
to Florida avenue; U street. from 14th to
18th streets; 18th street, from U street to
Columbia road; Rhode Island avenue. from
Connecticut avenue to Iowa Circle; around
Iowa Circle and down Vermont avenue to
H street; P street, from Iowa circle to Du-
pont circle: K. street, from 9th street to
18th street. and Massachusetts avenue
from Mount Vernon Square to Dupont
circle.
The Number Formerly in Use.
Prior to July 1, 1902, there were 1913 in
candescent gas lamps in use in the Dis
trict. These were maintained at $50 a. year
each out of an appropriation of 10000
For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1902,
Congress appropriated $15, 600 for incandes-
cent gas lighting, but provided that not
more than SO should be paid for the cree
ton and maintenance of each lamp. Bids
only one was received within the limit and
this was withdrawn before any action could
be taken.
With the present appropriation of $4,000
and the contract price for next wear at
SO. 10, the authorities will not only be able
to replace the 1913 lamps formerly in use.
but will have money enough to increase the
number of such lamps to $50
The contract for incandescent naphtha
lighting is yet to be awarded, although the
DldS were received at the same time as
those for the gas lighting Some question
as to office policy in the awarding of the
contract has arisen and is before the Com,
mlSSlonerS for settlement,