Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-04

IN the amount of coal consumed, in the car
riage, storing and handling, of 1t, and in
the handling and disposing of ashes.
The steaming efficiency OF the boilers
would be increased and the cost Of
electrical production and distribution for
power and light Would be very much re-
duced. There would be no danger from fire
in any OF the public buildings, the smoke
nuisance would be reduced to a minimum,
and only about 10 per cent as much labor
would be necessary as under the present
system.
The Estimated Cost.
Mr.. Green estimates that central sta
ton, sufficient to meet all demands for the
next twenty-five years, could he erected for
81. 1000 exclusive of the site, which he
thinks could be purchased on street be-
tween 14th and 18th streets for about $780,
600. This recommendation has been made
to Congress, and an appropriation of $780,
600 will be asked for to purchase the site
and begin work. There are good reasons
why the matter should be decided at once.
If the new National Museum, the Agricul-
tural Department and the municipal build
ing, which are now progressing rapidly, are
to be supplied from central power station.
important alterations must be made in the
plans for their construction.
Not only the executive but the legisla-
tive branch of the government should be
united by one central, government tele-
phone station said Mr. Green ito which
all outside service local and long distance
could be ably connected. From the ed
vent OF the telephone to the present time
the government has purchased from a pri-
vate company. not only the outside service
but its own inside service, both local and in
terdepartmental. In the early days of the
pa tent rights and the development of this
wonderful convenience such course was
unavoidable, and the ramifcation of the
wires, establishment of the instruments and
circulation of the workmen of the private
company throughout and between all gov
eminent buildings was a warrantable i'm
propriety. Now. however, after twenty
years experience and the expiration of the
fundamental patent rights. the situation is
greatly changed Telephone instruments,
apparatus, wiring and service belong to
well-estabiished commercial industry and
may be purchased in a competitive market
at the minimum of cost and be installed,
maintained and operated quite independent
ly of any private company.
''The advantages of this to the govern
ment impressed me so strongly that l took
advantage of the opportunity to present
and commend 1t to the consideration of
Congress i'll my central power-station re-
port, as analogous thereto and similarly
worthy of consideration"
Government Telephone Service.
An investigation recently made by Mr.
Gauss, chief clerk of the Navy Department.
shows that the government uses LTD tele-
phones in Washington, and under the pres
ent contract with the telephone company
will pay s4l,562 for their use during the
year current fiscal with an allowance of
71500O messages. This contract is under
new rate and is a reduction of 1895
from the previous year The increase in the
use Of the telephone is inevitable and there
must be corresponding increase In expense.
An annual expenditure of $4,000 would pay
the interest upon the cost of a very com
prehensfve plant particularly If the rec
concentrations of Mr.. Green are adopted
and a central station for heat, light and
power Is established. The addition of a
telephone system, as recommended bv Mr..
Green, would add a comparatively small
amount to the total cost of the plant
Mr.. Gauss says that negotiations are now
gong on TO establish an interdepartmental
system of telephones which shall be en-
tireiy Independent of the city exchanges:
and he thinks this plan will eventually be
ADOPTED at least until the central power
plant Is an accomplished fact