Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-14
GOING ON FOR EIGHT YEARS
700 Candle Power Delivered in
Every 1000 Candle Power.
COMMISSIONERS MAKE CHARGE
Report Situation to House Appro'
priation subcommittee
Amount Not Figured Out.

There were sensational disclosures at
today's hearing before the appropriation
subcommittee which is preparing the
District of Columbia appropriation bill.
AS a result of statements made and
evidence presented by Commissioners
Rudolph, Johnston and Judson, one men,
Der Of the subcommittee made the
astounding statement at the conclusion
of the hearing that the District Of Co
lumbia government has claim of a
half million dollars against the Potomac
Electric Power Company.
1t appears that for eight years the Dis
a thousand candle power for electric
lighting and receiving only seven hun
dred candle power in each one thousand.
Exact Claim Not Estimated.
Commissioner Rudolph was asked by
Star reporter at the Capitol today as to
what he thought the claim of the Dis
trict of Columbia against the Potomac
Power Company would aggregate
Il canot make an estimate" he said.
1t is impossible to figure it out at this
time. A great deal Of work, a great deal
of figuring must be done before the total
can be approximated.'
In connection with these disclosures it
missioners have reached a tentative
v,,;xI xhn Dat
pany for a great reduction in the price
of electric lighting.
The members of the subcommittee give
Commissioners Rudolph, Johnston and
Judson unstinted praise.
''They are doing splendid work." said
one member of the appropriation COM
mittee THE information they have given
us with respect to electric light con-
tracts is exceedingly valuable"
No statement could be had from either
of the committees or from members OF the
committee as to whether any tentative
to collect either a part or all the alleged
overpayments to the electric lighting
company.
Power Plant at Great Falls.
Members of the appropriations commit
tee freely express the opinion today
that the project for a municipal power
plant at Great Falls to supply light and
power to all branches of the District gov
ernment would go through.
I'VE will have to come to that" said
one of them. I'VE are tired Of paying Iue
highest prices for inferior service. l
think the plan for power plant at Great
Falls is ideal"
No information could be had as to the
exact rate for electric lighting fixed by
the tentative agreement between the
Commissioners and the Potomac Electric
Power Company. 1t is understood that 1t
effects a most substantial saving.
The Commissioners are being commend
ed on all sides for exacting lower rates
for gas used by the District and then i'm
mediately unearthing the electric light
ing irregularities.
There is no question but that the hea--
lnRs on the District of Columbia appro-
priation bill this year. although not near
" as extensive as usual. will make ex-
ceedingly interesting reading when they
are published
E. 8. NARROW, treasurer of the Potomac
Electric Power Company, asked for some
not much to say except that the propo-
sition to reduce the cost of street lights
Is all right
Denial by Gen. Harries.
Gen. George H. Harries. vice president
of the power company. said this afternoon
that statements were untrue IL made to
the effect that the power company had
overcharged the city in the slightest de-
gree. He said he had not heard of any
such figures being presented at the Capt.
tol, and that he was at a loss to ex-
plain any such statement.
He also said that a tentative schedule
of reduced prices for electric lighting Of
the city had been agreed upon, and that
the matter of prices would be eft to the
action Of the committee. he presumed,
after a hearing. The reduced prices would
be in return for q longtime contract, a
purely business proposition.
Gen. Harries added that the District is
getting more lighting for the money it ]
a.