Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-01
Shifting Lamps.


Congress deals with the District I'm the
allotting OF public funds for capital
maintenance produces many results
wholly inconsistent with the theory
that Washington, as the seat of govern
ment, is a model municipal organiza-
ton. In consequence of the cheese
pairing methods of the appropriating
body the Commissioners are often put to
expedients which disclose the inadequacy
of the provisions. The order Just issued
TO shift 4ST street lamps from suburban
streets and roads to alleys now unlighted
In an illustration OF the bad effects OF
appropriating money for the District on
the present policy OF requiring the capital
municipality to pay virtually on a cash
basis for its large permanent Improve
ments and consequently cutting down the
current maintenance allowances.
As a result Of congressional inattention
to the detail of alley lighting heretofore
a situation has developed of which the
police have properly complained. Out of
$40 squares in this city, 1913. or over 90
per cent, contain alleys which are not
lighted at all. OF the remainder. only
12a. or little less than 20 per cent. are
fully lighted in the interior. and 1913. or
20 per cent, are partly lighted, 1t has
been computed that to bring all Of these
squares up to the standard of safe illu-
mination will require 952 lamps. for which
there is no provision OF funds either for
their purchase and installation or for
their maintenance with oil. gas or cleo
tricity.
Lacking means for the installation Of
these lamps. the Commissioners are faced
with the alternative Of leaving these dark
alleys unlighted or lessening the NUM-
Der of lamps In the suburbs. The lamps
are needed In both places. The Commits
sioners, however, have decided to take
49, lamps from the suburban roads and
in part relieve the darkness Of the al
leys 1t is inevitable that they should be
Immediately confronted with protests
from the suburban sections affected. and
in their objections TO the proposed action
the suburban jewellers in and all the
road users OF the District are perfectly
justified.
1t Is doubtful whether the Commission
ers have chosen the wisest course In de-
termining TO darken the rural roads Of
the District IN order to relieve the alley
blackness. The road users have become
accustomed to the illumination OF the
suburban thoroughfares and byways and
have a reasonable right to a continued
illumination along them. To take the
lamps from these roads will plunge them
in dangerous darkness. conducive TO acci-
dents and crime. The conditions in the
alleys are well known already. and while
bad do not call for relief SO urgently as
TO invite disaster elsewhere.
Tho Commissioners may possibly be pro-
ceding on the theory that by depriving
the suburban road users Of illumination
in order to relieve the alleys they will
enlist q large influence in behalf Of more
liberal lighting appropriations at the next
session of Congress. II would seem to
be q more businesslike method OF deal
ing with the conditions as they exist to
leave the present evils to be relieved as
they may appeal to the congressional con-
science next winter without precipitating
grave dangers upon the public mean
while. Whatever perils there may be In the
dark alleys At night. they do not affect
others than their frequenters and the
police. and while 1t II shameful that the
Capital city should possess such unligft-
ed corners and pockets. 1t Is questionable
whether the Commissioners are justified
in proceeding to make dark other places
where a much wider range Of public use
exists Perhaps the spectacle Of rob-
hing Peter 10 pay Paul will SO Impress
itself upon Congress that a liberal ap-
preparation will follow promptly, and
meanwhile II In to be hoped, II the Com
missioners persist in their determination
against the protest Of the people, that
the transfer Of lights will not add heavily
TO the criminal and accident record of
the District.