The Washington times., 1913-09-13

be Move down further. Sam. Now. gen.
tlemen, is there any body here who can I
see him? And that's sixty feet away.
Sam Eskew, assistant clerk OF the
House District Committee, wearing
dark suit donned especially for the oc-
casion. moved about as directed oy
Chairman Ben johnson, of the commit
tee. Surrounding the chairman, IN
search Of dark spots" on the Avenue
were Commissioners Newman. capt.
Schley, assistant to the Engineer Com
missioner; w. w. Spalding, of Ken
tucky; Fred Allen. another clerk OF the
District Committee, and several newspa-
per men.
AS sam stood in the shadows. Mr.
johnson, calling the District OFFICIALS
paced of fifteen, thirty. sixty feet.
From any distance the keen-eyed Ken
tuckian asserted he could see Sam
plainly. Others in the crowd also ap-
peared to see Sam, although Commits
sioner Newman and Captain Schley
made no comment.
First ozark Spot" Found.
The personally-conducted johnson tour
was made down Pennsylvania avenue
last night following the testimony CT
Captain Schley, before the House Dis
trict Committee, that the thoroughfare
needed new lights. What aroused Mr..
johnson was that the contract for the
lamp posts did not go to the lowest
bidder. Incidentally he and Captain
Schley held divergent opinions as to the
darkness of the Avenue. Mr.. Johnson
saying that the improvements proposed
for the Avenue might be made IN other
sections.
AS soon as the parade" started from
the District Building last night DARK
spot was found near Thirteen-and-a
half street.
Sam Eskew was sent of fifteen feet
and everybody could see him.
IT didn't place the distance at nfteen
feet" said Captain Schley.
I'VE won't quarrel about that; the
record will show" said Mr.. johnson.
You said the length of the House Dis
trict Committee room and that's ABOUT
thirty" And he did, evidently without
his eyesight.
Drops Halt Dollar Down. ...
. Fred Allen, who wore dark blue, was
sent into the shadows at Ninth and the
south side. Captain Schley re-
marked that he had testified 1t was diff
ficult to distinguish q man from half
way across the street.
It can see him clear across" shouted
Mr.. johnson. Turn around, Fred. and
walk up and down."
Fred turned his back to the street and
paced back aud forth.
The performance was repeated along
the darker spots down the Avenue until
every instance Mr.. johnson appeared
to have no trouble in seeing man, al
though in one or two places the back
ground was rather dark.
When the shadowy stretch in front Of
the Botanic Gardens was reached. NJ
Robinson, Louisville newspaper cores
pondent, and suggested:
go to the darkest place over there.
Lee. and drop this half dollar down.
s. See II you can find it and bring it
The crowd waited at the Peace Monu-
ment while Robinson went of into the
night. The clink Of coin was heard.
II a moment the newspaper man re-
turned. He brought back the half.
The parade" down the Avenue was
watched by thro1gs OF the curious all
along the line. At Eighth and Pennsyl-
vania Avenue, Congressman Johnson
asked enc Of his group to walk clear
across tine street and look back.
What's the matter with him. asked
a curious pystander, as the distance
was paced of. The curious bystander
vas told.
oh" he said.
1t is proposed to replace the present
lights on the Avenue with arc lights
of higher candle power. There would
be 148 lamps Of 1900 candle power
instead of seventy-eight of 100 candle
power. The difference in cost would
be about $1,000 a year and Mr.. john
son contends the money ought to be
expended elsewhere In the city.
II am perfectly satisfied with my