Evening journal., 1915-05-21
NO Gas LIGHTING IN
NEW CITY BUILDING
Building Commission Tells
Council it Finds Dual
System Not Feasible
GAS AND ELECTRIC
LAMPS IN CORRIDOR

Setting forth that they did not think
the installing of a dual gas and electric
lighting system in the new county and
municipal building, in course OF erection,
is feasible, the Wilmington Building
Commissioners sent communication 20
Council last night IN reply to Councils
request OF week ago that provision bel
made an the now buildings for the use OF
gas as we'll a. electricity for lighting.
Tho commissioners set forth that the
United States Government had discard
ed the dual system of lighting, and the
same had been done in other modern
buildings. They stated, however, that
they had arranged ior am emergency gas
lighting system TO supplement electric
ity ia the corridors. The communication
was ordered filed.
Councilman Stoycr, who had brought
up the subject at previous meeting,
said he desired 20 congratulate the man
who had compiled the letter Council had
received but he expressed the belief that
IL was useless for Council 90 give further
consideration to the subject, for the
building commission he said, I'm their
letter told City Council in nice way
that they could 90 to "thuuder" and
mind their own business. He said 1t was
refreshing TO know there are two bodies
in this city that can regulate rates for
electricity. the Street and Sewer De-
pariment and the Board of Public Util-
ity Commissioners, as was pointed out
in the commissions letter.
The letter received from the building
commission is as follows.
May s, 1915.
To the Honorable The Council of The
Mayor and Council Of Wilmington:
Gentlemen Your letter of the Sth
instant. notifying us that at your reg
ular session. held on May &. 1915, The
Council expressed the view that in
the construction of the new Municipal
Building for the city of Wilmington
arrangements should be made for the
installation of both electric light and
gas lighting outfits throughout the
building. and that the latter should he
installed at an expense not to exceed
81 500. has been duly received and
carefully considered by the commits
sion.
In view of the fact that this COM
mission has not had an opportunity
to discuss the question with the Coun-
Gil before the passing of your resolu-
ton, and likewise IN consideration of
the weight which this commission
feels that the action of Council should
have with it, we take this opportunity
of expressing TO you the facts IN re-
lation to the situation.
The question of the lighting of the
new Municipal building has been on,
which has received the long and care
-ful consideration of This commission
~ fhta mil e
has been able to secure was obtained
and as a result the commission some
months ago we're unanimously of the
opinion that dual system of lighting
should not be provided for the huild
ing. The United States government
and counties and municipalities under
whose supervision and for whose use
buildings OF the character in question
have been erected have uniformly
where electric light was available, dis
carded the use of gas and adopted the
single electric lighting system. In
fact. a year or more ago. the Unite,
States government, which certainl,
has had more experience in matteri
( of this kind than any county. city o
( individual, has by uniform and bindin.
regulation prohibited tho dual system
of lighting in all government building
of this character and has confined th
lighting system in snch buildings 4
the use of electricity. The commits
sion has in all respects followed tn
government requirements. including
the installation OF what Is known a
the breakdown or pilot system il
which gas is used for the lighting q
the corridors. etc, Of the building i
the event OF breakdown in the cleo
tric light. Our reasons for so doin
may be generally embraced under th
heads of economy. efficiency, cleanl
ness, healthfulness aud architecture
design.
The commission has likewise cor
sidered the arguments advanced
your honorable body as the same al
pear from the public prints. and hs
given consideration TO the local sitt
alton, and taking all factors iato cor
sideration unanimously came 10 th
conclusion above stated. and the plan
and specifications for the buildin
+ have been prepared contracts aware
ed and much of the work complete
In accordance with the systNm adop
ed by this commission.
Some weeks ago. the matter Wa
again brought to the attention OF th