Evening star., 1921-03-16
MORE D. c. LIGHTING
DEEMED ESSENTIAL
Commissioners to Take Up
Question-Present Situa-
ton Held Aid to Crime.

Better street lighting, particularly
in the suburban sections. as an aid in
preventing crime and traffic accidents
is one of the Districts needs slated
for early consideration by the new
board of Commissioners.
Warren B. Hadley, electrical en-
gineer of the District. in his last an
nual report. declared that as an aid in
keeping the peace the Districts light
ing needs are not adequately met. he
stated, however, that Washington Is
not the worst lighted city in the coun-
try by any means and, in fact' Is far
above the average.
The Commissioners already are re-
ceiving suggestions from citizens as
sociations that because OF the epi-
demic of gun-toting the question OF
better lights in the outlying areas
should be considered Immediately.
The next appropriation act, when pc
comes operative July /. carries an ap-
propriation for street lighting OF
S430,OOO, which is an increase or
$4,000 over the amount allowed Tor
the current year. 1t is assured TINS
fund will be stretched to the limit 10
make possible the placing of lights in
places where they are now badly
needed.
For the next estimates. which are
being prepared. the Commissioners,
it is believed. will ask for a larger
lighting appropriation.
Association Makes Plea.
The Kalorama Citizens Association.
last night adopted resolution favoring
better lights one of its members declar-
ing that a so per cent increase in the
candlepower Of lamps would be fol-
lowed by a so per cent reduction in
crime.
Mr. Hadley today said he did not
consider a general so per cent in
crease in candlepower to be neces-
sary, although he would favor in
creasing the illumination at certain
places. Fifty thousand dollars would
make possible far-reaching dement's,
he said.
The total number of mantel gas
lamps connected June so' 1870; was
1856. Mr.. Hadley points out the IL
Elimination of these lamps could not
be increased exactly so per cent. but
it could be greatly increased IL the
spacing of the lamps was revised or
two mantels instead OF one were used.
On June 80 last the number Of in
candescent lamps in use was 8,125.
candlepower capacity. All Of them
could be increased to 100 candlepower.
and man If doubtless will be SO in
creased this year with the additional
funds that are to become available
July 1.
CandlepOwer Increased.
In fact, the electrical department.
departments, within the past few months,
has changed the candlepower Of lamps
from so to 100 candlepower in a dozen
or more cases, the most recent being
the lamps installed at the intersections
of Butternut and Dahlia streets and
Georgia avenue, and Military road,
Piney Branch road and Georgia avenue.
The department also is considering
installing lights on Bancroft place east
of 2sd street northwest and on shep-
herd street west of 18th street north
east, where building operations are to
be undertaken shortly These lamps p
streets become sufficiently built up to
Justify their need.
The electrical department estimates
that to increase all the incandescent
lamps from so to 100 candlepower would
require $500 more annually for their
operation. No estimates have been
made as to the cost Of increasing the
Illumination of the gas lamps.