Adding to the problem was poor draft for the combustion gases, so that soot would build up on the components, decreasing any alleged improvement.
In part, this was due to the federal government's distinct preference for awarding contracts to the lowest bidder.
In fact, Congress eventually established a committee process to review the specifications for the lamps.
At a point, the federal officer made claims that the Fresnel lens was too complicated to be used by members of the lighthouse service.
Fresnel lenses were initially more expensive to install, but they used only one wick and provided better and more focused light, thereby using even less fuel than the Lewis Lamps.