Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-02-02

that the undersigned have pesfttoued Congress-
TO grant them en- charter Ior new Gas Oonnpa;
which pledges itself TO furnish gas Of the first
quality TO the Government and the citizens OF
w ashington at S2S0 per thousand cubic feet.
Company is &3.o0 per one Thousand cubic feet,
not being satisfied with the high rates have pc.
titioned Congress to allow them to increase the
presenting that they cannot possibly furnish
gas at the present price, Notwithstanding 1t Is
furnished In other cities ut s2.50 per thousand
Now, in view Of these facts, ana az an act of
justice to the tax. payers and the citizens gen
orally, the undersigned would respectfully ask
your honor and the city councils, to use all
honorable means to indnee Congress- TO grant a
charter to the " Peoples Gas Light Company"
which guarantees to furnish gas at this reduced
price, which will prove saving to the cor
poTatlon alone Of thousands Of dollars.
Your honor will observe that the undersign-
ed, the proposed corporators of this Company,
are reliable and well known citizens, and every
way responsible peculiarly and otherwise for
the faithful fulfilment Of all they promise.
CSigned-Thomas Lewis, L. JClephane, d. @.
FoIney, J. W. Thompson, Saml. Fowler, and
MI n. b. Lafner introduced the following
bills. which were passed: To continue brick
centre s of gutter on west side Of sth, bet ween
x and streets; to take up and relay gutter on
M street, from 9th to 7th streets; to lay flag
foot-way on south side of N street, across 4th
street We st; to grade and gravel Ridge street
Mr.. &. Wilson introduced the following:
Be it resolred, That there be appointed a Joint
special committee of three members Of the
Board of Aldermen, and four members of the
Board of Common Council be appointed by. the
shall be to ask and urge Congress for authority
to er able the Corporation to own and manage
coal gas works for the manufacture of all gas
required and consumed in the city of Wash
ngton, under the following restrictions:
/. To be authorized to issue bonds, not ex.
ceedng S60O,O00 in amount, at a rate of interest
not exceeding six per cent, for the purchase
and erection OF works until the present gas
light company are offered a fair and Just price
for all Of their present works and fixtures, to
be determined by arbitrators mutually chosen.
2. The title OF all the property to be vested in
fourteen trustees and their successors, two
from each of the present wards, to be appoint
ed by the Mayor, by and with the advice of
the Board Of Aldermen, and those first an.
ponte to hold their positions severalIy from
one to fourteen years; all vacancies occurring
by death or resignation to be filled by the re-
naming trustees.
3. Gas TO be furnished to the Government at
So so per thousand feet, without deduction; to
private consumers at SO per thousand, with 10
per cent discount for prompt payment, if paid
within five days after the rendition of the bill
4. Ill corporation lamps to be furnished with
gas without taxation or cost to property bor-
dering on the street lighted.
Mr.. Wilson said he lntroI uced this resolution
TO harmonic all difficulties, the COM mmittees on
the District being sick Of the conflicting peti-
lions for charters of gas companies; and as
there was but little doubt but that large profits
were to be made from gas, 1t was proper that
our citizens should reap the benefits of the
profits. If Congress would adopt these sug-
gestions and the Corporation takes hold of the
matter, over ten thousand dollars could be
saved annually in lighting the Corporation
lamps. He had heard two of our citizens say
that they would pay the interest on the bonds
for one-h half the profits
MIR. Shepherd expressed his hearty concur
renee in the resolution, except as to that por-
ton locking to the purchase OF the present gas
company's works. The gas mains would
bankrupt any company, being in a leaky con-
dItion; indeed, a person could not go two
squares without smelling gas, and if pick is
struck into the street the ground is found sat
urated with gas. The cause of the company
endeavoring to increase the price is that they
have lost and are losing by leakage of mains
from IS to s3per cent of their gas. He argued
against fixing the price of gas at 50 when it
could be furnished for less.
Mr.. N. ID. Larner thought the wisest course
to purs ue was to 60 right to work. II we wait
moving 10 get a charter of Congress will sue
ceed, and the purpose of this bill be defeated
Mr.. nj. I.arner was also in favor of prompt
action in the matter. If private company
was to get the charter he was satisfied the citi.
Zens would be no better off than they are now;
especially If the company whose petition was
being carried around the streets should sue.
ceed. The names of some of the parties in
that company were not calculated to inspire
confidence on the part of the community.
Mr.. Ellis moved to strike out all the resolu-
.
Mr.. q. Wilson argued that the resolution in
that shape would be imperfect, and moved that
the clause asking authority for the Corporation
to issue bonds be inserted; which amendment
was accepted by Mr.. Ellis.
Mr.. Shepherd offered the following as sub.
stltute, but afterwards consented to offer it as
an Independent resolution:
Resolred DC, That we respectfully protest
against any increase IN the rates now piid for
gas in the city of Washington, and do hereby
sea9sst Congress to give the city power to
per thousand feet.
The resolution Of Mr.. Wilson, as amended by
Mr.. Ellis, was adopted; and the resolution OF
Mr.: Shepherd, after being amended, on motion
of Mr.. N. ID. Larner, by the insertion of a pro-
yiso that nothing shall be construed as an
lhooIsement OF or request Tor charter tor
adopted.
Mr.. Shepherd reported resolution providing
1cr the appointment OF committee of two
members OF each Board, in conjunction with
the Mayor, to wait on Congress and ask power
to issue bonds, bearing six per cent interest To
the amount Of Sl5G0O0, for the purpose of erect
ing new Center market house upon the site of
the present market-house, with the under
standing that the revenue arising therefrom
shall be applied to the redemption Of the bonds;
which was passed. ##.
Mr.. Ellis asked that the committee ON the fire
department be discharged from the considera.
ton of the petition of d. d. Foley ia reference
to q fre ladder. Discharged. r..
Bill for work done on K street bridge from
the improvements committee;) to take up and
reset fire plugs, drainage committee;) to defrav
expenses incurred in Introducing water in the
Northern Market, and bill making appropria.
ion for the improyeme Mt of the Northern Mar
ket, tmarRet committee;) to purchase 500 feet of
tee On fire department)
MT. Raub offered resolution instructing the
committee on wharyes to inquire whether the
wharf VIVA now building between 9th and 7th streets
does not obstruct the channel Passes.
Ihe bill providing for the removal of cinders
and coal ashes was taken up as the special
0roer, ana aIter some discussion was laid over.
THE bill provides that all persons occupying
buildings shall keep vessels for the reception
OF cinders and coal ashes under penalty of
from one to three dollars. No cinders or ashes
snail be thrown into any street or alley, but
delivered to the ash gatherers under q penalty
OF not less than ten dollars. The commission.
ers OF improvement shall employ carts to re-
move all cinders and coal ashes from dwellings
and places of business, lhlacksrnith machina