The Evening critic., 1883-01-22
DO We want Chenp GAS

week ago to-day a,bill was introduced In
the House providing for the incorporation of
new gas company In Washington, whose
maximum price for better gas than we are
now getting should be $3.50 per 1000 feet
The incorporators included a number Of
names OF great financial strength and we'll
known as experienced gas-makers. The time
for the incorporation of such n company is
short, and the bill, II 1t is to be passed this
year, should be pressed through the various
stages Of legislation with speed.
1t was referred, as was proper, 10 the Dis
trict OF Columbia Committee, but since then
has not been heard from. Where is 1t and
what is its conditions Are Mr.. Chairman
Neal, MIR. Klotz, Mr.. Murch and the other
members OF that committee really anxious to
bring down the price of an article of such
large consumption as gas to the citizens OF the
District If so why do they not proceed at
once to inquire II the incorporators named In
the proposed new charter are reliable aud
capable men?
Why are our esteemed and respected con-
temporaries SO silent concerning this new
project? The Pot is the only paper that has
published the bill In full, aud the only one
that has made editorial comment upon 1t.
Why is the sedate Star so slow and so silent?
Why the mercurial CRITIC 50 oblivlous to the
promised boon for the people? Why does our
eight-paged contemporary contain so much
about Booriboola Cha and so little about the
possibility of cheaper gas? Why don't we
hear from certain congressman who are usu-
ally so alert to connect themselves with great
popular movements?
Has the Washington Gasight Company been
at works Does 1t still furnish gas to Con-
gressmen and neglect to send In the bills Is
II as kind to the esteemed press as 1t i.sod
to be?
Has 1t the power year after year to prevent
any and all efforts to establish competition
Does the Washington Gaslieht Company own
Congress, the District Commissioners, the
newspapers, and the hitherto noisy reformers
and peoples advocates ?
The Post has taken up the notion that cheap
gas is a good thing, almost as good as cheap
water. 1t pays Its gas bills, has always paid
them, does not owe the gas company either
money or gratitude, and is determined to en-
ter the lists for a new and competing com.
pany and lower prices for light. 1t invites its
esteemed city contemporaries, the District
Commissioners, the District Committees of the
House and Senate and both branches of Con-
gress to unite with It, If they deliberate or
even hesitate, 1t is possible they may be left.
Thus discourses our virtuous neighbor,
the Post, this morning. We are gla1 to see
our contemporary take up the cudgel so
energetically, even at this late day, against
query, "Do we want cheap gas ?" we au-
swer emphatically, YES. But will we be
sure of getting it by the plan proposed by
the POstf The experience of the people o
Washington has been that the cheaper ga:
per thousand feet, the more their gas bills
We do not pretend to say that this should be
so, but do assert that it is SO. The "Mercural
CRITIC" will advocate almost anything
that will bring the Washington Gas Mo-
nopoly to terms. Like the Post, we "pay
our gas bills, have always paid them. ant
do not owe the gas company either none,
or gratitude" and are free to use ou
columns to fight for the interests of tn
people against this and all other monopo
lies But we are in doubt whether the in
corporation Of another gas compan,
is the best means of relief. Experienc
in other cities is not reassuring on thi
point, even where the rival company ha
gone to the extent of establishing a plan
and furnishing gas. And in most cases th
competition has gone only far enough t
sell out their granted rights to the oil
monopoly, which in return has adde
enough TO their customers bills TO rein
burse them an hundred fold. Still we al
willing to join forces with the Post /
whatever may have even a seeming chanC
to afford relief to the people of the DistriC
in the way Of fair gas bills. We believe th
Washington Gas Company deals unfalrl
by the citizens and extorts from theI
more than fair price for poor article {
gas, therefore we are against the gas com
paDy " tooth and toe-nail.Y
Golden Words From senator Piumi
During the debate on the Tariff bill !