Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-04-28
THE GAS CONTROVERSY.
Views OF the New COmpnny-The Old
Company and the Commissioners.
WHAT VIM. DICKSON SAYS

OF q new gas company, ana tneir claim that the
Commissioners OF the District have the authority
to grant them permission to lay mains and pipes
in the streets without a special act OF Congress.
This company styles itself The United Illuminat-
ing and Fuel Gas Company. and In order TO as
certain what its objects were reporter Of THE
STAR called upon Mr.. VIM. Dickson, whose name
appears With Albert W. Fletcher, OF Philadelphia;
Henry E. Loane, OF Baltimore, and Charles II. Par
sons and John y. Oliver, of this city, as the truS-
tees OF the new company.
In response to a question Mr. Dickson said ::
"Thls Is the same company that applied to Con-
gress during the last session for charter. Since
Congress adjourned we have been examining tn e
law as to the powers OF the District Commission
ers relative 10 the control OF the Streets and after
advice from competent counsel, we have reached
the conclusion that the Commissioners have the
power to grant US permission to lay mains and
sioners and Informed them that we intended to
make such an application and what we proposed
to do"
"What do YOU propose to do?n asked the re-
I'VE propose, in the first place." was the reply,
ITO manufacture better gas than is at present
furnished, and at much lower rates. Our process,
as we explained to the. Commissioners, will enable
us to do this"
"What is your p.o ,ess?" interrupted the listener
ut Is what is known as the Lowe process
don't know as can explain it to you scientifically
but anthracite 60 al is used and naptha is intro
duced as an Illuminating material. 1t is fn use in
tWenty-three cities, mostly in Pennsylvania and
New Jersey, and it is also employed in ST. Louis
anc IN "a By tns me cos pro
SionerS that we meant business, and that we were
authorized to place guarantee OF $3.50 600 in u s..
bonds that we would not only furnish a cheaper
gas, but would continue to do so and not be bought
up"
"Dd you name any price at which you would
furnish gas?" continued the reporter
"Yes; we said that we could furnish gas at 81 IS
per thousand feet We further said that we would
only run mains through the principal streets and
supply the side streets by small pipes run under
the sidewalks"
"What response did the Commissioners make to
your application" asked the reporter.
''They said that the question as to their powers
In the premises was one that had not been con-
sidered by them and they could not say what was
the legal status They fnt1mated that it would
be referred to their attorney. We invited them
to go to Baltimore and examine our process OF
manufacturing gas, and think that Capt. Greene
"You AMI your associates must have large
capital to be able to offer such guarantee7" sug-
gested the reporter.
"Oh, we are only trustees and representatives
OF moneyed interests, and are simply acting as
their agents. Some one must start this thing, and
u.s."
"For instance" he continued, '.Mr Fletcher
represents large interests In Philadelphia, and is
acting for the proprietors OF the Lowe process
Mr. Loane, of Baltimore, is practical gas man.
He built the Canton works in Baltimore and is
engaged In business there Mr. Parsons was for
meTly deputy commissioner OF internal revenue,
and is the represent ative OF certain interests Mr.
Ollver drew up legal papers and old other work,
n.
terests. We were fully authorized to offer this
guarantee, and will make 1t good When the time
comes"
WHAT is SAID AT THE GAS OFFICE
With these sangu4ne words ringing in his ears,
the reporter turned his steps towards the Office Of
the gas company, and finding MI Bartol the
president, In his Office, asked his opinion OF this
new enterprise. He looked up at the questtoner
with smile and said. ''My dear sir, don't know
any thing about 1t. not single thing"
But one OF these gentlemen is said to be from
II never heard OF him BEFORE" was the response
"But, y urged the visitor, "they are represented
as having started companies In other cities"
Bartol. 'A''
Mr.. Bartol had nothing to say of the new com.
TO his desk, young man II you wish to live
happy and die In peace don't have anything 10 do
tn Ths % you
have some reputation and standing. But now and
then friend OF mine gets hold Of a Washington
What are you doing down there in Washington,
connected with swindllng concern? SO you see
l gain new kind OF reputation"
COMMISSIONER RDMoNDs' OPINION.
Leaving the gas office and the president absorbed
In this melancholy train Of reflection the reporter
went in search of further Information Meeting
Commissioner Edmonds, he was asked II an appli-
cation for permission to lay gas mains had been
made by the new company. He replied, can ap-
pl1catiOn has been made to US by a COMPANY for
permission to lay gas pipes in the District They
streets very much and that every other street
would answer their purpose. They further say
that they will furnish better gas than we get at
present and at $3.50 per thousand feet, and they
will continue to do So"
"What was the response OF the COmmisSionerS7n
asked the reporter.
I'VE told them that we had not acted on the an
pleatlon CT the present company to lay new pipes.
intended to do in regard to our suggestion as to
the reduction of the price OF gas He said that we
were opposed to two gas companies If one would
furnish gas ut reasonable rates They were further
told that q new gas company would be expected
to place their maximum price at the minimum rate
now proposed tor the present gas company, which
Is $1.50, thus placing the rate for the new COM
"What did they say to that9" asked the re-
porter.
"They have that under consideration. OF course
the question as to whether the Commissioners
have the power to grant such an application has
express an opinion on that point This company,
however, make q very fair proposition. They
offer to place sum Of money In United States
ponds With the Commissioners as q guarantee
that they will do what they promise"
us the present gas company gong to COM oily
with your suggestion as to rates p continued the
reporter.
II have not heard from them, was the response
II am surprised that Mr.. Bartol should lake so
very plain one. said to him that 1 thought the
company was making too great profit at the
present rates, and a=4ed If that supposition was
Incorrect, to be convinced from the books OF the
company. He refused to do this, and thereby left
the inference that my suppoSltion was cOrrectn
"Thls case," continued Mr.. Elmonds, s'is some
what similar to that Ofsthe telephone company
when assumed the management The citizens
were complaining that the charges were too high
and that the company was making immense prof.
It's great meeting was held, and feeling ran
high. said to the committee of citizens, You
think that we are making great deal OF money;
come and examine the books and see for yOurself'
They examined the books and the difficulty be-
tween the company and the citizens was soon set
tied"
"Now," the Commissioner continued, 81 am hold
ing the flrst public Office ever held and drawing
my first salary for what7 For the purpose OF hold
ing an Office and drawing q salary7 Not at all.
am here to do something; to administer the affairs
OF the District for the best interests of the people
1 propose to DO that, and when find that cannot
do 1t am not going to stay here; that Is all 1t
would simply be a waste OF my time"
THE OPINION OF COMMISSIONER WEST
When the subject Of the new gas company was
broached to Commissioner West. he said:
~ believe no formal application from the new
company has been made to the Commissioners. but
lam informed by the president OF the board that
they have had q conference with him on this sub
Ject, but 1t was merely informal, believe"
ut Is an intricate question:" continued the
Commissioner, after sitting for. a few moments
absorbed In thought. "There Is no doubt but that
the streets are owned by the United States. but