Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-15

GAS IN WEST WASHINGTON.
The Investigator BY the Senate Sub
COMMITTEES.
Messrs. ingalls, ana Harris the sub District COM
mittee OF the senate appointed to investigate the
price of gas in West Washington, began the
inquiry at 10 O'Clock this morning. President
Leitch, Superintendent Cathell and Secretary @.
w. Cropley, OF the Georgetown Gas company, were
on hand, as were also Mr.. VIM. b. Orme, repre-
senting Mr.. Bartol, heavy owner OF the George
town gas stock, and Mr.. Stephen Brown.
STATEMENT OF PRESIDENT LErrcH.
Mr.. Leitch. In behalf OF the company, read q
written statement setting forth tho financial
status OF the company, its operations, capacity,
&C. He also submitted all the books and papers Of
voluntarily reduced the price OF gas at different
times, and that its affairs were managed upon the
principle Of equity and justice and for the mutual
ing the most rigid economy in ali matters, the
dividends or fSe per cent and that It had not been
able to save any fund to meet accidents or emer-
gencies. He gave the capital stock as sl44, 900,
81 sas ne mao es sS of '0i is
capital. The salary roll comprises the president
s ena IT ce once
81 ,O95 year, and day laborers, who are paid on
the aggregate $3.50 per day; that in addition to
aborers for street work, and this latter expendi-
ture amounted last year to $725. 40. The company,
according to the PRESIDENTS statement makes pure
coal gas uses nothing but coal with lime to
purify it. Last year 1T consumed 2, 473 tons Of
coal at a. rs per ton. In 1885 the companys total
SAC, s5es, leaving proflt Of e710.6o and after
Mr.. Leitch said that the company Is restricted in
It's territory ana has a limited patronage; has
500 private consumers and supplies 40 street
lamps; at the rate OF SD per year for
La lamps, the company gets only si;o5 per LOCO
AS to the consumers MIR. Leitch stated that in the
sparsely populated streets Of Georgetown the COM
to supply street lamps where there not patrons
enough to make it pay. He thought it would be
unfair to hold that company to rate OF prices
ing 600 people and 5000 street lamps The
company could make and supply 80 per cent more
Il could s Al ao
@ent Tie price Charged IS net per III Thousand
justice to the stockholders be reduced In reply to
question he said the stock is valued at So per
share, and that the full value OF each share had
been paid In.
WHAT THE COMPANY PROPOSES.
Mr.. Leitch said that in anticipation Of cheap
gas, realizing that it must come he had been In
communication with parties looking to the adop-
ton OF cheaper methods In order to meet all re-
qufrements bill had been prepared and would be
presented to Congress asking authority to increase
the capital and stock OF the company. Requests
for extension Of mains beyond the city limits and
along the Tenleytown road had been made. He
TO get proper authority to make such improve
m men and extensions as may be needed, Congress
VIII De asked to authorize an increase. Either
that, ne said, or money must be borrowed.
AS TO MERGING THE COMPANIES
During the reading OF MI. Leitchs statement the
citizens committee, appointed at the Georgetown
meeting last night, entered the room. Mr.. j. ID.
Cathell, superintendent OF the company for 30
spected daily by the government inspector, and
must be kept up to the 16candle power standard.
He knew OF no complaint as to quality, but heard
OF good deal of complaint about the price. He
could see no reason why the mains OF the wash
ingtOn and Georgetown company could not be con-
nected, SO as to merge the companies, at small
pense. Ihat was stated In reply to a question by
Mr.. Ingalls,.
MI. 6. ". cropley said he had been the secretary
are merely nominal There had always been COM
plants to greater or less extent about the price
OF gas.
SPEAKING FOR THE PEOPLE.
Reconnaissance Josiah Dent, speaking for the
citizens committee, said the people Of Georgetown
think that they should have gas at as low rates as
1t is furnished in Washington. He had recently
Tor the first time. been compelled to make COM
plant because his bills were too high.
Mr.. Mcintyre wanted to question the gas offcers
but the committee declined to introduce that sys-
tenn; all questions would be put through the in
vestigating committee
Mr.. Mcintyre complained that in the early hours
OF the evening he can get no gas from his burners
that only air comes out; but later the gas Inn
proves.
Mr. Brace, a druggist, stated that his bills call
for more gas than Is consumed; that he went TO
the gas inspector, who after being supplied with
the pressure point, OF the Georgetown company,
said 1t was ridiculous that 1t would make Il APP
pear that each OF Braces burners consumed IL
feet per hour.
MI NolOney and others NJ the ctttzens commit
tee had questions to ask, but as the hour OF noon
had arrived they were advised to be on hand at IL
O'Clock H., On Saturday next, when the hearing
will be resumed.
In behalf OF Mr. Lertch, Mr. ingalls, said he wrote
him letter before the inquiry was ordered court
Ing the fullest investigation.