Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-07-10
Text OF the Measure LeektnG - 1s
auetiOn Of Chareea.

Mr.. sPOONER's Gas BILL.
Text Of the Measure Loekiug - Q Re.
Austisn Of ChsrEes.
| THE BOARD TO EXAMINE TIE QUESTION or
GAS sUPPLY-MATTERsw WHICH IT u AUTHOR
LIED To LOOK IN1o-THE PROPOSED nKpuo
TON OF RATES, ETC.
The main provisions OF the bill introlueed in
| the Senate Wednesday by Mr.. Spooner, from
the District committee, relating TO the manu-
iacture and sale Of gas In the city Of Washing-
ton, were published in Wednesdays srAK
Below the provisions OF the bill are given,
The w ashington Gaslight company is author.
lzed to charge and colleA, after the passage Of
this act, for Illuminating gas furnished to and
palo Tor oy the government OF the United states
aud other consumers in the city Of Washington,
al the rate OF one dollar per thousand cubic feet;
provided, that if consumers other than the gov
eminent shall not pay monthly any gas bill
within ten days after the same shall have been
presented, said company may charge aud col
iect from the delinquent consumer one dollar
and Twenty-Five cents per thousand cubic feet
ior the gas furnished during the month.
THE INVESTIGATING BOARD.
1t shall be the duty OF the Secretary OF Wsr,
within thirty days after the passage Of the set
to appoint board If three competent aud
disinterested persons. whose duty it shall bs,
after having been nrst duly sworn, 70 invssti-
gate
First. The character OF gas usually furnished
In the city Of Washington by the Washington
Gas-l!ght company, with especial reference 70
us hsaithfuIness 10 consumers; whether 1t
gas furnished should be entirely coaI-gss or en-
trely water-gss or IL mixture OF the two ID ad-
m na Ia what proportions the same should
nished complies with the requirements Of the
law as to illuminating power.
second. The general subject OF gas manufac-
ture and the methods and processes vi ich pro-
auce the BEST gas for common use, regard being
had to the health OF consumers illuminating
ne nnSf hnn a
cubic feet at which such gas can be mauufao-
tured aud distributed in the city OF Washing.
ton with estimates vi the cost OF the requisite
plant Tor such manufacture: whether IL Is ex.
peulent Tor the government 10 manufacture
OF consumers In said city; whether the gas
plant now in existence in said city is adapted
W Tue manufacture OF such gas. and the tair
value VI the same, aud what the cost would he
OF duplicating the same or 10 much thereof as
mi sht be necessary,
Third. The actual iair cost per thousand cubic
ieei 10 the asniustou GaS-Light company of
the gas manufactured by IL and furnished 10
the government and ~ other Consumers in the
snail mad should he furnished Oy said company
under the law.
Fourth. rhe best system Of gas inspection,
ana the best method oi protecting consumers
against unfair measurement ot gas furnished,
and against violations OF law rs to the purity
anu heaithfulness OF gas; whether 4 reduction
OF the price vi gas IN the city Of Washington
mas oeen followed 10y "a corresponding reduction
Az Tue Oils OF consumers, aud whether any
been charged Tor.
Firth. SUCH Information upon the general
SUBJECT In Its relation u the Interests, hygieuic
aiu otherwise, of consumers in the cIty OF
washington, and its relation to the interest OF
the government, rs shall be indicated by the
secretary OF War from time to time, pending
the Investigation by said board The board
Shall report to the Secretary Of War, u
and not later than the first day OF the
next session of Congress, its conclusions.
aud the testimony and reasons upon which the
same are founded, AS 10 the healtnfuluess OF the
gas furnished 10 consumers in the city OF w ash
ihgton, aud as "a its illuminating power, aud
wherein the same snail be changed, lf at u.i IN
either respect. The Secretary OF War shall
Immediately notify the gus company OF the
conclusions OF said board, ii he shall approve
thelll; and the gas company shall conform the
gas furnished to the requirements OF the board,
anu shall continue So 10 do until Congress shall
otherwise Uy law direct. The members OF the
board shall be entitled 10 compensation at the
rate vi $40 per day Tor day actually
employed un1er the provisions of this act; and,
IN addition ali expenses necessarily incurred
While actually Performing SUCH duties.
SEVEN PER CENT DIVIDENDS
Ii, pending tie investigation 10y this act d.
rected, Or if at any time, the Washington Gas
Light company shall represent to the Secretary
OF War, under the oaths Of its president and
directors, That the company cannot, by reason
o. increase in the cost OF coal, vi labor, Or OF
other expenses entering into the cost aud dis
an fo OF gas .au or because Of acct.
the Iauit of the company, with due economy,
earn, Ut the rate per thousand cubic feet Tor
gas authorized 10y this act, the sum OF seven
per ceuLun per annum net upon its capital
stock Oh Two million dollars the board, II not
dissolved, VI il dissolved, a similar board ~ De
appointed by the secretary for the purpose,
snail MAKE investigation INTO the atfrirs vi tue
company Lue actual lair cost To the cumpauy
OF manufacturing gas per Thousand cubic feet
and InJo All sucu matters touching the man.
asemenl, expenditures aud government oi the
corporation AS " Tue board shall seem proper
Conclusions upon Tie subject, aud all evidence
taken by it laid before II, " the Secretary of
War, and II the Secretary shall De VI the opin-
ion, upon u review OF tbs report aud evidence,
that TIE company cannot, Win due ECONOMY
and honest ana shiiliul management, eAru
upon ITS capital at Tic rates prescribed u net
dividend vi seven per contain pei annuIu he
shall, with the approval vi the President OF the
United states, issue TO the company u license Or
permit to cuarge per thousand cuuic feet such
sum, 10 be Indicated in tile license Or permit as
wall IA hls opinion enapie the company " earn
seven per centum dividend. aud Inc COM
pany may thereafter charge the con.
sumers vi gag In said District, includ-
ing the United States, the sum named
III the license OF permit, aud consumers, other
than the government, who snail tail ~ pay 20
cents per Thousand cubic feel III addition, un III
tue rsie snalI be changed by or under authority
OF Congress. Tie said board, and every board
appointed by the Secretary Oh War under the
provisions OF tnis act, shall have power to
lister oatns to witnesses, and to examine
and to be examined the BOOKS
records, aud papers OF the gas company, ana
may employ Il sLenOgrapher, and, with the AZ
prevail OF the Secretary urst had, may employ
such sas-eXperts anu accoun tauts ~ assist them
a. shall De necessary. The board may, upon re-
quest W the Attogney-General, approved ny the
sulu Secretary OF W ar, have counsel furnished
them 10 AID IN conducting said investigation.
From anu after the passage Oh this act state.
mentS now required by law 70 be furnished by
the GAS company TO the Secretary of the IntS-
rior shall be furnished 10 the Secretary Of War
and the inspection OF gas aud gas-meters in tue
city snail be under the supervision OF the Sec
rotary OF War.
AT CAPON SPRINGS.
The Summer Flight to the Mountains
En- ~fv aaf,