Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-04-27
GAS IN WASHINGTON.
The Resolution introduced by ME-. Fred
ericks, Of lOWa, for aR InSessiga eiOn.

The preamble TO the resolution calling for an
investigation OF the Washington Gas Light
company, introduced i'm the House yesterday
by MIR. fredericks, OF Iowa, was stated in The
STAR, sets forth that the company is incorpo.
rated by the Congress OF the United States ard
it has had for a long time and still has the sole
and exclusive right OF manufacturing gas I'm the
District OF Columbia and OF supplying the dc.
partments of the government in this city
and the Inhabitants, and that IT has been repre-
sented that said company has heretofore and
still do exact and receive from the govern
ment and from the people a greater sum Tor the
use of gas than they are by law entitled to re.
ceive and "A sum largely in excess OF what was
or Is a reasonable compensation for the gas fur
nished, and that the gas supplied by the conn
pany is made OF material different from and
Inferior In quality from that required by law,
SO that IL does not have the illuminating power
required by law or which IL should have. II has
been charged and represented that the company
long time past have been and still are in the
habit OF charging the government and citizens
for more gas than has been consumed by them
and enforce the payment for the same by turn
charges have been paid. The citizens are COM
PEELED to make deposit with the company In
advance of large sums OF money before they will
be permitted or allowed To use the gas; and are
also compelled TO pay bills due and owing for
gas used by Others before being permitted to
use the gas. Ii has also been charged against
the company that they SO conduct their busi-
ness as To wrongtully and unlawfully extort
money from the citizens and Cypress embar-
ing in the House Tor the Incorporation OF other
and rival companies for the manufacture and
sale of gas within this city, and also bills TO re-
duce the price OF gas furnished by the Washing
ton Gas Light company and To regulate its con-
duct toward the government and citizens. The
resolution concludes as follows
Therefore, in consideration OF all these things,
I'm order that the House may be informed with
regard to the facts aforesaid, be IL
Resolved, That the committee on the District
of Columbia be directed and required to inquire
into and fully investigate the charges ABOVE
mentioned; and also 10 Inquire into and ascer.
tain the full value of the property owned by or
belonging TO said company, the amount invest
ed from time 10 time 10y said company in said
property; the amount annually received and
paid out by said company In the management
and conduct OF its said business, 10 fully
show the annual profits OF said company in ITS
said business, and that said committee shall
have power 10 issue the process OF subpoena TO
compel the attendance Of witnesses and tho
production Of books and papers; and said conn.,
mittee Is hereby authorized 10 examine the
books of said company, and for that purpose
TO employ experts and such other clerical force
as it may deem necessary, and TO report by bill,
or otherwise, what legislation-if any-is neces-
sary 10 secure 10 the government and the citi-
zens OF said city, quality OF gas, and AT a.
reasonable price.