Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-02
SOME LIGHT ON GAS
Interesting Testimony Before the
House District Committee.
PRESIDENT McLEAES STATEMENTS.
Commissioner Powell Interogated
at Considerable Length.
l. E g / s L ALTON NEEDED
PRESIDENT McLEAES STATEMENTS.
L E GISLA TION NEEDED

question as applied to the District Of CO.
lunbia- 1t was but recently that the CON-
mittee decided to have all testimony made
under oath, and as at the former hearings
the statements were not sworn to the COM
mittee recalled the witnesses who testified
upon those occasions and presented to them
typewriter copies of their testimony. to
which they were required to make oath.
The gas company was well represented by
the presence of President Jno. r. Mclean.
Superintendent Leach. Mr.. Jno McIlhenny
and MIR. VIM. F. Hart. Mr.. w. c. Dodge Of
the East Washington Citizens Association
was present. as were also Capt. Powell and
Mr.. Ford. Inspector of gas and meters.
The Question of Administe ring Oaths.
When the committee was called to order
Chairman Heard stated the action of the
committee in determining upon administer
ing oaths. Mr.. Harmer asked II the reso-
luton providing for the investigation re-
quired or authorized the swearing of wit
nesses? Chairman Heard replied that it
did not, but it seemed only fair to the COM
mittee that the testimony should be put be-
fore the House in the best shape possible.
The rules of the House authorize the chair
man OF any committee to administer oaths
mittee.
Chairman Heard then read the resolution
providing for the investigation and dur
ing the reading was interrupted by Mr.
Meredith, who asked what right Congress
has to inquire into the dividends and busi-
ness OF a private corporation? Mr.. Heard
replied that this question has not been dis
cussed by the committee, but as the gas
company has contract with the govern
ment. ana receives its charter from the
government, there is probably no question
10 the authority Of Congress to make
fhe Investigation. Sr
Mr. McLean's Statements.
The clerk of the committee then read the
statement made by President Mclean at
the first hearing, which was published in
The Star at the time. In reply to a ques-
ton from Mr.. Rusk, President Mclean
stated that the par value of the gas stock Is
s2O per share, while the market value is
A' and slS. The total receipts of the COM
pany for the last year were 81. .135, 3O5. 3D.
while the expenditures were S91O,717.57
The latter sum, however includes sauO 900
paid in dividends. The bonded indebted
ness OF the company Is n,2O0.OUO. drawing
per cent interest per annum. Mr., Mclean
made sworn Animation to his seatonsnt.-
Superintendent Leach OF the gas COMPANY
was next sworn, and his statements made
at the former hearings were read. These
In The Star. Mr.. Abbott asked Mr. Leach
to state the comparative cost of gas in this
and other cities, but Mr.. Heard explained
tnat this testimony Is embodied In q report
Capt. Powell's Testimony.
Capt. Powell. the Engineer Commissioner
was then sworn. Chairman Heard question.
ed Capt. Powell upon several points in the
statement which Capt. Powell heretofore
furnished the appropriation committee on
the gas question. One Of these was the
reference made to gas in Boston, and Mr.
Heard developed the fact that in Boston
the city cleans and lights the city's gas
mAos, while in Washington the cost Ct
this service comes out of the PAYMENT
wnich the gas company receives for each
lamp. IL is estimated that in Boston II
costs about 81 per lamp for this service and
MI Heard said that 1t costs about * ner
lamp In this city. This sum. of course
narsn. nrsn come OUT OF the price which the gas
company receives from the government FOR
iurnlsning each lamp with gas.
apt foweu said that it Is the duty of
me city government and the contractor to
s ,nas supply OF about six feet per hour
- iurnished TO the city lamps. This BONE
tunes falls short. due to the cloesin1 Of
small orifices in the lamps.
nose duty Is IL TO see that these lamps
Heard. AL
Work of the Inspectors.
Inc Commissioners" replied Capt. Pow.
ell continuing. he explained that two in
spectors 80 out every night, but one to ex-
anime the lamps to ascertain If the supplv
u being furnished. A report is made TO
Capt Derby. and If there Is a default in
the supply deduction Is made against the
company. penalty of about 2 cents per
hour is the result Of non-illumination, Tbe
penalty does not apply unless the lamns
burn less than three feet per hour No
penalty Is applied If the amount Is between
three and six feet but the company ia only
credited with the number of feet suppiied
no reduction Is made, however, between
five and six feet.
,,s Is tn. there any Hesitation you could sug-
. better service?" asked Chairman Heard
Legislation Suggested.
Major Powell replied that the law here
tofore has made one appropriation for gas
lighting and another for electric lighting
He thinks the appropriation should be in
one lump sum 50 the Commissioners could
use as much for gas or electric lieht as
they chose.
The appropriation bill works another in.
jury, in that 1t limits the inspectors to two
In number. We should have double that
number: The salary of inspectors should
Mr.. Rusk asked II 1t were not to the in.
terest of the company to have burners
which burn feet of gas.
Major Powell was not so certain about
this 1t is difficult to increase the supply
on street lamp, and il the company Is
paid for feet and only furnishes feet
. mistake to require any specified number
OF feet. but the city should require a fixed
candle power.
Mr.. Heard suggested that some regula-
dons should be made which would enable
the inspectors to better estimate the vol
ume Of supply.
Repairing Excavations.
Maj Powell. in answer to a question, de-
Tended the practice Of the city repairing
the streets where excavations are made for
gas mains and requiring the company to
make deposit to cover the cost. 1t Is
more expensive. of course, to lay mains
through concreted streets than through
block pavements. This Is not an import
ant matter, however, as the most of these
Hains were laid before the streets were
paved.
Mr.. Heard recurred to a former sugges-
tlon that the Commissioners should insist
that six feet of gas per hour should be fur
nlsned at all times. He said the law clearly
requires six feet per hour. the contract
calls for it, and the Commissioners should
Insist upon its strict fulfllment
More Inspectors Needed.
haj. Powell agreed with the chairman.
and added that the only way to secure this
IL to give the Commissioners sufficient
means to enforce the law. There should be
FOUR inspectors Of street lamps furnished.
Mr.. Heard concurred in mis- opiuion ami