Evening star., 1895-03-08

Everybody wants better and cheaper gas
The consumer Is not required to decide
whether he is willing to bear an Increased
burden of taxation In order to enjoy this
benefit. as he may be compelled to do In
seeking an enlarged water supply or better
sewers. He merely indicates that he pre-
fers an improved to an inferior article,
and that he prefers to pay less for the
superior article than he has been required
to pay for the inferior. So unquestionably
every Washington consumer votes for bet
ter and cheaper gas. Demonstration of the
unanimity of the local desire in this mat
ter. which will convince Congress of the
earnestness of the public sentiment will
have due weight with Congress in securing
thoughtful consideration of the matter
and the petition movement of the Wash
ihgton Times. designed to make clear this
sentiment Is commendable and promises
good results. 1t is not sufficient. however.
to demonstrate that the local consumers
want better and cheaper gas. Congress
must be convinced that the company can
make and ought to make these improve
ments in its product. To this end the in
vestigation and study proposed by the
board of trade special committee will. If
faithfully pursued, be of great value. If
anything is to be accomplished the advo-
Gates of the people must be thoroughly in
formed upon every branch of tine gas con-
trCversy, and must be able to convince Con-
gress not only that there Is a public de-
mand. but that this demand is reasonable
and just. The indications now are that 1t
will be many months before the next Con-
gress assemblies, and before 1t can consider
the city's appeal, and it seems to The Star
that without neglecting preparations to
make suitable showing to the legislature,
1t might be we'll IL the citizens would in
some way urge the company to announce
voluntarily reduct ton in the price of its
product
Since 1867 1t has made zine such volun-
tary reductions In the price of gas to pri-
vate consumers. and only two such re-
ductions have been compelled by act of
Congress. Another decrease in the price Is
overdue, and the company ought to make
1t of It's own accord. and reap the benefit
IN increased popularity which would fol-
low this wise action. 1t Is no adequate an
swer to this request to reply that If extern
sions of plant are viewed as part of the
current expenses of gas-malling, and II
ten per cent dividends on the expanded
stock are paid, and If the methods of gas
making now employed are unchanged, the
company cannot afford to make this re-
duction. Extensions of plant constitute an
investment of earnings. increasing the in
come-producing capital, and their cost
should be deducted from the dividends, if
the profits do not suffice to pay both. The
urban gas consumer ought not to pay more
for his illuminant because the company
invests some of its money in extending its
pipes into the suburbs. The stockholder
who in the future will reap large returns
from such extension should meet the ex-
pense of the present and treat it as an in
vestment. 1t Is consequently not a condi-
tion precedent that the company shall pay
10 per cent dividends. If it chooses instead
to invest its earnings in the development
of its plant and the increase of it's income
producing capital. Then as to the cost of
making the gas itself 1t is to be considered
that this has been gradually cheapening in
some other cities through improvements
in methods until a low figure has been
reached and If 1t be true that the local COM
pany is paying much larger amounts in
manufacturing its product than some
others, similarly situated, the suggestion Is
inevitable that our company is paying too
much.