Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-23
A Good Thing to Kill.

House bill No. 731O introduced by Mr..
Livingston is, in our opinion, a measure
that should be killed with all the prompt
ness and efficacy at the disposal of Con-
gress. 1t Is intended to incorporate an
other gas and electric light, heat and pow
er company in this District-that is to say,
it is ostensibly SO intended. 1t names as
incorporatorS eleven persons, some of
whom are well-known residents and 9TH
ers Of whom have not hitherto been heard
of here outside of a very small and excep
tionally well-informed circle. The matter
that interests the people of Washington.
however, is the fact that this company will,
if the bill should be enacted into law, have
the right to set about tearing up our
streets and sidewalks throughout the city,
and thus expending vast sum OF money
which some one not the company, we may
be Sure-would eventually have to pay.
This bill is an old acquaintance in new
dress. We have bills of this description
with us always. They come annually, with
the blizzard, the lobby and the falling
leaves. They have never brought US rival
gas company yet, and in all human prob
ability never will. They have never made
gas cheaper or better and in all human
probability never will. But they come with
unfailing regularity, and we know them as
an ancient and accomplished nuisance.
Nine times out of ten the promoters OF the
alleged enterprise have not the falntest IN
ten cases out Of ten the consumers would
not be benefited to the extent of one red
cent If they did go into 1t.
There are a dozen reasons why the pas
sage of House bill 1910 should be prevented,
but one will suffice, and that Is the fact
that absolutely no necessity exists for
competing gas company In this District.
There is nothing to be achieved by sucn
company which could not be more certainly
and more expedniouSly achieved by Con-
gress. Congress has supreme power IN TINS
matter Congre IS can dictate the price as
we'll as the quality of the gas to be 1ur-
nished by the existing company. If Con-
gress thinks We are subject to eXtortlonate
charges, then Congress can relieve us With
out ordaining the enormous expense IN
yolyed in setting up q new gas company
an expense which any child knows we
should have to pay in the end. If Congress
thinks that the quality of gas is inferior,
Congress can have that defect amenorateo
by the simple and cheap expedient of COM
polling the company to furnish better
article The official machinery for ascer-
tanning the facts and for enforcing the rem
edy is already in existence. Nothing stands
between the people and their deliverance
but the neglect of Congress Why, then,
inaugurate this vast and useless and costly
experiment? Even supposing the new con-
Germ really Intends TO make gas, or any
thing else, why saddle the people Of the
District with 60 grievous and so uncalled
for a burden?
We know nothing Of this particular con-
Germ it's intentions, or its capabilities.
We know, only, that 1t forms part of
procession which our experience In the
past does not lead us to view with special
confidence, and we are told that its bill
was reported by vote of 8 against in a
committee of 10. But the chief considera-
ton is that the people, in whose interest
the measure is, of course, advocated. can
derive no possible benefit from such an
enterprise which could not be conferred
upon them much more certainly by Con-
gress. whereas they will inevitably have
to pay heavily in money. in comfort and
in peace of mind for any activity the Ma
tional Cas- &C.. Company may be per-
mitted to exhibit.-Advt.