Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-05
UNUSUALLY LARGE GASBHLS
Plain Language Used Regarding Them by
Leading Residents.
East Washington Citizens' Association
Telephone Rates Also Demanded.

Denunciation in plain language of the
local gas and telephone companies was very
much in evidence last evening at the regular
monthly meeting of the East Washington
Citizens Association. In the absence of the
president, Mr.. ]. w. Babson, the vice presi-
dent. General S. s. Yoder, occupied the chair,
with Mr.. A. F. Sperry acting as secretary.
After the reading Of the minutes of the
January meeting and the transaction Of
other routine business, Mr.. ]. d. Croissant,
chairman of the committee on railroads. an
nounced that within a short time a mass
meeting will probably be called to express
the opinion of the people upon the bill now
before Congress to provide an inquiry into
the feasibility Of constructing bridge over
Massachusetts, avenue extended, for the ac-
ccmmodation of street railways desiring to
cover that territory. 1t was explained by
Mr. Croissant that the project is destined to
meet with violent opposition. but, he added,
the bridge Is necessity for East Washing
ton. and he expressed the hope that the
people interested will push the matter. The
chair approved the suggestion of Mr.. Crois-
SAINT.
Big January Gas Bills.
The matter of gas bills was then taken up
and discussed with much fervor, Mr.. NJ I.
Weller bringing the matter to the attention
of the meeting. The average advance in the
the complaint. Mr.. Weller exhibited a bill
served on him. and he characterized it as
plain, unmitigated steal" He complained
at the office of the gas company, he said, and
was answered with the customary state
ment: The gas must have passed through
the meter
Pertinent remarks on the subject were
made by Messrs Jeffords. Clark. Hallam,
Croissant. Giorand and Others and then, on
motion, the standing committee on street
lighting ted tn hapip CIT
tending to secure municipal control Of gas
lighting.
Directions were given to the committee
on proposed legislation to prepare a bill
which shall be submitted to Congress, pro-
v1clng Tor the designation of police magis-
trate Tor each police precinct in the District,
IN order to relieve the congested state Of
business Of the Police Court
General Yoder extended an invitation to
the members of the association to attend
conference Of charity workers, under the
auspices Of the Associated Charities, next
Thursday evening. The meeting is to be
held at the residence Of General Yoder.
Discussion of Telephone Rates.
Mr.. P. H Adams. representing the Home
Telephone Company. was in attendance at
the meeting, and, on motion, was invited to
address the association on the subject of
cheap telephone rates. Competition, he
said, is the only means to secure a reduction
in telephone rental and then went on to
discuss the feasibility Of establishing a new
telephone service in opposition to the
monopoly at present controlling the interest
Mr.. Adams recited the efforts of his COM
pany to secure recognition from the Com
missioners and from Congress.
Mr.. Lewis ]. Battle denounced in plain
language what he claimed to be the exorbi-
tant rates now charged for telephone serv-
ice, and went on to state the schedule of
charges at present in force. DR.. Battle ex-
pressed himself as heartily in favor of the
establishment of the new company. He was
followed by Mr.. Weller. who, after speaking
In the same strain, moved that the matter
be referred to the executive committee Of
the association, with instructions to secure
the co-opera ton of the other citizens asso-
Citations in taking prompt and immediate
action in the matter. The motion was passed
unanimously. and after remarks on the
same subject by several other members the
meeting adiourned