Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-16
OR c H ZAP G A S
The Bill Debated in tho Senate Thj
Afternoon.
Explained by Mr.. Faulkner and Then
1t Was Opposed at Length by
Senator Kyle.


Senator Faulkner this afternoon called
up House bill 6994 known when it passed
the House as the dollar gas bill" He
said that 1t had been fully considered by
the District committee and had been con-
sidered by the Senate up to the point of
the actual passage of the measure. He
called attention to the fact that 1t was
REILLY necessary that this bill should be
disposed of today before the appropria-
ton bill was laid before the Senate. for
unless some legislation could be secured by
separate bill regulating the price of gas
1t would be necessary TO deal with the
whole question in connection with the ap-
preparations.
Bill Had Been Fully Considered.
Mr.. Faulkner reminded the Senate that
not only had the bill been read in full. but
that the Senate, as in committee of the
Whole, had agreed to the District commit
tees amendments.
Senator Kyle assured Mr.. Faulkner that
the bill would be opposed and widely dis
cussed. If the debate should be shut off
on the measure itself It would be resumed
on the appropriation bill
There was some interruption to the
course Of the bill, to accommodate routine
morning business, and then the gas ques-
ton was again taken up, and the pending
amendment was adopted. This was in re,
lation to the approval of extensions of
stock. and requires such approval to be
Of Columbia.
Mr.. George moved to reconsider the vote
by which the Senate adopted the commit
tee amendments relating 10 the price of
gas
Mr.. Kyle on Government Ownership.
Mr.. Kyle then took the floor He said
that for several years he had been hearing
complaints as to the quality and price of
the sas furnished to the citizens of Wash
ington. ard 1t was evident that there was
great discomfort. He suggested that he
favoled the municipal ownership Of gas
plants as a solution of such problems, and
to this effect he read resolutions adopted
by the Columbia Heights Citizens Associa-
ton in behalf Of municipal ownership.
Mr.. Kyle then related the history Of the
Spconer investigation into the gas ques-
ton.
I'VE are the board OF aldermen for this
District" he went on, land it Is our duty
to act for the best interests of the people
of the capital. 1t is our duty to do some
thing promptly to reduce the price Of gas to
the consumer and to improve it's quality"
He spoke Of the fate of bills introduced
by him to incorporate rival gas COM
panies, that have been killed by the pend
ing compromise.
From Paternalism to Politics.
Mr.. Kyle drifted of into a discussion of
paternalism and socialism in defense of his
advocacy Of municipal ownership of gas
plants.
This brought him to speak of the diff
ferences between the political parties and
in a few minutes his discourse related en-
tirely to politics, and smackcd strongly of
a filibuster. At 2 o'clock the District ap-
preparation bill was laid before the Senate
but on motion of Mr.. Teller 1t was tenn
porarily laid aside, and Mr.. Kyle was per-
mitted to go on with his discussion Of the
dollar gas BILL
After awhile Mr.: Kyle got back to the
question of municipal ownership of gas
plants and spoke of the experience Of the
cities that have adopted that system to
prove the proposition that public manage
ment of gas and electric light plants re-
suits in cheaper illumination.
Senator Butler interrupted with an eulogy
Of the peoples party, and after five min
utes Mr.. Kyle resumed his argument for
municipal ownership.
The Gas Company and Congress-.
He said he realized that municipal own
ership was an improbable solution at this
juncture, and that it will be better to try
to regulate the present corporation. He
did not know why the gas company had
such a hold upon members of Congress, but
he did know that lobbyists were around
both houses every day pleading for nom
intervention with their affairs, and that
stockholder RS havaibeen busy whenever the
gas bill has beeh up for discussion, asking
members rot to interfere with the invest
ments Of the widows and orphans of the
city.
Mr. Kyle said chat only this morning a
member of Congress- had been approached
by man who said he owned $4,000 worth
Of gas stock. and who asked that this in
vestment be protected. 1t paid him, he &C
knowledged. 20 per cent per annum.
Proved the People Wanted It.
Mr.. Kyle called attention to the fact that
the board Of trade had advocated dollar
gas, to prove thatithe appeal for legislation
was not the cry Of a few disgruntled citi-
zens. i I
He said that he would willingly grant the
gas company q reasonable percentage of
the profit, but that 1t was an octopus that
reached out and drew within it notable
citizens, whose antagonism was thereby
silenced and choked.
Senator Faulkner arose to ask Mr.. Kyle
taken in members of Congress,
Mr. Kyle said he did not mean members
Of Congress. but that he alluded to citizens
Of the District.
Does the Senator know Of any member of
the District committee of the Senate" asked
Mr. Faulkner, ''who has any interest, either
direct or indirect, in the affairs of the gas
company
Il do not know any member of the Dis.
trict committee" said Mr.. Kyle, who has
any interest in the stock Of the Washington
Gaslight Company
At this point Senator George called at.
tention to the lack Of q quorum and thu
| roll WAS called.