The morning times., 1896-01-14

The Northeast Washington Citizens As
sociation came cut strong for cheaper gas
last night by the unanimous adoption OF a
resolution indorsing the Livingston bill
for the Incorporation of a new gas company
under the pledge OF reducing the price Of
-thc commodity 10 30 cents per thousand
feet. This action s:as taken in preference
to pinning faith to the measure reducing
the cost OF the present product TO 81.
The association could not agree last night
upon the motion to accept a report made by
Chairman Ma rtin OF the committee on
streets, avenues and alleys
Mr. Martin announced in the beginning
that tie report was not due, but he deemed
1t proper 10 make 4 statement OF the re-
suits achieved by the committee within the
pas year or two. lie then read the report.
The president OF the association made a
lengthy report OF matters concerning which
he had been comforting with the Commits
sioners. and among other things mentioned
the effort for cheaper gas.
BELIEVES THEY FAVOR 1T.
"Do you believe. Mr.. President" In
uuired Mr.. p s. Smith. THAT the Com
nissioners are really in favor of cheaper
gasp
President Tucker responded in the af-
firrnatiye. Il am sure" he said, THAT
the Commissioners are sincerely in favor
OF n reduction 10 the price. IL may be
supposed" he added. "1s the board refused
20 indorse a new company that the Conn
nissioncrs are not favorable TO a reduc-
ton. but the reasons given by thein are
that IL is Objectionable TO have the streets
torn up for the Introduction OF new mains.
and the Commissioners prefer TO have the
price of the present product reduced"
rs there any provision in the proposed
bill to require the meters to tell the
TRUTH" inquired Mr.. Aigate-
Mr.. Martin thought there should be some
action iudors;ng the measure for cheaper
gas. Before ethiscoIIdbe accomplished how =
ever, there was motion made 10 indorse
the free library bill, and this carried uuani-
mously.
Another motion, made by Mr.. Carver, for
the Endorsement of the bill for the exten-
the Endorsement of tile bill for the extern
sion of the Columbia street railway from
Fifteenth street west. was also adopted
unanimously, and similar action was had
with respect to the bill introduced in Con-
gress by Representative Baker forreciprocal
METHOD OF REDUCTION.
The question of cheaper gas was again
brought forward and was debated at cou-
sidera be length. Thediscussion wa particI-
pated In by Messrs. Calvin, Rose. Smith, W.
O. Miller, Secretary Sowerbutts, Carver.
Agate and others, the main issue being
between the advocacy of a reduction in
price by the present companies. and the
Endorsement of the bill for the orsanlza-
ton of the new corporation.
The bill last named was read. and by
unanimous vote 4 motion prevailed. as
made by Mr.. Martin, Ia iudorse the meas
ure, and the committee on proposed lecis-
lation was distracted to act according to
its best Judgment with respect to both
pruposiliors-the one for the reduction
OF the price 10 81 per thousand feet, the
other, through the new corporation, re-
ducing the price To 20 cents.
Presiden; Tucker explained the bill, and
in doing So referred incidentally to the
objection suggested as to the tearing up
of the streets He said the official state
ment had been made recently that the ser
vice of the existing gas companies is now
about worn out and will have to be ia ken
up soon, anyhow.
Now if the streets must be torn up, why
not have them torn up for rs cent gas?''
he inquired.
Mr.. Rose said IL the people move for the
cheaper article they will be much more
likely to get dollar gas than if they SIM
ply indorse the latter proposition.
Several niher important reports were
read before the adjournment, and a reso-
i, DSt ttf,I I,t 10
was unanimously adopted.