The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-04-12
One Story He'd II That They Had Been
Placed BsJend Committees Reach.
STATEMENT MADE BY ATTY BUTLER.
He Resented Ins'nualons Regarding Mr. Tudor,
and Declared the Latter Was in Roslon-Ths
Witnesses Examined Yes sriaI.


Among other things 1t was reported
that the treasurer of the New England
Gas and Coke company, Mr.. Tudor,
had left the city. and that the COM
panys books had been placed beyond
the Jurisdiction of the committee.
Thomas w. Lawson, in business suit.
minus the fresh pink; C. w. Barron.
counsel w. w. Butler of the New Bng-
land Gas and Coke company. attor-
neys Robert M. Morse.C. Parker Chan
dler. G.. w. Anderson. and Representa-
tive Engstrom, We're all in attendance,
and in full view of the committee. But
Mr. Tudor was absent.
A furry of excitement came in with
the breeze created by the folding doors
when the stalwart form OF Sergeant
at-Arms Jack" Adams appeared with
his badge OF Office, a shining tall hat,
decorated with a black rosette. In his
hand he held what looked like sum
mons. This he handed TO Senator
WoOdsum, chairman of the committee.
After reading this paper, Chairman
Woodsum, in a quiet tone. gave the
Sergeant Arms some instructions
and he went out.
The atmosphere of the hearing was
charged with stories of what is going
20 happen. and IL looked very much as
though the most sensational features
of the hearing had not yet been
reached.
MIR. SMITH A WITNESS.
Frederick w. Smith. assistant treas
-urer-of the Bay State and Boston Gas
companies, was the fest witness called.
He was questioned by Robert M. Morse.
counsel for the gas companies. He read
e n. - IL - A.aI
pared regarding the cost Of the manu-
facture of gas by the two companies
he represented, for the year ending
June 30, 1899. He said that the actual
cost of manufacturing gas by the Bay
State company was 3l.l2 cents. and IL
was sold to the other companies for 81
cents psr 1000 feet. The increase in
price the following year on such ma
terials as naphtha, gas, oil, hard coal
apd soft coal was 5.92 cents, and on
other materials 23.01 cents. These are
only manufacturing charges. and the
charges for distribution are not in
cluded, as in 'ffle first statements For
the year ending June 80. 1901. the total
increase will be 1898. The tendency OF
prices, witiness said. for the last year
has been a steady increase. This in
crease since 1897 was shown by the
table as follows: 1S97-9S. 1887; 1882.
31.t2; 1S99-l900. 39.01: 1900-l90l. .45.75.
This would bring the cost OF gas at the
burner, 74.21 cents. The other COM
panies would have to be charged 69.29
cents. The dividend to the South BNs-
ton company at these prices would be
IL per cent. Assuming that gas should
be sold at 81, the Boston company could
pay about 8 per cert, paying for IL
81 cents. II the price OF gas tor the
consumer was reduced TO 20 cents. the
Boston company could pay expenses.
BOUGHT FROM STANDARD OIL.
Witness said. in reply to questions
by Mr.. Anderson. that the naphths and
coal gas used by the Bay State COM
pany is bought from the Standard OIL
company, which fixes an arbitrary
price. The increase Is made by 1t with
out regard to the supply As TO the
Massachusetts, Pipe Line company con-
tract he said that the Pipe Line COM
to the Boston Gas Light company dur
ing the month of February. This was
paid for at the rate of 20 cents a
thousand. His computation did not
take into consideration the consumpla-
tion of this contract and was based on
the assumption that the companies
We're to continue manufacturing gas
themselves. He admitted thM the
companies would be obliged TO take
gas when the Pipe Line company was
ready to furnish ".
Questioned by Representative Noon
ey as to whether he had considered the
possibility OF a saving by purchasing
gas from the Pipe Line company rather
than from the Bay State company wit
ness admitted that he had not in max
ing HIS calculations.
ADDICKs TESTIFIES.
Chief Engineer of the Bay state COM
pany Walter II. Addicks took the stand
and was questioned by Mr.. Morse re-
garding the properties of the various
gas companies and Their facilities for
manufacturing gas. He also pointed
out on n map their various properties
in Boston. He said his company had
no assurance from the Pipe Line COM
pany that IL could get gas for less than
30 cents. Asked as to dividend possi-
bilities. he said that in order TO pay a
10 per cent. dividend at l900-l90l prices
the Boston Gas Light company would
have TO sell gas at Sill per thousand
feet. The Roxbury and South Boston
would have to get si.12 per thousand.
According TO Mr.. Whitney's statement
the total capacity at the present time
was 100000 feet OF gas per day. or
this the Brookline company used $780,
900 and the Jamaica 100000. making
3.700.000 feet, and leaving only 100000
for sale to the Boston companies.
Therefore he could not reckon on the
possibility of gas being furnished by
the Pipe Line company. He had an
assurance from Mr.. whitney that IL
would not be furnished I'm any amount.
or a least over i0o. 900 feet day, az less
than 30 cents. Baslng NJ calculations
on the gas manufactured and bcught.
Ne thought that IS cents thousand as
a selling price would entail a net loss OF
10 cents a thousand. IL Is cheapsr for
the Boston conuany 60 buy It's gas
from the Bay State company than 20
make its own gas. To do so u would
have to increase the capacity ~ its
plant. Rather than do this Z is better
to buy its gas. II would. therefore. in
the estimation Of the witness. no. be
advisable TO 60 IN this expense. Many
OF the best. customers have been lost