The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-22
LOCAL MEASURES PASSED
District Matters Disposed of by
the House.
The 1iII Granting Certain Privileges
to the Gas Company Recomniitted
With Instructions to Report New
Section Providing for Cheaper
Light-0ther Matters Discussed.

Bills directly relating to the District OF
Columbia engaged the attention If the
House of Representatives for three and
one-half hours yesterday, the day having
by special order of the House been set
apart for the consideration OF District
matters and bills coming up under sus-
pension of the rules.
The first bill called up was No. 1860,
giving to the Washington Gaslight Com
pany authority to absorb other lighting
companies issue stock, and extend its
plant 1t met with an unkind reception,
was beaten out Of shape, and driven back
to the Committee on the District of Co.
lumbia that citizens might be given a
hearing in opposition to it. The commit
tee was instructed to report it with a
new section providing that after July 1,
1902. the price of gas shall be fixed at 80
cents per thousand feet: after July /,
1903. at so cents; after July 1, 1904.
at 20 cents and after July l, 1905, at
IS cents. No other measure brought be-
fore the House during the Fifty-sixth
Congress has been greeted with as spon-
taneous hostility as the bill in question.
II appeared TO have only two friends on
the floor, Mr.. Pearre, who reported IL, and
Mr.. Babcock Chairman OF the District
Committee. The assault on the bill be-
came so general that Mr.. Pearre sought to
lay it aside. but objection to this came
from many parts of the hall Mr.. Bah
cock, to save it from defeat, anticipated
a motion to recommit which Mr.. Sims was
about to make but before he got this mo-
ton through Mr.. Grout amended it so
that the committee was instructed to
bring in bill reducing the price of gas.
The First Blow.
The first blow at the bill was delivered
by Mr.. Moody of Massachusetts, one of
the leading debaters on the floor. Mr..
Hopkins attacked it and was quickly re-
enforced by Mr. Dalzell and Mr.. W. A.
Smith. Mr.. Grosvenor expressed serious
dissatisfaction with the phraseology and
purposes of the bill and Mr.. Hepburn as
sailed it. Several others on the Repub-
lican side asked questions of Mr.. Babcock
and Mr.. Pearre which indicated animos-
ity TO the measure. During all this dis
cussion the enemies of the bill on the
Democratic side withheld their fire. Mr..
Cowherd and Mr.. Sims, minority members
of the District Committee, stood ready to
launch themselves against the unfortunate
BILL but its managers tried to retreat in
good order, though in this they were not
QUICK enough 10 ESCAPE luSAE uCliOuS
il is thought will surely kill the bill
When the bill had been reported by the
clerk MIR. Pearre was recognized that he
might explain its provisions. He said
that it authorizes the Washington Gas
light Company to increase its manufac-
turing and distributing plant as the pres
ent and future needs and growth of the
District of Columbia may require, and in
SO doing to construct and maintain such
inc and nn-1
Quits as the Commissioners of the Dis
trict may consider necessary. The second
section authorizes the company. upon the
assent of majority in value of its stock
holders. to purchase and hold the capital
stock of any other Illuminating company
doing business in the District of Column
e bia, and in such event to issue and sell
SO much additional capital stock as may
be necessary TO complete the purchase.
This section also protects the creditors
of such companies and prevents the
abatement of any suit against such COM
pany. Section 8 authorizes an increase in
the capital stock of the Washington Gas
light Company within the limitations pre-
scribed by the section, and provides the
methods by which the increase of capital
stock shall be made. Section authorizes
the recovery of damages to pavements or
trees by reason of leaks from gas mains
Of illuminating companies in the District,
and Mr.. Pearre replied, "one in Washing
ton and one in Georgetown. Under exist
ing law the price of gas in Washington
after July !, 1901 will be 81 per !, 600 feet
and west of Rock Creek SIPS per thou
sand. Under the combination authorized
in the bill the price of gas in the Dis
trict would be 81 per thousand feet"
Mr. Moody-Why cannot this company
lar 1r-gfh . ton,
OF law?
Mr.. Pearre-I suppose it might do this.
but it has been thought better that it
may be done by authorization of law.
A Combination Authorized.
Mr.. Moody asked if the bill authorized
combination with electric light companies.
and. receiving an affirmative answer. call
I'd attention to the Commissioners COM
ment upon that feature Of the bill. in
which they say:
Zone of the objects of the bill appears
to be to permit the consolidation of gas
companies and then permitting them to
unite with the eiectric-lighting compa-
MES now doing business IN the District
of Columbia. The ACCESSIBILITY of permit
ting a consolids ton OF the gas compa-
MES with the electric-lighting companies
is one which the Commissioners are not
prepared at this time TO recommend, al
though they approve the proposed con-
solidation of the gas companies
William Alden Smith asked If Mr..
Pearre did not consider the proposition
contained in the bill relating to the issue
of stock as most unusual. The gentle
man from Michigan said the bill did not
contain a single safeguard.
Or. Moody of Observation-Disclosures is
the present capitalization of the Wash
ington Gaslight Company?
Mr.. Pearre-Two million six hundred
thousand dollars.
Mr.. Moody-What would ii be II this bill
should become a law?
Mr.. Pearre-Eight million dollars.
Mr.. Moody-Mr. Speaker, here is a bill
permitting a consolidation OF companies
and an increase of stock from 81. 601, 900 to
ss,000.00O and the House is paying no at
tention to its consideration.
The Speaker-The House must come TO
order. The Chair Is constrained TO re-
mind gentlemen that the cloak rooms have
been provided for conversation. Public
business will be suspended until the House
cones TO order.
The remark OF Mr. Moody concerning
the bill and the reproof OF noisy members
BY tho Speaker had the effect OF directing
the attention of the whole House 10 the
pending matter.
w I. Smith said he would not approve
OF the provision in the bill authorizing
capitalization upon the basis Of net earn
ings. He thought It unwise
Mr. Pearre said the committee had felt
that no better basis for capitalization than