Evening star., 1901-07-31
spects the campaign Of 1904. If the demo-

spects the campaign Of 1904. II the demo-
Gratis In such circumstances should win,
and control the new House by a handsome
majority. Imperialism Will be a strong cry
two years later. The party may make IL In
some form the leading issue. But the
| republicans again win: IL they repeat the
success Of last November, which In part
was achieved on their record in taking on
the new possessions. then how viii 1t be
possible for the democrats to go any fur
ther in that direction? Why again try an
issue which has been twice rejected by the
people at the polls? Imperialism. In the
sense of asking the people to undo what
has been done in Porto Rico and the Phil
ippines toward the permanent retention of
those islands under the stars and stripes,
will be as dead as free silver coinage.
We may see by this how uncertain every
thing Is as respects the next presidential
campaign. 1t Is as difficult to predict the
platform as the candidates Three years
may change the whole aspect and value OF
things as they appear today, and bring
not only new actors but new issues on the
scene. But meanwhile Of course we shall
witness great Activity on the part Of all
the old actors and their friends. and a
diligent effort to keep alive such OF the old
issues as may give promise of being able
to stand another presentation to the people.
Gas Bills, Penalties and Discounts.
The yellow paper of the Washington Cas-
light Company's monthly bills against its
consumers is now fiuttering over the city,
the first issue under the new dollar-a-thou-
sand rate established by law The average
gas user is in the habit Of paying his bill
without scrutinizing it's figures, save the
net charge which he Is required to pay.
He may not notice. therefore, that these
bills are drawn in a peculiar not to say
an illegal form. They read, as before, For
gas consumed. at 121s cents per 100 cubic
feet" etc. Then follow the statement OF
the meter readings and the charge. The
bill is rendered at the rate of 121a cents a
hundred, which is not allowed by law at
the initial stage Of the transaction. To ac-
commodate the statute, however. a dis
count" Of % cents thousand feet is grant
ed IL the bill is paid within ten days of rem
dition. which brings the charge down to
the rate of ten cents hundred, or dollar
a thousand.
These new July bills are presented in the
same terms as those for the prior period,
at 12,a cents hundred, save that the dis
sand instead of Is cents as previously. The
increase in the discount Is necessary to
bring the net rate down to the new law.
Whereas under the system which prevailed
for five years prior to July / the consumer
who failed to pay his monthly gas bill with
in ten days would in that event be called
upon to pay penalty Of only Is cents
thousand feet or about 13 % per cent, now
he must pay penalty Of % cents or 25 per
cent.
The law fixing the rate as at present,
passed in 1885, provided a general penalty
to apply to both the temporary rate Of 81. 10
and the fixed rate Of $100 to follow. This
penalty clause read that il consumers
other than the government shall not pay
monthly any gas bill within ten days after
the same shall have been presented. said
company may charge and collect from said
consumer one dollar and twenty-five cents
per thousand cubic feet" etc. This Is rot
discount for prompt payment. but pen
atty. for delay. Herein the present law diff
fers from that which prevailed when the
rate was $3.50 thousand and the statutes
granted positive discount OF twenty-five
cents thousand, or ten per cent, for pay
ments within seven days of presentation OF
the bill. The present penalty amounts to
twenty-five per cent after ten days.
1t would save much confusion in later
adjustments II the letter Of the law We're
followed in the statement Of these gas
bills, to make them read for the legal rate
with a warning of the legal penalty to
be exacted II the consumer does not
promptly pay. The gas company has no
right to receive credit for leniency in Its
treatment of consumers when 1t Is exact
ing in the case Of both prompt and delayed
payments every cent that the law allows.