The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-20
PUBLIC HEARING
ON PRICE OF GAS
Foster Bill Argued Before
the Commissioners.
THE COMPANY is DEFENDED
Feeble Attempt to Show That Passage
Of Measure Would Benefit
the Public.

The question whether the price of gas
in the District of Columbia shall be re-
duced from 81 per thousand cubic feet
20 70 cents was discussed at length this
morning at a public hearing before the
District Commissioners.
Directors of the Washington and
Georgetown Gaslight Companies were
present, as were few attorneys and
several lay citizens. The preponderance
Of evidence given was clearly in favor
OF the companies. and II the District
Commissioners are guided by the senti-
ment expressed, the price OF gas will
remain at 81 Tor an indefinite period.
The hearing was upon Senate bill
3O42 introduced recently by Senator
Foster, and referred TO the Commission
ers for consideration. In opening the
discussion Commissioner Macfarland
asked for an expression in favor Of the
bnl
There was an embarrassing wait. un-
I'll finally Evan II. Tucker. president OF
the Northeast Washington Citizens As
sociation. arose. Mr.. Tucker agreed that
the price should be reduced II it could
be proved the company could make a
/ profit at the lower figure. He added
that he had no evidence to support his
argument, and merely repeated hearsay.
Mr.. Kings Views.
! George w. King. Of Georgetown, gave
| statistics concerning the manufacture Of
/ gas, all challenged later or denied by
! representatives Of the gas companies.
/ Mr. King said Washington Is the best
\ city in the United States for a monopoly
70 thrive William Hitz, law partner of
Wayne MacVeagh. declared that it Is
the worst town in the country for the
Investment OF capital Of any sort
Figures concerning the manufacture
( Of gas were first brought out by John
McIlhenny. Of Philadelphia, a con-
( sulting engineer OF the Washington Gas
light Company He said that in Wash
! ington semi-public corporations are
more harassed than anywhere else.
He offered statistics TO show that gas
is cheaper here than in any other city
in the United States. except Cleveland.
Ohio. where il sells for 81 cents. and I'm
Wheeling. w Va, whera IT costs only
Is cents, but where tie gas company
which is owned by the city, is losing
considerable money. He argued that
the urice of a commodity should be set
in accordance with prices elsewhere
/ which rule the Washington Gas Light
Company is ready and willing 10 adopt.
Pays Heavy Taxes.
II was shown that the gas company
pays about 10000 per annum taxes TO
the District. and that so Of it's stock,
holders are dependent women ana chill
! dren. and that they should net and
could not legally be deTied the accumu-
Iation OF earnings for over thirty years.
John Hitz, as a consumer OF gas, was
the next speaker. He said ne had lived
in many cities, but that his gas bills
here were less. and the services better
Attorney William Hitz argued that the
present prosperity OF the company was
due to efficient management. and that
4 Senator Fosters bill is arbitrary and
unreasonable. His points were well
| made end we'll supported.
G. II. Cragin, OF Georgetown complain
ed against what he termed dtscrimina
ton in making Georgetown consumer
nav Sl25 per thousand cubic feet. while
washington pays only 81 He did no
enter into the merits or demerits Of th'
Senate bill.
Al the close Of the hearing Commits
| sioner Macfarland said the board would
take the matter under Amusement.