The Washington times., 1906-12-30
Favorable Report Will
Be Sent TO Con-
greSS.
a Unit in AS
SertiOn of Their
Rights.


providing cheaper gas in the District.
or a similar measure, De enacted into
law before the close OF the present Con-
gress March next.
They VIII not be able TO act officially
until the House Committee on the Dis
trict OF Columbia forwards 20 them for
their report the bill introduced by Mr..
Madden calling for 75-cent gas for the
District
When the bill does reach them. as
must happen soon after the Christmas
holidays. they viii report on IL favor
ably. II the gas company wants TO be
heard on il the Commissioners will
grant the hearing. but the company
viii have to make strong showing
against the bill in order to prevent the
favorable report going to Congress.
This is the present program. And,
unless totally unforeseen facts are
brought 10 the attention of the Com
misslOners, il viii be followed.
Such a situation insures that the gas
company, II it hopes 10 fight the reform
successfully, must do its battling in
Congress, either in the House or in the
Senate.
Exaer Course Undecided.
While the Commissioners are decid-
ed ;hat cheaper gas should be fur
nished 70 the District of Columbia and
its citizens, il can not be definitely
stated that they will recommend that
the price DC put at - cents per 1000 feet.
They may recommended S6-CenI gas. or
they may recommend gradual yearly
reduction In the price extending over a
period OF three or four years until the
bottom figure Of 55-Cent or s0-cent gas is
reached.
The essential fact is. however, that
they favor cheaper gas.
That the citizens organizations and
the bulk of the individuals OF the popu-
laJion of the District are a unit in their
demand for cheaper gas and universal
transfer system in the District. and that
they viii let Congress know their opIn-
ion on both questions, are >prOposi -
which can be denied no longer. accord
ing 10 the friends Of the Two measures.
Every day the ranks Of those who are
out in the open for these reforms are in
creased by new champions
Representative Wiley and Represen-
tative Madden, the pioneers in the
movements. receive dozens of letters
daily favOring the proposition, and The
Times inquiries as 10 public sentiment
in these directions show that the de-
sire for the Improvements mentioned is
widespread and inslstent.
Attorney Serven's Views.
A. R. serven. a prominent attorney
and president Of the North Capitol and
lexington Citizens Association, said
last evening;
Our association will undoubtedly pass
resolutions at its meeting next month
indorsing the bills for cheaper gas and
universal transfers. I make this pre-
diCtiOn positively because I know the
sentiment OF the organization Is in ac-
cord with the bills
Three years ago the association
nassed resolutions calling for a uni
versal transfer system at the hands OF
the local street car companies. That
is such manifestly just and necessary
reform that it has long been demanded
BY the people of this city and District.
AS to the move Tor cheaper gas, /
will say that I heartily favor il and
that l can see no possible reason why
Washington should not have cheap gas
and good gas. If other cities have it.
why can not we have it What possible
reason can be advanced in support Of
the contention that we should be sad
died with unreasonabIy high prices for
a necessary everyday product?
Speaks With Authority.
II think / can say l speak on this
| subject with some authority because Of
my past experiences along this line.
Before coming to Washington. [ was
connected with the government OF a
town in New York State. and in that ca
pacity 1 studied the gas situation close
| ly. AT that time I was convinced that
gas was selling far beyond the cost Of
its production.
Since then. il is claimed, the cost Of
the manufacture has been considera bly,
lowered. 1t is now positively claimed
by cOmpeteIfl authorities that good illu-
minating gas can be turned ont for
50 or 65 cents per 1000 feet. If this be
-rUe, and l see no reason to doubt It.
] it seems to me a fair thing TO compel
the gas companies here 10 sell for 70
cents per 1000 feet.
our association and /, personally
and officially. will do all in our power
| toward helping 10 secure favorable ac-