The Washington herald., 1906-12-22

Why not consider on its merits this
proposition 10 reduce the price Of illu-
minating gas in Washington? On the face
of things il certainly seems that this city
ought not to pay more for gas than other
cities are paying. Why are we doing it?
II gas can be manufactured and dis
tributed at a handsome profit for 70
cents per 1000 feet-and everybody knows
it can-why should the people be COM
PEELED TO pay dollar?
Senator Ganinger tells US that he re-
ported the S0-cent gas bill adversely last
session because the people showed no
interest in 1t. The District Commits
si0ners, also. we learn. saw no impro-
priety in continuing the excessive rate
since there was no outcry against it, We
confess. however, that We do not quite
comprehend the policy Of the authorities
District and Congressional, in thus per
petUating an arrangement, obviously
wrong and oppressive, simply because
the community complacently submits to 1t.
Have our District Commissioners no
higher duty in the premises? Might
they not reasonably be expected, even in
the absence Of public clamor, to take an
interest in a question so important and
insist that the people of the Capital be
fairly dealt withg Would Senator Cal
Hnger, if ne We're mayor Of his home
town in New Hampshire, see no harm
in his people being mulcted. SO long as
they did not complain? Would Chairman
Babcock-but he gives up his seat soon,
and well let him pass
There is a disposition, we discover to
question the motives Of Mr.. Madden, Of
Chicago. who is champiQning a 75-ccnt
gas bill This is perfectly natural Pos
sibly he may be doing 1t 20 popularize
himself at hons. But what bearing has
that upon the merits of the proposition
itself? It is the usual thing. We know,
TO question the motives of public men.
For example il has been said and 5
believed by sorle people that the Wash
ngt0n GasliSht Company has aided Con
gressmeu in ueed-espeCially when their
seats were in danger. Gossip is not al
ways true-in fact, it is often very far
from true-but, whether true or false, q
rather unusual interest has been shown
in the gas company's affairs in certain
quarters at the Capitol What is more
natural. therefore, while we are question
ing Mr. Nadden's motives, than TO inquire
why IT is that we find statesmen ever
ready TO oppose reduction; statesmen who
think it just the thing for Washington to
pay more for gas than Chicago, Indian
apolis. and other cities pay; statesmen
who cannot for the life Of them under
stand why so untimely a subject as gas
should obtrude itself at this juncture.
when so little time remains for Congress
sionaI work?
However, the proposition Is bound TO
receive attention. There is no doubt of
#. The price Of gas in Washington will
be reduced. There is a large majority Of
Senators and Representatives uncon-
troIled by gas-house influence. and the
people Of washington hereafter are not
going to be as complacent and ac-
quiesccnt and meelsly submissive as they
have been They viii be heard from.
The newspapers will champion their
cause. Of course.
As matter of fact, as the situation
now stands, a reduction in the price Of
gas is so inevitable that It is d wonder
that the Washington Gaslight Company.
in the line OF good business methods.
does not. without further delay, volun-
tarily lower the rate 70 3 cents-or 50
cents at most--and thus forestall Con-
gressional action. 1t would be the wise
thing to do. The company may do It.
Who knows?