The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1906-12-26


gas to the people of the District of
Columbia for 80 cents per thousand
cubic feet on and after July l. 1903, at
50 cents per thousand cubic feet; on
and after July ], 1904, for IS cents per
thousand cubic feet.-Order by House
in 1901
The people of Washington want cheaper
gas. The House of Representatives, over
FIVE years ago. declared that they should
have it.
By an overwhelming vote, the Commit
tee on District Affairs was directed to re-
port a bin fixing the rate for 1902 at 90
cents; for 1903, at 50 cents, and for 1904 at
70 cents. But the Hon. Joseph Weeks
Babcock, then. as now, chairman Of the
District Committee, was on guard; the
gas-house lobby then. as always. was ac-
tive and alert, and so the will OF the
House Of Representatives was defed. and
the extortionate rates were continued.
In the discussion Of Representative Mad
denis pending bill for 75-cent gas, the part
played by certain statesmen TO protect the
gas company at the expense of the people
Of Washington, as well as the government
of the United States, also a heavy con-
sumer, will be laid bare.
Astounding scheme TO Water stock.
in the last session OF the Fifty-sixth
Congress occurred the astounding at
tempt Of the managers of the Washing
ton Gaslignt Company to get the sane
ton Of Congress for the watering of its
stock in the consolidation Of the Wash
ingtOn and Georgetown companies. with
the increase of the combined capital stock
of the two companies from s.. 7O0O 900 to
$l3, 10000. The yiciousness Of the meas
ure was at once apparent. It's iniquity
was self-evident- The bill was introduced
on the Sth Of January, 1901 It attracted
no attention and lay quietly on Mr.. Bah
cocks desk for a week and two days.
Then another bill. with some changes.
was introduced on January II. This bill,
it should be remembered. did not pro-
pose to reduce the price Of gas. 1t was
a gas-house bill to manufacture watered
stock. Il was reported from the House
Committee on District Affairs on the
18th, just two days later. That would
seems TO show the influence Of the gas
house in the District Committee. On Jan
uary q Mr.. Babcock got the bill up and
tried his best to pass 1t. He was laughed
down in short order. Representative
Cowherd, of Missouri, made a notable
speech, fairly Kidding the jobbing propo-
sition.
BabcOck in Sorry Role.
The distinguished chairman Of the COM
mittee." said Representative Sims. OF
Tennessee. telling the story. held I'D
both hands and said. Lord. have mercy
on US and let me take it back before it
gets cold"
Then what happened? When the motion
to recommit the bill was voted upon the
House instructed the District Committee
by an overwhelming vote as follows
On and after July /. 1902. the Washington Gas
light Company shah furnish gas to the people
u the District q Columbia Cor 80 cents per J. 90
cubic feet; and after July l. 1913. az 80 cents
Per 1000 elbic feet. on and after july l. 1914
for Is cents per 100 cubic feet,
There was a clear and explicit instruc-
ton said Mr.. Sims. How did they
obey? That vote was given on January
p. The bin went back to the committee.
and not a witness, 10 mortal man, went
before that committee No evidence was
taken, and the District Committee. with
a contemptuous disregard Of the vote in
the House. failed TO act on the instruc-
tiOns until the first day Of March. Just
three days before the end Of the session
and when the chairman knew that no ac-
ton could be had from the House" The
committee, when IT did report, urged that
there should be no reduction Of the price
Of gas.
Held Back in Committee.
When the proposition was to permit the
watering Of the stock of the consolidated
companies 20 the amount of many mil
lions. the committee got the bill back 10
the House in two days. and in two more
had it up for passage. When the House,
by its instructions to the committee, said
that there should be a gradual and rea-
sonable reduction Of the price Of gas to
70 cents. the chairman of the committee
held the bill back until within three days
Of the end of the session, so that the
House should not, in its indignation at
the ubiquitous manipulation Of the meas
ure, rise in its strength and summarily
pass the legislation needed to right the
wrongs done to the householders Of Wash
ington
Mr.. Sims said the following session,
when the gas house project came up
again: And Tow we are asked here to
give weight to the recommendations Of a
committee that has shown Itself TO be
entirely biased and one-sided"
Senator Gallinger explained a few days
ago ttat he reported the SO-cent gas bill
adversely last year, because the people
Of Washington showed no interest in it, -
The interest at this time is universal, and
may find expression in a public mass
meeting after the holidays