The Washington times., 1907-12-03
WAR ON GAS CO.
WILL HAVE HELP
OF TAKOAA PARK
John MacVicar Tells Citi-
zenS' Association Need
of Experts.

Cities With MonopoIies
and Public Ownership.
At a crowded meeting of the Takcma
Fark Citizens Association. held last
night in Takoma Han. the attempt of
the Washington Gaslight Company TO
increase its capital stock 10 more than
$lS'VO'ooO was severely condemned, ana
resolutions calling for a mass meeting
10 present to Congress the claims Of
the citizens for lower rates for gas, for
the prevention of the movement for in
crease OF the capital stock. and for an
effective regulation of the quality, pres
sure. and the inspection OF gas meters.
John MacVicar, who had been espec-
iaily Invited by the association to speak
on why the People of the District of
Columbia Should Have Cheaper and
Better Gas" reviewed the gas situa-
ton as he found it IN Washington,
dwelt on the difficulties experienced by
municipalities in their attempts to regu-
late the rates for gas, calling attention
TO the recent attempt OF the city OF
St. Paul TO reduce its rate from 81 TO
50 cents, the rate now enjoyed by Chi
c3Eo.
Mr.. MacVicar told OF the result of a
report Of a gas engineer brought BY
the corporation counsel OF st. Paul from
Chicago, which he Hkened 70 one Of
Artemus Wards funny stories. The en-
gineer found that gas could net be fur
nished at profit IN st. Paul by the
plant then In operation at a lower rate
than $40. though by reconstructng the
plant and making it thoroughly modern
it might be possible 70 produce gas at
$40 per thousand. The report winds up
with the conclusion. therefore 1 find
that the rate OF 81 now enjoyed by the
people Of ST. Paul TO be a reasonable
rate"
Company Was Satisfied.
This peculiar report was rendered In
face OF the fact that the rate Of 81
al which gas was then supplied by the
St Paul Company. was entirely salts
factJly 10 the companyA II. not 10 the
peeps: this, in view, OF the further fact
tha d; Duluth. a smaller city and farther
from the coal fields than St Paul, was
selling gas az 20 cents; Milwaukee al
from 90 cents 70 so cents: Hamilton.
Ohio, at 60 cents; Akron. Ohio. at 30 cents.
and many other cities not more favor
ably situated than ST. Paul are selling
gas at IS cents and 50 cents a thousand.
Mr.. MacNlcar related the experience
OF the city OF Des MoInes IN its at
tempt 10 reduce the gas rate ten years
ago from Sl-I5. In two different law suits,
the court found from the evidence pre-
sented that gas could not be sold ar
l.
made, acti II was resolved 10 appeal "a
public sentiment rather than 70 the
courts. with the result that q cOmpro-
misc rate was fixed. providing for an
immediate rate of $50. and for a re-
duction each year until the rate OF
81 Vas reached.
Citizens Must Organize.
ITO fight the gas monopoly in Wash
ington." he said. lit will be necessary
for the citizens of Washington to get
together; they must show Congress that
they want the low rate on gas, an ef-
ficienr inspection Of gas meters, and a
regulation Of the pressure Of gas. The
regulation OF the pressure Of gas in
Washington should be compulsory. II
will be necessary for the citizens of the
District to organize and be prepared 70
hight the gas company on equal terms,
''The gas company has millions OF
dollars at its disposal, and expert tesh-
money Is easily obtained by them. What
the people lack in this respect they
must make up by a vigorous showing
OF public sentiment, which, after all,
is the greatest factor in American gov
eminent"
Join Fight On Monopoly.
At the close OF M. Macvicar's re-
marks, a resolution offered by d. c.
Chapman, provided that The Takoma
Park Citizens Association in special
meeting assembled, hereby heartily in
dorses the attitude Of the Honorable
Commissioners Of the District Of Co
lumbia toward the increase in capitRli-
zatiOn of the washington CTaSlight Com
pany. and the ssoCiatiOn respectfully
requests Congress to pass the joint res
oIution drafted under the direction Of
the District Commissioners at the earl
lest possible date. suSpending section 5
OF the act Of June 4, 1895. until tho
question at issue can be carefully con-
sidered-
''The association further commends
the good work of the corporation cOun-
Sci and The Washington Times. the
Star, and the Herald in protecting the
interests of the citizens of the District
of Columbia
ut is ordered that a copy Of this
Committees in both houses Of Congress,
the President OF the Senate, and
Speaker OF the House. the Honorable
Commissioners, and The washington
Times, Star and Herald
At the conclusion OF the meeting a
vote of thanks was teLdered Mr. Mac
Vicar by the association for the inter
esting talk of the evening, and an en-
thusiastic reception followed, each Mem
her of the association personally as
surfng Mr.. MacVicar of the interest
taken in the fight against the gas
monopoly
FINE SALESMANSHIP.
beg pardon, si-,'' said the man in the
suit OF faded black, but you are car
I -. f,.e-r mo. v-far ~