The Washington herald., 1907-08-03

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rectly to the point. is the statement Of
receipts and expenditures Of the Washing
ton Gasnght Company for its last fiscal
year ended December 30, 1906, as sub
mitted by that corporation to the Dis
! trict Commissioners. The fun text of the
report IS as follows:
In compliance with the law. beg leave
to submit the following statement of re-
ceipts and expenditures of the Washing
ton Gaslight Company for its last fiscal
year ended December 30, 1895:
RsCpts. N5ils0 o5
Expenditure L64sslo "
"w. B. oRSlE, Secretary"
This statement is submitted in accord
ance with the act Of Congress Of March
l, 1901, which provides: THAT the electric.
and gaslght companies of the District
of Columbia shall file with the Commis-
sioners Of the District Of Columbia on
the first day Of August, 1902, and annually
thereafter, a statement showing their re-
ceipts and expenditures for the previous
year"
Detailed Statement Desired.
Since the passage Of this act the Com
missioners have repeatedly urged upon
Congress the enactment of legislation re-
ducIng the price of gas to a rate com
mensurate with the cost Of its manUfac-
ture, and at the same time compelling
the submission TO Congress Of a sworn
and detailed statement Of the condition
OF the business Of the gas company.
The stand taken by the Commissioners
is that based upon such facts as are
known relative TO the cost Of manufac-
turing gas, the product can be furnished
at a less price than is charged for it in
Washington. They hold that the gas
companies having large and valuable
franchises in the public streets, should
be compelled TO make a statement TO the
municipal authorities which shall make
plain the ability Of the corporations TO
sell gas cheaper or not TO do so.
Reports Not satisfactory.
The Commissioners hold that the re-
ports submitted do neither Of these
things. hence their repeated efforts to
have statements forthcoming at inter-
vals from the gas companies which shah
give some insight into the financial con-
dition Of the companies. especially their
earning power. as compared with the
price charged for gas.
Congress at the last session included
the following recommendation IN the
District of Columbia appropriation bill
Of March 2. 1907:
Provided That any association or corporation en-
gagged in the manufacture and sale Of gas for nUml-
mating and fuel purposes in the District Of C0lum-
bia through its president or other duly authorized
officer shall make a sworn statement % Congress
annually on or before the first Gay Of February In
each year. Said report shall contain a detailed
statement OF the condition Of the business ot said
association corporation for the year ending De
cembsr 81 next preceding. and such statement shall
set forth the actual cost and also present value Of
the property Of such association OF corporation used
In the conduct Of its business The amount OF paid
up capital stock, the amount and character OF the
Indebtedness OF such association corporation. the
amount and cost Of materials used in making gas
the amount Of gas manufactured, tie amount Of gas
sold the average price per lJ0 cubic feet received
for gas sold, the revenue from the sale Of al by
products the revenues from all other sources, the
extensions and Improvements made in the plant and
works. the actual cost Of the same. the amount ex
pended for labor the amount set aside for deprecia
tion the amount set apart for insurance and renew
ais. the amount paid cut Of earnings for better
meuts, the amount paid Tor betteHnents rom other
sources the amount set aside and paid in interest
and dividends the surplus after paying the operating
expenses and fixed charges the statement Of the
operating expenses 10 be teUized and classified as
is done by other public utility corporations in the
District Of Columbia the names Of the stockholders
and the amount of stock held in such association or
corporation by each Of them on December 81 next
preceding the date Of such report
ANY such association OF corporation. not later than
the 4th day Of December. in the year 1907. shall
make 20 Congress a sworn report in accordance with
the requirements Of this provision. and showing the
condition Of It's business as near as its present
method OF bookkeeping viii permit for the year
ended December g. 1906.
Senator La Toilette and Representative
BUrlesOn We're instrumental in securing
the enactment Of this law.
VIII Renew Efforts.
The Commissioners again announce that
at the next session Of Congress they Will
renew their recommendation that the
price Of gas be reduced TO 20 cents-if II Is /
shown that such price viii provide a fair
profit TO the gas company.