The Washington herald., 1907-10-03
Gas Company's Excuse.

when approached the gas company
would say that nothing further could be
done until Rhode Island avenue was
graded and opened up SO that they could
extend their large mains out through
this territory.
In response 10 continued Inquiries at
the Office OF the gas company. the Off
cials would claim TO be anxious TO sup
ply the territory above mentioned. but
that on account Of their being unable 10
lay their mains along Rhode Island ave
nue. they were compelled 10 lose the bus
mess, which they admitted many times
would be profitable and desirable were
they able TO get IT,.
"One would think from their FREQUENT
assertions that Il was great source. of
loss 70 the company, which they much
regretted, that they We're unable 20 serve
the northeastern district. and that no
pressure on the part of the citizens was
needed 70 induce them 20 lay their mains
as soon as the streets We're IN condi-
ton 10 receive the same. Repeated ap-
pr0priations during the last three or four
years have been made for improving and
opening Rhode Island avenue and il is
now graded 10 its fun permanent width
almost 10 the District line, and mains
could be laid as far as Twenty-eighth
street
Claim Grading is Finished.
The last Of this grading was done
about two months ago. and. beginning
with the early spring, the Northeastern
Suburban Citizens Association began ad-
dressing 10 the gas company letters and
requests for the laying Of the mains. and
calling their attention 10 the fact that
Rhode Island avenue was graded and
ready for the mains They have NOT only
ignored these communications. but repre-
sentative citizens have been given ecant
courtesy, at personal interviews. and no
promises or information can be obtained
which will indicate any intention ON the
part OF the gas company to lay these
mains on Rhode Island avenue and the
service pipes on the connecting streets.
During the past five years there has
been a great growth in this territory. and
houses are constantly going up along
Rhode Island avenue clear ont to the
District line. 1t is estimated that there
are from 400 10 900 houses now built In
the territory above named. and from 50 to
100 houses per year are being added to
this number.
Alleges Promises Are Not Kept.
Three years ago, when efforts were
made to induce the company to Law mains
in the principal streets, the company
promised that if 100 residents could be
found who would be induced To take the
gas they would Immediately supply f..
even if they had TO lay mains on the
streets that were not regarded as favor
able Citizens within a few davs obtained
signatures to written agreements from
householdeTs 10 the number of nearly
200 and gave them into the hands of the
gas company. The only result attained
was the extension Of the pipes from the
Bladensburg pike along a few blocks ad-
Jacent thereto IN the Old part Of Laugdon.
and there the company stopped. claiming
that their supply main on Bladensburg
road was inadequate 10 furnish any more
gus. The matter stands right where il
was three years ago. and although there
are hundreds Of persons ready and most
anxious 10 use the gas, there seems to be
no immediate prospect Of getting il.
Think IL Time to Act.
That the company should be able TO
disregard the demands Of such prosper
Gus and rapidly developing section of the
District and at the same time hold an
exclusive monopoly of the franchise is
inconceivable. If the Commissioners have
Uot the power 10 compel the laying of
the gas mains, then it is high time that
some enabling act should be passed by
Congress, which would render the com
pany subservient TO the Commissioners.
The Macdonald school of PhrenoIogy