The Washington times., 1907-12-23
Statute Prohibits Higher
Price Than 81, But
Monopoly Charges
$1.25.
f" Give S Consumers
Own Money for Prompt
Payment Deposit
Scheme Unjust.

Is the Washington Gas Monopoly
violating the law every time 1t sends
out gas biill
Are the bills which are presented
to customers In the form now used
legal and cOIlectiblel
The legal price Of gas which the
Washington Gas Company may
charge Is 81 per thousand.
But the company charges s1.95 per
thousand.
The law provides that the Gas Mo-
nOpOly may charge a penalty of 20
cents for nOn-payment before the
10Th of the month.
Instead, the Gas Monopoly pre-
tends TO grant a rebate of 20 cents
for payment before that date.
There is a wide difference, accord
ing 20 lawyers and other people who
have looked into the matter. Sew
eral years ago the matter was
looked into by the District authori-
ties, and the conclusion was reached
at that time that the Gas Monop-
oly's practice was wrong and illegal
No Legal Action Taken.
No legal action was taken, and
the practice has gone on ever since.
The Gas Monopoly appears before
the public as philanthropist a
benefactor, giving 25 cents rebate"
when, in fact, it is collecting the
last penny the law allows. The
poorest family is forced to pay
every cent Of the penalty if it is one
day overtime in meeting the gas
bill; and yet this cheerful Monopoly
poses as q benefactor to the public,
giving discount" or rebate" for
prompt payment.
Apropos of this practice The
Times is in receipt Of a communica-
ton from a well-known citizen, who
makes the legal aspects clear in this
regard, and who also presents an in
teresting experience concerning the
Gas Monopoly's method Of aPpro-
priating a haIf-milion dollars OF the
peoples cash in the form of de-
positS
Exposes Monopoly Methods.
The letter viii be found one of
tbs most striking expositions of the
Gas MonopoIy's methods that this
discussion has inspired, and it is
printed in full:
Washington. Dec q. 1907.
The Editor OF The Washington Times.
Washington. D. c.
SIR; have noted with interest the fight
which you are making in behalf OF the
| people OF Washington for cheaper and
better gas 1 trust that you Will have
the cooperation and assistance OF all
or the consumers, and that you will
continue the fight until the result "a ac-
cOmplished.
In this connection I would call yo,1r
attention to the fact that the Washing
ton Gas Light Company Is violating the
provisions Of Chapter 535, United States
Statutes at Large, which regulates tie
price Of gas IN the District OF Colurn-
bia Every bin rendered 10 consun ers
is direct and open violation Of the
plain provisions Of the statute, which
prescribes a price Of 500 per 900 feet,
and not a price OF S1-5. the price al
which the company is billing gas to con-
sUmers.
Copy of Rebate" Offer.
Il quote the following statements.
which appear On the bills rendered NO
vember 30, 1907.
Mr.. ..........-.--.-..--.......-
Presirnes ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
To the washington Gas-1Iebt Co r.
Office 4t5 10th st. NV, Wash lnEton. D. G.
For ges consumed at l25a cents par 100
state Ct meter. Nov. ls, O7.... 5000
Deduct state of meter Oct 1s. O7.555OO
CDiscount. 3 cents per 1.ocO r. II 'l''7'
paid within 10 days from rem
oltlShl .---..-----.-----s.sss..s. s.55
Net ...-..--....-.--..-.......--- 20
''The following wording also appears
at the head OF the bill:
Save your discount. Last discount
| day, December TO-
Chapter 835, regulating the price Of
gas, reads as follows:
9 Chap. 335.-An act relating TO the
safe Of gas in TIE District OF Columbia.
BE II enacted by the Senate and
House Of Representatives Of the United
States Of America in Congress as
sembled. that the Washington Gaslight
Company of the District CT Columbia ia
authorized to charge and collect. after
the first day Of July, eighteen hundred
and ninety-six. for illuminating gas
furnished to and paid for by private
| consumers IN the District OF Columbia
at the rate OF not exceeding one dollar
| and ten cents per thousand cubic feet
until the first day of July. nineteen
/ hundred and one. after which last
named date the rate shall not exceed
one dollar per thousand cubic feet: and
| that after the first day of July. eighteen
| hundred and ninety-six. the Washington
| Gasl!ght Company Of the District Of
CONTINUED on Eleventh Page.I