Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-17

electric railroad.
The wall and iron fence enCircling the
Botanical Gardens was declared to be I'M
slightly and committee was appointed to
suggest plans for its removal, consisting of
DR. II. l. l.. Johnson, cha rman; DR.. K. A
Pyles and K. +. Andrews. The present pol
icy of locking the gardens against the pub
lie ~ nights and ON Sundays was also de-
clared to be uud" sirable, and it is urged
that some plans should be devised for max
ing the proper use OF the beautiful foun-
tain. which was presented by France TO
this country
Public School Gardens.
The $1.o0O appropriation asked for public
school gardens, which was stricken from
the House bill. was taken up, and the
board voted unanimously that the lesisa-
tive committee OF the association take the
matter up again and try to get further con-
s,deratIon of the proposition. The proposed
appropriation of $500 for steel file cases
i'll the District document rooms was report
ed upon by committee.
After a long discussion Dr. II. l.. L.
Johnson submitted the following resolution
and moved its adoption, making a pre-
hminary statement that il was not his
Intention to place any unjust burden on
the gas company, but that he con-
WINGED the users of gas in Washington were
being taxed too high for the product and
that relief ought TO be had either in the
legislation pending or some similar measure
that would set the price of gas at figure
which would favor the people much
the persons VINO had invested their money
In gas stock:
Resolved. That the directors of the
Business Mems Association hereby go
record in favor of the regulation of gas
30 that the charge to the consumer shall
permit fair and reasonable profit to the
company which produces it, and no more.
That the La Toilette amendment to the
District of Columbia bill, compelling the
Washington Gaslight Company to make a
full annual statement to Congress of its
receipts. disbursements and other expenses,
together with an account of its stock. divi-
dends paid. assets debts outstanding and
such other matter as shall enable the pub
lie thoroughly TO understand the con-
dtion of said Washington Gaslght Com
pany. is hereby approved and heartily
commended"
Mr.. Browns Suggestion.
Mr. Chaplin Brown counseed against
hasty and iil-considered action and wanted
to postpone action or make the terms of
the resolution less drastic in expression
William f.. Guide, Allen Albert. DR.. John
son and others favored the resolution.
MIR Albert maintained that the gas COM
paUy was making use of Il public right
with which to earn its dividends and laid
down the principle that because of the ma
ture of its franchises, its lack Of competi-
ton. its production of commodity for
public consumption OF wide distribution. it
ought to have only such return for its
capital as should represent a fair per cent
such as a loan upon real estate security
similar investment.
Objection being made TO the pre- ambie q
substitute resolution was framed y..ch
covered practically the same ground. The
original preamble as follows:
Whereas the House OF Representatives.
In 1901. taking action on bill to reduce
the price of gas to the citizens of the Dis
trlct of Columbia. moved to recommit said
bill with the following instructions to the
District COmmi tee: On and after July /,
1892 the Washington Gaslight Company
shall furnish gas to the people of the s.
trict of Columbia for 81 cents per 900
cubic feet: on and after July l. 1903 at
50 cents per 1000 cubic feet; on and after
July l. 1904. for 10 cents per 1000 cubic
feet, which instructions were diSregarded
and even contradicted by the fact that said
District committee reported the bill back
with the recommendation that there should
be no reduction IN the price of gas
Free Delivery of Freight.
Wilton ]. Lambert brought before the
meeting the subject of free delivery Of
freight in Washington. and pointed out at
this privilege enjoyed for many years, was
In danger of being discontinued. He cited
the complaint OF the city of Philadelphia
now pending before the Interstate COM
merCe commission.
He said he had consulted the officials
OF the Pennsylvania railroad, who had
said to him that If the commission ruled
that the privilege must be extended to
Philadelphia and other cities. it would be
necessary to withdraw IL In Washington
He thought this would mean large addi-
tional expense to the merchants and citi
zens OF Washington. and recommended that
the association do all in its power to retain
the free-freight privilege. His report was
unanimously adopted.
The committee appointed to investigate
the matter is composed as follows: Wilton
J. Lambert, chairman; Fred G.. Coldren, z.
X. Andrews, r. A. Chester and Charles w.
Semmes. This committee has held two
meetings upon the subject in the rooms of
the Business Mems Association and has
received exhaustive reports from the Penn
sylyania Railroad Company in regard to
the situation. Realizing the necessity for
an active campaign in the matter the COM
mittee of the Business Mems Association
has addressed circular letter to all mer-
chants known to be effected by the pro-
posed regulation in the District of Column
bia. and has requested that each of the
parties referred to send representative to
meet the committee in the room of the
business Mems Association January % next
for the purpose OF formulating a plan OF
action to meet the campaign inaugurated
by the citizens of Philadelphia and to
checkmate any effort that might be pro-
posed to discriminate against Washington
and Philadelphia in the practice and facil-
lily which they have so long enjoyed In
connection with the receipt and delivery OF
freight 1t is pointed out In this connection
that Washington, especially. should be IA
vored because of the fact that II has been
struggling hard to gain a foothold in the
commercial world and not being a manu-
featuring city II has great obstacles To
overcome in connection with proper trans
portation facilities and freight arrange
ments.
The following were elected members of the
association: Thomas L. Gilbert. J. NJ. Beall.
and John L. Hurley