The Washington herald., 1907-01-17
MERCHANTS APPROVE
Business Mems Association
Advocates Cheaper Gas.
RESOLUTIONS ARE ADOPTED
Directors Go on Record After Cues
tiOn Is warmly Discussed-Danger
Of Losing Privilege of Free Deliv-
cry of Freight Is Pointed Out-In-
terstate Commerce Ruling Cause.

Resolved That the directors of the
Business Mems Association hereby 90 on
record IN favor of the regulation of gas,
so that the charge to the consumer shall
lpermit 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 70 Congress Of its
2 receipts, disbursements, and other ex-
lpenses, together with an account of its
stock, dividends paid. assets, debts out
standing. and such other matter as shall
enable the public thoroughly 10 under
stand the condition Of said Washington
Gaslight Company. Is hereby approved
and heartily commended"
This resolution was adopted at last
/ nights meeting Of the directors Of the
Business Mems Association, after a long
, and interesting discussion Of the subject
Dr. II. :. Z. Johnson submitted the reso-
luton, and moved It's adoption, making a
preliminary statement that it was not his
intention 10 place any unjust burden on
the gas company, but that he was con-
vinced 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
b at a figure which would favor the people
as much as the persons who had invested
their money ia gas stock
Chaplin Brown Opposed.
Chaplin Brown took exception 10 the reso-
-. Z
an hour and a half, in which the subject
was well threshed out and the resolution
slightly amended in form, but not in
meaning. Mr. Brown counseled against
s hasty and iu-c0nsidered action and
b worked hard through the debate in one
; way and another 10 postpone action, OF
make the terms Of the resolution less
! drastic in expression. He made use OF
! pretty much all the stock arguments
against the attack on vested right the
10 lack OF data upon which to form con-
clusi0ns, and the danger Of setting limits
y 10 gas production which would amount 10
? destruction Of the earning power Of the
plant
Z Mr. Brown was answered by William
= r GUIDE. Allen Albert. Dr. Johnson. and
= others Mr. GUIDE brought out the facts
o. reCited AT the hearing at - District
i Building before the Commissioners, and
o took the admissions Of Jhe attorneys OF
the company with reference 10 the orig
- inaI cost Of the plant, the scheme OF a
10 few years ago 20 capitalize the property
10 OF the Georgetown Gas Company az N5,-
r. v5olJ. the issue OF over S-,Ju1.U1 Of gas
d certificates 20 wipe out uneXpendec
n profits, and the cost Of gas reported by
Is- ..rrr4 4'l ..ffs4
Mr.. Albert discussed the question from
the view Of the economist, showing that
the gas company was making use Of q
public right with which 90 earn its divi-
dends. and laid down the principle that
because Of the nature Of its franchises.
It's lack Of competition. its production Of
It a commodity for public coz EIUption Of
Is wide distribution. IL ought .Ive only
.e such return for its capital 1Iid rep
4, resent fair per cent sueu fs loan
upon real estate security or similar in
vestment-
Resolution Is Changed.
= Il was al this point that the preamble
was objected 10 by several members Of
10 the board. and a substitute resolution
S framed which covered practically the
y. same ground. The original preamble was
e as follows:
81 whereas the House Of Representa-
,f! tives in 1901 taking action on q bill
NJ to reduce the price Of gas TO the citi-
ii zens of the District of Columbia,
4, moved 10 reCOmmit said bill with the
.s following instructions 10 the District
m Committee. On and after July ], 1907,
the Washington Gaslight Company
f. shall furnish gas TO the people of the
p District Of Columbia for 80 cents per
. 1000 cubic feet: on and after July j.
m 1893. at 50 cents per 100 cubic feet;
on and after July I, I90l, for I5 cents
per loo cubic feet which instructions
r were disregarded and even contradict
ed by the fact that said District Com
mittee reported the bill back with the
'i recommendation that there should be
no reduction In the price Of gas
al Wilton J. Lambert brought before the
h meeting the subject Of free delivery OF
o. freight in Washington, and pointed our
D. that this privilege, enjoyed for many
ie years was in danger of being takeT
o. away. He cited the complaint Of tht
l / city Of Philadelphia now pending befOr,
=, the Interstate Commerce Commission, IL
= which 1T is set forth that the Baltimore
@ and Ohio Railroad Company deliver:
10 freight 10 consignees in Washington fre'
Of charse, and petitions the commission
m Z 10 dlitW klic Sttiut pllhltEEt ~ LltdANi
10 phia merchants.
,n MI. Lambert said he had consulted tn
p officials of the railroad. who had said [,
10 him that If the commission ruled tha
the privilege must be extended 10 Phila
delphia and other cities, ii would b'
necessary to Withdraw it in Washington
and Baltimore. where it is now pTdCuCed
Work to Retain Privilege.
Mr. Lambert thought this would meal
90 large additional expense TO the mer
- chants and citizens Of Washington, an,
recommended that the association do al
- in its power to retain the free-freigh
n privilege. His report wasS unanimousl:
adopted.
ce report offered by Charles Clagett
IT. recommending that the efforts of the as
a. soeiation be directed toward including
On in the District appropriation bin an tier
~ -, to provide steel files for the records O
A., the Equity and Law courts Of the Dis
or trict was adopted.
he A report submitted by w. g Knox o.
d. the condition Of transportation over tn
&C. Brightwood line of the Washington Rail
way and Electric Company was dis1T
proved. and the matter referred to a spe
ciaI committee for investigation and re
- port al a special meeting TO be called j
=, the near future The special committe
is composed of /. p Shoemaker, Chapi
pa Brown Wilton J. Lambert. F. G. Coldrer
re- and Albert Sehulteis. r. p Andrew: