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

Is the Washington Gas Monopoly
violating the law every time It sends
out q gas billl
Are the bills which are presented
to customers in the form now used
legal and eOIleetIblel
The legal price of gas which the
Washington Gas Company may
charge Is 81 per thousand.
But the company charges S1.25 per
thousand.
The law provides that the Gas Mo-
nOpOly may charge a penalty of %
cents for nOn-payment before the
10th OF the month.
Instead, the Gas Monopoly pre-
tends to grant a rebate of 25 cents
for payment before that date.
There is a wide difference, accord
ing TO 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 tIet 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 a 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 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 welI-known citizen, who
makes the legal aspects clear in this
regard, and who also presents an in
teresting experience concerning the
Gas MonopoIy's method of appro-
priating a half-milion dollars of the
peoples cash in the form of de-
positS
Exposes Monopoly Methods.
The letter viii be found one of
the most striking expositions Of the
Gas Monopoly's methods that this
discussion has inspired, and it is
printed in full:
Washington, Dec. n, 1907.
The Editor OF The Washington Tines:
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. trust that you viii have
the cooperation and assistance OF an
Of the consumers, and that YOU will
continue the fight until the result is ac-
COmpIished-
In this connection 1 would call your
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 the
price of gas IN the District OF Column
bia Every bill rendered to consumers
plain provisions Of the statute, which
prescribes a price Of $1.00 per 1000 feet.
and not a price OF S1.25. the price at
which the company IS billing gas to con-
sUmeTs.
Copy of Rebate" Offer.
Il quote the following statements.
which appear on the bills rendered No
vember 80. 1907.
Mr.. .-.-......-.-----.---....-
Presimes Nos..-.-....-. .St-..s-.ss..
register No.s.:s'-s.
OGice 41s 10th s. NV, Washington. D. C
For gas CONSUMED at 1874 cents per 100
State Of meter. Nov. 1s, O7..... 5000
Deduct state OF meter Oct Is. O7-555O0
CONSUMPTION ...................14 142oO sr7 X
Discount 25 cents per l. 900 It d
paid within 10 days from r
diton) .............-..-..s...... s.R
Net ..........................-. .S1420
''The following wording also appears
at the head OF the bill:
g" Save your discount Last discount
day, December TO-
Chapter 1886, regulating the price Of
gas. reads as follows:
Chap. 335.-An act relatinS TO the
sale OF gas IN the District OF Columbia.
BE IL 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 OF Columbia is
authorized TO charge and collect, after
the first day Of July, eighteen hundred
and ninety-six, for Illuminating gas
furnished 10 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 nirety-six. the washington
Gaslight Company Of the District Of
CONTINUED on Eleventh. Page.l