The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-01

Residents of Georgetown are becom-
ing more and more dissatisfied with
their gas.
During the past week or two, the
service has been especially unsath5fac-
tory, and protests against IL are being
raised on all sides. Inferior gas, de-
fective meters, indifference TO patrons.
and uncivil employees are some OF the
criticisms that are made CT the gas COM
Pany. Popular Indignation is growing,
and many predict that unless SOMETHING
to relieve the situation is done in a
short time. an attempt will be male
TO organize some kind OF public protest
Hcusekeepers and storekeepeTs are the
most annoyed by the poor gas service.
4 representative of The Times. who
made a thorough canvas of the situa-
tion in Georgetown, found people every
where anxious to register n protest
against the gas service. Many house
keepers declared that the pressure OF
the gas was so weak, that, II lighted on
one floor OF the house, 1t was almost
impossible TO use II on another. Some
times it goes out Of it's own accord, and
il is impossible to light II for several
minutes.
Complaints made to the gas company
receive little or no attention. Shop
keepers are rapidly changing TO electric
lights or going back TO oil lamps, as
they find that the gas cannot be de-
pended upon to light up their windows,
especially IL II is used TO light UP their
stores as well.
Will Get Electric Light
IF try to light up my windows with
gas, Il is impossible for me to see 10
read by the burner above my desk, ="
said one Of the merchants Of George
town last night. The man rext door
had to put in electric lights, and guess
I'll have TO do the same"
Unreliable meters are another general
cause of complaint. There seems 10 be
no fixed relation between the amount Of
gas consumed and the registration Of
the meter The older the meters get.
the faster they seem 10 register. and
the only remedy seems 10 be 10 pay the
company for having the meter repaired.
Mrs. J. f. Ager, Of 1910 Wisconsin ave.
said:
MY gas is bad and my bills get
larger every month, though l use less
erEI times and was at last told that
they would fix my meter for hfty
cents"
William Stevens. OF 1901 Wisconsin
avenue. declared:
Il don't use gas ana won't until they
put in honest meters. I have heard lots
of complaints against the local gas
trust so 1 use oil as / can at least
measure the amount 1 get and have 10
gay for"
A prominent merchant Of Georgetown
who did not wish his name 70 be pup
lished. said:
Our gas has been bad for about two
months. but especially so during the
past week
Makes Two Complaints,
Il have made two complaints 10 the
company within week, but they pay
no attention to them If I light the
gas up stairs, it Is almost impossible
to see down stairs. l haven't been able
to light the gas ia my store window
for a month. Sometimes the gas goes
out, and it is not possible to light IL
for FIVE minutes, All this is very an
noying. and TO make II worse. my gas
bin for last month was higher than
ever"
A plumber, who has been in business
in Georgetown for twelve years. said:
I have heard complaints about the
gas here every day, especially during
the last week or two. In two jobs 1