The Washington times., 1908-04-09
GAS LEGISLATION
CERTAIN IN HOUSE,
SAY THE MEMBERS
Quick Action Suggested
When Company At
temptS Delay.
Testimony of Professor
BemiS Helps the Com
mlttee.

Members of the House and Of the
District Committee are practically
unanimous now in the opinion that gas
legislation will pass that body at an
early date.
Representative Gardner of Michigan,
who viii head the House conferees on
the District appropriation bill, after that
measure has passed the Senate, said:
i shall do everything in my power to
retain in the bill the Wilson amendment
for 75-cent gas for the District govern
ment."
While II is generally believed that the
Senate Will follow the lead of the House
and agree TO keep the Wilson amend
ment in the BILL the friends of the
amendment in the House were greatly
pleased today by this statement from
Mr Gardner. The other House con-
ferees on the bill will be Mr. Madden
OF Chicago. and Mr.. Burleson Of Texas
both Of whom are advocates Of cheaper
gas in the District
COmpany's Actions Alarming.
The effort Of the gas companies TO
secure just as much delay as possible
is giving concern 70 the friends of the
legislation. and the possibility Of sum
mary action is more than suggested.
There has recently been serious con-
sideration of proposal to have the
House. by resolution, discharge the Dis
trict Committee from further consider
alton Of gas measures pending before
them, and to have the House proceed
TO action at once. After the action OF
The House iE passing by practically
unanimous vote the 7j-Cent gas
d. there is little room for doubt
What would be done If such a proposal
would come before the House.
Members Of the District Committee,
however, give assurances that such a
course is not going TO be necessary.
ILey have promised action, and early
acton, ana The gas companies viii not
be allowed muCn longer to delay af-
fairs
Benlis Testimony Effective.
The splendid discussion Of the gas
situation which Prof Edward w
Bemis yesterday presented to the
House Committee has served 10 clear
away about all the ground for opposI-
tiCn which has heretofore been urged.
The gas representatives will make sucl
answer as they are able. when they
are forced 10 do so. but they Will
continue their policy OF delay till the
last shred OF patience Of the committee
IS exhausted.
Commissioner Macfarland today said.
observe in The Times report OF the
debate in the House on the IS cent gas
proposition that one Of the Representa-
IlNeS Is quoted as stating that the pres
ent three-yeaT contract for incandes-
cent gas street lighting was entered
into by the District Commissioners
with the gas company for the sole
purpose. IL must be concluded of nav
ing higher price than Congress
wanted TO pay and therefore It seems
10 De necessary to say that # that
statement was made il was under a
misapprehension Of the facts. 1 speak
the more freely about this matter be
cause the award Of the contract was
made by my colleagues. Commissioners
West and Biddles while 1 was absent
on my vacation, although 1 heartily ap-
prove their action.
Contract for Lights.
First, the contract is not with the
gas company or either Of them. but
with the American Street Lighting
Company Of Baltimore; second. it is
within the price fixed by Congress for /
incandescent gaslight service. having
Congress had not reduced the price Of
gas below 81, 50 that il came
properly within that provision as well |
fourth il was let for three years under
express authority asked from Congress
for the purpose Of getting lower bids
for this service, which was accomplish I
ed in this particular contract; fifth. |
the Commissioners made a good bar
gain under the conditions Of that time,
with the Iul knowledge and authority
of Congress, as the records will show;
sixth, the contract was made in 1906
and not last year as was stated"
The Fast Washington Citizens Asso-
citation through its secretary, A F.
Sperry. has forwarded to the Commits
siOnerS a copy Of a resolution adopted
az a recent meeting urging the repeal
Of that section Of the act Of Congress
under which the Washington Gas Light
g Gnnng n it's