The Washington herald., 1908-04-08
Cheaper Gas-Not Yet. bur Soon.

Washington is paying too high a rate
for gas This fact has been patent FOL
years. Nearly a decade ago the House OF
Representative went on record over
whelmingly in favor Of a reduction. II
ordered the District Committee to report
a bill providing for a gradual lowering
Of the price. which. if it had been passed
would long since have given the city IS
cent gas. But the District Committee
disregarded the Houses viii.
Yesterday the House again went on
record for cheaper gaS-overwhelmingly
The District viii, OF course, be thankful
for whoop-la gas legislation, If no other
is obtainable. We should feel better,
however. if the 75-eent gas amendmen,
were sure of running the gantlet of
the Senate. and Of passing the ordeal of
conference, where so much happens that
would not bear the light of day.
The opposition of various members OF
the House District Committee to this
amendment indicates that il is far from
finality. It Is too early, therefore, tC
CONCLUDE that 75-cent gas is at hand
even on the terms of the Wilson
amendment which simply reduces thu
price Of gas consumed by the District
government. AS indicating the sentiment
Of the House on the general proposition
the adoption Of the amendment Is signif-
cant, and in that aspect yesterdays action
may be considered a hopeful sign. We
have no doubt the House is ready to do
its part if the District Committee will
give it opportunity.
a comprehensive gas bill Is promised
later by the House committee. We pre-
sumo it viii deal with the question of the
gas company's capitalization. and other
features Of the eompany's relations with
the public that should be the subject of
regulation, as well as with the price Of
gas. The committee has an excellent
chance TO settle the gas question on an
equitable basis, affording relief to the con
su-ners and protection TO the public from
stock-watering operations. and it may be
hoped that the forthcoming bin will deal
afhrmatively and effectively with all the
matters in controversy K will not re-
quire an elaborate OF complicated meas
ure 70 accomplish all that is desired. nor
should such a measure be contemplated
TEe ends TO be aimed at are simple. and
should be simply provided for
With respect TO the Wilson amendment.
II may be said that it does no Injustice
70 the gas company, for that company
has long enjoyed a most favorable con-
tract with the District, charging a heavy
public consumer the same price as
smaller private consumers. Even the cor-
poration-ridden city of New York gets its
gas for 90 cents, or 10 cents less than pri-
yate consumers pay. and there is no rea-
son why the District government should
net have the benefit Of cheaper gas.
But that is not all that TIT. people Of
this community want. They want cheaper
gas all around. and we shall look to the
District Committee of the House to re-
port bill reducing the price of gas or
providing means for its reduction. Chair
man Smith has fallen far short of the
eommunity's expectation, as to this and
other District needs. He knows all about
the gas situation-has known all about il
Tor years-and If he had shown even
moderate activity the amendment passed
yesterday would not have been necessary
Let Us hope that he viii now get busy
and make up for lost time. and that
Chairman GaHinger, Of the Senate Dis
triot Committee. after all these years,
viii also be a little less reluctant than
heretofore to take up the gas question.