The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-29
Increased CapitaliZa-
ton Will Prevent
Lower Rate.
Earnings Large, Sala-
rieS High, Wages
Low.

Senator TiIlman of South Carolina
has got into Washington's fight for
better and cheaper gas, and against
the Gas MonoPoly's scheme of in
jecting some S1O,OOO,OOO of water
into the company's stock.
The announcement that the fight
ing Senator is going-to take an ac-
tive interest in the contest from
this time forth viii be received by
the people of Washington as the as
surance that they viii have one
more highly influential voice raised
in their behalf.
Senator Tillman has been looking
into the merits of the situation re
lating to the Gas Monopoly, and has
convinced himself that The Times
fight for the people Of Washington
is meritorious, and ought 10 win.
More than that, he has lost no time,
after convincing himself of the
merits, about getting into the con-
test. He has discussed the situa-
tiOn with a number of Senator's, es-
peciaiIy some of those representing
the minority on the District Of Co
lumbia Committee, and is of the
opinion that the measures recon-
mended by the District Commission
ers are going to come out of the
committee, and that they will pass.
Tillman Prepares Statement.
In order that the facts in the stu
alton, as he has been in> -stigating them,
may be placed before Senators in sue
cinct and satisfactory form for ready
reference. Senator TiUman has received
a memorial signed by the officers
OF a number of citizens associations,
a statement of the case. which
today he laid before the Senate with
the request that it be printed as a Sen
ate document As soon as it comes
from the press. therefore. the essentials
to an understanding or just what is
pending will be in avsilable form for
members of both houses.
This memorial calls attention to the
fact that the Commissioners have
asked the suspension of the in
fation enabling act and the pass
age Of a measure for cheaper gas.
After quoting the imitation section Un-
der which the monopoly is proceeding TO
water its stock, the document pro-
cs eds:
The reason for the importance OF i'm
mediate action on the Joint resolution
suspending the foregoing section is that
the Washington Gas Light Company
and the Georgetown Ges Light Com
pany have instituted proceedings in the
Supreme Court Of the District TO have
the valuation of their property deter
mined. with a view TO increasing their
capitalization. In the case Of the
Georgetown company permission is
asked to increase It from $4,000 TO
$500 co., while in the case of the Wash
ington company no limit is named, and
it is presumed that the corporation de-
sires 10 make as large an increase as
the court will permit on its finding Of
the valuation of the company's prop
erty,
Court May Grant Increase.
In the case Of the Georgetown Com
DdlN Nli+ cur iloAllSN a AblllAlil1cielAtA
10 inquire into the value Of the pTOp-l
erty, and ne found that il was worth
far more than the 300, 600 to which the
company desired to raise its capital.
1t is therefore presumed that in this
case the court viii give permission for
the increase to S300,O0 In determining
the valuation of the company's prop
erty, the commissioner included a large
item for franchise value, despite that
It was urged that a public franchise
which was given TO the company, and
which conveys a monopoly, ought not
To- be valued for capitalization; also,
a large item for working capital, de-
site that every gas consumer is re-
quired 10 make a deposit Of cash with
the company before he can have the
gas turned on. AS these deposits with
-he Washington and Georgetown com
pc lies aggregate. according 70 the
statements of the companies filed in
accordance with law, about $4,000, It'll
hSs been urged that the public is fur
nishing all the working capital neces-
sary. and tfat this item should not be
capitalized
The valuation made by the courts
commissioner in the case Of the George
town company practically granted the
il is therefore presumed that the same
Continued on Eighth Page.)