The Washington herald., 1908-04-17
ACT ON GAS QUESTION
House Committee Votes to
Avert Stock Imitation.
MAY REDUCE COST OF LIGHT
Cell of House Alone said to Have
Prevented Adoption of Report
FavorinE Ninety-cent Gas in the
District - Favorable Action Next
Week Is Promised by Committee.

Unexpected action on the gas question
as It Affects the District OF Columbia was
taken yesterday by the House District
Committee, which, however, in the opin-
ion of prominent member of the COM
mittee. will not have immediate results.
The committee at its regular weekly
meeting decided by unanimous vote TO re-
port to the House. with the recommended
tion that It pass, the resolution intro
dueed by Representative Campbell, OF
Kansas. providing for the repeal OF the
stock initiation section of the gas act Of
1906.
II was stated after the report had been
made to the House, however. that few
members OF the committee expect the
House TO act at once on the resolution,
owing 70 the fact that the question in
volved is now pending before the Dis
triet Supreme Court.
Think Haste Unnecessary.
The member who made this statement
also said that there was. in the opinion
of members. no need of hurrying the res
olution through Congress, as in all likeli-
hood the case cannot be decided by the
court for fully year It is the general
understanding, It was stated, that no
action upon the gas compaBy's suit TO
secure the benefit of the section permit
ting it TO Increase its capital stock will
be taken before next March, at least
For this reason, it was stated. the Camp
bell measure will probably not be pressed
at this time.
Another indication, however, was given
al the meeting yesterday that the House
District Committee may In the near fu-
ture take a decisive step to reduce the
price of gas in the District bill pro-
posing to make it unlawful to charge
private consumers more than 50 cents per
l,000 cubic feet was under consideration
in the committee when. at 1850 a. m, a
call Of the House for consideration Of the
naval appropriation bin put an end to
the committee meeting.
WOuId Have Adopted Report.
It was stated by a prominent member
that had the committee had another half
hour at its disposal the bill to reduce the
price Of gas would have been ordered
favorably reported. It is understood that
the bin will be taken up at the meeting
next Thursday, and that there are strong
chances that it will be reported TO the
House on that day with the recommended
ton that it pass.
Chairman Smiths public utilities COM
mission bill was also considered at the
meeting yesterday, but no definite action
was taken upon ii. 1t was the opinion
Of a majority OF the members, after a
thorough discussion, that such a COM
mission, If created for the District would
not have enough to do TO keep it properly
busy and provide an adequate reason for
its creation.
Temporary Commission Favored.
Several members favored a temporary
commission TO investigate the public
service corporations in the District and
report TO Congress with recommendations
for legislation to stop abuses and provide
fer supervision. There was also some
sentiment for a proposition 10 constl-
tute the District Commissioners such a
commission in addition TO their present
duties. but this did not find general sup
port.
The action OF the House in voting TO
reduce to 20 cents per 1000 cubic feet
the price Of gas for public use in the
District indicated strongly the attitude
OF that body toward the gas question
In the District. and it Is understood that
the District Committee, having digested
the hint, will shortly report a bill re-
ducing the price of gas for private use.