The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-04-25
NINETY-CENT GAS
ON HOUSE RECORD
FROM COMMITTEE
Gary Submits Unani-
nous Report Based on
Original Bill.
Expert Testimony Suf-
tlCient to Fix Price
Specified.

1t now is spread on tfe official rec
ords Of the House OF representatives
that its District Committee is unani-
ulously in favor Of reducing the price
of gas to 80 cents in the District Of
Columbia
Representative William J. Cary Of
Wisconsin has submitted 10 the House
his report on his 90-Cent-gas bill fO-. the
committee.
1t is based on his original bill for 50
cent gas Referring TO verbal amend
ments TO the S0-cent bill. the report
says:
The first two amendments fix jan
uary l, 1909, as the time when the maxi
mum rate Of charge for gas Of 80 cents
Per thousand cubic feet. fixed in the
third amendment. shall take effect. It
was thought by the committee that
that date allowed a fair length Of time
for the gas companies to readjust their
affairs 10 the new order Of things ef-
1ected by the proposed legislation.
The last amendment guards against
any deterioration of the quality of the
gas 70 be furnished at the reduced rate
involved in this legislation.
The Commissioners Letter.
The bill as originally introduced was
submitted 70 the Commissioners Of the
District Of Columbia for examination
and report The following is their
rerly.
'OfhCs Commissioners Of the District
Of Columbia,
Washington, March g. 1853.
Dear Sir-Thc Commissioners have
the honor 20 state in response 10 your
reference 10 them Of II. r 1895. en-
tiled. "A bill TO fix the price Of gas in
the District Of Columbia" that they
are IN favor Of a reduction in the price
OF gas to whatever figure will Yield a
reasonable profit to the EaSliglt com
pani9s. as they have heretofore recon-
mcnd6d TO Congress But as they also
have stated 10 Congress. they have not the
authority or the means at present 10
determine what that price should be.
Ihey have recommended in their an
nUal report that they be given the
necessary authority and means to prop
erlN supervise the operations Of all the
puOlC-utillty corporations in the Dis
Irict Of Columbia Including the gas
light companies If Congress will give
the Commissioners the additional au-
thority and means needed they will be
able, with the advice Of disiuterested
experts employed by them for the pur-
pose Of investigation, 10 arrive at the
amount Of reduction that ought to be
fully.
" HENRY 2. F. AIACFARIAND
President Board Of Commissioners
District Of Columbia.
"'HON. s. w. SMITH.
Chairman Committee on the District
OF Columbia, House Of Representa-
Numerous communications having
been received from citizens associations.
representing large memberships i'm diff
teTent quarters Of the District and CITY
complaining OF what they deemed exces-
slVe rates and eXOrbitant charges for
gas, and praying for relief by legisla-
ton 10 reduce the maximum rate to be
charged, this committee felt impelled 10
enter upon an investigation TO obtain
Nata upon which to base remedial legis-
lauOn- Hearings. therefore were grant
ed TO parties interested. Public notice
OF these hearings was given through the
press OF the city, and the presidents Of
the Washington Gaslight Company,
and the Georgetown Gaslisht Company
were personally notified.
Experts Carried Weight.
AT these hearings two Of the fore
most gas experts in the country ap-
peared to address the committee with
special reference to the cost Of gas pro-
6uction and what would be a fair maxi
Gum charge therefor per thousand
cubic feet Edward w Eemis. supar-
intendent Of the waterworks at Cleve-
land, Ohio, was brought berore the com
mlttee by those interested in the reduc-
Loh OF the price Of gas. and Alexander
v humphreys. of AIOrTiStOWn y 7
oolng business in New York city. and
president of the Stevens Institute of
Technology. HOboken. y. J.. appeared
az the instance and request Of the PAS
companies. 90
After listening TO the detailed state
menJS or these TWO experts and recoe-
nized authorities. ana Caefullv consider
ing the same, with view TO fairness
toward both producer and consumer.
Inc committee undninCUsly concluded
that the price fixed in the Chird amend
lLent, TO wit, 90 cents per thousand cubic
Ieet Is fair maximum price to be
hereafter charged for gas IN the Dis