The Washington times., 1908-04-08
SEVENTY-FlVE CENT GAS
PROMISED THE DISTRICT
CONTINUED from Eighth Page)

York CIr. OIcot). the matter is now
under careful investigation by the
committee TO which IL properly be-
longs. we have this statement that
il will be brought before the HousS
IN a bin within a comparatively short
time and take its place on the Calea-
OAR, and. L have no doubt, become q
iaw-to use the ge1tieman's own words
in an orderly way 1 hope that the
amendment VIII not prevail, for this
reason.
Mr.. Alexander. o. Missouri move
to strike out the last two words. The
gentleman from New York tMr. OIL
cott) says this bill viii come in from
the Committee on the District OF Co
IUmbia about the last OF April and
take its place on the Calendar, and he
might as well have sale die in the
ordinary course OF human events
Mr.. Mann-Oh, no. it is District. bill,
and would have right Of way.
Mr.. Alexander OF MissOUri-Ihere can
not be any question here that this Is a
limitation on an appropriation and Is
not SUBJECT 10 point OF order ms
is a SPLENDID time 10 get the opinion
of this House on this question. II has
been mOoted through the public press
and discussed from time 10 time since
Congress assembled 1 think the Opin-
ion is universal that the company is
charging too much for gas. This amend
ment simply provides that the school
board shall not pay more than - cents
for gas The law simply provides that
Inc company shall not charge more tEan
81 for gas. The company may charge
Mr.. Gardner Of Ailchigan-it does not
say that
Mr.. Alexander OF ATissouri-NOw. the
school board would be authorized 20
pay onlE y cents, and IL the company
is not willing 20 furnish the gas a %
cents, then the board must provide some
other means Of illumination That Is All
fhnrn n
Sr. Gardner OF Michigan-That is.
Mr. Alexander OF NIissouri-Under the
circumstances. l say II IS good time
for this body to put itself on record IN
favor Of 75-Cent gas Only a little, l
imaS CINE is used for these night schools,
and we. might dispense with it alto
gether Il We could. under THIS amend
ment, get favorable expression OF the
House on this question
The Times Fight.
Mr.. Bartlett Of GeOrgia-Mr.
Chairman, am in favor of this
amendment ard l hope it will be
adopted. During this session we
have seen in one of the papers Of
this city, The Tines-true, it was
not the principal morning paper, as
it is understood that the proprietor
of the gas company is one of the
chief owners OF the morning paper
of the eity-many leading editorials
and attacks upon the gas company
Of the District, in which it was
demonstrated, to me, at least. that
the city was paying more for gas
than it ought TO. The gas is fur
nished by company which is
chartered by the representative Of
the people, and il is a monopoly in
the Capital of the Nation. This
amendment is a simple thing in its
way. 1t is simply intended TO be
an entering wedge, that the people
Of the District may understand that
Congress is of a mind TO give them
relief from the extOrtiOnate prices
now made upon the entire people
of the District as well as upon the
Government In the price charged
for gas. This amendment simply
provides that ;he school board
shall not pay more than IS cents
AOI 1,OOV CublC AtSb o. SdS, WHICH
is acknowledged to be a reasonable
price. 1t is but a small attack up
on a gigantic monopoly, and / trust
that the House, having this OppOr-
tunity TO give expression to its
views will let it be known that
when the opportunity shall be Of
fered properly We VIII give to the
people of the District of Columbia
and of the Government relief from
the extOrtiOn they are new sub.
tected to from this monopoly in
the furnishing of gas to the Gov.
eminent and the people.
The Chairman. The question is on
agreeing to the amendment offered by
the gentlemen from Illinois.
The question was taken. and the