The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-01-23
Regulate the Gas Monopoly!

Regulate the Gas Monopoly
To-day We are to hear all about Wash
ington's gas supply and the periIOus pro
portion OF carbon monOxide it contains.
We are TO get this information first hand
from the gas company's officials them
selves. The House Committee on Affairs
Of the District Of Columbia Is the medium
through which the public VIII be author
itsuvely enlightened.
Everybody knows that the gas we are
using Is unsafe; that it daily endangers
the lives OF some 5000 consumers here
al this Capital We accept in full and
unqualihedly the statements Of Dr. H.
". Wiley and his feIlow-experts. regard
less Of anything that may be offered
in explanation. extenuatiOn. OF rebuttaL
The government experts are disinterested.
excepting as to the public welfare: the
gas company's officials are vitality inter
ested in dollars and cents. Therein lies
the difference. which Chairman Smith and
his colleagues should keep steadily in
mind
No doubt the committee viii be told
that water gas. which produces the
deadly carbon monoxide, is used largely.
If not generally. by other cities. and that.
while carbon monoxide undoubtedly is a
deatb-prOducing thing, water gas. Of
which it is an ingredient, does not neces-
sarily endanger life if adequate rrecau-
ton be taken by the consumer
Assuming this TO be true, what excuse
can the Washington Gaslight Company
offer for its failure to point out the
danger TO It's patrons and urge the neces-
sary precaution? Was it dealing fairly
with this community in keeping secret
the dangerous quality Of its product until
exposed by the government?
Might not the four known victims Of
the deadly carbon monoxide be alive TO-
day if the Washington Gaslight Com
pany had been mindful Of its duty and
its moral obligation to the consumer?
No doubt the committee viii be told.
also. that the Washington Gaslight Com
pany was compelled to use water gas. in
q proportion Of three to one OF coal gas.
in order 10 meet the requirement Of a
twenty-five candlepower light and escape
the penalty provided Assuming this
to be true. and We do so assume. what
excuse can the company offer for its
failure to apprise the Commissioners OF
the facts. and thus permit them-the COM
pany itself being obviously canoused and
sordid in its attitude-to warn the public
against the dangers Of carbon monoxide
Involved in the distribution OF water gas?
The truth is. OF seems to be. that
the Washington Gaslighr Company mas
stealthily proceeded ali these years. IN
der this nty-twO-candlepower require
ment. to profit enormously by the manu-
facture Of the cheaper water gas. wholly
Indifferent in the meantime 10 the con
tinUous menace TO the lives Of its patrons.
Its course has constituted a reprehen-
sible, high-handed. ugly procedure. quite
in keeping with its action many years
ago in burning the company's books 10
prevent damaging disclosures when a
Congressional inquiry was impending.
The stockholders Of the Washington
Gaslight Company viii benefit by a COM
plete change Of the methods Of this cor
poration. They should welcome-yes. in
INTERPOLATION BY Congress. Their in
vestment, upon which fair returns should
always be Forthcoming, VIII be al the
more secure with such needed regulation.
District ownership. though practical. is
not desirable; but the gas company, with
out further delay. should be put upon a
better bssis-a basis that viii keep II out
Of politics: keep it from trying to buy
public opinion; force it TO deal honestly
with its patrons, and teach it that It's
purpose is 10 serve. not 10 exploit. this
community.
Two important steps are now due from
Congress- reduction in the price Of gas
10 50 cents, which VIII still leave a big
margin Of profit. and the repeal of that
section Of an act under which the
monopoly is seeking further to water its
stock
Chairmen Gallinger and Smith should
move promptly. There has been enough
investigation and too much delay. Now
let US have action.
Senator Bailey fears some members Of
Congress are inclined to dress up too
much Perhaps that is one reason Mr..