The Washington herald., 1909-02-10

Congress viii pass a bin at this session
Of Congress, fixing the price Of gas.
desaing the quality Of the Illuminating
product furnished consumers in Washing
ton and regulating the capital stock OF
the two companies In the District OF Co
lumbia-
This plan has been decided upon by
both the chairmen OF the District COM
msttees. and II is likely that new bill
viii be introduced In the Senate to-mor-
roE. The measure viii be given consid-
Grafton as soon as Is practicable. and the
House VIII probably pass the bin on the
next District day.
The bill introduced by Representative
Sins. OF Tennessee, is very similar 70 the
one to be passed by the Senate. lis
features regulating the dividends by the
price for which gas IS sold appeals TO
the members OF the Senate committee
and It IS thought that It viii be incor-
porated in the Senate bill.
Allows Increased stock.
The measure provides for q dividend OF
per cent and allows the companies 10
increase the dividends one-ffth OF /
per cent every tine the price Of gas is
decreased I per cent This feature also
appeals % the stockholders Of gas COM
panies, as It VIII be 70 their interest 70
reduce the price Of gas. and. in any
event, they cannot be prohibited from re-
ceiving the dividend Of per cent
Chairman Smith, Of the House District
.Tz t.-e E~4
favor OF gas legislation al this session.
and he expressed the opinion that some
action would be taken by both branches
OF Congress
The Sims bill does not meet the spprov-
al OF the entire membership OF the House
committee and II IS probable that It VIII
De amended before Il IS reported
Carbon MOnO1Ide Clause.
The limitation OF 70 per cent OF car
bon monoxide seems 10 De the question
able feature. Many members OF the
House believe the measure should say
the gas should be a pure coal product.
rather than make reference 10 carbon
monoxide. The percentage OF carbon
mOnoXide in pure coal gas. as the numer-
Gus experts have testified, ranges from
3 70 70 per cent. and il cannot be
regulated. Il IS believed that by simply
saying the water gas shall be eliminated,
a more attractive bin viii be the result.
The bill introduced BY Mr.. Sims, which
he tried TO have passed IN the House
Monday, viii be taken I'D BY the House
District Committee tomorrow, at ia
weekly meeting. and IL ali probability.
some definite action viii be taken OF Il
Nearly al the members Of the commit
Tee agree that sufficient evidence has
been brought out at the hearings 10
show the dangers OF carbon monoxide.
and that other hearings are not neces-
sary. Tne only question now b0thering
the committee IS whether the gas COM
pauies can make the necessary changes
without seriously Gripping them. and
also whether or not they should be forced
10 make the change II they are required
10 e-9end SS.O0o.0o0 TO comply with the
proposed FeeSSletlon-
Immediate Action Needed.
Members OF Congress realize that i'm
mediate action is necessary, AID that If
the companies are prevented from in
creasing their capital stock under the
law passed in 1886. some action must be
taken al this session Of Congress Il is
pointed out that Il action Is not taken.
the companies viii have raised their capi-
tai before the next regular session. and
then 1t viii be too late 70 try to legislate
A member OF the District Committee OF
the House said yesterday that things
looked more favorable TO gas legislation
than at any time during the session He
believed the majority OF the members
realized something should be done. and
that bin drawn by the Senate would be
passed by the House as soon as acted
upon IN the other branch Of Congress.
There is practically no opposition 70
gas legislation by the two companies in
Washington. They realize, too. that car
bon mcnoxide dangers should be avoided
and IL is not expected that q bill viii be
antagonizeG by q member Of either house
representing them
Effect in Other Cities.
The principal trouble seems to lie in
what effect gas legislation In the District
OF Columbia viii have on other cities
throughout the country.
Some members OF Congress said thew
are going slowly. because II Washington
puts the ban on water gas other cities
would follow suit, and that many Of the
other cities would be involved in the same
fight that is In progress here.
II IS believed, however, that this feeling
VIII have little weight. and that as soon
as the Senate passes the bin to be intro
duced in that body this week. the House
viii concur in its action.