The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-01-14
Blamed for Deaths.
NeV Gas Regulation
Sprung in the House

Only point of order prevented the
House of Representatives today from
passing an amendment to the District
appropriation bill. providing that the
city should pay for no gas which con-
tanned more than 10 per cent Of deadly
carbon mouoslide.
As IL was, the introduction Of the
amendment served 10 show that the
House viii undoubtedly be in favor Of
drastic legislation 10 obtain purer gas
for Washington. and during the de-
bate, members spoke I'm no uncertain
terms condemning the present poisonous
supply
Representative Madden of Illinois
brought on the discussion by asking un-
animous consent, i'm view Of his un-
avoidabie absence yesterday, the the
House revert 10 that portion Of the an
preparation bin providing for street
ilgpllnS and insert All amendment 10
the effect that no money should be paid
Tor gas II that gas contained more than
10 Fer cent carbon mOnoXide.
AFTER considerable debate, in which
u was shown that the House favored
the general proposition, but that at the
present time the amendment was ont
or order. unanimous consent was re-
FUSED Representatives Mann and Gillette
Directing, and for the time being the
understanding that the District Com
mittee should Immediately introduce
bin providing for pure gas.
Expert reports have shown that the
gas being furnished the people of Wash
lngtOn contains from % to 80 per cent
Of carbon mOnOxide,' said Mr.. Mad
den TT is further recommended that
this gas IS SO dangerous that the people
should use denatured alcohol for heat
ing and lighting purposes
understand that TWO proposals are
ssIore the District Committee submit
tea by the Commissioners one profit
biting any watered gas in the city OF
W asnLn8ton ~ all and the other pro-
lDlJlng the use OF any gas containing
more than 10 per cent carbon mOuoxide.
il seems neither the COnmi ssiOuers. nor
Dr. Wiley have made a choice betvesz [
these two bills. IF any member OF the /
District Committee assures LIE that the /
committee proposes 70 take this mat /
ter AZ once ] viii withdraw The amend /
ment for the present"
Representative Campbell, OF The Dis /
trict Committee. informed AIT Madden 4
that his committee was alive 10 the /
dangers OF the situation, and that q /
conference had been arranged 20 de- /
eide which Diu should be introduced I
81 have no Lesltaucy in saying, said .
Mr. Campbell. that the sentiment OF /
the committee is to give every OppOT- /
Juuity 10 the consumer 20 obtain pure /
gas, and 10 prohibit the use OF poison
the situation is one that demands i'm
mediate action and recalled that a /
number of deaths recently had been
to carbon mCnOxide He /
wanted TO know if there was go, ng /
TO be any delay ia the DistriC Com
mittee in presenting 2 pure gas bin /
otherwise be thought the House F.
might act at once on this amendment /
as q starter
ON Mr. Campbeu's assurance that the .
District Committee proposed 10 act +.
quickly Mr. Madden withdrew his /
amendment Dut John Wesley Gaines Of
Tennessee renewed the amendment
He said
This House or the older members Of
10 know what q struggle a. has been 10
get cheaper gas For years we have
been making this struggle and have now
just about accomplished the desired /
esults. The sOlicitude of representa-
tive Burlesou masking If the District
Committee proposed 10 take immediate
action is we'll founded. I want 10 know
" lay 10 is necessary 10 delay one mo-
"Why not 10 per cent carbon mon
oxide Why not demand pure gas2
The newspapers are teemiug with ac-
counts OF the poisonous gas now being
furnished Washington and the District
Committee should not delay one mo
ment, for IL Is really question OF life
or death TO some of the people of
I'm view OF the District Committees
I'LL.
unanimous consent TO the Madden /
5durs resolution was denied, and the !
esdiuB Ol the appropriation bill con-
.iuuCd.
Previous to the debate iu the House, /
he District Committee had reached the
.0uClusiOn that 30 WIS up TO the Com
uissiOueTs of the District to frame
)ll regulating the character Of gas 10
be- supplied TO the people OF the Dis
.rict, This was determined today at
meeting OF The House District Com
uttee.
For some time Chairman Smith has
been eudeayoring 10 have the District
officials give an expression Of their own
Jews on the matter. but vet ne has
Ifru practically unsuccessful.
The matter was discussed at length
% the meeting today and the opinion
vas virtually unanimous that the Com
nissiouers should be In possession Of
acts which would enable them to tell ,
congress wheheT the intro62ction Of
o per cent OF water I'm the gas would
be- advisable or whether water should
le positively prohibited. %
The Commissioners nave informed tne 7.
.Omm.tJee that they would draw what
Eer kind of bin WaE desired. Ine COM /
uittec did not take En0ly 20 this suE- r
.cation. and today the Comm ssIoueIs
YfTr notified tD draw Tie bin which Rs
calculated to safeguard the Eas con-