The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-02-05
Members Inclined to Pass
Measure Without Fur
ther Hearings.
THE BOSTON SLIDING
SCALE is APPROVED
Question of Pressure, Il Is TX
pected, Will Be Dealt With
in Same Bill.

The Senate District Committee held
it's first hearing today on the gas quss-
( ton.
/ The hearing was behind closed dooz
but at the close it was stated that.
all probability no further evld
would be taken. ~
/ While It IS not definitely state
/ bin Will be forthcoming from 4
mittee at an early date. the Indications
are that this win be the case.
/ In the discussion of the District bill
yesterday, Senator GaIHnger assured the
/ Senate that he hoped 10 get legislation
on the gas question at this session and
the developments IN committee indicate
that such legislation VIII be had. It
is said by members of the District Com
mittee that there Is a strong likelihood
Of a bin being favorabIy reported which
viii be modelled after the Boston gas
regulations. In which a sliding scale
covering the price OF gas IS provided.
It IS expected that the questions OF
gas pressure and the amount Of mon
oxide viii be dealt with in the same
bill that deals with the cost Of gas.
Thomas Before Committee.
Corporation Counsel Thomas appear
ed before the committee IN executive
session for the Commissioners.
8Ir. Thomas made an argument that
was confined chiefly to the repeal OF
that section Of the law OF 1896 which
authorizes the Washington Gas Light
Company to increase its capital stock.
Mr.. Thomas opposed this legislation,
on grounds that have been frequently
set forth.
r. II. GoIdsboroughs counsel for the
Washington GasIight Company dis
cussed the various phases Of the gas
question which are now before Con-
gress.
One Of the interesting points clearly
brought out in the hearing was that the
Washington Gaslight Company has
built up its property out OF the public.
Senator BuTkett Of Nebraska question
ed Mr., Goldsborougb on this matter
Mr.. GOIdsbOrOugh admitted that the
Improvements 10 the plant had been
made out of the surplus Nothing was
brought out aL the hearing to show that
the gas company had put any money
into the plant aside from the original
capital. which was not large sum, ex-
cept money that had been derived from
its earnings.
Doubt Capitalization Plan.
Some Of the members Of the commit
tee were strongly Impressed with the
idea that the proposition of the gas
company to increase its capital 70 So
0J0,0J0 in view of the fact that its plant
had been built up out Of the pockets
OF gas consumers, was not defensibIe
The subcommittee of the District
Committee I'm charge of DuhliC utiIittqs
10 which the gas question was original
ly referred, has turned The matter over
90 the full committee. TOdays hearing
was before the full committee. Nearly
all the members OF that body were
present
one Of the questions asked Mr.. Colds
borough was, what legislation the gas
company would be willing TO accept.
Favorably Reported.
This led to the impression that
movement was on foot for & compro-
mise that would be satisfactory TO the
gas company.
The committee ordered favorable re-
ports on the following bills:
The bill 20 amend the code so as 10
fix a penalty for failure to return books
TO the Public Library the bill fixing a
penalty of not over $40 nne. and the
Imprisonment clause was struck out.
The bin empoW tTlUg the Juvenile
Court TO issue executions on forfeited
TeCOguiZduCe-
The bin To incorporate the Imperial
Palace, Dramatic Order Knights of
khOTassau.
The House bin TO amend existing laws
relative TO gambling and bucket shops
so as to impose more stringent legls-
latiOu against bucket shops and bucket
shop keepers