The Washington herald., 1909-02-01
MAY BE TOO LATE
TO OBTAIN FUNDS
Natter of Bringing Gas Ex-
perts Here Discussed.
REPRESENTATIVE SINS VIEWS
Assert that the House Committee Has
Not Been Informed Officially that
the District Is Unable TO Get Wit
nesSes in Washington 20 Contradict
GasIight Company's Statements.

The House has not got the time to
learn q new evangel," says Representa-
tive T. W. Sims. Of the House Committee
on the District OF Columbia, nor has it
any Ieeway in paying the District ex-
penses for the summoning Of gas ex-
perts. as the Commissioners have suS-
ges:ed at the eleventh hour.
If the Commissioners are unprepared
TO continue their effort TO substitute
practically pure coal gas for water gas
il washington. II IS a curious move on
their part 70 put It up to the committee
did not know funds were lacking to
carry on the District side OF the contro-
versy until I read il in The Washington
Herald this morning. So far as know,
not q member OF the House committee
has been informed OF this officially.
Should the committee agree 10 under
take the expenses Of bringing to Wash
ington Z. W. Bemis. OF Cleveland, Ohio.
and Alton B. Adams. OF Worcester,
Mass. the two outside experts named BY
the CORPORATION counsel. a special resOlu-
ton IN Congress would be necessary 10
provide funds AT this late hour OF the
session such q suggestion is largely theo-
reticaI and would stand no practical
chance before the House. according 10
Representative Sims.
Cost of 500 Day.
II is believed the presence Of the two
experts at the hearings would cost the
District 500 day and expenses. and
should they enter upon the extended IN
vestigation Of local ends OF the ques-
ton. such as the cost TO the Washington
GasHght Company q installing apparatus
for the manufacture of coal gas. and the
cost OF manufacturing the present water
gas, the expense would be high
Considerable doubt exists In the minds
Of members OF the committee as 10
whether II is advisable that the District
should be represented on the question Of
rates and capitalization. One member
says
ssThe entire legislation hangs upon the
( extreme menace OF water gas 10 the
health and life OF the community, and II
/ the statements Of the gas company ex-
perts cannot be gainsaid. that IS. the
assertion that in actual practice the use
OF coal gas is as dangerous as water
gas. there IS no call for these bills. Be-
yond the theoretical fact. which Is un-
disputed. that water gas is more poison
Gus and deadly than coal gas. Il remains
TO be determined whether one actually
/ causes more fatalities than the other,
/ taking into consideration the question Ct
/ proper fixtures and leakage
/ 7 think the District should devote IL
4 self 10 this phase Of the matter. because
! Il the menace can be proved. questions OF
cost Of manufacture and increased rates
are subordinate. and other large cities
which are now using water gas. can take
this inquiry as a guide for future action
on their part But Il Il IS considered neces-
sary 10 20 into other phases. as the Com
imissiouers evidently believe. ] think the
/ Engineer Corps Of the army could furnish
substantial information or them-at least
be able TO demonstrate the truth or eX'
pose the faIiacy Of the Gsslight Com
pany's experts. I am opposed 20 caliiss
ioutside experts.
Opinions of Members.
Several members Of the House Districf
Committee say that prolonged hearings
which viii really amount 70 a symposium
upon the question Of manufacturing gas
WIN obviate all possible chance OF passinl
the bills AZ this session. They ere als'
Il concerned over its effect upon the cap
iitaIizati0n and rate bills now IN the Sen
ate District Committee
The capitalization bill VIII not be az
fected one way or the other by the hear
ing. but the S5-cent gas bill viii, says ont