The Washington herald., 1909-05-12

nOUnced that he has arranged FOR the in
PRODUCTION Of natural gas into Baltimore
In sufficient volume 10 enable the Con-
solidated company TO supply It for mu-
aicipal, manufacturing, heating, and
Lighting purposes generally Il the State
snd city are ready 10 cooperate 10 that
End.
This important announcement. IS ac-
comPanied by the statement that the plan
Is 10 supply the gas the coming winter
through the mains Of the Consolidated
company 10 approximately half OF the
city, and rapidly thereafter 10 the re-
mainder. Il the desired cooperation IS
accorded.
The rate TO be charged is IS cents a
thousand cubic feet for Illuminating. =
cents a thousand for cooking. and %
cents . thousand for engines. heating,
and general domestic purposes For man
ufacturing a stiu lower rate IS being
worked out, 1t is said
Il is proposed, after paying a dividend
OF per cent on the Ss.59o,ooo common
stock OF the Consolidated company, 10
pay 10 the city 20 per cent Of any further
net profits.
Out Of the eighteen directors OF the
company 1Ir. Warneld suggests that the
governor Of the state and the mayor
Of the city should jointly name FIVE.
Reveals His Plan.
While NJ. Warfeld has declined 10 dis
cuss The subjec, up 10 this time. It IS
learned that matters were taking definite
shape and a reporter saw Mr. Warfeid.
who said:
For approximately twelve months L
have been engaged in endeavOring 10 ar
range for TIE successful introduction OF
natural gas into the city Of Baltimore il
suflcient volume 10 enable the COnsOI-
dated Gas. Electric Light and Power Com
pany 10 supply this gas for municipal
manufacturing. heating and lighting pur-
poses generally. If the State and city are
ready 10 cooperate 70 this end
IT must be understood that the sue
cess Of the efforts 10 introduce natural
gas into this city is primarily dependent
cpon the cooperation Of the State and
city authorities Al initial investment OF
some s12109 co TO $1,000. 100 IS required.
ard II Baltimore IS TO receive the benefits
which must necessarily accrue from this
md city 10 this end is essential"
Asks Trust Taxation.
Nj Varied. upon being asked 10 what
- referred when he SPOKE OF proper pro
lection and proper facilities. said:
7 mean, first, that before the city at
tempted 10 increase the Consolidated COM
psny's easement assessment Of more than
E.00.o00 10 more than 10000 (which in-
crease the company IS resisting because II
thinks II should not be made). the com
p6ny was paving as much as or more
taxes 10 the city than any corporation
similarly situated ia any city IN the coun-
Try operating under corresponding eondi-
tons I think IL is fair, therefore, 70
know just what the city proposes TO co
IN the matter Of taxation Of this enter
prise. both now and for the future Sec
end, the company should be afforded that
protection which the CITY and State can
give II in the fair exercise OF its fran
-hiss rights as long IS the company
shall properly serve the public"
Public Service Views.
What are you views. Mr Warfeld. in
regard 10 the relations which should exist
between a pubhc-service corporation and
Ire municipality Il Serves?"
Z have decided views on the subject Of
the relations which should exist between
pUblic-service corTSSations and the muui-
cipalIty. and do not hesitate TO express
them now. although 7 have not consulted
the directors Of the Consolidated company
On this subject
Ny own views-what ] would suggest
70 that company-are that out Of the
eighteen directors Of the company. the
governor and major Jointly should name
i've, under certain restrictions. among
others continuity Of service Of such direc-
tc-s without regard 10 the policies OF The
administration. These gentlemen should
be the best type Of business men the CITY
affords.
Division Of Profits.
I 60 further I say that after re7-
sonable return IS earned and paid on the
securities Of the company a certain no
portion OF the net earnings should be
turned over 10 the city OF Baltimore
To be more eaxct. After Drovsdinr
FOR all other charges during The nrasa-+
year the Consolidated company viii earn
about Der cent or its common stock
This company could always have declared
dividend on its common stock-it d:5
not co so; these earnings went into the
property.
l an ready 70 suggest 10 the directors
OF the company. and this IS the frsr time
have suggested this plan. which now
40 N public way, that after having a
dividend OF per cent or the common
stock OF the company the city shall re-
ceIve % per cent Of any distribution OF
r1-
pany- The intent being, therefore that
the city shall share IN the distributioD 81
all net profits over 4 per cent on the.
common stock 70 the extent OF 60 pe~.
cent Of such distribution
Politics Cut Out.
Public service corporations should be-
taken out of.-Rot dragged into. politics
Instead Of making the regulation Of +ba|
corporation an expense 10 the State M
city, under the coalitions have 7ar,a5
you would make II q producer Of reve,ra
Hen would be selected as directors -
represent substantial iuterest-tbat o.,
the ciIy-while the other directors rrouI5
be named by the people Who have p1,t
their money into the property. but ali The
directors would be charged with the man
aSement OF the property. and al the same
time both classes OF directors yrorl5
realize Their duty 10 the public.
concerning the price or natural gas IN
this city, on the amount OF gas consumed
to-day, the people OF Baltimore uSeinp
gas would save in the aggregate N.5ao.-
t9 per annCm- Il would. therefore. seem
that whatever assistance the State and
city could render this enterprise should
be accorded without regard 60 the plan
for additional revenue 70 the city.
Schedule OF Rates.
Concerning the price Of natural as