Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-27
GALL|NGER BILL DEADSALORS ON PARADE|
No Prospect of Gas Legsa Two Thousand Men of Fleet
ton This Session. Ashore at Norfolk
ITS DEFEAT Is CONCEDED CHEERED By THOUSANDS
ITS DEFEAT is CONCEDED
Provision for Increase of Capital Re.
garded as Responsible.
OPPOSITION IS ORGANIZED
La Toilette. Burkett and Several
Democratic Senator'S Object.
Privileges for the Company.

Privileges for the Company.
Close upon the heels of the repeal of the
so-called imitation clause of the gas act
of June g. 1896 in the District of Colum-
bia appropriation bill passed yesterday,
0omes the announcement that there will
be no further gas legislation at this ses-
sion of Congress. Senator Gallinger
chairman of the District committee, today
conceded defeat for his omnibus bill fixing
the price at 80 cents. limiting carbon
monoxide to 10 per cent. fixing certain
pressure and providing for an increase in
the capital stock of the gas companies.
1t is the presence in this bill of the pro-
vision for an increase of capital to the
limit of the cash value of the plants that
has defeated it. Another section author
izing the company to own coal lands and
other sources of the products used i'll the
manufacture of gas. together with pro-
vision allowing the substitution of new
stock for existing certificates of indebted
ness. whose legality has been questioned,
have also been important factors in caus-
ing its downfall.
Gallinger Admits Defeat.
senator bdHlnSef duIlIileu tHis dlttl
noon not only that the measure had not
the slightest chance of passing the House,
but that it would not even pass the Sem
ate. which was supposed to be ready to
digest it easily.
An organized opposition to the meas
IRE has arisen in the House and the Sem
ate said he. and at this late day a
boy of sixteen could prevent its passage v
He added that he was tired of being
IL 1f TIT Il
would no longer try to force the measure
through the Senate.
Furthermore, Mr.. Gallinger admitted
that there was not chance for further
gas legislation until next winter, mas
much as Congress would not consider any
thing but the tariff at the extra session to
begin March -.
Causes of Opposition.
The opponents of the Gallinger bill.
among whom are Senator La Toilette Of
Wisconsin, Senator Burkett of Nebraska,
who is member of the District commit
tee, and several democratic members of
that committee. take the view that II Is
better to lose the benefits that would ac-
crue TO the people by its passage than to
grant the new privileges which it con-
tains TO the gas companies. They say
the measure has met with the approval of
the gas companies on account of these
new privileges and that in return it grants
very little to the people.
Senator Gallinger regards it as fair
compromise measure. He is tired of trying
to bring the company and the people to-
gether, and expressed the hope today that
they would get together of their own ac-
cord before next winter, when the matter
Will doubtless come up again.
The Bills Important Features.
Here are the two provisions which con-
tain the pith of the bill the main causes
for objection 10 it, well its good
features:
That and after the 1st day OF
July. 1909, no person, copartnership as
sociation or corporation in the District of
Columbia engaged in the manufacture
and sale of gas for fuel or illumination
shall sell or otherwise dispose of the same
Ia any person. firm. copartnership. asso-
citation or corporation for price exceed
ing 20 cents per thousand cubic feet and
such gas shall be of not less than twenty
candle power measured by the test eStab-
lished by existing law and shall not on
An dafter September l. 1910 contain more
than 10 per centum of carbon nonoxide
gas: Provided, That If any consumer,
other than the government shall not pay
monthly any gas bill within ten days
after the same shall have been presented.
said company may charge and collect
from said consumer SO failing to pay said
feet for the gas furnished to said con-
sumner during said month.
That section five of The act entitled
An act relating to the sale of gas in
the District of Columbia approved June
q, 1896. be. and the same is hereby, re-
pealed
THAT within ninety days after the pas
sage of this act IL shall be the duty Of
every corporation manufacturing gas in
the District of Columbia TO begin proceed
ings in the Supreme Court of said Dis
trict petitioning the said court to make
or cause to be made, a valuation of the
property used in the conduct of its busi-
ness. the said valuation TO be made as
hereinafter provided. and under such rules
and regulations as the said court shall
prescribe and under proper Instructions to
the board of appraisers hereinafter pro-
Vided for by the said court to the legal
elements OF value; the said proceedings to
be had after notice thereof of not less
than thirty days from the filing of said
petition 10 be served upon the Commits
siOners of said District, who shall there
upon appear and become party to the
ease. and there shall be right of appeal
for either party from the decision of said
Supreme Court to the Court of Appeals Of
said District, and therefrom to the Su-
prerne Court of the United States.
In order to enable the court TO make,
or cause to be made, the valuation of the
property OF said corpor ration aforesaid.
the court snail proceed 10 appoint a board
OF three capable and disinterested ap-
praiscrs. who shall be sworn to the faith
fu! performance % their duties. This
board shall examine the property of the
corporation. and take the testimony Of
persons in interest who may appear be-
fore them. and hear any other testimony
that may be deemed necessary to aid in
arriving at A true and just valuation of
said property. and they shall report to
the court their finding concerning such
valuation. This board shall also report
the amount of stocks, bonds and certifi-
Gates of Indebtedness which the evidence
may show TO be outstanding against said
corporation The report OF said board of
appraisers may be excepted 20 by either
party to the proceedings. and shall be
confirmed modified or amended as the
court may determine when giving its judg-
ment in the proceedings. which shall be
subject to Ahe appeal above provided for,
TO be taken according to the law regulat-
ing appeals in trials of cases In equity in
the District of Columbia. When said
report is finally acted upon by said court
the corporation shall increase its capital
stock To the amount of said valuation
Provided, That much of said in
creased capital stock may he neces
sary Ia retire its existing certificates OF
Indebtedness may De issued in lieu OF
the same at not 20 exceed the face or pal
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