The San Francisco call., 1909-02-12
BRITTON SHES
AT GAS SCANDAL
Objects TO Reference to Doodle
and Denies That Company
Gave Brides
Lively Tit Occurs at Meeting OF
Supervisors Called to
Fix Rates

The ghost Of the gas company's past
stalked with heavy tread through the
rate hearing conducted last night by
the board of supervisors. John A. Brit
ton. president of the corporation, de-
MED with hne emphasis that the COM
pany had ever paid single dollar TO
corrupt the board of supervisors. The
grand jury reports. the confessions and
the oft repeated testimony to the con-
trary, Britton waved away with his
declaration i deny it."
The trouble came at the very outset
Of the hearing. Britton had taken the
stand TO plead for a 81 rate. He had
stated that the company had found
the s. cent rate Improbable, when Su-
pervisor Murphy Interrupted him TO re-
mark. 1T is a notorious fact that you
people sought the So cent rate
Britton appeared somewhat startled
when Murphy resumed, That was the
rate, the original fixing of which re-
suited in the indictment of the Off
cials OF the company. The Gallagher
board was pledged to the 70 cent rate.
I think you viii find these facts in the
grand jury testimony"
I'VE never sought the IS cent rate.
replied Britton. i advised our people
10 oppose il in court"
Supervisor Connolly asked Britton If
he meant 10 deny that the supervisors
were corrupted in the matter.
1T is common knowledge and it is
also my belief" said Connolly that
the members received $3.50 apiece for
their votes"
I deny it," declared Britton. Il de-
MED II before the grand jury. I deny
3
OF the gas company are not being tried
here"
1t is merely a matter Of memory
Mr.. Britton.' remarked Murphy, that
such payments were made"
No such sum was ever paid out by
this company" replied Britton. =
know Of every cent paid out. and no
such sum ever went out from our com
Pany."
Why didn't you enjoin the rate al
that time?" inquired Murphy.
That was a time" answered Brit
ton, when the city was impoverished
i was just after the disaster and we
didn't want to harass the people in
their trouble. They wanted TO help
them"
Members Of the board called Britton S
attention TO the fact that il was known
tkat he had no part in the transaction
but he continued TO deny that it had
ever occurred
The grand jury record shows that
Abe RUef confessed that he had re-
ceiVed $4,000 from Frank Drum, one
of the directors of the company, to
put through the IS cent rate.
The usual disa greement developed
ever the company's claim for depre-
citation. 1t asked nothing for fran
chsse. Britton admitted that some o1
the consumers received gas at far less
than the ordinance rate of IS cents.
The years operations showed a profit
Of S476,50S on the years business, but
this was turned into a loss of s46.74l.S So
AFTER bond interest and the sinking
fund had been provided for, according
TO Britton's figures.
The company claims that the value
Of its plant viii reach 2o0O 000 The
figures We're Incomplete, and at a meet
ing TO be held later the facts will be
presented in greater deatol. Brittor
objected to the tendency to sneer al
corporations and 10 regard them as
naturally dishonest.
Charles G. Lyman, secretary of the
Metropolitan light and power company
testified that his company would be
willing 10 accept the ordinary rate
He hoped for 81 rate, he said. His
company has sold gas on a scale rang
ing from IS cents to 65 cents. Here.
after he said, it would increase its
maximum TO IS cents.
The hearing viii be resumed or
Wednesday evening. February "a.