The Washington herald., 1910-04-14


House OF Representatives,
April p, 1910,
The committee met at o'clock p. m,
Hon. Samuel W. Smith. chairman. pre-
siding
STATEMENT OF WILLIAM F. HART,
SUPERINTENDENT, WASHING
TON GASLIGHT COMPANY.
Mr.. Coudrey-You are the superin-
tendent OF the gas company?
Mr.. Hsrt-Yes. sir.
Mr.. Coudrey-How long have you been
the superintendent?
Mr.. Hart-Since 1905.
Mr.. Coudrey-Have you read the resolu-
ton pending before the committee?
Mr.. Hart-No, sir; I have glanced over
IT
Mr.. Coudrey-I think you had better
read It; il is very short. That is the
subject we have before Us.
Mr.. Hart-I do not know a blessed
thing about it. all have to do is the
supervision OF the street work, the physi-
cal part Of the work.
Mr.. Coudrey-Who asked you to come
here?
Mr.. Hart-Mr Goldsborough asked me
20 come here. He did not know whether
or not I would be called. He asked me
to come. however.
Mr.. Coudrey-Do you know anything
about the finances Of the company?
Mr.. Hart-Nothing at all.
Mr.. Coudrey-Read the resolution over
and then think you better have a seat
until Mr.. Goldsborough comes. You say
that you do not know anything about the
finances Of the company?
Mr. Hart-Nothing at all.
Mr.. Coudrey-You are the general man
ager OF the company?
Mr. Hart-That is a nisnomer; there IS
no such Office as general manager.
Mr. Coudrey-What is your position
Mr. Hart-I am the superintendent.
Mr.. Coudrey-Of what?
Mr.. Hart-The distribution. the street
work. other than the manufacture Of gas.
Mr.. wney-You are the outdoor super
intendent?
Mr.. Hart-Yes, SIR.
Mr.. Coudrey-You do not know any
thing about the finances OF the company?
Mr.. Hart-No, sir I have charge OF
the laying Of the pipes, &c.
Mr.. Coudrey-You have read the reso-
luton?
Mr.. Hart-Yes. sir; but I cannot throw
any light on It.
Mr.. Coudrey-You better have seat
until Mr.. Goldsborough comes
Mr.. Rothermel-Who IS the man who
has charge Of manufacturing the gas?
Mr.. Hart-Mr. James s. McIlhenny.
Mr.. Rothermel-An right
The chalrman-Are there any other Of
the officers here?
Mr.. Hart-I do not see any. Mr.. Chair
man.
The Chairman-Mr. Coldsborough, we
have had the pleasure Of listening 20 Mr..
Hart. and we have been waiting for you
Mr.. Goldsborough-1 thank you; have
been expecting Mr.. Whitweu.
Mr. Coudrey-Who is be?
Mr.. Goldsborough-Th assistant secre-
tary.
The Chairman-We can hear him after
we have heard you. and not wait.
STATEMENT OF MIR. r. TT. COLDS
BOROUGH. GENERAL COUNSEL,
WASHINGTON GASLIGHT
COMPANY.
Mr. GoldsborOugh-There IS a brief
statement that I want to make which I
had prepared and intended 20 make at
the last hearing, and which, II the COM
nittee please, will make now.
Mr.. Coudrey-As I understand. you are
a director IN the company?
Mr.. Goldsborough-Yes, sir.
Mr.. Coudrey-You are not an officer OF
the company?
Mr.. Goldsborough-Yes. sir; general
counsel
Mr.. Chairman and Genuemen-It the
committee please, before calling a new
witness I should be glad to make a state
ment In relation 10 certain more or less
unpleasant criticisms that was debarred
from making at the previous hearing BY
the rules established by the committee
for the conduct OF the case.
The first reflection that 1 think should
no longer go unchallenged was substan-
tally embraced in this inquiry:
Why is It that the company comes here
70 inform the committee by an expert
what its profits are and what is the actual
value Of its property upon which the
reasonableness OF It's profits are to be
determined?
Looking at the subject calmly and fair
~. It goes without saying. does It not.
that II the company's statement already
in evidence is to be accepted as establish
ing a prima facie case, there is no need
OF any further testimony here other than
corroborative evidence verifying or tend
ing to verify tho calculations and valua-
tions. Obviously I could not reasonably
expect you to be satisfied as to such a
vital matter with mere repetitions OF the
company's own attestations. In the nature
Of things. confederation must come from
without
Now, DR.. Humphreys was selected from
without from among other eminent dis
interested engineers and experts to
corroborate and verify the company's
statement, which IS, Of course. the state
ment Of its officers, for the following
reasons:
First. because he has been for many
years-Rt least a third OF a century
personally familiar with the property.
Second. because In 1898 he was selected