The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-04-05
President of Stevens InSti-
tute of Technology Gives
Testimony.
PRICE AND QUALITY
BEING CONSIDERED
Witnesses Present on Behalf of
Both Company and
Consumers

Before the House Of Representatives
Committee on the District Of Columbia
yesterday, hearing was resumed on Rep
resentative Coudrey's resolution con-
cerning the Washington Gaslight Com
pany.
Those who testified were Richard H.
Goldsborough, representing the gas COM
pany; Cotter T. Bride, and Alexander c.
Humphreys, president Of the Stevens IN
stitute Of Technology, and president Of
the Buffalo Gas Company.
The Chairman-The committee Will
come to order, and. as I understand 1t,
pr. Hazelton will address the committee
first.
Mr.. Goldsborough-I want to say, if
the committee please, that we have some
testimony that We would like 10 intro
duce, and perhaps IL would be advan-
tageOus all around If the testimony
should be concluded before Mr.. Hazelton
opens his argument And I would like
10 say. further, TO TIE committee that
this course is for US vitality important
proposition, involving, as it, does, as I
understand It, the constitutional rights
OF the company When we get through
with the testimony, I shall probably ask
the committee TO indulge me in an argu-
ment for the company, TO be made at
subsequent day, so that I may have an
opportunity TO fulr present our side Of
the case to the committee.
Mr.. Pearre-It seems TO me that the
Buo-estion Of Mr. GOIdsbOrOugh is a rea-
sonable one. and that the testimony
should be concluded before the argu-
lnent is made
Mr.. GOldsborough-I would like TO say.
If the committee pleases. on behalf Of
the company, that I think that this
resolution goes to the whole root OF the
controversy that has been blooming here
for quite a number OF years, and which
blooms perpetually, like the flowers in
the spring, in reference TO the general
character Of the gas company and its
general attitude toward the public as
faithful public serFant. II the company
is doing It's duty fairly, as we shall en-
deavOr 10 show that II has done and is
doing, of course there is no reason 70
penalize It. This is an indictment prac-
tiCally-it is more than an Indictment: II
Is a judgment against the company, in
effect, in case in which II is charged
with no Offense.
The Chairman-Who Is # that desires
10 be heard upon this?
STATEMENT OF MR. COTTER T.
BRIDE,
Of Washington, D. c.
The Chairman-Please give your name
and your business.
Mr.. Bride-My name IS Cotter T.
Bride, and I am in the real estate bust
ness now l own a house on Pennsyl-
wanna avenue which was occupied by a
man by the name Of Sam Swain. He
e. sold out, and notified the gas company
that he had sold out But they sent
the bills to Sam Swain only, but he
had moved They found out that they
could not get the money from the man
himself, so then they sent the bill 10
me, and would not turn on the gas
until the bill was paid. I went 10 the
court with IL, but they beat me. The
bill was for $3.50 They would not turn
on the gas.
Mr.. Pearre-YDu say you went to
court What court did you go TO?
Mr.. Bride-The municipal court
Mr.. Pearre-What was the decision Of
the court
Mr.. Bride-The decision was against
me, but the judge told me, You carry
Il I'D 10 the other court and il will be
al right; and with a jury you will
win ~ He decided for the gas com
pany, however You cannot get ahead
OF tho gas Germany, and what is the
use OF trying?
M Cary-Now, Mr. Chairman. I
would like 70 have the clerk or the com
Tnittee read these letters 10 the commit
tee. ! have four letters here that I
would like 10 have put in the record,
two Of them being in answer 10 letters
OF mine. The Senators claim that we
are now having an investigation, and
they say. Why have another"
Mr.. Cary's Letter Read.
The Chairman-The clerk will read the
letters.
The clerk read NJ. Cary's letters and
the following replies to them:
April ?. 1910
Hon. William J. Cary, House of Repre-
sentatlves, Washington. D. c.
ny Dear Sir: am in receipt Of your
letter Of the Ist instant. in which you
state taat Chairman Smith Of the com
pultee on the District Of Columbia OF
tie House Of Representatives, has an
pointed you chairman of a subcommittee
90 investigate the gas company here in
~ aSh.nstoa, and In reply you are ad-
NiSeH that. according to my information
The chairman Of the committee on the
IlSulct OF Columbia is not authorized
70 take up the joint investigation with
out direct authority from the Senate.
Bnd am not aware that such authority
has been granted. 7 observe from the
pdo!lc prints that the gas company is
row being investigated by yNu- commit
tee, and hardly think the Senate would
feel justified in inUuding upon that
committee or in attempting to duplicate
It's work. Very truly yours.
tsigned THOS. H CARTER.
L
The Hon. William ] Cary. NJ. c., House
OF Representatives.
Ey Dear Mr.. Cary. 7 am n receipt of
your FAVOR Of YESTERDAY. in which YOU
say that Chairman Smith, Of the House
committee on the District Of Columbia.
las appointed YOU chairman Of a sub
committee 10 sit with the Senate sub
committee to irvestia ate the gas com
p3ny IN Washington. IA you ask me 70
ieI you what arranG en'ents have been
made for the proposed Investigation. In
reply 1 beg TO say that 1 have been
j. boring under the impression hereto
fore that the Senate could manage such
matters on its own account and I have
also thought that tho FouSe OF Repre-
sentativeS was equally ccT7petent TO
manage its affairs I noticed tEat in .
recent discussion IN the House commit
tee YOU suggested that nothing but DIV
namite would start the Senate commit
tee in the matter Of an Investigation of
the gas company. and I now wonder
whether or not YOU and your subcon-
mittee are TO supply the dynamite il we
should conclude 10 act Jointly I beg
further 70 add that the Senate has not
as yet directed an investigation. # that
oction shall be taken, il viii be per-
formed by the Senate committee with
out any assistance. Permit me- very
respectfully. yours,
J. H. GALLINCFR. Chairman.
Mr.. Cary-NOw YOU see how near we
are 10 an investigation in the Senate.
Mr. Rothermel-I wish 10 ask Won
question, Mr.. Cary. You wrote the
All