The Washington times., 1910-03-17
The ATTEMPT TOSIDETRACK
THE GAS INVESTIGATION.

That was a strange spectacle pre-
scented in the Senate Wednesday after
noon when the substitute for the
Brown resolution calling for a sweeping
Investigation of the Washington Gas
Light Company was taken up.
This resolution had been properly
and regularly reported out of the Com
mitUee on Corporations Organized in
Tho District of Columbia Under the
CSJal procedure it should have gone
70 the committee that controls the
contingent expenses of the Senate.
Had 1t gone L that committee, it would
have come out to the Senate in due
course of time, would have been passed
by the Senate, and the investigation
would have BEEN undertaken.
In that event, the investigation
would have been conducted by Senators
Taliaferro. Shivnly, Ia Toilette, Jones,
and Brown. These gentlemen for the
most part have a keen understanding
of public service corporation matters,
and feel tha- the time has come when
Congress should lay down the lines for
regulation of such corporations in a
fashion that will serve the best inter
csts Of the people Of Washington, and
viii be Of benefit 20 municipalities i'm
every State.
But a powerful element in the Sen
ate was not willing to have TINS come
about. Senator. made impassioned
speeches against invasion OF the jUris-
diction of the Senate District Commit
ice. of which Senator GalEugcr is
chairman, A frantic rush was made to
sidetrack the Brown resolution. send it
10 the District Committee. and shield the
Washington Gas Light Company from
such an inquiry Is the Brown resolu.
ton comprehcnded. Senators Calm
ger. Martin. Lodge. and AldriCh, under
the plea that the Senate District Com
mittee ought to have jurisdiction OF
anything relating to the District OF
Columbia. fought to have the resolu-
ton sent To the District Committee
Senator Martin was imppllcd 10 brea
his customary Senatorial silence. so
moved was he hy the adherence Of al,
spectacle of this resolution going
through without being considered by
the Senate District Committee. Hc
even made an impassioned speech OF
ne subject. and showed signs of deer
feeling.
There were other interesting feature,
of these proceedings to get the Brown
resolution shunted of. In the end
they succeeded in their purpose by a
close vote, the resolution went TO the
Senate District Committee. where II
now rcposes. and viii. if the Senate
permits. repose indefinitely. Senator
BroWr IN his remarks IN the Senat,
clearly pointed out that the real oh.
ject of trying 10 force the resolution
20 the Dis trict Committee WIS to pre-
vent an investigation in other words
he held that the talk of jurisdiction
and the display of wrath over thi.
question was mcr" mask
II viii be worth while .o watch the
subsequent cuurS" Of events in thi.
matter. It VIII bee worth while TO Oh.
ssrve whether the developments Of the
rest Of the session do not prove the cor
rcctncss Of Senator Browns position
j the Senators who fought for iuris.
diction Of the resolution were not try
ing TO bury it and shield the Wash.
ington Gas Light Company. they car
easily prove it by reporting the meas.
urc. or one along the same lines. within
n reasonable time Otherwise. 1t will
be possible to draw but one conelu.
sitU.
Senator Browns showing OF facts. a,
given on The floor, and ;bc facts as sci
forth in ;hc report Of the Commute,
ON Corporations Organized in the DIS
trict of Columbia are irrefutaDIe
Studying them. none without profu
dice can fail to he convinced thor,
should be a comprehensive inquiry.
THE GREAT ISSUES BEFORE