The Washington herald., 1910-04-01

The first public hearing on Representa-
tive Coudrey's resolution TO prevent the
Washington Gaslight Company from issu-
ing bonds was held yesterday morning
before the House District Committee
The hearing was a short one, lasting
from 1870 o'clock to noon. 1t viii be
continued Monday morning at 10 O'CLOCK
The merits OF the case were hardly
reached yesterday. although a number OF
citizen associations representatives. as
well as attorneys for the gas company
and other interests, and individuals also
were on hand to testify.
Attorney Goldsborough. speaking for
the gas company. In answer to a question
by Representative Pearre. declared that
some OF the bonds of the company are
about TO mature, and the company haA
refunding plan under consideration. Mr..
Goldsborough did not specify what this IS
Evan H. Tucker on Stand.
Evan II. Tucker, president Of the
Northeast Washington Citizens Associa-
ton, testified that he had been lighting
the gas company for eighteen or twenty
years, and was thoroughly familiar with
the company's affairs.
THE capital stock OF the Washington
Gaslight Company amounts to 100000. -
Mr.. Tucker said, 'in addition 10 which
there are 100000 in certificates Of in
dsbtedness, and $685. in bonds. a total
face Indebtedness Of IS. 79s.7O0. Every once
IN while the gas company asks Congress
for the right TO increase its capital stock.
This is ridiculous. The company is over
capitalized now"
Mr.. Tucker declared that the company
wants TO issue more bonds to use up the
enormous surplus it has and pay
dividends on these bonds so that the ex-
pense of these dividends will be an argu-
ment why the company cannot afford 10
further decrease tho price Of gas TO the
consumer.
Mr. Tucker was followed by W. NICK.
Clayton. representing the Northwest Citl-
zens Association, who declared that it is
the general view that the price OF gas
shall be lowered. Speaking Of the Coudrey
resolution in particular, Mr.. Clayton
thought It ought to be amended so as to
provide penalty for violation. He said
the whole matter would undoubtedly
eventually be fought out in court. Reply
ing 10 questions by Representatives Olcott
and Pearre. Mr. Clayton said he thought
the district attorney and the grand jury
could take the matter UP. If they felt so
disposed.
wide Range of Discussion.
The discussion took wide range, so
that at times Chairman Smith felt
obliged 10 ask that # be confined to the
subject of the resolution. one individual,
F. E Foster, living IN Ingleside Terrace,
appeared before the committee with
complaint that his meter had been taken
out for nonpayment OF g bin OF S279,
Notwithstanding the fact that he has S
on deposit with the company 10 secure
the payment OF his bills Mr. Colds
borough admitted that he did not think
Mr.. Fosters meter ought 10 have been
taken out. and in answer 20 a direct
question by Representative Cary as to
whether he did not think the people Of
the District would be better of with So
cent gas, Mr.. Goldsborough admitted that
he thought they would.
Another complaint registered was by
DR. Cuthbertson. of the Northeast Citi-
Zens' Association. who charged the com
pany was giving citizens in his vicinity
very poor service, and that it charged
them for laying pipes TO their houses.
The latter fact aroused the ire Of Repre-
sentative Cary, who says they do not
have to pay gas companies for pipes out
in his State
Members Show Impatience.
Some impotence was expressed at the
hearing by Representatives Pearre and
Moore over the complaints lodged before
the committee Mr.. Moore declared he
did not feel it his duty to sit in COM
mittee and listen TO individual COM
plants. Both these members Of the COM
mittee suggested to the complaining wit
nesses that they should take their cases
TO the courts. It was suggested by Mr.
Moore that the citizens associations go
into court and demand the forfeiture Of
the charter OF the company, and 1t was
said In effect that II no redress was had
there the members Of the District Com
mittee would then see what might be
done. A revocation of the charter, how
ever, as Mr.. Tucker testified yesterday,
is the last thing the associations want,
inasmuch as they want the company to
go on doing business and furnishing light
The suggestion Of going into court was
not formally made by the committee.
No action was taken by the body and the
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