Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-05
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The Chairman think, gentlemen. that
when you and 1 come to read over TINS
testimony We will feel that We should
have allowed Mr. Humphreys TO proceed
and make his statement, and that the
questions might come later.
Mr.. Coudrey-Well, l thought We were
doing that
The Chairman do not want to direct
the examination by the members Of the
committee. but IL seems to me that we
should allow the witness to proceed for
five or ten minutes consecutively.
Mr.. Coudrey-I think the witness is per-
fectly willing to make his statements.
The Chairman-He is. and | have not
the slightest objection personally to this
manner of examination: not i'm the slight
est.
Mr.. Coudrey-And the witness is not cb-
jecting.
Mr.. Pearre-But the very first person
to violate the rule that we had tentative
ly laid down was Mr.. GoldsbOrough him
self. l have no objections to the methods
pursued myself, either.
Mr.. Goldsborough-So far as | am con-
cerned. / will state to the committee thai
1 was only interfering these questions
in order to bring out the facts. 1t is en-
tirely immaterial to me how he shall
proceed, but / think what the COMMITTEES
wants, and what we are entirely willing
to give. is the truth.
The Chairman-We first established the
rule that we would allow the witness to
proceed. but we Immediately got away
from it.
Mr.. Humphreys have no objection to
it, gentlemen. Any way you like to do
it is satisfactory to me.
Mr.. Coudrey-Let me ask you one cues
ton here. Have you looked into the affairs
of the Washington Gas Light Company
enough to be able to state whether they
are overcharging the public or not?
Mr.. Humphreys-About two years ago
went into it very thoroughly. and was
prepared then to state unhestatingly that
they were not.
Mr. Coudrey-How about now?
Mr.. Humphreys-As l say now, I have
not had an opportunity to go over it ex-
cept to take the present figures and COM
pare them with my figures in the past.
and to use my own judgment as to what
could have occurred in the meantime. l
do not believe that they are overehargng
at the present moment, especially at the
reduced price of gas and as compared
with other cities.
Mr.. Coudrey-But how do you draw that
conclusion if you are not fully posted as
to their condition now?
Mr.. Humphreys-I made thorough ex-
animation two years ago.
Mr.. Coudrey-But things may be diff
ferent now.
Mr. Humphreys-Yes: and I happen to
know some things that are different. !
know that the gas is costing more per
LEGO today to manufacture than 1t was
costing two years ago when l was here.
reduced cost to the consumer
Mr.. Pearre-It is costing the consumer
more, is it not?
Mr.. Humphreys-No. sir
Mr. Pearre-Some have testified that.
not withstanding there has been a redue-
ton in the price of gas. their bills are
higher.
Mr. Humphreys-I would like to answer
in regard to that later.
Mr.. Coudrey-Has not the consumption
frc cod. iS this city growing n
idly?
Mr.. Humphreys-Yes. sir.
Mr.. Coudrey-And the larger the popu-
lation the more gas consumed. Does not
that reduce the cost?
Mr. Humphreys-Yes. and Of course the
more you increase-that is, the greater
amount sold per capita, of course-the
less will be the rate at which the de-
creased cost will decrease. and that will
go on until you finally reach place
where, practically. there will not be any
decreased cost For instance, New York
has reached such a point OF saturatlon
that If you add to their sales there will
be practically no erect in the way or re-
ductiOn of cost.
Mr. Coudrey-But you say that you
have only given two hours toward look
ing into this matter. Do you think that
you can give us fair answer as to
whether they are or are not overcharglng
the public after such an examination?
Mr. Humphreys-My dear sir, l don't
think that your question is fair one. II
you will permit me to say so. l have not
said that l have only put two hours on
it. / have put days and days upon it.
1 have brought 1t up to date: and with
the study of the present situation such
as l have given, and with my judg-
ment as to how. such things go, l am
prepared to state that this city is not be-
ing overcharged, and l can confirm that
by being cross-examined upon it IL the
committee desires it. From this state
ment they are not overcharged.
Mr.. Pearre-But what do you mean by
referring to that statement, the accuracy
of which you question with regard to one
or two items?
Mr.. Humphreys question it in this
respect that | think they have done
themselves an injustice. l do not think
they have allowed quite enough for ac-
cruing appreciation. That is something
that experts disagree upon to some ex-
tent.
Mr. Aiken-What costs more in the
way of manufacturing gas now than two
years ago?
Mr.. Humphreys-That l have not been
able to analyze. l simply say that find
that it is costing them about cents
more per Loco than two years ago. l
have not had a full opportunity to go
into that. but that is a statement made
by their own books
Mr.. Rothermel-Let me make sugges-
ton in the way Of question. $4,000 is
- per cent and fraction on $500, OO0.
Mr.. Humphreys-Yes. sir.
Mr.. RothermeI-And that is based upon
gas that is sold at 80 cents per thousand
cubic feet?
Mr.. Humphreys-Yes. sir.
Mr.. Observation-Disclosures, il gas was
reduced to 80 cents a thousand, they
would still make over 6 per cent on their
investment, would they not?
Mr. Humphreys-How do you make that
out, sir?
Mr.. Rothermel-why, here are the fig
ures.
Mr.. Humphreys cannot possibly fol-
low you. and l will say this. that on 50
cents per thousand feet. upon the figures
furnished by the company. they would
make very large deficit at that price.
Mr.. Goldsborough-Yes, we would go
into bankruptcy in year.
Mr.. Humphreys-Yes. it shows on its
face that that would be the case
Mr.. Rothermel-But if you should sell
gas at 80 cents per thousand instead of
80 cents per thousand. you would still
have per cent left, would you not?
Mr.. Humphreys-How would you have
that?
Mr. Rothermel-That is very easily eX-
planned: it seems perfectly clear to me-
Mr.. Humphreys-I would be glad to
have you explain it.
Mr.. nothermel-If at 80 cents per thou
sand feet the company receives IL per
cent and a fraction, would they not re-
ceive per cent at so cents thousand?
Mr.. Humphreys-No, sir. they would
not. and there are not any figures to
show it. And / am not making that