Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-04
EXPERT TESTIMONY HEARD
President Humphreys Appears in Be-
half Of the Company.
FIGURES AS TO PROFITS
Letters From Senators Gallinger and
Carter to Representative Cary
Cause Much Amusement.

hearing today on the resolution intro
duced by Representative Godfrey OF
Missouri. prohibiting the Washington Gas
Light Company from mourning any fur
Their paper Indebtedness Of any kind Tse
principal witness was President Hum
phreys Of the Stevens Institute Of .ech-
nology, a recognized gas expert.
A feature Of the hearing was the read
ing of letters received by Representative
Cary Of Wisconsin. author of the S0-csnt
gas bill, fatty refusing q proposition that
the Senate and House District commit
tees enter into joint investigation Of the
Washington Gas Light Company.
This Is q very important proposition"
said Mr.. Goldsborough, Involving. as 1t
does. the constitutional rights OF the
should be closed before arguments are
begun. I should make my argument for
the company at subsequent meeting or
the committee"
That seems reasonable, remarked
Representative Pearre OF Maryland.
Il have no objection" said Representa-
tive Cary of Wisconsin,, author OF the
eighty-cent-gas bill.
Il want to say for the company" re-
sumed Mr. Goldsborough, that this reso-
whole controversy with respect to the
relations of the gas company with the
public. If the company has performed
faithful service for the public, there IL
no reason to penalize It. We shan at.
tempt to show that it has been faithful"
Cotter r Bride, William J. Bryan's
personal friend, was the first witness to-
day. He had kick to make against
the gas company. He went into the oe-
tails of row over a gas bill for house
he owned. He was beaten In the num-
cipal court, he said.
Can't Beat Company.
"You can't beat the gas company" he
Don't be so hopeless" suggested Mr.
Pearre.
Mr.. Bride also showed to the committee
sample Of carbon he had obtained from
gas, which, he said, made 1t necessary
for him to have all the rooms in twenty
houses he owned. repapered every two
years.
At this point Representative Cary OF
Wisconsin requested that answers to
linger and Carter, asking what steps
were being taken at the Senate end OF
the Capitol to investigate the Wash
ington Gas Light Company. be read.
Gallinger's Letter Amuses.
The committee laughed heartily
when the letter from Senator Gallinger
was read. The communication was, to
say the least, sharp in tone. In reply
to the request from Mr.. Cary asking the
Senate committee on the District OF
Columbia to permit the special gas
subcommittee. Of which Mr.. Cary Ii
chairman, to cooperate in Joint Ia
vestigation of the gas company, Sen
ator Gallinger returned a fat refusal.
Here is Mr.. Cary's letter to Senator
Gallingef.
April 1, 1910.
Jacob H. Gallinger, United States Senate.
Dear Senator:
Undoubtedly you are aware of the
fact that Chairman Smith Of the commit
tee on the District of Columbia Of the
House has appointed me chairman OF the
to sit with the Senate sub
committee to investigate the gas COM
pany here in Washington.
II shall very much appreciate the favor
if you will kindly advise me whether
any steps have been taken toward maxi
ing arrangements for this investigation,
ton taken. would you be kind enough to
inform me in the premises.
Yours respectively, VIM. ]. CARY"
Here is Senator Gallinger's reply;
william J. Cary, M. c.. House Of Rep
''My Dear Mr.. Cary: I am in receipt
of your favor Of yesterday, In which you
say that Chairman Smith of the House
committee on the District Of Columbia has
appointed you chairman OF a subcommittee
to sit with the Senate subcommittee to
the gas company in Washing
ton, and you ask me to tell you what ar
have been made for the pro-
posed investigation.
I'm reply beg to say that have been
laboring under the impression heretofore
that the Senate could manage such mat
tiers on its own account, and have also
thought that the House Of Representa-
tives was equally competent to mango It's
affairs.
II noticed that In a recent discussion
in the House committee you suggested
that nothing but dynamite would start the
Senate committee in the matter Of an In
vestisation Of the gas company. and
now wonder whether or not YOU and your
are to supply the dynamite
If we should conclude to act jointly;
az beg further to add that the Senate
has not as vet directed an Investigation.
II that action shall be taken It will be
performed by the Senate committee with
out any assistance.
VERY respectfully yours.
-. H. GALLIN0ER.
Chairman"