The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-14
Continued from PAGE Eleven.

themselves to print these hearings in
the newspapers.
Mir Goldsborough-Yes sir.
Mr.. Carlyle enlighten the citizens or
consumers Of Washington as to what
was going on before this committee?
Mr.. Goldsborough-Yes, sir.
Mr.. Cary-It has been rumored, though,
and the talk is that il was evidently
done 10 soften up the newspapers a little
bit by this advertisement, so that they
would not be so strong in opposing the
gas company Is there any truth in
that?
Mr.. Goldsborough-I do not believe there
IS: not the slightest. I do not believe
there Is any truth In It.
Mr.. Cary-Do you think that corpora
lions do anything like that?
Mr.. GOldsborough-I think that ques-
ton carries with IL a reflection not only
on the gas company. but alsO>On the
newspapers. which am sure YOU are not
seriously making.
Mr.. Cary-I am talking now as a men,
Der OF this committee.
Mr. Goldsborough-I have a perfect
right 20 express that opinion.
Mr.. Cary-I am trying to find out what
7 can.
Mr.. Goldsborough-And I am trying to
answer your question. and | tell you
frankly II was done, Just as I said In this
statement. because I wanted the people
OF the city Of Washington to be taken
into the confidence OF the company In
order to promote the establishment OF
relations with us that would eventually
prove TO be mutually satisfactory. think
the people have equities. Just as you do,
and think It is the interest Of the com
pany to regard those equities and TO en-
courage and promote them.
Mr. Cary-That is what we are trying
10 do
Mr. ROthermel-Nr. Colds borough. !
want to ask you a question. because !
had wrong impression. You spoke a
while ago OF having reduced the price OF
gas within a year or two.
Mr.. GOldsborough-On the lst Of last
July.
The Chairman-We do not hear you.
Mr. Rothermel-I asked him when h,
reduced the price Of gas
Mr. Goldsborough-On the 1st OF las
July
Mr.. Rothermel-What was the price OF
gas?
Mr.. neutrality-suspicious. dollar
Mr.. Rothermel-Then you reduced II e
30 cents?
Mr.. Goldsborough-Yes And I want q
say this. II you Will permit me to do So
Mr.. Cary-By the way. they did not re
duce II 10 90 cents They only take OF
10 per cent II poid within ten days.
Mr. Goldsborough-They reduced TN
price Of gas 10 cents a thousand. O
course we have a provision IN the Law
which is similar 10 provisions applying
elsewhere: at any rate, It has always ap
piled here. that II a party does not pa.
his bill within a certain time he shall
pay the top price. the gross price.
Mr.. Rothermel-But year ago a part,
could get gas for 81? Is that right?
Mr.. GoldsborOugh--Yes Now he ca
get Il for 90 cents.
Mr. Cary-If he pays the bill within te
days?
Mr.. Goldshorough-Yes; II he pays tn
bill within ten days. and il he don't h
gets it 10 cents cheaper per thousan
than he did when previously In defaul
because previously the price was SL25
he did not pay promptly
Mr. Wiley-R I understood those bill
you read. Mr.. Cary. they were for Marcel
1903?
Mr.. Cary-From 1877 to 1900.
Mr. Wiley-If I understand him correct
~, the price was reduced in July. 1909. an
the query Is whether these bills do NJ
antedate the reduction IN price
Mr.. GOldsborough-In answer TO NJ
RothermeTs question, / want also to sui
nit this proposition: When we reduce
the price 10 cents nomlnally. 10 cent
a thousand, in point of fact. we reduce
the profit that the company was maxim
by at least twice that amount so that
the company were making at 81. sa
40 cents in round numbers. at 20 cents
would make only 20 cents, and therefor
the reduction would be in fact % d
cent. The company has stricken o
with one stroke Of the pen over . d
cent Of its profits. Now, If It were
reduce the price 10 cents more, X wou
take % 1-3 per cent OF what is left, ar
submit that when a company h;
voluntarily made such a large reductlC
as that. It ought not to be COMPEL,
before ii has had one years time
test II in. TO proceed 20 another reductio
Ny own belief is that as soon as Il
company has had time TO see that
can afford 10 make another reduction
Justice to it's stockholders and the pu
lie, Il will do IT, But I think TO requi
II arbitrarily, willynilly 70 make