The Washington herald., 1910-04-10
EXPERT TESTIMONY
on GAS PROBLEMS
continued from Page Ten.

Continued from Page Ten.
thing to do with any other city. For
instance. in other cities they charge DIFF
ferent prices for different characters of
use. In St Louis. my home town. we
have two prices, the fuel gas being the
cheaper
Mr. Humphreys-Hafen't they changed
that lately?
Mr.. Coudrey-That is my impression. /
am a gas user in st. Louis. My impress
sion is that they charge different prices.
and I think you stated so q moment ago.
Mr.. Humphreys am inclined to think
that they have come or are coming back
to one meter. I know the system Of
different rates for different uses has
created a great deal Of dissatisfaction,
and I thought they had changed back TO
one rate. The rates 1 quoted. as already
explained, We're from a list prepared two
years ago by Mr.. Glass, of Milwaukee.
Mr.. Coudrey-Probably they are going
TO change it. You quoted prices in diff
ferent cities, and you mentioned Rich
mond, Va; Providence. r. l.: st. Paul.
Trenton, and I think Wheeling, W. Va
II we are going to try 10 make compari-
sons. let me say that Washington is
about the tenth city in the Union. is it
not?
Mr. Humphreys Something like that. I
think.
Mr. Coudrey-We will say the tenth or
the twelfth, whatever it is. We ought 10
take the ten or twelve large cities and
make our comparisons in order.to have
more even chance. il is not fair TO put
in such places as Richmond. or smaller
places In other words, it looks to me
as if
Mr.. Humphreys-But, Mr.. Coudrey. that
is not MY doing.
Mr.. Coudrey-I do not want to do you
an injustice. You are here 70 look after
the gas company. and we are jurors, or
referees, so to speak, between the gas
company and the public; and It is hardly
fair TO go to work and quote such places
that are favorable TO the gas situation
Mr.. Humphreys-But let me answer
that. ] am not responsible for that.
Mr.. COudTey-You did not mention MI
waukee. did you?
Mr.. Humphreys-Oh. yes But | did not
bring up the question as to the other
places. This was called for by members
Of the committee I was particularly
asked 10 give the prices at these places
Richmond was mentioned; Wheeling was
mentioned. and most Of the others. / did
not volunteer the making of any such
comparisons. and ! should agree with Mr..
Tucker. speaking in favor OF the bill in
his first statement here Fair COMPARE
sons cannot be made unless ell condi-
tons are considered and balanced You
cannot compare prices without careful
analysis Of prices Of labor. material, and
all local conditions entirely agreed with
Mr.. Tucker in that regard. I was asked
for the prices and I have given them.
Your chairman this evening reminded me
that I had not yet given them as re-
quested by the committee
Mr.. Coudrey-I think the great trouble
with our whole Investigation IS that we
are getting away from the subject
Mr.. Humphreys think you are now
getting reasonable.
Mr.. Coudrey-I would like to have that
information for the last ten years.
Mr.. Cary-I would suggest that he also
furnish the names Of the stockholders.
Mr.. Coudrey-The stockholders are in e
little printed pamphlet that we have.
Mr.. Wiley-Let me make this sugges-
ton: In order that Mr.. Humphreys may
understand exactly what you want, and
in order that you may understand exact
ly what you want, I suggest that you
make the request In writing, so that there
VIII be no possible mistake
Mr.. Coudrey-I think the doctor under
stands what We want.
Mr.. wiley-1f you write out what YOU
want, then we will be able TO answer I'm
much more definite form.
Mr.. COudrey-I think my question IS
complete. Didn't you understand what I
wanted, Doctor?
MIR. Humphreys am not sure. for
there has been so much said, and so much
loose talk
The Chairman-Let me suggest that YOU
submit your question after the hearing,
and that We so on with the other ques-
tons.
Mr. Coudrey-Now. there Is another
thing about the price OF gas here. For
instance, you have gone through this
statement II the company, and, Of course,
you base your statement TO US on their
statement. don't you?
Mr.. Humphreys-Yes in part, but not
entirely so. OF course, as I say, I have
checked IL up.
Mr.. Coudrey-Aren't these statements
sometimes misleading? Don't you think
that a corporation that Is making abnor-
NAL profits tends to conceal in soma way