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

large a second reduction as that within
a year. before the company has had
the opportunity to test the first one,
would be. or at any rate. would have
the appearance OF being. a little arbi-
trary.
Mr. Coudrey-Mr Goldsborough. IL there
was a reduction in price, is it not a
fact that you also issued an extra divi-
dend OF about $4,000 during that time?
Mr.. Goldsborough-There was an extra
dividend declared. which was paid out
Of the surplus of the company
Mr. Cary-The consumers paid it, not
the company, did they not?
Mr.. Goldsborough-Wel It was surplus
that the company, We shall contend. had
honestly made under rates. legal rates,
prescribed by statute, enacted by Con
gress. which were believed 10 be fair
and reasonable at the time. and there
can be no question that that surplus
legally belonged TO the company.
Mr.. Aiken-Mr. Goldsborough DO you
know about what the average amount is
placed on deposit for security by con-
sUmers?
Mr.. Goldsborough-You ask what is the
average amount carried by them?
Mr.. Aiken-Yes, sir.
Mr.. Goldsborough-I cannot say. II is
I a subject I have not looked into. but
l suppose it is a matter of something
like $4,000 or $4,000
/ Mr.. Aiken-You do not require that OF
all subscribers or consumers?
| Mr. GOldsDOr0r-ii-I believe that a GER
/ tain class of consumers who have been
consuming gas for a long time and who
pay their bills promptly are not required
with the same degree Of strictness that
/ strangers are TO make deposits. but
really could not answer that question. be-
cause 1 do not know Mr.. Whitwell,
what Is the present amount?
Mr.. Whitwell-I should say to-day It
was about S21OCo0.
Mr.. Aiken-And the number of con-
sumers is about $4,000?
MIR. Whitwell-Yes
Mr. Aiken-what is the amount? Is
It s.?
Mr.. Whitwell-It varies. in accordance
with the size OF the house. from IS 70
Sl5 or $50: according to the size of the
house.
MI Aiken-Does the gas company ever
allow the consumers anything like in.
terest on those deposits?
Mr. Whitwell-The gas company always
allows per cent.
Mr.. Aiken-How do you pay e.?
Mr. Whitwell-When the account I.
closed it is paid to the consumer, and 81
the consumer desires to draw down IN,
interest he can do so.
Mr.. Aiken-I was told by a gentleman
that he had deposit with the company
for twenty years. and that he has neve
: received a cent OF interest yet
Mr.. Whitwell-It would take a bil
force Of clerks TO compute the interes
on each deposit before Il was asked for
Mr.. Aiken-I had one last year 70
! about six months. and l do not know
Of having received any interest.
? Mr.. Coudrey-If YOU got one OF thes
interest books. it would not take long L
] compute il.
Mr.. Cary-I know OF a case where
! widow in this city moved from a cottag
into a fat because she could not al
e ford to pay the rent charged She Ia
c two daughters who supported them
d selves, and they went into a fiat. an
;, the gas company. through the proprietor
Z demanded $40 as a deposit. Why wa
that?
: Mr. Whitwell-Becaus in % per Ger
. OF the apartment houses all the cookln
is done by gas.
Mr.. Cary-what has that 20 do wit
= the meter?
d Mr.. Whitwell-You use more gas q
4 fuel than II you are using it for merel
Illuminating purposes.
r. Mr. Coudrey-Mr. Chairman. I have rt
> ceived a letter which may interest III
4 committee. The secretary will read It.
s The secretary read a letter complainin
d OF high pressure. and charging it TO /
< the cause OF large bills
II Mr.. Rothermel-What year was thu
T. when $4,000 dividend was paid?
It Mr.. Goldsborough-We were speaking
e last year?
T Mr.. Rothermel-Yes; the year in whic
n this reduction was made
y Mr.. Goldsborough-That money We
o taken from the surplus. S937. 900 Of It.
d Mr.. Cary-One more question and the
d l will permit the gentleman to go. I ha,
IS asked this question three or four time
m but I will ask 1t again. What interest n;
d Mr.. John r. Mclean I'm the Rosslyn G.;
10 Light Company. or what interest has Il
n. Rosslyn Gas Light Company in the Was
lie ington Gas Company?
il Mr.. Goldsborough-The Rosslyn 81
ii Company has no interest in the Washin
D. ton Gas Company. I am one OF Il
re directors OF the latter, and it could n
50 have any such relationship without n