Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-16
GAS INQUIRY BEGUN
Investigation OF Local Lighting
Companies.
HEARING At THE CAPITOL
Representative Prouty Against Half
and-Half Principle.
PAYMENT OF INSPECTORS
Counsel for Corporation Charges
observation-disclosures Utili-
ties Considered.
HEARING At THE CAPITOL

Joseph Letter, president of the Wash
ington Gas Light Company: r. H. Colds
borough, general counsel for the George
town Gas Light Company: T. s. Pincher.
superintendent of manufacture, and Dis
trict Commissioner Judson were witnesses
before the Lobeck subcommittee OF the
House District committee, which today
started its investigation Of the gas cor
porations in the District
During the inquiry Representative
Prouty OF Iowa made it plain that he is
not in favor of the half-and-half principle
of appropriation in the District, as pro-
vided for by the covenant between the
United States and the District. He went
so far as to make the prediction that Con-
gress would drift away from the half-and-
half principle, regardless of the act of
1878.
Representative Prouty's statement oc-
CURED while he and Commissioner judi
son were discussing the general subject
OF inspectors of gas appliances. Several
bills are under consideration by the sub
committee, providing for half dozen
changes in the local gas situation. One
OF these requires corps of inspectors to
be paid by the government on the reg
ular half-and-half plan:
Objects to Half-and-Half Plan.
II believe this inspection would be
good thing" he said. provided we could
place the burden where it belongs. /
don't see why my people back in Iowa
ought to be taxed to pay for the services
Of an Inspector for the District Of Column
bia."
''Of course" said Commissioner JUDI
son, III 1t appeals to Congress that way
it can be provided that the inspectors
shall be paid out Of District funds
"Of course" said Mr.. Prouty.
But remember l am not advocating
such course" said the Commissioner.
Prouty. Il would not consider 1t fair to
tax the general government for the serv-
Ice OF local gas inspection"
But you must remember the general
government would pay it's share on the
theory that all District expenses are to
be shared by the federal government"
reminded the Commissioner.
There are some things which are ex-
empt from this" returned Representative
Prouty.
Very few" said the Commissioner.
well, If I understand the temper Of
Congress. there are going to be a whole
lot of things for which the United States
won't pay in this District government"
And with that remark Representative
Prouty turned his attention to the public
utilities bill.
There is no use" said he, 'in investi-
eating the price Of gas If we are to pass a
public utilities bill by which all public
service corporation matters will receive
attention"
President Joseph Letter told the COM
mittee that he did not think 1t fair for
the companies to pay for inspectors. espe-
cially in view Of the fact that the gas
companies had an agreement with the
Commissioners to reduce the price OF gas
n the earnings warranted
The additional salaries OF inspectors, he
said, would only take away from the
earnings, and the burden would be car
rted by the consumer.
Discrimination Charged.
MANY things could be done by this
committee in the way Of legislation"
said Mr.. Goldsborough, ''as the 0as COM
panies are Disseminated against. For in
stance. we are taxed per cent more than
the electric light companies.
I'VE have an unfair law which calls for
a twenty-five candle power gas and makes
lars q year. Eighteen candlepower has
would be better for the public; 1t would
not cost SO much and would be safer and
better gas. because coal gas and not wa
ter gas would then be the principal con-
stituent.
I'm the assessors Office we are dis
eliminated against, as we have to pay a
tax on mains and service pipes, proba-
bly, $4,000 year. The electric light
company pays no tax on its conduits. Re:
member that taxing public utilities cor
poration affects the people, who pay the
tax in the last analysis"
A general discussion on the merits Of
the proposed public utilities bill took
place. Commissioner Judson made a
strong plea for an early report on the
measure.