Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-09
OFFERS TAKOMA PARK
GAS At 65 CENTS
Proposition Submitted to
Town Council Is Taken
Under Consideration.

Gas at the rate of 65 cents a thousand
feet, it is probable. will be provided
within another year for the use Of resi-
dents of Takoma Park, Md. A propo-
sition was submitted for acceptance to
the town council last night.
While the gas would only be furnished
to about 200 homes in Takoma Park At
the present time, the proposition has a
much wider scope, and will extend
throughout Prince Georges and Mont
gomery counties, which border the COR
poration limits. Just north of Takoma
is the thriving little suburb of Silver
Spring Park while the towns Of Silver
Spring, Sligo and Woodside could easily
be piped.
The matter was presented to the coun
Gil in letter signed by Frank L. Hewett,
In which he made formal application
''for a franchise for the purpose Of in
stalling and operating a gas plant to
furnish gas to the residents of Takoma
Park at the rate Of IS cents per thou
sand cubic feet, and to furnish the town
with loo mantle gas lamps and operate
the same without COST Inclosed was a
draft of an ordinance for adoption by the
council.
Names Are Withheld.
AFR Hewett is postmaster at Silver
Spring, Nd, and is representing parties
interested in the proposition. Mayor w. g.
Plat last night declined to disclose the
names Of those back of the movement
further than to say that he was asked
if the town would consider such propo-
SitiOn. He Informed his inquirer that Il
the matter were put in writing he would
submit it to the council.
Mayor Plat, in addressing the meeting
last night, stated that the party who con-
ferred with him was one Of the best
posted men on the gas question in the
District OF Columbia. and he was assured
that there was ample capital back Of the
movement to insure the construction OF q
large plant with up-to-date appliances.
the consideration of the town officials.
The matter was discussed at length,
Councilmen H. F. Taft, e. E. Blodgett,
L. r. Grabill, r. D. Rush, H. E. Rogers
pressed interest and seemed to favor the
construction and installation of a gas
lighting system.
For some time the town council has
been discussing the idea of lighting the
town by electricity. A proposition was
submitted to the Potomac Electric Power
Company for furnishing 100 lamps for
lighting the town at the rate Of SIS for
each lamp a year. A contract was pre-
pared and negotiations were well under
way when hitch took place.
The council inserted in the contract a
provision that, in the event of the termi-
nation of the contract, the company
should have the right to maintain its
poles and wires as long as may be neces-
sary to supply any private consumer.
but the right was not to exceed one
year. The electric light company pre-
ferred that this period be changed to
three years, and a letter setting forth
this new agreement was read at the coun-
Gil meeting last night.
Committee to Report.
At the conclusion Of the discussion the
council appointed Mayor Plat and Coun-
Gilman Williams special committee to
make a detailed report of the project at
special meeting of the council to be
called at an early date, when action will
be taken. 1t was pointed out that no
reference was made to the candlepower
to be furnished, but it was explained
that this was one of the minor details to
be brought out at a conference with the
parties interested in the movement
The ordinance submitted clearly out
lined the plan of the new company,
which is to be known as the Takoma
Gas, Light and Power Company.
The proposed ordinance, as submitted
to the council. provides that there shall
be granted the right. privilege and
franchise to the Takoma Cas- Light and
Power Company, Its successors and as
signees. to construct and operate. locate,
lay and maintain gas mains, pipes. posts
and other appliances and fixtures In.
under and along the roads, streets. ave-
Takonia Park, Nd. and to connect the
same with any and all public and private
buildings for the distribution, sale and
use of gas in said town.