The Washington times., 1912-08-07
IOWA CONGRESSMAN
WANTS CAPITAL TO
Be THE MODEL CITY.
Good Says Public Service
Corporations Here Should
Be Controlled.

That Washington should be the model
city Of the country in everything per-
taining to public utilities, is declared
by CONGRESSMAN James w. Wood Of
Iowa, who has introduced in the House
a sweeping resolution for an investiga-
ton into the affairs of three of the lead
ing public service corporations of Wash
E ington. These three corporations are
the, Washington Gas Light Company.
the Potomac Electric Power Company
and the Chesapeake and Potomac Tele-
phone Company.
Mr.. Goods plan ls TO have the affairs
Of these corporations probed by spe-
cial committee of nine members. His
resolution has gone to the Rules COM
mittee. and he hopes for favorable ac-
ton on 1t. .... t.' .s .
Mr.. Good is an expert in public utility
matters. and has not introduced his
resolution at random. He was formerly
city attorney Of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, his
home city, and there he became inti-
mately acquainted with public service
Fought For Lower Gas.
He made fight for lower gas fates
In Cedar Rapids, which he conducted
30 ably as to win sweeping victory
for the city. In this connection he
studied the business of gas making as
carried on in every large city In the
That the present system of conduct OF
at least some of the public service corp
orations In Washington will not stand
scrutiny is the firm conviction of Mf.
Good. who has been watching their
operations closely for some time. One
of the concerns here to which he es-
pecially wants attention of Congress
directed is the Chesapeake and Potomac
Telephone Company. Mr.. Good con-
tant and, In some respects, little short
of outrageous.
THE system of the telephone mon
Spoly, whereby it compels business
call above a limited number, is inde-
fensible.' said Mr.. Good.
80 far as the gas business is con-
eerned, l am fully satisfied that gas can
be made and sold here at rs cents at a
good profit.
Facts Concealed.
"I believe Congress ought to know
more about the financial affairs of these
companies. At the present time It knows
little. The published statements do not
reveal the facts. I am satisfied there
are Implications of charges made ir
preparing some Of these statements fol
the obvious purpose of hiding the rea
earnings Of the corporations.
The facts should be gone into by ex-
perts. This is not matter of loca
Importance only. 1t is not a matter
that pertains. only to the District Of
Columbia. 1t is a matter in which
every municipality in the country /,
vitality interested. 1t means a good dea
to other municipalities whether tn,
Affairs of the public service corporation
are conducted rightly here or whethel
they are not.
"The other municipalities of the coun
try ought to be able to look at Wash
ington for guidance and eniightment or
the conduct Of public utilities. Certain
ly they cannot do SO as they are con
Quoted at present"
If the investigation proposed by Mr.
Good is entered into II will be no child'l
play. 1t will be conducted in the recess
and trained experts employed to dill
into the books and bring to light all til,
facts concerning earnings, charges
practices, and the like. Mr.. Good will
doubtless be member OF the committe,
IL one Is named.