Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-14
Corporation Counsel and Light
Company Attorneys Hold
Same Views.
MOVE FOR CONSOLIDATION
MAY COME THIS WEEK
Application Will Be Filed With
the Public Utilities
Commission,

Application for the consolidation of the
Washington and Georgetown Gas Light
companies may be made to the public
utilit t'es commission early this week
Following a conference yesterday
with Attorneys j. ]. Darlington and
Penjamin s. Minor, Howard s. Reeside
vice president Of the former concern.
last night stated that he hoped to be
able to make the first definite move to-
ward amalgamating the two big light ng
corporations by Tuesday or Wednesday.
There is no doubt but that the Wash
ington company official is putting heart
and soul into the effort to bring the two
concerns together. and it Is probable that
he will submit plan of consolidation to
the utilities commission without waiting
to have it formally approved by the board
of directors of the gas company.
See No Law to Prevent.
Despite the announcement Of Assistant
Corporation Counsel Francis H. Stephens
that he Is Of the opinion the proposed
amalgamation cannot be effected with
out special authorization by Congress,
Mr.. Reeside and attorneys for the Wash
ington company take the position that
there is nothing in the anti-merger act
to prevent the carrying out OF their plans
This question win have to be passed upon
by the utilities commission.
Mr. Reside stated last night that. while
the Washington company might dispose
Of its holdings in the Georgetown con-
cern and thereby remove the cause for
the action of the Commissioners in order
ing that steps. be taken to dissolve the
fD~ haas {c nA 20,
own stock in violation of the anti-merger
law. he is Of the opinion that the best
way to adjust the situation is to con-
solidate the two companies.
Possible Benefits.
II am In favor of consolidation" he
said, because l believe it will result in
benefit to the gas consumers of the Dis
trict If the Washington company ac-
Quires the Georgetown corporation. 1t will
Immediately lower the price Of gas used
west OF Rock creek to % cents, 50 thal
there will be a uniform charge for. the
product.
1T is my opinion that the proposed
consol. dation can be effected through
the Washington company bnying the
property of the Georgetown corporal on
for cash and iiquidating It's capital
X.
crease in the capital stock OF the Wash
ington Gas Light Company
Whether this pan is TO be Incorporated
in the proposal to be submitted to the
utilities commission will not be decided
until after Mr. Reside and Attorneys
Darlington and Minor have had further
conferences in regard to the matter. It
is the intention OF the gas company ON
cials to go over the proposition again
tomorrow with the View OF preparing
q plan for presentation to the utilities
board by Tuesday or Wednesday.
Finishes Dissolution Bill.
Assistant Corporation Counsel Ste
phens Saturday put the finishing touches
to the bill which he will file In the Dis
trict Supreme Court to dissolve the
Washington company. He will probably
file the bill tomorrow.
Should the utilities commission approve
plan for aAalgamation. however. the
proceedings will be Withdrawn. Corpora
tion Council Thomas is said to be inclined
to the view that consolidation Of the COM
panies is not prohibited By the anti-mer-
ger law, and. as this official is the legal
adviser Of the commission, his opinion
will be a large factor in determining the
course to be followed by that body.