Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-03-16
Cost of Coal Increased.


The formal order issued by the COM
mission states that the evidence show
that the cost of coal at the mine during
I1el7 increased from $3.50 to $3.50 per
ton and oil from A cents per gallon
to S cents at present quotations. ana
that the cost of labor and material for
maintenance and distributor mas also
greatly increased.
The manufacture of gas for heat
and illumination continues the order,
lis substantially tie conversion of fuel
from one form into another.
coal and oil. which are the raw materials
from which gas is made and the cost
of these two raw materials taS SHOWN
by the actual costs during the year
ended September so, 1910 represents
approximately so per cent of the manu-
featured gas 1t is Self-evIdent that
when the cost of coal to the gas manu-
facturer increases 25 per cent and the
cost of oil 50 per cent. that the cost OF
the manufactured gas will increase IN
approximately a similar proportion so
far as these basic elements are con-
cerned and will be further increased
if the cost of labor and maintenance
has also risen ALI of these conditions
have taken place while the selling price
of gas has remained stationary.
Protected by Safeguard.
in view of all these considerations.
the commission feels that it would be
unmindful of its plain duty II 1t re-
fused to grant such measure or reiie1
as existing conditions not only show
to be proper. but thoroughly Justified
Reference is made to the TACT mat
an appeal is now pending from the Tor
mer valuation of the properties OF the
Washington and Georgetown Gas Light
companies and the agreement made
between the commission and the COM
pany to preserve in all respects the
interest of the public should it appear
by any proceeding that an increase in
rates should not have been allowed
by the commission at this time This
agreement is as follows:
I'm the matter of it's application for
an increase in the price to be charged
for gas. in consequence of the condi-
lions shown by the evidence taken I'M
der it, and in order to obviate any OBJ
stacle which it has been suggested may
exist by reason of the pending appeal
from the order fixing the valuation of
it's property, the Washington Gas Light
Company states its Willingness to ac-
cept that valuation as the basis for
such rate as the commission may fix
under the company'S pending applica-
ton. to be binding upon it as the cor
rect valuation, without prejudice to and
notwithstanding the appeal. for such
period of time as the rate which the
commission shall fix under the said ap-
plication shall continue.
1.-The gas company further agrees tina t
if it shall appear from the final deci-
sion in the valuation appeal case now
pending in the Supreme Court of the
District of Colum bia, or otherwise, that
the existing rate which it is permitted
to charge to consumers of gas could or
should not legally have been increased,
the company will refund to the consum-
ers any difference between the existing
rate and the increased rate which the
commission shall find to be proper"
Protected by Safeguard.
| THE commission believes states the
order. that by this agreement the pub
lie is protected by every safeguard
within the commission to require.
The increase in the cost of produc-
ton has been occasioned by conditions
brought about by the war and has i'm
posed a burden which must be borne
| by both producer and consumer and so
distributed as to be eQuitab BILE to both
Under the conditions which have arisen
because of an unprecedented situation
and in view of all the circumstances of
the case, and after giving the rights of
| the company and of the citizens the
| most careful study, the commission
feels that the fixing of price for gas
which would yield approximately 6
per cent return to the company on the
| comm isSion'S valuation of its property
/ VIII enable the company to sustain its
/ credit and conduct it's business at a
| reasonable profit, and that the in
| creased cost to the consumer should be
| cheerfulIy accepted as his share of an
| unavoidable burden"
The order provides that if any pri
vate consumer shall not pay monthly
any gas bill within ten days after the
same shall have been presented the
gas company may charge and collect
from the delinquent 10 cents addition.1
Tor each LOCO feet OF gas represented
by the bill as now required by law
! 1t also provides that the qualify and
| pressure OF gas shall at all times COM