The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-12-11
GAS TO JUMP TO 95
CENTS OR 81 SOON
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Is that the Federal and municipal
governments have not yet agreed to
pay 30 cents for gas, falling back
upon failure Of Congress to appro-
PIRATE sufficient money to pay more
than 20 cents, the old rate OF some
years back. That, IT is claimed, is
srother loss OF $4,000 year, impos-
carrying the load.
The COmmIssiOn's position.
The position of the commission, as
, GScertained today, is that the gas
company must be allowed Q further
increase II the policy OF a per cent
return is TO be continued, and there
seems to be no purpose to depart from
that.
All the facts have not been brought
out, however. The experts of the
company are to be cross-examined and
the commission will put on the stand
its own experts, who will testify. as
to their conclusions. The coD1panys
figures will be analysed most care
fully, especially the claim that IL
must have an increase that will yield
q quarter Of million dollars more
than II is getting.
The members OF the Utilities Com
mission are eross-examining wit
nesses and show a determination to
know everything bearing on the sub
5ect.
A Sly Dig ut Darlington.
Commissioner Brownlow handed his
legal friend, J. ]. Darlington, of the
gas company, an interesting little
dig when Mr.. Darlington suggested
that IL material and wages go lower
the commission has the right and
power to again lower rates.
But II has been the experience OF
the communication" laughingly replied
Mr.. Brownlow, that when a rate is
Increased 1t goes into effect at once,
but when It is reduced It does not go
into effect inside OF two to five
years"
Potomac Electric light rates, re-
duced nearly a year and a half ago,
are still subject of legal contention in |
the courts, and q final decision may
not be obtained for three or -four
years.
Public 0wnershlp May Come In.
Albert II. Todd, Of Kalamazoo, |
president OF the Municipal Ownership |
League OF America, is in washington
70 represent his organization this |
winter, and attended the first hear |
ing. Although the commission does |
not have before IL the question of |
public ownership of gas, and will not |
pass on Il, Mr.. Todd may be permitted |
10 submit, in writing, some interest |
ing views.
Formerly a member of Congress
md wealthy, Mr.. Todd Is devoting
his NaffRGran1k 49,
ing for control by the people of the
utilities which supply them with nee
essaries. Years ago the railroads
twice tried to put him out of BUSH
ness BY Illegal practices, and he won
over them. inducing Congress and the
Michigan legislature to enact laws to |
prohibit such practices.
Among vice presidents of this or
ganizatton are David J. Lewis, of this
city; Carl S Vroomal. Assistant Sec
Rotary of AgFiculture; Frank r. J.
Walsh, Jane Addamss and Amos Pin 4
ehot- ~
Has Studied In Europe.
Mr. Todd has travelled extensively
In Europe and this country studying
the operations OF public ownership,
national and local.
In every comparison between pub
lie ownership and private ownership,"I
he said today, ''the former gives
cheaper rates to the public and very
much better service. 1t means lower
salaries to high officials and a saw
ing of money in all directions.
Il cannot see the necessity for anvil
raise Of rates of gas in Washington
from facts and figures, before me.
Richmond, Va, your neighbor. owns
Its own gas plant; is furnishing gas
at so cents and paying splendid
profits. A small plant in an out
lying suburb is allowed to charged
% cents In 1916 the Richmond plant,
with low rates of gas to consumers
paid $271. 900 net into the city treas
ury.
Indianapolis today is selling gas
ut 90 cents and 1t is OF fine quality.
1t belongs TO citizens, but will ulti- 1
mately become the property of the !
THE same thing is true in many
other cities could mention.
81 recently had the best known ex-
pert In the United States investigate !
gas conditions in Kalamazoo. He re-
ported that the city could buy the {
plant in full in twenty years. when IT
would be owned, free of indebted q
ness, by the people" &
Don't stop buyinE War Savings ]
IA