The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-02-16
HEARINGS ON
GAS RATE ARE
FINISHED BY
COMMISSION
BY BILL PRICE.

The Utilities Commission today
finished its hearings on the applica
ton OF the Washington Gas Light
Company for an increase of the rate
to consumers from % cents per 1000
cubic feet to S1.lO per thousand. and
a decision from that body should be
made within another week.
After concluding testimony by
James II. BOtz. one of the experts OF
the Utilities Commission upon the
comparative cost OF gas production in
January. 1917, and January, 1918. At
tOrney Darlington. for the company,
entered upon final argument, making
interesting revelations, one OF them
being that the company is nearing the
time when it must increase its CAPT
talizatiOn and Issue bonds to obtain
funds with which to enlarge and i'm
prove its system. 1t still has au,
thority to dispose OF a former issue of
bonds amounting to 5000. 900. but il
cannot market those bonds under eX.
listing financial conditions except at
material loss from their face value.
BdEadIer General knight.
Brlgadier General Knight. Engineer
Commissioner and member of the
commission, who took part in the
early hearings OF the application, was
too i'll to continue in the case. and
the final decision as to what gas is
to cost in this city may be with Com
missioners Gardiner and BrOwnlow.
The absence of General Knight may
cause stalemcte in the commission
IL the persistent questioning OF Com
missioner Gardiner along certain lines
is an indication OF his final purpose.
Mr.. Gardiner asked many questions
to the same end OF Attorney Darling
ton today
The Commissioner has clearly in
Dictated his belief that the Utilities
Commission has no power to change
rates for gas until a valuation of the
property OF the company has been
finally settled upon. The Commits
sion some months ago agreed that the
property OF the company is worth
about $lO,30O,0 900, although its capt.
taliz. tion is $1,000 900. From that
valus ion the company has appealed
to the courts.
Mr.. Gardiner doubts whether Con-
gress, in fixing the percentage rates
at 80 cents for private consumers and
40 cents for the Government, intended
that the commission should have
power to change rates again until
valuation has been agreed upon by
both sides.
Attorney Darlington submitted va
rious arguments to throw light upon
this position. He could not see in the
laws any intention Of Congress to
take this view, and pointed out that
il that idea should prevail the Utili-
ties Commission blundered when II
lowered electric light rates to the
Washington public while an appeal
from a valuation OF its property was
pending in the courts. The gas COM
pany is asking for new rates upon the
valuation already fixed by the COM
mission and not upon it's own vAlua-
tiOn, which is being Contended for in
the courts.
Attorney Darlington did not believe
that rates could be changed by the
commission until valuations had been
made, although not necessarily accept
ed. but TO this Commissioner Brown
low disagreed. showing himself com
pletely at variance with Commissioner
Gardiner. Mr.. Brownlow believes the
power OF the commission is such that,
under extraordinary conditions. rates
may be changed prior to the finding
of valuation.