The Washington herald., 1918-03-16
9O-CENT GAS
ISSANCTIONED
FROM MAR. 20
Increased Cost of Raw Ma,
terial Cause for Decision
of Public Utilities.

Official orders for ninety cent gas
in Washington were issued by the
Utilities Commission late yesterday
afternoon. The rate will apply to all
gas furnished after March 20. 1918.
The raise was granted. following
testimony submitted at public hear
ings before the Commission. wherein
evidence submitted showed that the
costs of coal at the mine during 1911
had increased from $4.55 to $5.35 per
ton. and oil had risen from 4 IL cents
per gallon to cents.
Coal and OIL Higher.
1T Is self-evident," statement OF
the commission accompanying the
order for a raised rate says. that
when the cost of coal TO the gas man.
ufacturer increases % per cent. and
the cost of oil So per cent. the cost
OF the manufactured gas will in
crease in approximately similar
proportion so far as those basic ele-
ments are concerned. and will be
further increased IL 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.
I'm view of all these considera tons,
the commission feels that it would be
unmindful of its plain duty il il re-
fused to grant such measure Of re-
lief as existing conditions not only
show TO be proper, but thoroughly
justified"
Since an appeal is now pending
from a commissions former valuation
of the properties of the Washington
and Georgetown Gas Companies, an
agreement was required from the
company whereby the company states
its willingness to accept that valua-
ton used by the company as the
basis for the 90 cent rate under the
pending application.
THE gas company further agrees" "
the article states. that If it shall ap-
pear from the final decision in the
valuation appeal case now pending In
the Supreme Court of the District of
Columbia, or otherwise, 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 exist
ing rate and the increased rate which
the commission shall find to be prop
er."
The commission believes" II IS
stated. that by this agreement the
public is protected by every safeguard
within the power OF the commission to
require"
The order reads:
1T being the opinion OF the com.
mission that the circumstances Justify
an increase in the rate TO be charged
Tor gas. II is, therefore ordered that
the rate to be charged for gas fur
n1shed by any public utility to any
private consumer in the District OF
Columbia for lighting. heating, power
or for any other purpose, shall not
exceed 30 cents per 1000 cubic feet.
That this rate shall apply unf.
formly to all private consumers in the
said District of Columbia, whether
supplied with gas by the WASHINGTON
Gas Light Company or by the George
town Gas Light Company.
Ten Cents for Late Payment.
That il any private consumer of
gas shall not pay monthly gas bill
within ten days after the same shall
have been presented, the gas COM
pany supplying gas to such consumer
may charge and collect from said
consumer so failing to pay said gas
bill as aforesaid ten cents additional
for each 1000 cubic fet of gas rem
resented by said bill as now required
by law.
THAT the quality and pressure of
gas furnished by the said Washing
ton Gas Light Company and by tho
said Georgetown Gas Light Comnanv
shall at all times comply with tho
standards now prescribed therefor Inv
this commission.
That this yate shall applv to all
gas furnished after March 81, 1918.
and snail continue in force until
changed by the Commission