Evening star., 1919-03-03
OPPOSES HIGHER
GAS RATES IN D. c.
Federation of Citizens Asso-
citation Goes on Record
at Meeting.

The Federation of Citizens Assecia-
tions, composed of twenty-seven citi-
zens' associations. has gone on record
as opposed to granting rate increases
to Washington and Georgetown gas
light companies.
The federation took up the matter
Saturday night at its regular meet
ing. In addition to the vote to go on
record in opposition to increased gas
rates, the members voted to instruct
the federation's committee on public
utilities to appear before the District
Public Utilities Commission Friday
morning. when a continued hearing
on the application will be held.
The federation members are aroused
over the attempt to raise rates, and
are determined TO fight to finish the
application granting the privilege to
EaShght companies to obtain more
money than they are now receiving
Wllliam Nick. Clayton, chairman OF
the public utilities committee, report
ed the results of an investigation into
gas rates in Richmond, Va. He said
that Richmond paid 20 cents per LOCO
cubic feet during the early part OF
the war, but this rate was increased
to so cents. He asserted that the
Richmond company was apparently
prospecting. In view of this fact, Mr..
Clayton could not understand why
Washington could not prosper by
selling gas at the rate of 80 cents per
1000 cubic feet, the present selling
price. He said he fails to understand
the reason for the request made by
Washington manufacturers of gas for
an increase to S1.10 per 1000 cubic
feet.
Minneapolis and ST. Paul, each ap-
proximately the size of Washington,
pay 80 cents and $l.02, respectively,
per 1000 cubic feet of gas, said Mr.
Clayton. Both of these cities, how
ever, it was pointed out. are in closer
proximity to coal productive sources,
which would affect the rates.
Cost Is Estimated.
Mr.. Clayton was of the opinion that
in the event the application was
granted, Washingtonians would have
withdrawn from their pocketbooks
about 100000 more than under the
present rate. He paid tribute TO the
company. Calling attention to the
efficiency Of it's service and its liberal
policy.
Concerning the poor quality Of gas
furnished consumers during the war,
Mr.. Clayton said that this was caused
by the war and will be remedied by
the company just as soon as possible
The federation voted to issue a
proclamation to the country at large,
urging that they make the question
of obtaining suffrage for the Dis
trict an issue at the polls. In the
proclamation citizens of the states are
requested to put before their repre-
sentatives in Washington the inJus-
tice done Washington by refusing to
II the vote and to urge these men to
further, in SO far as they are able,
the campaign of Westinghouse iT.
the cause. Thousands of copies o,
the proclamation will be sent broau-
cast throughout the country. and
plans were made to have association
members talk on the subject before
state societies in the District.
The Suffrage Issue.
Detailed outlines of the general
scheme of the committee on federal
relations of the federation to promote
the campaign for District suffrage was
submitted by Jesse P. Crawford, a
member Of the committee.
| Endorsement was given by the asso-
! citation to proposed police regulation
for the sale Of secondhand gas fix
lures as junk. The recommendation
was made by Robert H. McMackin of
the committee on fire and police pro-
lection. 1t is aimed particularly at
the theft of fixtures from vacant
houses.
Association members favored a sep
arate engine house for colored flremen.