Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-01-04
U.S.NEEDPAY ONLY
70cENTS FOR GAS
Same Rate Applies to Dis
trict Government, Treasury
Controller Rules.
NINETY CENTS TO HOMES

No higher rate than 10 cents per
1000 feet may be charged the gov
ernments of the United States or of
the District of Columbia for gas con-
stunned in the District of Columbia
since September I. 1916
Although the law of September 1.
1916, also prescribes rate of 70
cents to the private consumer bf gas
supplied by the Washington Gas
Light Company, and declares that no
higher rate shall be charged after
October l. 1915, a. proviso of that Sec
construed as limiting or taking away
any of the powers now vested by law
in the public utilities commission of
the District o Columbia.
Under this provision it would seem
that the authorization of the Public
Utilities Commission, under date of
March IS. 1s1s, to the Washington
Gas Light Company, to charge rate
not to exceed 80 cents is egal
Actions Sustained.
The ruling of the acting controller
of the Treasury, c. M. Force, is made
on the appeal of the corporation from
the action of the disbursing officer
and auditor, refusing to pay a rate
in davance of 10 cents for govern
these actions.
The provisions Of the act of Sep
tember i, 1918 in reference to the
rate of gas supplied to federal and
local governments, reads:
That hearafter no part of any
money appropriated by this OF any
other act shall be used for the pay
ment to the Washington Gas Light
Company or the Georgetown Gas
Light Company for any gas furnished
bS said companies fo- use in any of
the public buildings of the United
States or the District of Columbia, at
a. rate in excess of 70 cents per 1000
cubic feet.
Acting Controller Force rules:
Law Until Repealed.
The words hereafter and this or
any other act clearly show that the
first paragraph of section of the act
OF September 1, 1915, is permanent
legislation. 1t is the law until repealed
by Congress.
The accounting officers of the
Treasury are bound by such legisla-
ton and have no power to authorize
the payment from funds of the United
States contrary to the terms of said
legislation"
Law Affecting District.
The provision of the same law af-
fecting rates to private consumers
reads:
"On and after the first day of
October, 1915, the Washington Gas
Light Company shall not charge or
collect for gas furnished a private
consumer in any part of the District
Of Columbia a rate in excess of 10
cents per 1000 cubic feet of gas SO
furnished: Provided, that If con-
sumer of gas other than the govern
ment or the District Of Columbia shall
not pay monthly any gas bill within
been presented. said gas company
may charge and collect from any such
consumer SO failing to pay said gas
bill as aforesaid. 10 cents additional
for each 1000 cubic feet of gas repre-
scented BY said bill: And provided
shall be construed as limiting or TAX
ing away any of the powers now vest
ed by law in the Public Utilities Com
mission Of the District OF Columbia
action Of the Public Utilities Commits
sion, March Is, 1913, increasing the
rate for private consumers to 80 cents
and then rules:
Section s Of the act of September /,
1915. is divided into three paragraphs,
each OF which deals with separate
subject or subjects and each of which
Is complete in itself.
The flrst paragraph fixes the maxi
mum limit to be paid for gas fur
ntshed by the two companies named
for use In public buildings. Gas so
furnished may not be paid for at a
rate in excess Of 10 cents per thou
q n fS1Ih
propriated by the act Of September 1.
1916, or by any other act.
The second and third paragraphs
deal with the rates to be paid by pri-
yate consumers for gas furnished by
the two companies named. The sec
ond paragraph contains a proyiso
which continues the power vested by
law In the Public Utilities Commits
sion Of the District Of Columbia to
change the maximum limit to be paid
by private consumers for gas In ac-
cordance with the procedure set forth
In the act Grating fha said comunis.