The Washington times., 1920-02-02
Company May File Petition for
Increase on or Before
April l.
LABOR CONDITIONS BLAMED
May Be Satisfied With Present
Rate II Other Prices
Come Down. !.

Continuance of the present gas
rate, which is 50 cents per thousand
cubic feet, or a higher rate. will b.
asked of the Public Utilities Cum-
mission by the Washington Cas-
Light Company on or before April
| next, the date of the expiration of
the existing rates.
This was learned today from tie
report of Howard S. Reesido, presi-
dent OF the gas light company, sub
mitted to the company's sto.'.-
holders today.
Hinges ON Labor Prices.
The increased rate will be sought
only If the prices of labor and mate
rial maintain their same level or
show signs of an increase.
! The report of President Reesidc
december 81. 1919 president Recsidc
ssevfews the work of the year. and
points out that the sudden ending OF
the war increased the consumption OF
gas here, rather than decreased 1t, as
was expected.
Some provision must be made to
increase the holding capacity of the
gas company, says Mr.. Reeside, who
tells his stockholders that the plain
duty of the company is to make
preparations for the future.
The expectancy of a falling off In
the population of the Capital, the war
being over, and a consequent falling
off in the demands for gas, has not
been realized" says Mr.. Reeside. "On
the other hand, the consumption has
steadily increased. During the past
year the plants have been working al
full capacity. especially in the win
ter months, and every precaution has
been taken by the management 10
meet this increased demand.
Large Sums ExpendeA-
Large amounts of money have been
spent on the works to have them in
thorough repair, and increased man
ufacturing apparatus has been In
stalled. That we have been able to
meet without difficulty the heavy
strain put on the works has been
gratifying to your directors"
Additional manufacturing capacity,
either of water, gas or coal gas, IL
needed, says the report. A step in
this direction has been, taken by en-
gineers who have been studying the
question for some months, it is
pointed out.
The sale of gas in the District has
increased 60 per cent during the past
five years, says Mr.. Reeside in point
ing out the need of larger holding
capacity.
4 shortage in gas oil is predicted
in the report. Continues Mr.. Rec
side:
"In water gas manufacture the
principal item of expense, outside
of labor, is for anthracite coal and
gas oil. when you consider thai
20, 900 tons of anthracite coat, cost
ing in the neighborhood of SO q
ton, and 100000 gallons of gas oil
are required annually for our pres
ent output, the uncertainty and ar
ratio prices of gas oil is a matte
that must be given careful const1
GRAFTON. Unquestionably there is go
ing to be a shortage OF gas oil, ~
less there are discoveries in new
fields. and the oil industry of today T.
now engaged in diverting its refining
OF gas oil into other channels that
will bring to it higher prices, such
as motor fuel and gasoline"
More Apparatus Needed.
President Recside takes the Erest
part of his report to point out the
need for more gas manufacturing
apparatus. The company has land on
which to build n gas plant, Mr.. Rec
side said. This location is the
Analosiau Island, purchased for that
purpose.
"Thc site is deal" says the re-.
port. the best possible location. snS
about the only one with water fscili-
ties and railroad near. 1t comprises
about eighty acres of land"
II additional eas plapt apparatus Is
built a market must be developed for
by-products, such as coke, tar and
ammonia, it is stated.
Approval of the action OF the Dis
trfct Commissioners in sending 20
Congress n bill which would make
possible the consolidation OF the
Washington Gas Light Company ana
the Georgetown Gas Light Company
was expressed.
The company stated tina, Il has In
creased wages Of employees from tiiu'
10 time. and that. ns fnr as labor Ia
concerned. the company H. running
satisfactorily. " r. said that e..
efforts Of the management to supply
GOOD service and continue the roo
will OF the consumer have not been
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