The Washington times., 1921-02-01
PROTEST RATE
FOR POOR GAS
Prince Georges Citizens Hold
Indignation Meeting TO Lay
Charges Against N. G. Co.

W. Mines Mallory, chairman o.
the Maryland Public Service Com
mission, this afternoon stated h
will cause a thorough investigation
to be made of the bookkeeping sys
TEN Of the Hysttsville Gas and Flee
trio Company, the concern which l,
charged with distributing gas Of in
ferior quality and at an exorbitant
rate to residents of Prince George
County. u
HOLD INDIGNATION MEET.
Mr.. MaIloy's intention was made
known at "A hearing OF the Public
| Service Commission In Star Hall, MI
4 Rainier, at which committees of In
dignsnt citizens voiced their protest
against the steep gas rate and the
poor service
The citizens are seeking to have
tha present rate of 81 a thousand
cubic feet reduced TO Sl.60, and TO
eliminate the nifty cents month
services charge imposed by the gas
company.
Testimony brought out that the
flow of gas is so poor and the quail
ity Of the commodity is 30 inferior
that housewives OF Hyattsvilie, Mt.
Rainier and Riverdale are compelled
to resort to the fashioned coal
stoves to prepare meals for their
families.
In addition, II was pointed out, the
flow of gas Is cut off frequently,
with the possibility OF causing as
phyxiation when the flow Is resumed.
Last October, 1t was testified. the
gas company Increased It's rate from
$l.75 to 81 q thousand cubic feet. This
a ho
enough. but 1.-The back OF the camel
was broken" when an extra charge of
SO cents q month was added TO the
gas bills for meter charges"
The citizens committees, made up
of prominent residents of Hyattsville.
Riverdale and Mount Rainier, decided
to take the matter up with the Public
Service Commission. The hearing. ac-
cordingly, was set for today.
One Of the star witnesses at the
hearing was the Rev. l.. l.. Brown.
pastor of the Mount Rainier Christian
Church. Last November. he testified.
along came a bill for $3.50. The cler-
eyman decided he never used that
much gas in his home. So he asked
to have the meter removed and an
other installed in its stead. In De-
cember the bill came to $40. he said.
~ mailed the gas company my per-
sonal check for the amount, and the
officials later stated l had not PAID
my BILL" Mr.. Bowen said. Il pointed
out that 1 had done so. Then they
said that they had sent me the bill
for the gas used by the church"
Mr.. Bowen said the service Is ex-
tremely poor. The gas is forced
through the pipes by air, he said. and
at times the gas goes out while
Tnln
housewife keeps an eagle eye open
for Its returning flow. the family Is
in grave danger of asphyxiation.
Charles j. Peckman. chairman Of
the Mt. Rainier Citizens Committee.
said the women of many homes are
compelled to get up an hour earlier
each morning in order to prepare
their husbands breakfasts in time for
them to get to work.
B. L. Salisbury. of Riverdale, said
his wife was unable to cook an egg
or toast on her gas range due to the
| inadequate supply of gas.
An illustration of the alleged poor
supply of gas was cited by r. St.
Clair Smith He said his wife had
placed an aluminium boiler of about
six inches in diameter on her gas
range, and filled it with water. At the
end of twenty-six minutes the water
had not boiled.
Several witnesses testified they
were compelled to resort to old-fash-
toned coal and wood stoves in order
to cook food for their families. The
flow Of gas. 1t was stated, is par
ticularly inadequate at the breakfast
and dinner hours.
w. Mines Mallory, chairman OF the
Maryland Public Service Commission,
presided at the hearing.
The Hyattsville delegation was
composed of Mayor T. Hammond
Welsh, DR.. Thomas f. Lattimer, Will