Evening star., 1922-02-17
WOULD
| CONTINUE GASRkTE
Hearing Before Commission
Also Relates to Present
Pressure Conditions.

The Washington and GEORGETOWN
gas light companies this afteroon
requested the Public Utilities Com
mission to continue tho present rates
for gas at least during the balance
Of 1922.
When the hearing on gas rates ad.
journed at noon for recess the COM
pantes had not yet reached the oues-
ton OF future rates, but BENJAMIN
Minor. their counsel, stated that the
company would argue for continu.
alton Of the present charges.
Mr. Minor said tho gas companies
feel that they are entitled to q re-
turn OF per cent on the value Of the
property used in the public service
tSsonshDrs present int rates 4 eontinnsd
| than per cent, he said the COM
| retained.
At present householders pay s1.1o
per thousand cubic feet for gaA The
price for lunchrooms and other COM
! mercial establishments decreases a.
consumption goes up.
Discuss Gas Pressure.
The morning session Of tho hearing
was devoted entirely to . discussion
Of gas pressure and means Of improv-
ing it In certain localities.
James = Mcllhenny. engineer Of the
"
He said that the pressure of gas In
the District ranges from q minimum
Of two inches to q maximum OF six
inches. which. he said. is lower than
The average pressure schedule for
the states, he said. Is from two to
eight inches. with q few cases from
two to twelve inches.
Mr.. McIlhenny about the eject Of in
creased pressure on gas service.
IT is more satisfactory. to con-
samers, sa1s so cns the witness replied We
sure. The higher the pressure % The
more perfect Is the combustion and
the quicker you can cook q meal.
Therefore. it is more enicient"
co% Ma1tss nt.,oc e. Az, Allen; secretary to the
] ness statement about high pressure
/ causing no complaint. He said the
| complaints which have come to the
| commission have concerned high
pressure, as II air were being blown
| Mr.. Mc1lhenny then explained that
| as pressure in a gas main 10 in
creased. consumers should adjust the
flow in their burners by manipulating
| the meter.
Consumption Of Gas.
| Mr.. McIlhenny said high pressure
has no effect on the consumption Of
gas If the burners are adjusted. Pres
sure is now good. he said, but will be
Improved in some localities by the
Installation Of mechanical equipment
In q number Of engine houses. which
will register at the gas works the
variations In pressure in the neigh
| borhoods Of the engine houses in
which this equipment is to be placed.
As these variations are shown at the
works the pressure can be promptly
/ n 3fsinSt0d. thA wftneS9 said.
| The company placed on the stand
J A. ]. Battaln. pressure expert from
philadelphia. He told the commission
pressure conditions In washington
Of a city which maintained SO many
stations to register pressure and
thereby keep track Of 1t.
William NICK. Clayton. representing
the Federation Of Citizens Associa.
the hearing that he had ten ques-
| tions he desired to put to ofhcials
| Of the company during the hearing.
Among them. in part. were the fol-
what are the business relations
existing between the Warrington and
the Georgetown companies and the
l gas companies operating In nearby
Maryland a1,a and w virf,Iia? 6.in1 mad. hv ,h.
Washington Gas Light Company to
secure an increase in the 70-cent
| rate per thousand cubic feet now paid
! by the national and District govern
| ments for gas?
| Is the heating unit of gas as now
| maintained an impairment Of the
| value Of gas for illumination pur-
| poses?
How many meters are removed in
one year for testing purposes after
complaints Of consumers. and the re-
| suit of such examination?
l The number Of consumers in the
District and the number whose bills
i are $11 or less and the number be-
l tween 81 and 81?
The amount Of gas manufactured
| and the amount actually sold?