Evening star., 1932-03-05
GAS COMPANY NETS
sl52,6@ IN MONTH
Earnings for January Marred
by Warm Weather, Re.
port Reveals.
BY EDWARD C. STONE.

BY EDWARD L. STONE.
Substantial profits of $152, ,69605 were
earned by the Washington Gas Light
Co. in January, although lower than the
net income of $l72,472 in January, 1881
according to the monthly report just
filed with the Public Utilities Commits
sion. Warm weather was one of the big
factors in the difference.
Operating revenues totaled $573,-
like month in 1881; operating ex-
penses required $314,4s1.73 in Janu-
AIRY of the present year, compared with
1891, ,148.70 a year ago, this items re-
vealing a very marked reduction in
operating costs.
Taxes ate up $35. 5.481 as this January,
against S38 05640 in the first month of
1881, leaving an operating income of
1921 .552.77. in comparison with s241,-
964.76 in the like period last year Gross
income totaled $2232 23317, against
$239.613.40.
The usual deductions for interest
payments and other purposes took $70,-
53712, against S67,13840 a year ago.
These deductions from the gross earn
1ngS left the above-mention net of well
over S152,000 That another excellent
years earnings is facing the gas COM
pany is clearly indicated by the Janu-
ary record as well as by the expansion
OF earnings during the latter part of
1881
Georgetown Report Also Filed.
According to the January report of
the Georgetown Gas Light Co., also
filed with the Public Utilities Commits
sion. operating revenues amounted to
$ll9, ,758.48, compared with the higher
figures of $139,8 701 in January, 1881.
Operating expenses, however, we're
lower, totaling $95, 1929, compared
with S1149l1.90 a year ago.
Taxes called for S3,592 against 81 .228
IN January, 1881, leaving an operating
income of $l9,983 against $20, 0,50683.
Gross income amounted to s2l ,63S IA,
while this item last year stood at $22,-
O4O18.
Total deductions consumed 81 ,562 80
this figure in January, 1881, standing
at S4,86908, leaving net income at al
most exactly the same figure as a year
ago, profits being $17075.34, against
S17,l71.lO, here again the warm weather
preventing increase in earnings.
Food Show Opens Tonight.
Preparations were completed today
Tor the formal opening of the first an
nual United Food Stores Exposition in
the washington Auditorium tonight at
1880 O'Clock. The show sponsored by
more than go affiliated grocers in the
District, will continue through next
week.
Members of the Board of District
commissioners and other high public
officials, as well as a group of leading
citizens, have been invited to attend the
opening ceremonies, which will be
marked by reception and program of
entertainment.
Essentially a constructive and educa-
tional movement the show will be fea-
tured by many exhibits designed to ac-
quaint housewives and other visitors
with food manufacture and handling.
ano authorities in the domestic field will
give demonstrations and talks on these
subjects each day
Starting Monday afternoon with the
opening OF baby popularity contest
that will continue all week, a series of
entertaining competitions has been ar
ranged, with handsome prizes to be
given winners.
Business Failures Less Serious.
According to the Federal Reserve
Bank of Richmond. business failures
Eeno TO increase in January because of
Lhe pressure OF year-end settlements.
ana IN the fifth district this year there
was a moderate rise in the number of
nlSolvencies in comparison with Decem-
bel, 1881. The January. 1882. record
however, was the best in both number
OF failures and in total liabilities in
VOWED reported in any other January in
several years.
There were 159 bankruptcies in the
n1tn district, compared with I4O in De-
cember, 1881. and 203 in January 1ea1
rot since 1924 has a lower number of
failures been reported for January
Llaplltles totaled S2,4O4. 800, a lower
hgure than either 81, ,3O1 $50 for Decem-
". pgr OF S4,339,O19 for January. 1881.
Inc months liabilities were the lowest
iOf any January since 1929 and. with
Ine exception of that month, were the
lowest Tor any January since 1920.
keech Sees Improved Demand.
The weekly review of F. F. Keech g.
Co, brokerage house, calls attention to
the fact that President Hoover has
signed the Glass-Steagan bill. An anti
hoard1ng drive with banks selling babv
ponoS is under way. The American
Legion employment drive is reported as
ALREADY having found employment for
hundreds of thousands of people. These
are steps which should and must i'm
prove confidence in the immediate fu-
ture. This confidence will develop de-
mand
Even though times have been bad the
individual has still had an eye upon
keeping up with the JoneseS." For
the past year ''the Joneses" have not
bought more than the bare necessities.
With the return of confidence the
Joneses' will buy. If ''the Joneses" buy.
the Smiths, the Browns and the Whites
will buy. The slightest bllyinp is re-
f1ected at once in an order to the man
ufacturer The manufacturer has been
pursuing a hand-to-mouth buying policy
and SO when he gets an order he must
buy his raw material. This is a chan
mel by which stimulation is reflected in
commodities the review adds.
Highlights in A. T. & T. Report.
The American Telephone g. Telegraph
annual report shows a decrease of 292,-
600 phones in 1881 against a gain of
122,500 in 1880. Local calls were off l
per cent, but long-distance calls in
creased 6 per cent.
Operating revenues decreased S28.-
100000, or 2 per cent, during the year,
but total expenses were reduced S29.-
100000. Net earnings were at the rate
of 81 per cent on the cost of plant and
other assets. Earnings per share, as
already announced, were S905 against
S10.44 in 1880.
During the year the company's
foreign service was greatly extended.
Ship-to-shore phone service was ex-
tended 70 additional liners, making
seven in all. Radio stations and
service to airports are being expanded
constantly. New installations were
greater than in any year prior to 1928