Evening star., 1935-02-10
TAKOMA-D. c. UNIT
TO ASK REDUCTION
IN RATES FOR GAS
Citizens Contrast Virginia
Cut With One Now in
Effect Here.

A committee, representing the Citi-
zens' Association Of Takoma, D. c.,
soon VIII call on the District Public
Utilities Commission and request that
body to grant reduction in local gas
rates, pending the conclusion Of the
rate and valuation orders.
President Wallace c. Magathan,
committee spokesman. points out an
order for the revaluation Of the prop
critics of the Washington Gas Light
Co. and its subsidiaries has been pend
ing before the commission since the
record was closed in the Summer OF
1888. A recent order has been made
by the commission looking TO q revi-
sion Of he existing schedule OF gas
rates.
Virginia Rate C0ntrasted.
A similar rate order, with reference
to the gas manufactured by the Wash
ington Gas Light Co. and sold in Vir-
ginia through affiliated or wholly
owned companies, has resulted in ap-
proximately a 20 per cent reduction
by the Virginia Public Service Com
mission of the rates charged Virginia
residents, as contraSted with only a
temporary reduction of 8la per cent
now enjoyed by residents of Washing
ton, under a prior order Of the Public
Utilities Commission.
THE Washington Gas Light Co."
says Magathan, lis mixing into the
gas sold its patrons both inside and
outside Of the District, high per-
centage Of natural gas, which 1t Is
understood should be secured by the
company az cost substantially lower
than the cost at which gas is manu-
factured, and which natural gas 1t Is
understood does not burn efficiently In
the equipment for the burning Of man
ufactured gas owned at present by
householders and other users of gas.
The present schedule of rates per-
mits the Washington Gas Light Co.
to charge domestic users of gas under
schedule B a monthly charge of 81
per 1000 cubic feet of gas consumed
for the months OF October TO April,
inclusive, with minimum bill OF 81
per month for the same period. The
commission should Immediately issue
an order discontinuing the demand
charges for domestic users under this
schedule as being unconScionable and
unscientific."
Approve Cost Study.
The Executive Committee Of the as
sociation has gone on record favor
ing an investigation into the cost of
natural gas and into the use Of such
gas both with respect to its efficiency
under existing plant conditions OF
the company and the equipment OF
the user, and into the possibility OF
using gas in larger quantities to fur
ther reduce the rates to consumers in
the District. With view to determin-
ing whether consumers in this city
are in any way bearing costs or losses
arising out of the sale of gas TO
communities outside Of the District
the commission will be urged, in con-
nection with the pending rate and
valuation cases, to investigate the
sale of gas in Maryland and Virginia.
A special traffic light for pedes-
trians crossing at street intersections,
during which period vehicular traf-
fic is at standstill, is being urged by
George E Sullivan. local attorney,
who is chairman of the Laws and Leg
islation Committee of the Takoma,
! D. c., association. His proposition has
the Endorsement of that organization
| and District officials will be urged TO
give the matter early consideration.
Sullivan points out many pedes-
| trians are now crossing streets in
the center of blocks, rather than at
intersection, believing it safer, as
there are only two directions in which
| it is necessary to look before attempt
ing to cross to the opposite side Of
street Hundreds Of pedestrians
are daily caught in the center Of a
street intersection while crossing
legally on a green light, as automo-
! biles making left-hand turns, whirl
in back and front of them without
giving any consideration to the walk
ing public.
THE proposed ban," says Sullivan,
ION pedestrians crossing Of streets
elsewhere than at intersections is not
| only unwise, but absolutely mde-
| fenSible until some reasonable ade-
Quate safeguards are provided for
pedestrians at intersections, where
| they are now harrasSed and endan-
gered from every direction at the
same time, not only from straight
moving. traffic in both directions, but
also from right and left turning traf-
fic, which usually approaches the pc
| deStrian from behind. The danger is
all the greater here, as compared with
other cities, due to the width of the
streets and the consequent length OF
time the pedestrian is in jeopardy be-
fore completing the crossing. At all
congested intersections controlled by
lights it is entirely feasible and rea-
sonable to control and safeguard the
pedestrian traffic by a special light
! period, during which vehicular traf-
| fic should be prohibited and at the
same time prohibiting pedestrians