Evening star., 1942-09-14
CurtaiIed Use
OF Heating Gas
Held Possible
Firm Official Says
Oil Shortage May
Increase Demand

The possibility that Washington
residents will be asked to curtail
their use OF gas for heating during
the coming winter as an outgrowth
Of the expected fuel oil shortage was
expressed today by E. j. Boothby,
vice-president and general manager
OF the Washington Gas Light Co,
testifying at the rate hearing before
the Public Utilities Commission.
AT the same time, the PUG was
warned by Harry r. Booth, utilities
counsel for the Once of Price Ad-
miniStration, that If the rate in.
crease sought by the company under
the sliding scale" formula is al
lowed. Washington will rank second
highest in rates among cities OF
more than $4,000 population using
mixture of natural and manu-
factured gases. Federal Power
Commission statistics indicate that
Washington now ranks seventh in
this category, with an average bill
OF $10.78 for customers heating their
homes with gas.
Normal Increase Can Be Met.
Mr.. Boothby estimated that
under prevailing conditions" the
company was in a position to meet
next winters demands. He ex-
planned this appraisal of the gas
situation was predicated on a nor
mally increasing demand brought
about by the Capitals continually
growing population.
II we are faced with a very seri-
Gus Oil shortage in the District, how
ever" he added, "and as a result
many people start to use heaters
and ranges for heating purposes, it
is possible for the demand to tax
our facilities very seriously and it
may be necessary to appeal to. the
general public to conserve gas.
Other than that, we can meet the
demands"
AT several points during this
mornings session charges that the
nearing was being rushed through"
were made by Mr.. Booth after COM
pany counsel raised objections to
attempts by him to question wit
nesses on matters relating to the
computation OF gas rates under the
sliding scale" method.
Proposal Called Infiationary.
The position of the company is
most extraordinary and uncaIled
for." Mr.. Booth declared. "I don't
appreciate the effort Of the company
to rush this case"
The OPA attorney, arguing against
what he described as the infiationarv
character Of the proposed rate in
crease. pointed out that every pre-
sumption, In the absence Of any
critical situation, ought to be re-
solved against . rate increase at
this time"
At one point in the hearing, after
Commissioner Gregory Hankin had
engaged IN discussion with Mr..
Booth, he was rebuked by Chairman
James H. Flanagan, who said that
IF the commissioner insists on act
ing as q counsel for the OPA. Of
course I can't stop that" Both Mr..
Hank1n and Mr.. Booth vehemently
objected to the accusation.
Company counsel repeatedly Of
fered objections to Mr.. Booths line
OF questioning of witnesses.
Il don't think Mr.. Stevens (Stod-
dard Stevens, special counsel for
the gas company ought to imply
that should try this case only in
a way that would make the record
look good for his company. Mr..
Booth declared.
Night Session May Be Held.
Mr.. Stevens earlier had charged
the OPA counsel with dragging q
red herring across the record"
Earlier Mr.. Boothby upheld the
inclusion Of the company's promo
tional expenses in calculations of
new rates. He pointed out that such
expenditures are necessary to enable
the company to retain its proper
place In the District when this is
over"
No company can neglect its pro-
motion and expect to pick up again
where 1t left OF when the war ends"
Mr.. Boothby said. "It would be
very uneconomical to do So"
The PUG, in its anxiety to con-
clude the current hearing, has
promised 1t would hold a session
tonight if testimony has not been
concluded late this afternoon.