Evening star., 1949-06-12
Washington Gas Holds
Selling Of Equipment
Benefits Customers

Dene1lIS IuSIUWeIS
The Washington Gas Light Co
last night defended Its policy OF
selling heating equipment and ap-
pliances as being in the best
interests of its customers.
Earlier in the day the Master
Plumbers Association condemned
such sales practices as forcing gas
consumers to pay heavy saddi-
tional costs which are not fully
disclosed" in reports Of the COM
pany to the Public Utilities Com
mission.
The plumbers said they had re-
tanned william A. Roberts. former
District Peoples Counsel and the
Associated Professional Services to
take their case to the PUG.
Threat In Answered.
Answering that threat. Everett
]. Boothby. the gas company pres
ident, said:
I'VE are confident that any pro-
ceedings initiated to investigate
this matter will demonstrate the
soundness Of the company's posi~
ton"
George c. Webster. chairman Of
the Public Utilities Committee Of
the Master Plumbers charged that
the heating equipment sales "in-
volve unfair trade practices and
unjust competition"
He said the merchandising bus
mess "can be continued only be-
cause the gas company can use
Its great size and resources. its
control Of gas and the personnel,
space and equipment which are
reflected in its operating expenses
against the gas consumers.
The plumbing group asserted
that other gas companies had
dropped out Of the sales business
"A point the Washington COM
pany disputed-and that "the ap-
pliance end of the business will
help boost price Of gas to con-
sumers."
Mr.. Boothby said In his state
ment:
For many years Washington
Gas Light Co. has promoted the
use Of gas by the sale of gas
appliances Of all types. 1t has
been the pioneer distributor in
this area Of gas space heating
equipment as well as other gas
appliances.
During the recent period when
1t was not possible for the COM
pany to procure additional gas
and when limitations were placed
on the use of gas for space heat
ing purposes. the company and
other appliance dealers virtually
ceased selling gas heating equip
ment to replace other types Of
fuels.
when these limitations were
removed several months ago, the
company made plans to return
to the active sale of gas heating
equipment. At that time q group
of Washington plumbers de-
manded that the company dis
continue the sale Of such equip
ment.
Demand Is Considered.
"The company gave careful con-
sideration to the demand Of the
plumbers, before reaching its de-
cision. The company is Of the
opinion that 1t would not be in
the best interest Of the gas users
Of Washington for the company
to cease selling gas space heating
equipment or any other gas ap-
pliances.
Practically all gas companies
are actively engaged In the sale
Of gas appliances. It Is In the
welfare of our customers that the
maximum use of gas be developed
by the aggressive merchandising
Of gas appliances. This Is the only
way that the cost Of services can
be kept at the lowest possible
levels.
Moreover, the company's books
are kept in accordance with the
uniform system Of accounts pre-
scribed by the Public Utilities
Commission Of the District Of
Columbia"
A steer buried two days under
a haystack In Tasmania was
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