Evening Star Newspaper, March 1, 1931, Page 6

FINES THREATENED T0 ENFORCE RULES Public Utilities Commission Warns Gas Company in Regulating Pressure. (Continued From First Page.) ence of hbnormal gas pressure, con- cluded his services at the commission yesterday, and tomorrow becomes an assistant to George A. G. Wood, presi- dent of the Washington Gas Light Co. Gen. Patrick, in his comprehensive analysis of the complaints over abnor- mal gas bills, declared that in a num- ber of cases “there s little doubt that s contributing cause may be higher pressures in the mains.” Persons ac- customed to using gas at lower pressure, he said, may have wasted gas, but the exercise of care in cooking will result in lesser meter readings and smaller In cases where the appliances are automatically operated, he pointed out, the apparatus should be regulated to conform to the higher pressure I ings. “This is not difficult” h> seid, “but in his own interest, each consumar should see that the proper changes are ! made.” Gen. Patrick’s Statement, Gen. Patrick’s statement follows: “Recently the commission many complaint: from consumers of gas as to the bills rendersd them by the two supplying companies. “Generally speeking, most of the complaints fall into two' categories: “(1) House heating, wher: consumers were induced to use gas by reason of an estimate of the total cost for the season made to them by rep- res'ntatives of the companies. e amounts of the monthly bills rendered have alarmed some users who fear that the said estimates will be exceeded. Others claim that they understood the total charge would be based upon the amount of gas at sixty cents (60c) per one thousand (1,000) cubic feet, while the average cost of this gas, the demand charg: included, is over seventy cents (70c) per one thousand (1,000) cubic Teet. “All that this Commission did or ecould do was to fix the house heating rates, which do include a demand charge, originally suggested by the com- pany, and a commodity charge, so much per one thousand (1,000) cubic fect of gas consumed. The commission under- stands that each gas house heating customer was given a guarantee that if the company’s estimate was exceded and the user so required, the apparatus would be removed, the amount paid for it refunded, and the user's h-ating in- stallation restored to the condition which existed before the said apparatus ‘was installed. Had No Control in Matter. “This is & business arrangement be- tween the companies and their cus- tomers. This commission exercised, and could exercise, no control over it. The customers apparently accepted the ar- rangement and it is assumed that the companies in good faith, will carry - out their part of the agreement. “(2) A very considerable number of complaints are directed to the amounts of bills rendered for what may be called ordinary domestic use, that is, cooking and water heating. A number of these eame to the commission after the bills rendered In the latter part of January had been received by the complainants. Apparently, the meter readers in De- cember hastened and finished their work prior to the Christmas holidays. The nmllfi‘. was that many of was made for this longer , the bills were fairly comparable with those rendered in January of 1930, ‘or De- ber, 1930, “In & nmumber of cases, however, it % complained that there has been an abnormal increase in the amounts of g‘mmnd and, consequently, larger rendered. £ Pressure Partially Blamed. “The commission has been diligently causes which may be re- le for these conditions. There is little doubt that a contributing caw may be ther pressures in the Owing to increased use of gas, cially for house heating, in order to ly the demand, the companies found it necessary to increase this pressure. ‘The ission mains have been in ce, in some localities, for many years, growtl*-of the city, the greatly in- use of gas, were not foreseen and these mains, while large enough | * ‘when lald, do not have the capacity to | pital. meet the present conditions satisfactor- “These facts have been called to the attention of the companies, and it is understood that steps are being taken to cure the deficiencies in question. ‘The commission means to insist that this work be prosecuted with the ut- most possible expedition. Meanwhile the commission has authorized a tem- porary increased pressure which, how- ever, must not exceed eight (8”) inches, and which, if proper care is exercised, should result in little or no increased consumption of gas, provided the con- sumer’s appliances are readjusted for new conditions. “Prior to now, the users of gas have had it delivered to them. under pres- sures of approximately six inches (6”) maximum and two inches (2) mini- mum. Their bills were based upon meter readings at these pressures. ‘Will Hasten Heating. “It is & fact that with the same valve opening higher pressure will deiiver through a given orifice or through the gas burner a larger amount of*gas i s given time. It is also a fact, how- ever, that this increased flow of gas makes available a larger number of heat units than would be delivered in the same time by the gas at a lower pressure. But on the other hand, ex- riments have shown that as the total T. heat units) delivered during Standard Plumbing Fixtures On Liberal Terms Free Estimates Let" us modernize your home NOW with Standard Plumbing Fixtures. 3 Years to Pay. General Heating Co. Hesting & Plumbing 801 10th St Nat. 3066-3067. has had | ns. | U opening it should cooking with gas under t! sure than wi !’h"e.wul the ncreased llowing for the same kng;hnof tim “Even with higher pressures, and with no change in the burners, where the valves are operated by hand, it is quite possible to regulate the gas flame so that it will still take about the same time to cook as with the lesser pressures, and the consumption of gas will be little, if any, greater. The exercise of such care in doing cooking will result in lesser meter lings and smaller bills. Should See to Changes. “Where the ordinary type of water heater is in use and where the gas is turned on automaticslly, the apparatus should be regulated to conform to the higher pressure conditions. This is not difficult, but in his own interest each consumer should see that the proper changes are made. “The Commission has investigated every individual complaint which it has received. It has impressed upon the gas company the necessity for reme- dial measures. It has insisted and is insisting that the regulation of gas appliances should be prosecuted vigor- ously in order to meet the changed con- ditions, and as indicated above, it is particularly insistent that the larger measures of relief, greater main capa- city, must be supplied in order that the yressures in the mains may be kept at a onable figure. In this connection |it .has alveady scrved notice on both gas companies that the temporary au- \thorized eight-inch pressure must nct be exceeded anywhere in the city. The Commission is making constant tests and will see that these orders are obeyed or thal fallure to obey them will carry with it the penalties pre- scribed.” GROCER WOUNDED BY CUSTOMER HERE Unidentified Man Shoots John Joseph Gormley in George- town Store. John Joseph Gormley, 49, grocery store proprietor at 1058 Jefferson street, | was In a serious condition at George- | town University Hospital early this| morning, after having been shot in the thigh by an unidentified colored msn late last night John W. Flood, colored, 24 years old, of 1627, Thirty-fourth street, is being held by police of the seventh precinct for questioning in connection with the | shooting. He was arrested by police of the third precinct on Twenty-second street, shortly after the shooting, and | is said to answer the description broad- cast by police. He carried no weapon when arrested. Mr. Gormley, the father of five chil- dren, was shot in the right thigh by the colored man, who fled immediately. Mrs. Gormley, in the rear part of the | store, heard the two shots fired and Tan_scream! unable to see the gunman. She had tl’m b:tumed from putting her children Police could advance no motive for the act. The attacker came into the store, asked for a package of oats, and while Mr. Gormley had his back to h! shot _twice, police were told. Robert W. Dunnigan, 1057 Jefferson Deaths Reported. The foliowing deaths have been r the Health Department in the past John Be. §3, 3453 Holmead Bara K Teg. 8i, Gailinger Hospi, a E_Heck. 81, 216 8. Car. ave. R. Willlams, 13, 1700 T. ,Osborne 8. Lyons, 66, St, Elizabeth's Hos- pital cnry W. Lee, 53. Naval Hospital Providence ura C,' Ghant, 53, allinger He Walter 34, Tourists Gam idewalk, House of Dex QR0i%e, M, Tunn. 3 1338 B e eoital . Shipp. 37, inger 3 L. Hern. 32, *Georseron niversity” Hospital. pioan Circhino, 8" months, Children’s Hos- pifilice H. Reik, 3 hours, Walter Reed Hos- Naney Johnson, 81, Home for Aged and r:';nm:in Osborne, 72, Home for Aged and In- Eiizabeth Adams, 71, 3016, Sherman ave. Leroy Bummers. 61, wer Hospital. B, Nenia, §8, Home for Aged and nfirm Viola Hart, 54, en route Emergency Hos- rted to hours: Sophi Lucy Montgomery, 21, 2005 11th st. a Dent, 16 months, Freedmen’s Hos- n Shores, 10 months, Children's nipes. 4 hours. Children's Hospital. B Branam, 4 monihe. 1162 374 n'e. Lee, 8 hours, 805 Fla. ave. Hop! Henry Jo seph May Lizzie TOPC A AN N AN AR N ing .to the street, but was | sto: and Helen P. im, | RV street, attracted by the woman's calls, | p "% en route Georgetown | 4 THE SUNDAY STAR, WASH CITIZENS TOWATCH Florence Pastors To Pray President DISTRICT GAS RATE| W Sign Shoale it uen |Federation Orders Committee to Guard Against Excessive Charge. ‘The Federation of Citizens’ Associa- tions last night adopted a revolution in- troduced by Chailss 1. Stengel of Pet- worth, calling on its Public Utilities Committee to guard interests of eit- izens zealously against excessive charges for gas. The resolution, as adopted, reads: “That the Committee on Public Util- ities be instructed to watch carefully and guard zeslously the interests of the citizens in the matter of the in- vestigation of the reported excessive charges for the use of gas in the Dis- trict of Columbia.” Shortly after the resolution was adopted Willlam McK. Clayton, chair- man of the committee, handed over to the secretary of the federation an editorial from the Washington Daily News, and asked that it be read and adopted by the federation as its policy on the gas situation. “Error in Judgment.” ‘The editorial dismissed the recent employment by the Washington Gas Light Co. of Bert M. Peck, chief engi- neer of the Public Utilities Commission, after Mr Peck had been engaged in investigating alleged high pressures of he gas company for the commission as “an error in tactical jus ent.” ‘The motion was unanimously adopted. ‘The subject of gas came up frequently during the meeting. At one time Mr. Clayton was praising the sliding scale nrr':'nnmenz in force in fixing electric Tates. Gas Reductions MHit. “What other utility do we have,” he ed, “with a hi of reducing rates? Of course, there is the gas c¢)mpany. It reduced its rates, but when it did that we found that when we bit into the apples they were the apples of Sodom—they changed to ashes in our mouths.” At another time Delegate E. 8. Hege rose to ask if Mr. Clayton knew how long Mr, Peck had been working on his investigation of the company’s pres- sures before it hired him. Dr. George C. Havenner, presidert of the federa- tion, protested, and sald that if any- body would make a point of order against the question, he would sustain it, Nobody made the point, but Mr. Hege' subsided, waving his hand with a gesture of resignation, without sayirg another word. ————e Writer Freed as Plotter. LISBON, Portugal, February 28 (#).— Gustovo Matos Sequeria, inent writer and high customs official, re- cently imprisoned on suspicion of han- dling contraband arms for revolution- a , was released today after Ty purposes, establishing his innocence. S iy Marriage Licenses. Bernard A. Essex. 22, and Alice P. Klein- dienst. 21: Rev. Paul J. Dougherty. Tsanc Michaeison, 40, Hampden, Va. and Minnie Wolf, 20, this city; Rev. G. Silver- Wo Piasette. 31, this ety and Eisde 15, Bailey, N. C.; Rev. John E. tin_‘Trotter, 32, and Emily Willlams, Rev. Cornelius 8. Abbott. bert Gafiney, 37. and Aiice 8. Grifith, . Bernard Braskamp. Henty' C. Hoffman. Brooklyni. N, Y. 33, this eity} ne, Jack lov Donald sV, v. 3. vell, . Atlanta, . Phillipg. 23, Narciaste Thompaon, 33 “Rev. "Fomas on. Joteph B. Sewell, ‘21, and Edna Willikms, 19; Rev. R. D. Botis. Osborne T. Green, 24, Va., and B. Sprinkle. 21, Wilder, Va.;' Rev. m Counctlor. William Delf, 26. and Sarsh E. Edwards, 18 both of Culpeper. Va.: Rev. J.'E. Briges: Th M 34 Takoms Easic, 20, this ;' Rev.” John ¥annon. Nell R.'King, 20, and Mary H. King, 32; ¥. Poor Rev. Allan P. ;. Frank Nigh. 23, and Dorothy B. Dunn, 21 Rev. Charles N. Jupett d Katherine 8. weeney. Atlee, nes Rollings, John W. Truman, 23, Aunie B. Tyler, both of Richmond, Va.; Rev. L.'L Me- e. Brooklyn. N. rtlett, 35, ¥, D. Dunl this eity’ ham, 23, ard, 23: ey, aries T. Warner. hn Mozee, 27, and Grace 1. Siaughter, Rev. E. C. Smith. i ?I, and Nettie L. Gillam, ais. and Margaret L. Nelles, Coles. r, 25, and Hilda B. Martin, B ideeiy B. Tavior, 53 ang. B ely ‘B. ‘Tavlor. 23, 'y - fer. 23, both of Baitimo Rerr A F._Poore. James Hutchinson, Chicago. I“L and e B. Warrick. 27. Green Mountain, C.: v, Crarles E. Endres. Linwood 8. Davenpori 323. and Ostherine 8. Actee. 2l both of Richmond, Va.i Rev. iohn Peac}les and Cre mm ! ! ! Hundreds of Dazzling Spring OATS N AN\ \\\%\R& W ) \Y Best Values Lowest Price Since 1920 X \ W\ \ Buy 'Em on the Famous Kaufman Budget Plan Group Asks U. S. Churches Give Time Tomorre ., for Special Plea. By the Associated Press. FLORENCE, Ala, February 28— Nation-wide prayers in churches to- morrow that President Hoover will sign the Muscle Shoals bill were asked by the Florence Ministers’ Association Y. Dr. R. L. Motley, president of the association, and Rev. L. Millican, sec- r:tary, said they wished people through- out the Nation to join local congrega- tions in prayer “that President Hoover will sign the Muscie Shoals bill to re- lieve the trylog conditions in the Nation.” : The ministerial association issued the following statement: “In view of the situation in our Na- tion, & condition which the mass of our tion have no power to immedi- ately -change, we appreciate the crisis which confronts the President of our Republic and the load of re: bility which he daily carries. We see the destiny of unemployed thousshds which seems to hang upon his decision in placing his signature upon the Muscle Shoals bill. “We, as the Ministerial Association of Florence, Ala., feeling that we are in line with the will of God when we pray for the settlement of a measure affect- ing multipli>d thousands of unem- ployed American citizens, therefore call upon our people and Christian people o?oth! Nation to make special prayers in their churches and homes on the morrow that our President shall be led to the decision to settle this problem so vitally affecting our Nation.” FACTS, NOT ISSUES, TO DECIDE HOOVER ON MUSCLE SHOALS (Continued From First Page.) igation and national defense, into & large undertaking by the Government, the major purpose of which is to be the generation and distribution of ‘power and the manufacture of fertilizer, “In acting on the bill I have to con- sider whether it is desirable to adopt a change in Federal policies from regu- | lation of utilities to their ownership and operation; whether the lease pro- vision in respect to the fertilizer plant is generally workable: whether the method proposed in this bill will pre duce cheaper fertilizer for the farms whether the project is required for na- tional* defense; whether the proposals in this bill are in reality in the interest of the people of the Tennessee Valley, and in general to consider the common- place, unromantic facts which test the merits and demerits of this proposition as a business, “This happens to be an engineering project and so far as its business merits and demerits are concerned is subject to the cold examination of engineering facts. I am having these facts ex- haustively determined by the different departments of the Government and will then be able to state my views upon the problem.” Defer Cove Creek Action. Meantime conferees on the $100,000,- 000 second deficlency appropriation bill deferred action on the Senate provision of $10,000,000 for starting the construc- tion of Cove Creek dam in Tennessee pending President Hoover's action on the Muscle Shoals bill. Cove Creek Dam is a project author- ized in the Shoals measure. il e ‘Women Voted Rights ‘TOKIO, ' Japan, February 28 (#).— Women won a victory in the House of Representatives today when that body & bill granting women equal franchise rights with men in elections for city, town and village autonomous assemblies. e ASKS FORD T0 BID AGAIN FOR SHOALS Alabama Governor Wires Auto Manufacturer He Could Solve Hard Problem. By the Assoclated Press. MONTGOMERY, Ala., February 28. ~—Gov, B. M. Miller today telegraphed Henry Ford asking him to bid for the Muscle Shoals nitrate plant under the terms of the act recently passed by Congress and now before President Hoover for approval, ‘The Governor recalled Mr. Ford’s bid several years ago and asked if he could renew it, as this “would solve sat- isfactorily this difficult problem.” Gov. Miller’s telegram follows: “The people of the South and of the Nation remember with deep interest and appreciation your bid for Muscle Shoals. If you could arrange to bid for the operation of the plant under the bill which has recently passed Congress, I believe that a great majority of the people of the United States would like to see you get the plant and that this would solve satisfactorily this difficult problem, which has baffled Congress for so many years. A telegram from you to the President that you are interest- ed might solve the problem.” The Governor today signed a resolu- tion adopted by the Legislature calling upon President Hoover to sign the pres- ent Muscle Shoals act. The resolution was telegraphed to the President. DETROIT COMMENT LACKING. Ford Absent When Alabama Covernor’s Message Is Delivered. DETROIT, February 28 (#).—In the ebsence of Henry Ford formal comment was withheld at his offices he'e on the proposal of Gov. B. M. Miller of Ala- bama, that he remcw his bid for the Muscle Shoals property. Ford's first offer for the proverty was made in 1921, and for nearly three years was the subject of muck discus- sion in Congress and elsewhere. He withdrew the bid in 1924 and, although several subsequent attempts were made to have him again enter & bid he de- clined to co so. “We do not nted Muscle Shoals,” he sald, “for any work we wish to do. We have plenty of coal and other resources. Our proposal to the Government was a business proposal, and Congress was given abundant time to act. So far as renewing dizcvssion on the basis of our proposal, the time has passed for that. ‘We shall be glad to see Muscle Shoals ceveloped, and to do anything to help the vaern.men'. in any way, but that is all. | In his original offer Mr. Ford pro- | posed to purchase the huge fertilizer { plant at Muscle Shoals, operating it at |a profit to be lmited to 8 per cent, and also agreed to ‘aie a 100-year lease on two power do He offerr¢ to pay 185,000,000 in- cash immedintely, which | was to cover al' the nitrate plant and | equipment, lands. cteam plant ete. | For the powe: rrivileges on the Wil- son Dam iud No. 5 Dam, he offered |to_pay 6 Der cert on the estimated $28,000,000 ~ wkch the Government | would expend in cumpleting the dams, and to amortizic over the 100-year ger)od of the 1:ase not only this sum, ut the entire ost -t both dams. s A e Births Reported. ‘The following births b the Heaith Department in na Gentvieve mes s “sEotie GifT, W and. Alice Pleasure.” gif Henry ‘and Lilla ‘Robinso Raymond ‘and Bessie Pearion | and Doris Parker, boy. SEVERAL NEW SPECIAL PURCHASES ADDED TO THE WOMEN'’S FINE SHOES 874 PAIRS OF NATURAL BRIDGE Mostly $6 Grade In black and brown kids-—col- ored kids, suedes, etc. ——AND— 1265 PAIRS OF NOVELTY SHOES $6 to $10 Grades Many snappy spring styles with snake trimmings in black, brown and colored kids. HIGH AND BABY HEELS ALL STYLES AND SIZES Regularly $4 to $7 Now 3 .90 $9).90 —AND— FAMILY 312 SEVENTH ST. N. W. SINCE 1873 Plan of Legislator Calls for Houesty Among Bootleggers By the Associated Press. MONTGOMERY, Ala., Febru- legality memorializing boot~ leggers wba,ouonls 16-ounce pints. RECULATED WHEAT Reach Conclusion Such Policy Must Prevail. By the Associated Press. PARIS, February 28—That the the future from wheat grown by reg- ulation was the conclusion drawn by delegates to two European grain con< ‘(,errem: held mmfitw;eflk at the call commj st Aristide Briand's plan for a l'umpe:l:‘a union. This regulation was necessary, the of Eu 's wheat growing countries decided, in order to keep far- mers out of misery. Resolutions drgwn up, particularly by the conference on future surpluses of grain, which ended here today, declared that it was im- m wi t the of the United States, Canada, Arge: and Australia, e Briand Stresses Point. Foreijgn Minister Briand, at whose request the conferences were called, stressed this point in an interview after the coneluding session today. vwer.The deliberations proved,” he sald, that the only way to treat the wheat problem is to secure regularization -of &rgflusl{gx‘l Bn‘:i exchln'enz::i to see to at there is no produ - noknbe absorbed.” s countries, especially the United States, he said, were interested in such conferences held under the auspices of | the new European Union. Hears Reporis on U. S. “I have talked with many men from | the United States,” he said, “big men, who represent big interests. They all agree with me that the United States has every desire and interest to see the Eurcean market organized. “They realize that they can treat {better with an organized Europe. If some Eu an countries are crushed there follows a diminution of purchas- ing power which is always accom;# nied by misery, and on the other hand, if there is regularization of production and exchange, purchasing power not only increases as far as neighboring countries are concerned, but for dis- tant countries.” gl ‘The greatest contribution of the East- jern Slavs to world culture has been in the fleld of literature. OUTPUT ADVOCATED =2 ® WASHINGTON'S DAVIS EULOGIZES SAINT IN SENATE WALES PARTY SPENDS NIGHT IN MOUNTAING Will Cross Border From Chile % Argentina Tomorrow in Launch and Automobile. By the Assoctated Press. David of Wales Held Up as|cnue Champion of Liberty on Annlvgrsary. L) _ Baint David, patron saint of Wales, whose anniversary is observed today, was eulogized in the Senate yesterday & native Welshman, Senator James | Ghce Lia by J. Davis of Pennsylvania; who pictured the saint as a pioneer advocate of the doctrine of “liberty, justice and hu- manity for the common people of the ‘world.” “St. David's it fired the liberty in the European Grain Conferences 13 world’s daily bread must be made in | Repul notables: John Harvard, who established Harvard University; Elihu Yale, founder of Yale University; Rev. Morgan Edwards and Dr. Samuel Jones, who founded Brown University; John and ‘Samuel Phillips, founders of -Exeter and Wil- illiams, for Williams, exponent of national tol- founded mno_college, but the world the beneficial in- fluences of fair play, religious liberty and freedom of ht and speech in the Colony he founded and which he named Providence, as & mark of grati- tude and appreciation for the divine guidance he had recelved in the project.” outstand. erance, who taught DESEIR T A A Girls at & physicial culture institute in Berlin, Germany, are required to ‘wear bathing suits while playing games in the snow. 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