The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-03-28
REPORT.
OFFICE GAS LIGHT COMPANY OF BALTIMORE

OFFICE GAS LIGHT COMPANY OF BALTIMORE.
March q, 1860.
The President and Directors the Gas Light Company
of Baltimore respectfully submit to the stockholders
thereof acceptance of the act of AS
semby Maryland passed at the last session entitled
"An act 10 authorize the Gas Light Company of Bal
more incorporated by the act of Assembly of 1876 chap
ter 251, to increase its capital stock"
By the act above mentioned the company is authorized
to increase its capital to 81, 00O, 900.
owing to the increased valued the property acquired
ing the last forty four years. in extending the works
larger sum is now required fully to represent the property
held and used by the Company. On the acceptance,
therefore, of the supplement by the stockholders which
hereby recommended is intended by the Board of D
rectors to make stock dividends represent fully the
amount of such increased value
In regard to further augmenations, which, when de-
termined on will have to be paid in cash. it is proper
state that it is only intended to call for such augmenta
tons from time to time, opportunities afforded of
extending the works to the mutual advantage of
pany and the public
The President and Directors deem it proper the pre-
sent occasion to make auson to the difficulties
which they have had to encounter of late in the
ton of their business. These difficulties which have
been caused by charges unfounded fact may be
planned to the satisfaction of any unprejudced
who will take the trouble to make examination.
the first place it has been charged and by
sumo to lead public opinion that the furnished by the
Company is bad.
This charge the Board declare to be untrue and they
do positively assert that the gas furnished by this ON
pany of good quality any made in other cities the
United States the standard required at the works which
any may visit and test for himself being of the high
est grade and further that the price low all things
considered as it is in other city of the Union. The
Board has motive to make bad gas They have ndi
vidually interest at stake sufficient thus
to forfeit their characters with the community and their
sefrespect Besides they have sagacity enough to
know that corporation standing itself and supplying
particular article of any kind a whole community
the other hand who combine against it. has every
nducement to please and to concilate
1t has also been charged that register incor
recy and against the consumer and that owing to this
circumstance the bills of are unduy swollen
In to this it is asked by what mode it is proposed
to the gas consumed except by meters for nc
other mode is practsed in any part of the world =
Before the invention Of the meter the charge for
was determined by the number of burners and an est
mate of the time occupied in burning that mode was
| uncertain and unsatisfactory.
That failures however in the meters to register cor
recty will not account for increased bills be admit
ted when the following facts stated which the books
of the Company will prove
The books for instance show that while one mans &C
count for the winter quarter this winter larger
for the corresponding quarter of the last anohers
smaller and the remarkable also shown that the
total increase of the Companys receipts equal
this winter over the last
The books also show that out of 1900 bills due 1st
February, not more than sixty were increased at all
while as many were dimin ished Now if the increase
in any was brought about by the of the Company
why was not effected in aG If fraud intended by
of the meters or by any other the obvious
policy would be to effect moderate increase on all the
| bills, and not on one here and there
The fact is that every ones expenditure for gas is
within his own control and his only. If due regard
paid to the number of burners used and to their
regulation, the expense may be kept moderate but il
many burners used and the gas is turned freely
and allowed to burn without stint in parors chambers
Kitchens &c, larger bill must be the consequence.
1t is overlooked that houses which, in the days of
fathers and in the early of of ourselves
dimy lighted with oil and candles and constantly only
in sitting and halls, and in which candle lamp
had to be carried when the inmates moved from
or story to another, are brilliantly illuminated
| throughout
This illumination indeed has become so common and
the fashion of it powerful and increasing
of being checked its cost is ascertaned only
subject of complaint against the unofendinp COMPANY
which supplies the article. In regard to the profits paid
to the stockholders which it has been alleged have been
enormous is only necessary to state that up to thu
I ant TINA Tho
per cent and adding the stock which is
ISSUE the average win not exceed seven per cent
Now, who will say this is excessive when he considers
that the capital of the Company is principally sunk
the ground and excepting its real estate might be
dered worthless, at any moment, by discovery in
| the mode of preparing and furnishing light2
The Board would here add that the works at Spring
GARDENS which are constructed upon large scale and
most approved pans will enable them to furnish gas
the best quality and cheaper than be by anohe
company The reductions in price which from time tc
made voluntarily by the Company it is intended OF
the LIST of October next to reduce the price $3.50 net
and the belief is entertained that when their plans ar
more fully matured the price may be reduced
fy competition render full and entire satisfaction to thu
public, and pay regular and fair dividends the stock
holders large number of whom have been holders from
the commencement when the only motive for subscribing
! unrewarded.
In conclusion the President and Directors renew tn
recommendation that the supplement to the charter
submitted be accepted and they beg leave at the SAM
time to return to the stockholders their heartfelt thank
for the confidence so long reposed in them by your ag
| and respectable body.
| COLUMBUS 0DoNNELL, President
| j. H. MCULLoH,
ARCH. STIRLING,
MARCUS DENISoN, Directors
| AUSTIN JENKINS,
Mr.. c. C. Jamson offered the following resolution
cepting the act of Assembly, which unanimousl,
adopted:
ReSolued That the act of the General Assembly of Ma
ryand authorizing the Company to increase its capita
stock which has been read to this meeting be and tn
| same is hereby accepted
Mr.. Jamson offered the following resolution which wa
| also unanimously adopted:
Resolved That the report of the President and Director
which has been read TO this meeting be accepted and
in the judgment of this meeting it is full vindicatio
of the Company from the charges and complaints made
against it, and the Board is requested to publish the