Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-10-04
- For the State Sentinel.
Tht Gas Question Considcrcd.

EpIroR SENTINEL: From a connection Of nine
years with the Indianapolis Gas Light and Coke
Company, az chief executive officer. and much
of the time with e. F. Brown, "a superintendent
of great learning in the practical
sciences. and Of long practical experience in the
manufacture of gss-I propose 10 submit some
facts and reflections for the confederation of the
citizens OF Indianapolis.
II is believed that much misapprehension ex-
ists 10 reference to the earnings OF our city Gas
Company That the citizens for themselves,
Elsy form impartial and unpre udcec opinion.
would call attention to the following statement.
msde by Messrs. q. Z. Anderson and l. Van
landingha gentlemen OF known integrity. as
we'll accountants of the highest qualifications
of the operations OF said Company for the year
1864 which will show nett profit Of less than
four per cent on the capital actually invested.
Ii must net be supposed that the present value
Of the city works, &c. arises entirely from the
receipts OF said company for gas. for "A large por
ton OF the present value, is owing 10 8 neces
sary investment in real estate purchased in time
past and like all other real estate in lndisnspo-
lie. has greatly enhanced in value, a. also their
building. mains. &c, built and purchased in more
favorable simes-nor should il be forgotten that
this company has not been making dividends 10
the stockholders, but from the necessities of the
esse-especially in the early history OF the com
pany-the utmost entire earnings have been sp
proprsted IN buildiug- machinery snd exten-
sions to meet the wants aud demand OF our grow
ing city.
In insniuting a comparison q. To the relative
cost OF producing gas in this city and Cincinnati,
several facts are to be considered
let ough'eny coal Is the principal item 20
be cousidered-sad coal being the kind used in
either cisy. The average cost OF said coal from
1883 TO le62 TO this Company, wss not less than
IL cents per ou.hel-for the same time to the
Cincinnati Company not 10 exceed : cetts
ii On the same extent of mains the Cincin
natl Company have from Eve 10 seven consumers
to our one
ID From the narrowness Of the streets OF
Cincinnati, a. compared With indianapolis. the
Cincinnati Company furnish only ven.een feet
Of service pipe without charge. when this Com
pany furnishes without charge from forty to forty
i've feet. This small item.
4lh The uniform price charged BY this Con-
pany has been aud still i, 81 for setting mt :
ter, Without regard 10 size-the Cincinnati Com
pany charges for setting three light meter ST.
for ave light So. and 50 Increasing the price
With sLe Up Sau. This, toe, 10 Q consider Die
item 10 consumers.
eeive s. % per NJ cubic feet Of gas. exclusive OF
Government tax, while this COMPANY are mo-
posing 10 furnish the city and citizens. in com
plisncc With their advertisements for sealed pro
po.sls, at 81 Is. exclusive Of Governments tax.
The relative advantages OF the Cincinnati Gas
Company over the Company OF this city still
exists aud on . fair and impartial comparison i,
will appear that the Cincinnati Company can