Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-12-19
GAS AGAIN.
The Gas QUESTION Thoroughly VentiIa-
ted-BOth sides Presented.

To the Gas Consumers Of Memphis:
The interruptions opposition with
which the prosecution of our enterprise
has been met by those interes ted in main,
tanning the monopoly OF the Memphis
Gasli zht company, and the persistent con-
tiuusnes Of the efforts of tbs old company
10 iBjure Us and impede our success by
open assault and covert devices, constrain
as a5 length to address the people OF
Memphis.
In 1865. th5 Memphis GRyoso Gas COM
pany was chartered. As soon Rs the nee
esssry stock subscription was obtained,
this company set about the construction
of ample works, combining all the modern
improvements, for tho Manufacture of
gzE Profits were expected to be realized
On the Investment by fair competition
with the old company and in no other
way. After the inauguration of the en-
terprise, the new company undertook to
furnish gas at three dollars, whereas a.
that time six dollars WAS being exscted by
the old cOmpRny from the gas consumers
Of Memphis. The amount now charged is
five dollars for equality ofgas best known
ID those who use Il.
No ons is sc pnsophisticsted as to be-
lisVs that tbs reductioa even to this still
excessive charge would have been made,
except for the threatened cOmpeti ion of
our company. HThus, even before the
completion Of our works, the gas consum-
ers of Memphis have been benefited by
our intrusion
After we had progressed nearly to the
completion of our works, the old COM
pany arrested their construction by an in
junction, which was held over us for
nearly three years, breaking down the
credis of the company and entaiiing great
loss and damage on the corporation, ss
well as on these who had invested their
money in the works,
In the meantime q violent newspaper
war was wsged against us by those in the
pay Of the old company.
Success IN the litigation finally crown
ed our etforta, snd with restored credit
aud with resources ample FOR our pur-
pose, We are now urging with rapidity
the construction of our works, and ex-
psct to have them completed on or before
the lst OF April next.
Yet we are still, by direction and indi-
rection, ha8ked at II newspaper publics-
tions. II is charged that we have sod
out 70 nonresident capitalists. This
charge is made for the purpose of excl
ting narrow local prejudice against US.
THIs cHARGK Is SIMPLY FALSE.
The same contractors, or st least a part
Of them, build our works that built,
TWENTY years sgo, those Of the old com
pany.
The local prejudice sought to be aroused
By the appeal on behalf of our enemies,
is too contemplate to be consulted. II 1t
is to have any weight at al, it must recoil
on the old company more heavily than on
US.
Until recently It was the mere creature
of a non-resident money-shRrk, aided by
q board OF REsIDBHT directors. The gas
consumers of Memphis rendered an ex-
tor.ed tribute to be expended in stock op
erssions on Wall street, and to build
warehouses and pslsLial residences In dis
tsnt cities.
Our stockholders are not ss rich as those
of the old company. They are, to q large
extent, thrifty but small property holders,
and are all residents OF the city Of Mem
phis. Their greatest offense is, thst they
are f'neW men, They are, however, men
whose interest is Identified with Memphis
and belong TO that class from which the
city must receiFe its growth and prosr
perity.
II is stated that our present activity is
prompted alone by the desire and hope to |
sell out to the old company. This is not |
true. On the contrary, II Is utterly false. |
II such had been our purpose, the sale !
could have beeH accomplished st a period |
when our fortunes were at the lowest ebb. |
We are seeking contracts with gas con- |
sumers In advance, at IS 90 per thousand |
feet, yet the public is warned not to make |
contracts with us. Why7 There can be |
bpt one motive for this, desire to break |
down Gu- enterprise. Our opponents have |
sufficient capital 20 enable them to de- |
stroy us (ss 1t is supposedly By ruinous /
competition by putting gas for q snort |
time st losing prices to the manufacturer. |
We can s1foTo &c furnish IL at s. 90 This |
is the lowest figures at which we can, for /
the present, supply gas,
II the gas consumer fails to give us /
patronage st these figures, and Is d6luded |
into encouraging the old company at the
same or lover rates for GiOhue, the only
result which could possibly be accom-
plished would be our prossrstion and re-
msnding the gas consumers again to the
old monopoly. Is this businessf Is this
ordinary pTudenceY If the public of
Memphis desire good gas at reasonable
rates, and to be forever relieved of q
monopoly, let the gas consumer make
with gus sthe Econtract sought. Such
ard forever fixes three dollars as the
highest rste foE gas.
Is this not Hiding burden from the
long Vexed shoulders OF the psopls7
We now have the money with which to
build our works. These works will be
completed and in operation on or before
the first of April next, and we will bs able
after that date 20 furnish gas to the con-
SINNER Of tho highest Illuminating power,
msnufoctured by the most improved ma
ehinery, under the supervision Of bhe mott
competent engineer.
Now it remains with the public Of Men,
phis to determine whether we shall have
that lust and liberal patronage which will
continue our success and save the con-
sumer by fair competition from the ex-
actions Of monopoly.
By order OF the Board OF Directors Of
the Goyoso Gas Company.
Memphis, December ls, ls7l, l