, 1875-02-14
sheir stock to swell still more their already enor-

their stock to swell still more their already enor-
nous profits. Can any man SHOW that the cost
OF manufacturing their gas. coal, labor, purihca-
tfon and all thrown in. ID beyond $1.25 per LOGO
cubic fest !? You remember that threc yca1B
ago cast-iron pipes sold for 988 per ton. To-day
the same pipes can be had for 937 per ton, and
just now b equal to 81. 500, 900 used when labor
and material we're dearer ? These are
POINTS FOR THE PEOPLE TO CONSIDER
in discussing this gas question.
R.-The points appear: to be strong enough,
in the public mind relative to new speculations.
P.-I don't know why tbs public should dis
trust new company any more thpn the old.
They are not compelled to deal with tho Con-
sumers' Company Unless the gas aud the terms
tered. In every other Kind Of business it is the
habit Of the houses inventory their stock avery
year, and base their prices upon their actual
asaess. Have the Companies referred to done
go? Not at all they keep on in the old way.
While thelr trade and assets have multiplied,
they continue to multiply their profits, making
out OF The city and out Of the consumers. deter
mined to have their ''pound OF flesh anyhow.
They base their valuation in the franchise from
ths city. which they hold to be exclusive, and
which the Common Council allows to bo e1clu-
siye, b; restricting now companies iu manner
that makes it utterly impossible for them to
begin work at all. Now every person in Chicago
who has had any dealing with the Gas. Companies
knows that
c1y1t rnEArNEyr is nor TO BE EXPECTED,
unseas the consumer agrees. in every instance,
with their ideas. The Chicago Gas Companies
might certainly treat their customers With cour-
tesy. Do they do it? do not their employees, On
every possible occasion, suub every one who has
anything to do With them in The way Of business.
There Ia no such thing ~ gentle'nanly forbear-
auce aud business accomm odation ia their Offices
Any citizen, compelled to pay e1orhtant. Ras.
bills it he proteats is Stable to insult He ia told
- I. - ~krQn a.
ing business, and to help himself, if he can.
R.-Thero certainly has been some complaint
relative to tho points you mention.
Pit IS not true that each consumer is re-
quired to pay his bill gu the 18th Of each month,
and, it he is few minutes late, the Cashiers
window is cloasd. and he is compelled to go array
and bear the penalty Of additional tax, although
he may have been waiting in line to pay the
amount for hnlt-an-hour. Does not every other
knd Of Rt collect It's
gas monopoly to treat peopla with suoh little
consideration and evident want Of courtesy? It
is all the result Of unopposed monopoly.
Another thing: Is it not true that the pres
sure Of gus in the street malns, from twilight
until midnight, owing to the careeRsness or in
competency OF employees, is as great as ~
inches? What ii the result7 Night-ights left
burning half turned OF, after midnight blaze up
to the full extent, and thus double the amount
OF gas that should be used is wasted. and the
same
THE NEW COMPANY.
R.-Is the proposed neH Company entirely
Chicagoan?
P.-No; it is combination OF Eastern and
Western capital and has also tho benefit OF be-
ing organized by gentlemen who are familiar
NTH the gas business themselves. Their money
ID Iii ready, aud they are only awaiting The pas
sage Of favorable ordinance.
R.-Other companies, it would appear, are
n rratn nrdt tY1n u