New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-02-09
As.u. "a. and Gas Companies.

Chicago 10 not the only city in which the
campaign against gas monopolies is being
vienrouslv conducted. A bill has recently
been introduced in the Maryland Legisla-
ture to incorporate the Consumers Gas
Company, Of Baltimore, but the Enquire,
cautions the people not to crow until they
are we'll out of the woods, and reminds
determined Ito avengo the wrongs done to
the consumers by the old gas company"
left nothing undone t. secure . charter for
the Peoples Gas Company. They we're sue
cessful, but instead of "breaking down
rates, as the people had been led to expect,
about the first thing the new company did
was to strike hands with the old one, divide
the city into districts, and now the two
companies vie with each other in supplying
the worst gas imaginable, and charging the
largest possible price for it.
The Trenton, New Jersey, gas company
has reduced the price of gas in that city to
g. 80 per 1000 feet, with . guarantee to
maintain that reduction for two years. In
Brooklyn, New York, by resorting to the
use of oil, tho people brought the gas COM
pany to reduction, and after it was made
another company offered to supply the city
at further reduction Of twenty per cent,
and as result 1000 meters were returned
in one day.
The Pittsburg Gas Company has for
many years had the monopoly Of furnishing
gas to this city and it's citizens, charging
from 81 90 to g per 1000 feet. About four
years ago the Consolidated Gas Company,
in spite of the most strenuous opposition
from the old monopoly, secured the light to
lay their mains in the streets of Pittsburg.
They were hsmpered with injuncti0ns and
suits without end by the old company, but
the courts refused to sustain them, and now
the Consolidated is furnishing superior
quality OF gas, much better than the old
concern used to supply, at 81 20 per 1000
feet, at which price they make handsome
profit, and only desire that the cOnsump-
zion may be increased. The secretary, un-
der date of January &c. 1876, writes: Not
withstanding the strong opposition given to
this company by the Pittsburg Gas Com.
pany, which is one of the most successful
companies in this country, we have had,
and still hold them, notwithstanding our
price is 81 20 against 81 per 1000 feet
charged by them now, every hotel in this
city, all the Pennsylvania railway custom.
all the large stores, and many OF the iron
mills"
In Chicago the price has been reduced
from 60 to 81 80 per 1000 feet by the Wig
orous warfare waged against the monopoly
by the Post and Nail, and the action of
the people in returning their meters. That
the quality Of the gas may be improved,
and q still further reduction in the price be
made, and the manufacture still be profit
able to the companies, there can be no
question.
In these hard times, when the people find
it absolutely necessary to ecOnOmize in
their expenses, the saving by the use Of oil
is very considerable. 1t has been estimated
half to three -fourths Of their gas bills, and
it has been demonstrated by actual expert
ment that, with gas at s. 80 per 1000 feet
and oil at thirty cents per gallon, the gas
tor the same amount Of light will cost twice
az much as oil.
1t is not expected or desired that the
companies should furnish gas at the actual
cost of its production. The people are will
ing they should make reasonable profit.
good gas ut a fair price, then, and not till
then, will they have the opportunity to re-
place the thousands Of meters that have
been returned. Gas consumers have learned
that the same meter will measure more
poor gas than good in a given time. 1t
follows, then. that the poorer the quality
the more will be consumed, and the more
the company will make.
There is another confederation that seems
not to be taken into account. Poor gas.
besides being more expensive, is detri-
mental to health. Its imperfect combustion
.iberates noxious odOrs, and an almost i'm
papable dust or SCOT, which, in close rooms,
yitiates the atmosphere and produces weak
lungs and catarrhal affection Of the head
and throat.
Let the good work 60 on. Let there be
no ''let up until the companies are COM
PEELED to supply pure gas at fair prices. or
step down and cut, giving pace to others
who will comply with the reasonable de
mands of the people!-Chicago Post and
Mail.