The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-12-20
Cheap GAS.

We nave frequently called attention.
Ihe consumers of the above named
iiIuminstor, iu this city, are not only
thinking, but talking a great deal on the
subject OF a come down IN the price of
the article. The general tumble in most
all the necessaries of life, within the past
year, has been great, and there is no good
reason why gas should not be enumer.
sted among the essentials, and among
those that should bring less money than
formerly. Coal is cheaper, labor is
cheaper, and probably all the ingredi-
ents that enter into the manufacture of
gas can be had considerably less than
year ago
But in our estimation more potent and
better reason exists than that referred TO
above. 1t is the fact that the gas trus-
tees were enabled to make all the i'm
provements and extensions that have
been made during the summer, from the
proceeds of the works over and above
current expenses and this in addition to
paying of the bonded indebtedness of
the works as required by ordinance. 1t
was estimated prior TO the commence
ment of the work, that the extern
sions - the 7th and Sth wards,
enlsrging the mains, laying the
pipes under the river. &c, would cost
about $4,000, and loan would be
needed 10 consummate the work Perhaps
it did not cost that much, yet it must
have required somewhere near it. But
no loan was made-that is, bonded
losp-though we believe small tempo
rary loan was made at the National
bank, but which is now nearly expunged
All these great improvements were made
and paid for oLt of the regular earnings
of the works. In other words, the con-
sumers have paid out of their own
pockets the money necessary to delray
the current expenses and improve
mentS, and ut the same time diminish the
old loan, at a much greater speed than
authorized by law.
The great wonder has been how our
heavier consumers stood this big drain
on their exchequers so long without com
planning, particularly when business has
been so depressed in all branches of
trade.
The net cost OF gas to the consumer in
our city is $207 per 1000 feet. This
amount, we claim, is too much, and
should be reduced, say TO $3.50 per 1000
feet, reduction of q cents This figure
is about 35 cents above the cost of man
ufscture at the present time, and would
leave ample margin for all contingencies
including the paying of the debt, wear
and tear, &c.
We have it from one of the trustees of
the works that $l80 would be fair
price per ], 900 feet and give them suf.
fcient surplus over the current expendi-
lures to meet other obligations, make re-
pairs, extensions, &c. OF course that as
sertlon is based on the prices that now
maintain for materia! and labor, which
enter into the production Of gas, and fur
ther, that the works are run in the same
economical manner in the future AS IN
the past. In parenthetical way, we
may just as well remark here, that the
citv and consumers have been exceed
ingly fortunate in the selection of Off
GERS to manage the works. They have
looked after the consumers interests
pretty much rs they would
their own, and the careful
thus exercised, we hope now
to see bearing fruit in the speedy reduc-
ton in price. In Cincinnati PROPOSE
tion was made recently by the Gas Com
psny to furnish the city with gas at 81 80
per 1000 feet, yet the corporation seemed
10th to accept the bid.
1t looks to us as if gas ought to be
manufactured here at ten cents less than
at Cincinnati, and still have plenty to go
and come on. Our consumers are alive
to the situation, and believe consider
able reduction should go into effect right
speedily. If 1t were recommended by
the gas trustees at the next meet
ing of Council no doubt IL
would be fnvorsbly considered. In
these hard times the old saying that
penny saved is penny earned, comes
with more force than ever, and II the
gas tax can be lightened II or 10 per
cent it will be heavy burden reduced
x,yhit