New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-03-14
The Revolt Against Dear Gas.

The gas companies almost everywhere,
We Gee, are after . fashion accepting the
situation-that is, they are following the
example of the Brooklyn corporation in re-
ducing prices, though it is certain We are
uttering the conviction of . majority of
their customers when it is asserted that the
reduction a. yet 10 absurdly below what it
ought to be, considering the reduced cost of
labor, the comparative cheapness of raw
material, etc. The growing popularity of
the cheap and handy Illuminating oils is an
admonitiOn to the gas companies they would
do we'll to heed. 1t means, first, that the
reduction has not gone far enough, and
second, that unless the companies respond
to tho reasonable expectations of the public,
get on without them, and then where will
their dividends and their stock bei-though
perhaps that il q private affair and none of
the public's business.
TIE Baltimore and Philadelphia compa-
mics are yieldieg to the pressure, but the
complaint there also 10 that they have not
gone far enough. The reduction by the
latter is from % 80 to ~ 15-not much of .
concession, it must be admitted, though it
10 understood" that the quality of the gas
is to be improved. Throughout New Eng
land, We observe, the popular disposition is
not less marked to encourage this almost
general revolt against dear gas. Thus, the
thrifty little city of Lynn has resolved to
abandon its use in lighting the streets, and
to substitute kerosene, not only - matter
of economy, but as securing altogether .
more satisfactory light.
Other towns ana cities will probably fol-
low if the experiment is, as there is but
little doubt it will be, Satisfactory. As if
| taking the alarm at this proceeding, We see
it announced that the Boston, Roxbury
and Cambridge Gas Companies are giving
notice of reduction on rates. But there,
a. here, the reduction does not 60 far
enough. Visitors to Boston meanwhile are
| struck with the rapid multiplication of
sene lamps, the demand for which, among
| business men - we'll as families, was never
| 90 urgent.
| Many improvements are making in the
| latter to render them ornamental as we'll a.
useful. As to their safety, nobody seems te
l have any question about that now. 1t may
be that tine gas companies know"-proba
bly, they do kn0w-"their own business
best;" but if that be 90, it strikes one as 9
singular sArt of business management thai
has pursued policy which has thus raised
up . formid able competition which threat
| ems to cut down revenue to point that car
scarcely fail to inspire with uneasiness thu
many worthy people who have capital in
vested in it.
No doubt the gas companies mean vel
enough, and want to do what is right, bu
the trouble lie, like q good many other vel
meaning people. they have shut their eye
TO the fact that the day for fancy prices ha
gone BY, and that, as most other OF tn
necessaries and comforts of life are coming
or have come down to hard pap. it is NJ
use trying to keep up gas rates to the wa
standard. Rowing against the stream ma.
be q fine demonstration of courage for
little while, but the boatman in the en'
must accept the inevitable, aud 60 the othe
way or be swamped. He has no other 81
ternative.-Ne,c York Bulletin.