New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-01-15
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE,
CONSUMERS AND THE GAS COMPANIES.

CONSUMERS AND THE GAS COMPANIES.
. POORER QUALITY OF GAS FURNISHED AND A
HIGHER PRICE AsKED-GREAT VALUE OF =" GAS
sTocKsr-PRoCEssEs TO CHEAPEN GAS NE0-
LECTED.
To the Editor OF Tke Tribune
SIR In times of commercial depression like
tho present not strange that people, who In Seasons
Of ordinary prosperity pay all bills with little scrutiny
should examine them with unusual care and show peou'
liar sensveness any items looking like an overchare
30 has come that great hue and cry has OF late
arisen all through the land from Consumers OF gas VINO
aegc that companies charging oxorDitant prces
that. article by good AS 1t should
be-
It'll undoubtedly fact that while the tendency In al
most every department been toward tho production
OF greatly improved commodities at decided reduction
In tho consumer and especially among the articles
OF most general use thore has been equivalent pro-
gress made the gas business. Why Is this Can be
that science which has done so much toward perfeotg
and cheapening all other useful processes, has
failed utterly In this single industry. which.
from It's very nature, would TO be
peculiarly open to her suggestlonsi Nay, worse
than this has there been positive retroession 80
that with coal exceptionally low labor abundant and
all the advantage. that accrue to the Manufacturer from
o largely increased and steady demand an inferior
product gssaker than the better quality
d!d several years agoi glance at the large premiums
promptly and drives the queris the conclusion that
the companies secure IN their exclusive franchises, are
determined 20 collect exOrbitant profits NOW WINE u
should be frankly conceded that those corporations IRON
the nature operations and extensive investments
are entitled liberal protection and privilege Il rar
to say that their management should recognize thata
principle OF fair dealing should always exist between
buyer seller. the failure 10 observe which principle
has destroy cd the advantages held by many monopoly
Nay Il not well for those who control this gigantic
sncss consider this matter In the light 81 their own
INTEREST," NAV II lot be wise to inquire n their placci
in all possess really the skill ana lhtel%ehcc
peculiarly essential for the best success IN business so
fu %, sabtciies While arc unfuoiti0uaDy men OF
scientific attainment are not many uDglInCh eHncf ~
Ignorance prejudice, 10 MI ~ important po-llohHi
Does not unhealthy conservatism render many lot
lion of the subectt mi, question - raised hero III Sooi
nifh aItcr OF tho proceedings of recent me"
lag Of influential sis men, slrlking feature OF Hhon
WIS long spt ech OF tho moinners, I'D Bt lofh
Of an apology bchalf of committee for IS ainre 10
present report any the processes, when are
ind rstood 10 attempt solution Of tho very problem at
issue now viz. how 90 furnish better hgt Tor les'
money. Having been appointed SIX months before
expressly 10 examine Litoc methods, ana ,h1fhiS'
"a tie gentleman stated, been coruEily IN
yitcd by the representatives, thereof 70 nVcsi-
tle v ifhout any Nprsc themselves yet tAcy hAi
pgecicd the matter and hal nothing 10 present on this
S,cal.ngy wal sui JecL IN carry aIiouihlnrh' Tor
comp n. nfHry dinner was shortly atcr"hid EOten' hiu
Ountpss toe engineers returned 20 NOR WorB greatly
refre shed. IL body IL there docs indeed exist some
practical and surmUuDfaho dlienliy eitnor cAt nJcti
or mechanical, the Why OF cheaper ana Detict gas
dian is generally made and sold. viii sOino competent
authority gave people information on the sugcotl d.
BToVAili, Jan. s. 1876.