The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-12-17
The Gas Monopoly.

Tho gas combination is likely to come to
signal y ief. Their monstrous PROPOSE
tons for lighting the streets OF this city
with gas drring tho coming year have
been summaiily rejected We learn that
the Presidents of the different gas COM
pInies are deter mined to adhere to thor
OF ignll bids. We sincerely trust they will
persevere in this resolution, inasmuch as
II will prccipitate the struggle which must
sooner or Later take place between the
gas monopoiists and the gas consumers Of
this city. The impudeuce OF the combina-
tion--spite of II gradual decline in the
schedule prices of the best sort of Penn
sylvanin and Westmoreland coal, since
1874, with every likelihood of still lower
rates in lsT-in demanding an Increase Of
Atty per cent. for furnishing street lamps
with sus during the coming year, is indeed
sublime.
The New York and Manhattan compa-
MES have increased their rate from $s3 to
500 per lamp, aud this, too, at n period
when cheap labor and n general cutting
down Of expenses must to a marked degree
have lessen,d the cost of production. In
Brooklyn, Baltimore, Chicago, Detroit, and
cess combined 10 resist the extortonate de-
nfands OF gas companies Certain districts
in Chicago are now supplied at 81. 80 per
thousand. In this city the price to private
consumers Is $3.50 por thousand feet.
Should the monopolists maintain their
present attitude IL will lead not only to a
permanent loss to them of 100000 per an
mum. the amount OF the Appropriation for
lighting the city lamps this year, but it
will in all probability provoke "A general
revolt against the gas companies on the
part OF the shopkeepcrs and householders
of the city. Already kerosene has In many
households been largely substituted for
gas. The light is stronger, better, softer.
and more economical than gIls furnished
by any OF the New York companies. Our
people are very FESTIVE under the extor-
touate and arbitra Y demands Of monop-
oly which fixes its own price on its wares,
inflicts regular domiciiary visits on all its
customers, and exacts pa Jment of all bills
1t sees ut to present under penalty OF
pluuging whole families into the abyss OF
darkness when the sun retires from BUSH
ness for the day.
As regards the lighting of our street
lamps. the Globe Gislight Company of the
city OF Boston Offer to affx their patent
gasoline attachments TO all the street Ian
terms now III use here. They will supply
the material and cause ths lamp 10 be
lighted every night In the year, keen the
lanterns clean and in repair, pant the lan-
terms and posts at least once In the year,
all TO the satisfaction OF the Gas Commits
sion, for the sum of s26is per annum for
each lamp. They further Offer to give
abundant security for the faithful per-
Torrance OF the work Meantime the Gas
Commission adopted at Is meeting on Fri
day last resolution offered by Comptrol-
Ter KELLY inviting proposals for lighting
the streets. avenues, and places OF the city
with gas tor the period OF three months,
from Jan. l. 1877, t. Mtrch l, 1877, the bids
10 be opened Dec. D, 1870, IN the office Of
the Commissioner of Public Works.
The campaign against the gas companies
may be now said to have fairly begun.
The companies aver that they have boon
LOSING money on their contracts VITA the
city during the last year. Let them adhere
TO their views. The sooner this matter Is
brought to an issue the better it will DO
for the gas CONSUMERS of this city.