New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-04-14
THE GAS CONSUNERS,- BILL.

| SOME DEFECTS THAT MUST SURELY BE REMEDIED.
To ne Editor OF The Tribune.
SIR have received from tho Gas Consum-
ers' Association invitation to become member Of
that body and to subscribe So per toward its
maintenance. My thought (and is) that there is
need city for association whose object is simply
stand between the companies and consumers wthOus
prejudice and to harmonic the difficulties that 10
be constantly existing
With such thoughts in mind sought for Information
on the subject. Among the papers obtained was the
bill which has passed the Senate and been introduced in
the Assembly. careful reading OF the bill has satisfied
that sufficient time has not been given to its prepara
ton, and. as am neither q lawyer nor gas stock
holder and as THE TRIBUNE seemed to favor the BILL
venture call your attention few OF its provisions
that appear be wise inconsistent and misleading
The bill calls for three commissioners to be appointed
by the Mayor, of his selection selected by the
gas companies and one by the consumers. One holds
Office two years, five years and one six years. which
apponee holds the longer shorter term Is stated
but at the end of each Of office the Mayor shall MI
the vacancy by appointing any competent person
for six years. What becomes of the gas
panies appontee aud the gas consumers sppointee
the Mayor chooses to select political associate Tho
salary OF commissioner is to be $1,000 per annum. aud
the Is to receive $4,000 The whole expcnd
ture is limited $4,000 por annum. be paid by tho
gas companies and the commissioners must hold at least
one meeting per month, and mako annual report 10
the Legislature.
These persons fix the price OF gas 70
1.-The Same not 10 exceed 81 80 per thousand cubic feep
to determine tho value OF the several properties BY
virtue Of actual cash paid in by the original stock
holders and boDdholdcrs without regard seemingly 10
present assessed valuation. to earnings that have
been expended in construction (Which could have been
divided aud construction provided Tor by an increased
issue of bonds TO prevent, without their sanction
the further issuing OF bonds for construction that
the gas shed OF their established purity and OF
25candle power II water gas aud of candle power
and, short 10 nave complete
power over the entire gas business OF the city .
tween s water gas and coal gas does not ap;;
pear. IL because water gas Is produced
cheaper why not demand that only such gas be nadof
There is difference OF nearly 40 per cent in CANDLE
no provision seems 10 have been made for furnishing
light if company refuses at any time 20 tarnsa
gas at the price namco Dy ane sod nsrhSn,
two companies could not make ana de, de-
liver gas az the maximum price hs h tecti"n haVc
the commissioners offer the consumers III that alstrclt
one section the bill declares that no divide grees
than per cent shall be pail the sIocknSuers ,
next section says ihat any profits re- 90 for the rednc
ton in the price of gas the other tniio " oe WIN
the stockholders ,. .,,,r.o,o, a,
the bill as drawn. That legislative action Is prOprri
tnat IL is wise aad come, reasonable man wiz
deny. T0 be mutually beneficial II must DC alr 70 20
lasting from careful thought after Ires
and fall presentation Of the case by both sides
The Consumes Association is undoubtedly composer
of honest earnest men, who seek 10 remedy "hat ,hy
believe to be existing evils II they are wise, as wei
ture appoint in connection with the gas companies.
a committed OF practical business who can. during
the coming summer. thoroughly acquaint themselves
with the subject OF gas manufacture, the needs
Of tho citizens, etc, etc. and make report
to tho next Legislature, with recommendation
for an act that will the whole ground aud protect
all interests II the gas companies will not agree TO sueh
n proposition they managed by less wisdom and
smaller brains than their past success would Imply.
heto- York April 49, 1885. A CITIZEN
[Hasty legislation, that conflicts with ITSELF OF
does INJUSTICE in its efforts to correct existing evils
generally defeats its own end. Too much haste Ia
such cases is as bad as too little. 1t will DO better
In this gas bill, to 10 slow enough. anyway 70
correct such obvious faults as some Of the above
Ed