The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-01
AN ADDRESS FROM THE GAS TRUST.
It0bjects to Being Classed with Other Corpor
ations Engaged in the Same Business.

The following address to the public was issued
by the Consumers Gas Trust Company yester-
day:
To the Public-In view Of the frequent efforts
that have been made 70 misrepresent the public
object and character of the Consumers Gas
Trust Company, by CHASING It with other cor
porations organized solely for the private object
Of profits 10 stockholders. the board OF directors
has deemed it proper to issue an address TO the
people. restating the purposes of the Consumers
Gas Trust Company aud asking for the undivid-
ed support of the public.
Our company is organized in the interest OF
cheap fuel and the consequent prosperity of the
people. The following paragraph from the arti-
cles of association is plain and uueouivoeaE
When said certificate holder tstockholder1
shall have received by dividends or otherwise,
upon said certificate (share of stockI amount
equal 20 his subscription. with interest at the
rate of eight tSl per centum per annum thereon,
and after payment of all Indebtedness of said
company, shen 1t shall be the duty of the direct
ors of said company TO reduce the price of gas
that the same shall thereafter be supplied to
consumers at cost.
The perpetuity of this provision is insured by
the fact that the virtual control of the affairs of
the company is vested in board of five trustees,
now composed of General Thomas A Morris,
Albert G. Porter. John w. Murphy. John NJ.
Butler and Henry SchnuiL Any vacancy in the
board by death otherwise, is to be filed by
the remaining trustees. The articles of associ-
alton provide safeguard as follows: ANY mem
Der of the board of trustees may be removed by
the Marion Circuit Court upon the showing that
said trustee Is an employe or holder OF any OF
the securities or capital stock OF any other COM
pany organized for the purpose of manufactur-
ing or delivering artificial or natural gas to con-
sumers residing in the vicinity Of sthe city of
Indianapolis, or for any corrupt practice or any
misconduct which the court may deem detrimen-
tai to the interests of said company"
1t is obvious that the object sought by the or
ganlzation of our company is the prosperity or
the people of the city-cheap fuel to every con-
sumner; not to its 4.700 shareholders, but to
everybody! The question whether shall
rTx- g So III
answer The greater the revenue of our COM
pany, the sooner our debts to shareholders and
others will be paid and gas furnished to consum-
ers at cost.
Some have thoughtlessly said that they would
take gas of the first company that brings gas to
their door. forgetting that by so doing they
own interests: would be delaying the general
prosperity in which every citizen will share, and
which can only come through the Trust COM
PAW.
Even though other companies, with the ulti-
mate object of high prices. should offer gas free
for time, it would be- in the end bad bargain
much as it just so far delays the time when gas
can be furnished to tia consumer and everyone
at cost.
1t is now certain that the Trusts pipe will not
be sixty days behind any other company's in
any given point By the comprehensive system
adopted, the entire city can be piped practically
quick any part and when done will
have a vastly superior system, securing more
equal pressure and the greatest possible safety
against explosion. Remember that every square
il the city is covered by our plan and will be
speedily piped, regardless of any and all other
companies or intentions. 1t is an untrue state
ment, and one made with an obvious purpose
that the Trust cannot supply the entire city. 1t
could do this if the city was twice its present
size. What the Trust wants, and what is
plainly to the public interest, is the patronage
of every citizen. Call at our Office and give US
your contract Information cheerfully furnished.
By order Of the Board of Directors.
ROBERT n. LAMB,
President Consumers Gas Trust Company.