The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-06
Judge Lamb and the Gas Ordinance.


To the Editor Of the Indianapolis Journal
In the Indianapolis Journal OF the I'd or Sd
am quoted as saying before the Council commit
tee that "There was time, a year ago, when
gas should have been let into the city at any
price. There was boom, and if the city had
then had gas the boom would have gone on The
boom has passed, and there is no need of being
in hurry now" did not cay that "gas should
have been let into the city at any price" and
did not say "there is no need of being in hurry
now" Leaving out these extracts. the quota
ton is substantially correct / recognize the
Importance of introducing natural gas into the
city as soon as possible, under proper regula-
tons and restrictions. The question is whether
the present gas ordinance shall be amended;
whether, under the provisions of the ordinance
as IL STANDS, the city snail control and regulate
gas companies, or whether under the proposed
amendments, the people shall be under the
troll of the gas companies.
A company would, of course, under these
amendments, locate its pipes in the heart of the
city, whore the buildings compact. and the
largest revenues would be derived from the
least expenditure of money, and from this cen
ter extend its pipes from year to year into the
streets that would yield the best results to the
company. 1t is reasonable to suppose that the
company demanding these amendments would
voluntarily lay miles of pipe into less remuner-
alive fields to accommodate manufacturing
establishments in remote parts of the city, to
accommodate any one. 1t is the purpose and
business of the Indianapolis Gas Company to
make money and it is fair to assume
that if the ordinance is amended
as they desire their business will be conducted
with a view to producing the largest possible
revenues. 1t is conceded by all that the future
growth and prosperity Of this city depends
largely on permanent supply Of natural gas to
manufacturers at low rates. Our manufacture
ing establishments are largely located in the
outskirts of the city, and on the ten mile-a-year
plan might not be reached for years to come.
Now is it not reasonable that the city should re-
tain the power to compel q company to extend
its pipes SO as to accommodate
manufacturers and others who may live and
transact business outside the cream belt" IN
consideration of its franchise lay it's pipes and
transact business in streets where large profits
will be realized The Journal has said that
manufacturers being driven from and kept
away from the city by the refusal to make the
proDos ed amendments. Can 1t be possible that
these amendments, which, if adopted will give
gas companies the right to enter and occupy any
part of the city they may select, and lay but
twenty five miles of pipe the first year, and but
ten miles each succeeding year, will encourage
manufacturers either to come to remain in this
cityl In my opinion the city should not relin-
quish the control it holds under the existing or
dinance, and have no fear that this power will
be exercised wrongfully or to Cypress any COM
pany. In your issue of January 10Th you say
Tho question OF price is settled by the ordi-
nance which has done such excellent work in
that regard. For this, and for the assurance of a
permanent supply of natural gas at the low
rates it fixes, or even a lower, the thanks of the
community are LARGELY due to the Consumers
insure supply of gas at the lowest possible
rates, and is likely to succeed in accomplishing
that result 1t has given practical force to the
present ordinance and compelled other compan-
les TO accept its schedule of prices. IL this it
has achieved a victory for the people" All os
which is true and well sad but how and when
is the very desirable result be attained of re-
ducing gas to the lowest possible rates2 Is it
to be accomplished by amending the ordinance
to authorize some company, organized to
make money, to come in and take possession of
the heart of the CITY, and supply gas at ordi-
nance rates, and reap rich harvest from
sumers while the Trust company is forced to
supply manufacturers IN the remote parts of
the city-if they are supplied at all-at low
rates4 When will the Trust company be able to
furnish Gas to consumers at cost even at
much less than the ordinance rates. under
such policy9 Better let the ordinance stand;
let all companies be placed on the same footing
and If company desires to come IN under the
ordinance let it do and select it's field and Sc
cure all the patronage it can, but let the power
remain in the city authorities to compel it to
extend its pipes for the purpose of securing
some benefits to the city in consideration Of
the privileges enjoyed by the company under its
franchise ROBERT II. LAMB.
Greenfield Presents It's Attractfo ms.
To the Editor OF the Indianapolis Journai:
The piteous wailings that 60 up from the peo-
pie 10 your city fathers for gas. and gas at once
enlist the sympat hies of the people of Greenfield