The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-16
CHEAP GAS, AND THE FUTURE.


Spring trade and the business outlook for
1883 will soon be the absorbing theme. From
present appearances it will be for residents of
Indianapolis an unusually interesting one.
The indications point to an early opening of
spring trade and to year Of healthy growth
and solid prosperity. The conditions are all
favorable, and our merchants, manufacturers,
builders, contractors and businessmen gen.
orally are prepared to utilize them. They
are all expe citing prosperous year, and this
feeling of hopefulness..is not only good sign,
but contributes in a material degree to the de-
sired result. It is easier to do business when
every body is feeling hopeful, and the results
are more satisfactory. Travelling men say
this feeling prevails generally throughout the
State. Some sections and localities feel the
effects of last years drought and short crops
more than others, but the general feeling is
hopeful This is notably true in local bust
ness circles. Our merchants and manufact-
urers, without exception, say that the business
prospect never was better, and there is not a
wholesale house or manufacturing establish
ment in the city that will not be dis
appointed if it does not do
larger business this year than ever before.
Contractors and builders are all anticipating
a very busy season, and the building opera
tions already, or soon to be begun, indicate
very clearly that they are not mistaken. The
city seems about entering on its second
growth, waking up after a long nap and pre-
pairing for great race. The wonder is that
it slept so long.
The fact is, the natural advan tages Of In
dianapolis have not been properly appre-
all the capitalists and manufacturers
who have recently visited the city for the first
time, not one but has been most favorably
impressed by these advantages, and many
have expressed surprise at their importance.
Some have said. 'lyou people do not know
what you have got here" Others have ex-
pressed surprise at the evidences of local
prosperity, while all have agreed that the
city's railroad facilities and its advantages as a
manufacturing and distributing point were
unequaled These are features that impress
practical business men. They are what make
q city. They have made indianapolis a city
of considerably over 100, 900 population. and
will continue to add to it's growth
as long as grass grows and water
runs. They would have made the city
prosperous in the future as they have in the
past without any other advantages, but now
we have the additional one of natural gas, at
rates which insure cheaper fuel than is pos
sessed by any other city of anything like
equal advantages in other respects The
natural-gas problem is now solved and the
controversy attending its introduction is set
tied. The rates are wisely fixed at figure
very much lower than any fuel we have ever
enjoyed before Natural gas to manufacture
at so per cent. of the cost of Indians coal
at So per ton, or, at the option of the con
sumner, at cents per 1000 feet, is wonder
fully cheap fuel-cheap enough to make
Indianapolis the most attractive city for man
ufacturing purposes in the United States.
This rate, with corresponding rates to private
consumers, has been accepted by three COM
panies, which will soon be competing for
business. If these three cannot supply the
entire city others will doubtless enter the
field. The law of supply and demand will
regulate that We have now what the Jour-
nal has advocated from the beginning of the
naturalgas discussion. an open ordi-
nance with exclusive fran
chises. which may be accepted by any
company that will comply with its conditions.
This secures to the city the immediate bene-
fits of gas at the ordinance rates, with the
prospective benefits of future reduction
through competition. Whatever pooling, COM
bining, or consolidating of interests may oc-
cur the price can never be increased above
present ordinance gates, and whatever cutting
of rates may occur viii inure to the benefit
of consumers
Thus the city is secure beyond any posi-
bility of doubt in the possession of natural
gas at extraordinarily cheap rates for all
time to come. or as long as the supply lasts.
This is great, solid fact, and a magnificent
achievement for the city. It is the keynote
of the whole business, and from
this time forth should be sounded
far and wide that Indianapolis, with all its
ether advantages, offers natural gas for man
ufacturing purposes at cents per thousand
feet. A factory that wants fuel for less than
this wants the earth, and perhaps can get
both, with money bonus thrown in. by going
to Tailholt or BungtowD. A factory that
would prefer Talbot or Bupgtown, with free
gas, to indianapolis, with gas At cents per
thousand feet. IS not worth botherine about.