Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-23
FRIpAY.................MA MARCH 20, 1888.
The Gas-Works-Agaln.


When railroads were first projected 1t
was feared by persons interested in
horse trading that the demand for horses
would be very much diminished as the
result Of constructing new railroads, But
il turned out that more horses were
needed after than before railroads came
into competition with wagons. So it will
be with the competition between gas
and electricity. The demand for
gas will continue. The city fathers
need not fear that the corporation Of
Richmond will lose the gas-works plant
or any portion of it Let them hold on
to the gas works as the competitor Of the
electric-lght works, and thus keep down
the price of electric lighting by keeping
down the price of gas. If We owned the
electric-light works we could afford to
pay high price for the gasworks..
Remember, that if the city once sur
renders control of the gas-works, she will
have no hold upon them whatever. If
the lessees, or their successors, or as
signees, make gas out Of water at a cost
of fifty cents per thousand cubic feet,
consumers will have to take it and pay
el.40 for it. If the cost of making
good gas falls to seventy cents, con-
eumers will have to continue to pay
Sl.40 for it so long as the lease lasts.
You know who will be the first lessees.
They are men above reproach. But You
cannot tell who viii be their successors.
The same men are not going to live
forever, and the lessees OF one year
may be succeeded the next year or
a few years hence by regular Shylocks.
The lessees of 1895 may contract to fur
nish gas of so-msny-candle power, and
deliver none that comes up 10 the stand
ard. What will the city do about it ?
What if the lessees add largely to their
profits by varying the pressure at the
works? The consumers may complain,
but complaints Will not avail. The
Council may complain, but will be help
less. for the lessees will always be indebt-
ed 10 the corporation, and therefore the
corporation will not be able to withhold
any money from them.
We repeat that we would by no means
charge the gentlemen whose names have
been mentioned in connection with the
proposed lease OF the gas-works with
being capable of doing intentional
wrong. On the contrary, we hesitate to
write on the subject because of their
high standing in the community. But,
as we have said, the lessees of one year
may not be the lessees of another year.
We must face the facts not only as they
are but as they may be.
Let us quote once more what The Ma
ton SAYS on this subject
1.-The relation of our modern munich
pality TO the gas supply is one of the
most interesting questions of local gov
eminent and local finance now before
the public. 1t is what may be called
burning question in this country in
every large city and in many small ones.
English experience is
the longest and most varied, and cannot
but be of great value to us. The Eng
lish Parliament and English localities
hare tried nearly all possible erpcri-
ments in this field, and the conclusion to
which they are very rapidly drifting is
that the only solution Of the problem
ties in the ownership and management
Of Qas-Works by the municipalities"
(that is, the cities,)