Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-07-31
statement showing the cost of Gas


Every step towards progress in this city
has been met with more or less opposition.
From one quarter or another some one rises
TO argue why We should continue using old
methods aud running into old ruts. and IN
order to sustain his position does not hest
tate TO distort facts, twist figures, impute
improper motivss, &C., &c.
Sditwas when " "Pr0gress" endeavored 20
introduce gas into our city In 1874 or lNiJ.
Such a storm OF opposition WAS aroused by
the untiring efforts Of It's enemies that tbe
question bad 10 be submitted 10 popular
vote, and Il was carried by so small majority
that the Town Council refused 10 carry out
the "wlll OF the people" aud the introduc-
tion Of gas was delayed for some time.
so it was when m effort was made 10 IN
troduce electric lighting in orr midst; 4
storm Of opposition was again met with. aod
the effort had to be abandoned for four or
more years.
Aud so it is now, when lighting the city
by electricity altogether Is about TO be con-
sldercd. An kinds oi arguments are being
brought forward by the "adyocates OF dark
ness" principally as follows:
First. 10 would ruin the gas.Works.
second. Having ruined the works, and
having monopoly, our CITIZENS would be
Third. lts eNiraysgance. as shown by
your informant in Sundays issue by his
'statement showing the cost of gas for
1SS7," IN which be compares the cost OF gas
and electric lights.
The superintendent oi the Gas-Works
answered the first objection. as be shows that
since the introduction Of electric light the To-
creased demand for gas ha- compelled MIN TO
call for au enlargement OF the gas-Works, ana
this increased consumption OF gis COM
tinues. even now when nc1ndc.ceut il-hts
are being introduced rapidly. The second
objection is answered by the ilrst bat n II
were not the Electric-Iighrng Company
offers TO contract for years at rates which
they now Use IN competition with gas.
And the third objection is answered by show
ing that your informant who prepared "the
statement has either dosignedy or from
ignorance and It Is 10 he hoped from the
laiter) eudcayored TO ml.lead tbe public.
II does not take much Of a ma'hemaiiciln
TO prove that il gas costs the city al the
burner S2l cents per thousand cubic ieet ard
The city sold il at sl.j0 per thousand cubic
feet she must baye cleared G,3 cents per
thousand cubic feet on the lIS5O0,0O0 cubic
feet sold to the public and Ia cents per
thousand cubic feet on lll she used herself,
=
nett profit q So, 200, which close scrutiny
will show is far from being the case.
Every manufacturer adds interest on his
plant and q certain percentage FOR It's wear
and tear TO the cost OF their products, and b0
would be fool indeed who endeayOred 60
carry on 4 factory without computing these
items. Yet tue author 0i The " statement y
fails utterly to mention either item. lie en-
tIrely ignore the large sums Of
Annual interest on 100000 cost Of planD
at per cont. say..................... .tD,VV
Annual wear and tear on q l,o)o,o00, say ~
por @o'uv'
4pl1lt 1lt.ss..s.s--..... ss.sss.sss - 't.
/ which. ocing taken ialo consideration, as il
! should 5e certainly. aud being charged tc
manufacture and distribution" " In proper
ratio OF expenditure, say five siXths Of the
whole. II would make the lGl,000.000 cubic
/ feet 81 gas cost the city the SUN Of SlsS. S.l2S
or the sum Of say Sl.l7 l-j per thousand
/ cubic feet, aud comparing gas with e'ccirl,
| li0hts at these figures would cause quite Q
! difference in the "results' OF vOur lnf0rnl
ants calculation. But. Mr.. Editor, what
| does the citizen who "l0unders around amid
! darkness aud mud" a. some are doing 10
! some parts of the city thisyery night, care foi
/ these abstract questions Whathe wants IN
! return for the taxes be Is compelled 10 pas 4
! 10 be put on an equal footing with bi'
more favored brother (who IS arguing against
progress) In other sections, be cries on,
annually for streets, light, water, aud cul'
vert. and II the city can give BIN light AZ uC
| greater cost than gas, and eau afford 10 do It.
| which can be fully and truthiully shown, IL
the name Of all that il Just let HIM 1t lsas
have light to see his way home and to protect
| his property from thieves. iucenuIaries, and
night. prowlers OF all kinds, who join hand
| heartily with their allies the "adyocates d
darkness" +" TN opposing the electric lights.
Respectfully, A. PlZZINI, JR.