Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-02-22
Nntnral Monopolles-


can keep ct par with gold9
--.------------
Natural Monopohes-AgairI
As We remarked day before yesterday, 1t
not new question which we raise when
we warn the city fathers against bind
ing Us in chains 10 any company owning
natural monopoly. II would be easy 10
turn us over to the tender mercies OF heart
less spectators In such monopolies. 1t
would be task incapable OK accomplish
ment TO rescue us from the hands OF our
masters. once we we're guilty of the insane
folly Of placing ourselves in circumstances
which would compel US to
ssCrooE tho pregnant hinges OF the knee
where Thrift might follow faWniug"
Bv the way, IL we should turn our gas
works, water-works, and eiectric-Works
over 70 a private company and thus place
IN this company's possession such natural
monopolies "a no city should over allow to
pass out Of its own control, what guaran-
Tee would our people have that all the en-
Moves Of this powerful company should
not DO arrsyed against the city's interest II
she should attempt TO regain control OF her
plauts2 The company purchasing these
natural monopolies would purchase them
in order 70 make money out of them, ana
would of course cut down expenses to the
lowest point-not to put money into the
CITY treasury as is now the result OF eco
nomical measures, but to put money into
their own pockets. We do not say this by
no., of censure. but simply 10 state facts
by way Of argument.
We say these are not new questions. All
Gas companies are familiar with them, and
the agents, officers, employees, and paid
counsel Of such companies are always
ready TO break lance in favor of taxing
natural monopolies out of the hands OF the
people who pay the taxes and placing
them in the hands Of the people who " eat
the taxes Nevertheless, these swift wit
nesses on the side of the wouid-be money
erabbers sometimes make utterances whlch
are worthy Of consideration. For example,
A. HJcEEELooPER, president Of the Clncln-
natl Light and Coke Company, can see
without using spectacles that it would be
nro6table TO Cincinnati-as for his or dlf-
fersnt reasons we say it would be protita-
bic TO the city of Richmond-to make her
electric-hght plant part OF her gas-WorAs'
He says;
81 think the time has come when the
electr1c and gas industries should De unlteu
TO perform the service OF supplying cltleS
and towns with light, heat. and power.
"In its relations to the gas INDUSTRY the
electric light now occupies hlsheI anu
= khaY, has the Da9J.
Rather than rivals they should be COM
panlons In trade, and the closer TINS asso-
citation becomes the better and more pro-
ftable will it be for both producer ana
consumer"
So we say. -,
"Can any more efficient and responsible
agency be found for supplying the electric
service of a city than long-established,
well-organized, and eficiently-managed"
gas-works belonging TO the cityf we
quote again:
"Gas companies [worksl having COM
nlete ORGANIZATIONS in running order can
add 10 their plant the necessary apparatus
for supplying the electric service at COM
paratively small expense"
What say our city fathers? We quote
once more:
There are very few works where there
is not sufficient unoccupied ground 10 an
sWer the purpose OF an electric stauon
and where refuse coke or freeze from
the ward will not be an important aid IN
generating steam for its operation. In ad-
dition to this the items OF rent, office ex-
penses, and insurance could be considera-
bly, reduced, and the labor, supervision,
and executive management Will cost less.
10. Avun oAuapfaUAG pOm blnnd Will eIld-
bic Gas companies fworksl to perform the
service at two thirds of the cost OF main
tanning separate organizations. While IN
dependent companies would be doing put
little il any better than paying running
expenses gas company (worksl can sup
ply the electric light TO the public al lower
rates than it is now paying and make ~
per cent. manufacturers profit"
But we shall be told that the people OF
this country are opposed to "paternal
government" and that for our city fathers
to establish gas-works, water-works, and
electrlc.plants would be to establish a
"paternal government" Well, we have
had paternal government of that sort for
more than fifty years so far as the water
works are concerned, for forty years 30 far
as the gas-works are concerned, and for
twenty years SO far es the public schools
are concerned. In the mouth of every OPP
ponent of the public schools are the words
"paternal government" and loud CON-
plants that the State has assumed the
place of the father. Shall we therefore get
rid Of our schools, our water, and our gas !
Who will answer in the afirmative2