The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-29
THE GAS QUESTION.
Complaint Against Extravaganza and I'm
just Charges.
Mr.. Editor.


nifty is a conceded fact, which is wildly illus
trated in the matter Of gas. Mild sporadic
protests against the high price OF this article
Of domestic consumption have appeared in
the Journals. but no statement 10 demon
strate that IL Is unnecessarily high and there
fore wrong With this view, let US glance at
the last annual report Of the Superintendent
OF the Gas Works. The receipts and dis
Dulsements are as follows
Received FOR gas, coke kc.............s 9l9'59.o1
Dlsbursements.-..... l5s.o@o!
Profit Observation-Disclosures. 53i632l
Expenses Of street-lamps and public
buildings at cost Of private con-
sumers..... ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. bo'oJ''lU
Total profit. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 1882 -
There are in use in this city of 90 900 inhabi-
tants only sos gas meters which indicates
the silent protest Of large majority Of the
citizens against tho exhorbtant charges that
wrongfully prevail. Comparatively little de-
crease is attributable to the introduction OF
electric lights. as shown by previous reports.
The municipal corporation has no right 10
spend sec, 500. 10 i'll lighting its streets and
public buildings. and to convert into its trea-
sury besides a clear profit Of s53, iG3.5l. max
ing an annual total Of sl20, 362.3l, at the eX-
penso Of 6.50' taxpayers for every dollar thus
appropriated over the actual cost of manu-
facture and service is IN cOntrayentOn o. the
constitutional provision and the terms
Of the city charter itself. against
taking private property for public uses with
out lust compensation. The monopoly OF
this business is reserved TO the city to insure
pure and cheap gas 10 the consumers as ex-
pressed in the resolutions and acts of the
Council-not 10 accumulate profit out Of them
10 be expended on the general public. This
is as odiOus as class taxation, which IS never
TO be tolerated.
The city should charge itself actually. as it
does nominally in its ordinance, with the cost
OF lighting its streets and public buildings
and pay for II out OF the proceeds Of general
taxation by which all taxpayers would pav
pro rata for this public benefit, at the same
time reducing the consumers bills 10 the
prime cost of the commodity. in accordance
with the intention originally expressed by the
City Council.
Nor does there appear any just reason for
charging the Commonwealth and the United
States Government One-third less than the
citizens Of Richmond pay for gas
IN ordinance passed when gas was intro
duced into the city provides that consumers
should be charged a sufficient amount over
and above the cost o. production % pay per
cent on the bonds issued to establish the
plant: but that Is among the things that
were--those bonds have been redeemed wears
ago and the city runs the unlncumbered
plant.
Another abuse suggests user IN this con-
nection-the 5 per cent. penalty" for falling
TO pay gas bill within five DAYS, which Is 365
per cent. per ADMINISTRATIONS interest on a
debt. When private or public corporation
enters the market to sell COMMODITY albeit
this one has the monopoly and the dictation
Of terms of sale, it is bound by
the same commercial laws that govern
individuals, and has no authority to attach
penalties and usurious interest for violation of
the contract. Penalties and forfeitures are
concurrent with the governmental authority to
levy taxes, otherwise the wheels OF govern
ment would lag for want of necessary funds.
But a gas-b:ll is not a tax-bll. IL is evil
dence OF civil contract.
Upon another principle, q municipal corpo-
ration has no authority to exact pecuniary
penalties unless expressly granted by its
charter and none is so granted in this case.
Now, this is an imposition that bears par
ticularly upon the poor, who can i'll afford to
incur this cumulative price Of gas when some
times. for want of money or other untoward
circumstances. they have been unable TO ap-
pear at the receipt OF customs in due
time. IL s carele" servant lights the gas
with the bill ana fails TO report it. this unjust
levy Is made on the consumer; If more serious
business engrosses his thoughts, he must in
cur this penalty"
Aside from the legal aspect of the case. which
is all on the side of the consumer, this is an
unnecessary hardship, because prompt paw
ment can be exacted by shutting OF the gas.
as it is done in the case of water rates.
We'll" saysa compliment Councilman, IF
you disapprove the conditions we impose. you
can use oil instead" Yea. and can sit in the