Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-10-13
FIGHT OVER A GAS BILL.

Discussing the Philadelphia Company's
Bill A Difference of About Twelve
Thousand DoIlars-May Result in Suit.
Common Council spent most of the time
discussing the report of the special commit
tee appointed to investigate the bill of $685.
COZ 2S of the Philadelphia Company for gas
furnished the water works. The report said
that the balance due the company for March
was S308 "a, charges for April, May, june,
July and August at s., 900 per month, S25,
000 total, S25, ,3OS "a. On this the city is
entitled to credit of S12,65S IS for war
rant of July 8, 1891. The committee estl-
mated the charges on last years contract OF
5000 per month. They presented reso-
luton to pay the company the difference,
$12,650 76, in full to August 81.
Mr.. Magee-I would move to amend by
inserting that ''the acceptance of the
amount rendered shall not prejudice the
claim of the Philadelphia Company for the
original amount" L do this because when
the bill first came in there was no dispute
that the city owed the money, and no evil
dence had been produced to the contrary so
far 1 wish to leave the company free,
should it choose to enter suit for this ac-
count
Mr.. Wright, Chairman of the Committee
The company's statement shows a bal
ance of $500 % on May 81 for June the
charge was SS,012 Al; for July, s., S62 30;
for August, s., ,SO7 %, total of S25, 602 %.
No credit is given for the warrant issued.
If this credit was given the difference be-
tween the company and the committee
would be but 1898 40.
Mr.. Ferguson-The company will have
the right to sue, anyway.
Mr.. O'DonnelI-I think Mr. Magee's
position is right and honest.
Mr.. Wright-Did not the Controller send
letter with the bill saying the amount
claimed was exorbitant?
Mr.. Magee-Not to my knowledge. But
I do know that the officers of the city told
me the gas had been used and the charge
was at the rate the company had notified
the city it would demand after the old con-
tract expired.
WANTED AN INVESTIGATION.
Mr.. Ferguson-I think there should be an
investigation at the works. It is my opin-
ion coal has been used while the bill for gas
has been going on. 1t is no use asking the
water department for information. 1t can
not be secured there. The committee should
go to the works.
Mr.. Flinn-The amendment of Mr. Magee
is equivalent to a confession that the city
really owes the money. l will not vote
for it.
Mr.. McEldowney-Ift this was an individ
ual transaction the amount believed to be
due would be offered to the company. If
the latter then thought it deserved more it
could sue for it.
Mr.. Magee-I differ from the gentleman
in this matter. I believe the city owes the
money; the auditing officers of the city have
so reported. But in order to let the COM
pany get such money as it can / will not
press my amendment, but will vote for the
report 1 do not believe the report of the
committee is honest, although 1 do not
mean to reflect on the integrity of the men,
bers.
Mr. Magee's amendment being withdrawn
Mr.. Bigham moved to strike out the words
that provided for q receipt in full before
any money was paid.
Mr. Wilson-This is simply a business
transaction. The company presents a state
ment and neglects to give credit for pay
ment that the Controllers books show was
made. If the company gave this credit the
difference between the company and the
committee would only be 1898 40 It would
be absurd to pass Mr.. Bigham's motion. :,
TALKING ON TECNICALITIEs.
Mr.. Bigham-The date, August 81, being
in the resolution, covers the point / want
the words sin full' stricken out, because
they are not customary on city warrants
His amendment was lost.
Mr. Magee-I want the yeas and nays on
the original resolution. I desire to vote in
the negative, as do not believe the report
of the committee is honest
Mr.. Bigham-T object to the gentleman
impugning the committee. The latter is
simply standing up for the city's side I
never heard of that $12, 900, and fail to see
why the company does not give credit
for it.
Mr.. Wright-The Controllers books show
that the warrant was issued, and we sup
posed the company got the money.
Mr.. Magee-It was not my Intention to
reflect on any member of Councils. am
not in that business.
After some further talk the resolution
was adopted, Mr.. Magee alone voting ''no."
A representative ofthe Philadelphia Com
pany in speaking of the matter afterward
said the statement given by his company to
the committee only showed the sums due
and not the total charges and credits. The
company had gotten the warrant of July
and still claimed $25, 900. The difference in
the figures of the company and the COM
mittee came in this way When last wears
contract expired on April Is the city, while
still using gas, refused to accept the new
contract rendered by the company. The
gas was used until August 81, when coal
was substituted. The company then charged
from April Is to August 81 at the rate
offered by them. The committee made its
charges at last years rates and this made
the difference