The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-07-31
GAS RATES LOWERED
Mayor Wanser Wrenches A
Twenty-Five Cent Reduc-
ton From the Com
pany.
STILL VERY FAR TOO HIGH.
A Profit of a Dollar a Thousand
Can be Made at the New
Price:

Mayor Wanser, acting with his accus-
toned public spiritedness, has compelled the
United Gas Improvement Company to make
a reduction in the price of gas. The Mayor
has received so many complaints of the ex-
orbitant price of s1.75 per thousand cubic
feet that two weeks ago he took the bull by
the horns and forced the Gas Com
pany into an agreement which will
relieve consumers of twenty-five cents on
every thousand cubic feet consumed by them.
In bringing about this result, the following
communications passed between the Mayor
and R. NJ. Elliott, agent of the gas COM
pany:-
THE MAYORS LETTER
ar. w. Elliott, Agent the United Gas I'M
proyement Company, Jersey City, Nj.
DEAR SIa,-At the present time, when
our principal cities are engaged in the pur-
suit of obtaining the best gas at the cheap
est rates. and while the settlement OF the
issue made is resulting in success in other
municipalities and their inhabitants are be-
ginning to enjoy the lower gas rates, it seems
a hardship on the people of Jersey City to
nave to endure the yoke that others have
cast off. 1t is particularly obnoxious TO our
people to see our city rated at the top prices
in the matter of gas lighting, whilst
other cities are going down the
scale, showing continuously decreasing
gas rates. AS you are well aware, one
Of the main advantages that a progressive
municipality can offer is that of the cheap
est and best lighting because that is one of
the necessary expenses of living in cities, and
/ feel that upon consideration you will agree
with me that the present high rate for gas in
this city is deterrent to our progress and a
continual complaint and oppression upon
our people.
"As the head Of our local government l
ave for some time felt that some stringent
measure should be adopted towards obtain-
ing some relief in this matter, but have
hesitated to act until this time in the hope
that your company would take advantage OF
the experience Of yeur contemporaries in
other cities and establish yourselves in
popular favor by meeting the issue half way,
and treating it in a digniied and magnanl-
nous manner and getting the credit thereof.
81 entered office with a contract with your
company providing for the gas lighting of
the city for five years. In which contract a
minimum of lights was provided making 1t
impossible to retrench in this regard, if the
city could. That contract is still under con-
siaerstion by the courts. 1t is the. individual
consumers gas bills that ! now have in mind.
The condition of the taxes, streets, water,
good government generally, gas and transit,
1eterrnlne the growth of cities; the authori-
4ies are held responsible for so much OF
these essentials as they directly control; so
much of them as are supplied by. private
capital must serve the public to the city's
welfare.
The new improvements in gas making
which lower the cost of making gas, the con-
sequent lowering price furnished by the
companies to other cities must be put IN
practice here. believe that your company
will see that it is good business to make
uore customers by helping to make a larger
nty, and | think lower gas bills will be
Jour immediate benefit.
every respectfully,
"PETER F. WANsER,
Mayor"
AGENT %ELLIoTT's REPLY.
After sixteen days of consideration, the
Mayor received this reply
'UNITED GAS IMPROVEMENT Co..
'109 Montgomery street,
sJersey City, N. j.. July 26, 1874.
"Hon. Peter F. WaRser, Mdyo', Jersey City.
DEAR SIR.-Your favor of the tenth in
slant duly received. and has been laid before
my board. While l cannot agree with all
of the propositions set forth in your letter, /
am glad to be able to announce to you that,
in response to your request, the price of gas
TO private customers will be decreased to one
dollar and fifty cents S1.50 for one thousand
cubic feet 4. 200 Gu. feet net, on all gas sup
piled from and after the first of September,
1894. Very truly.
'R. w. ELLIOTT, Agent"
The reduction is considered q very slight
one. and consumers viii by no means be CON
tent to submit to the rate of $3.50 per thou
sand feet. It. is already whispered about the
City Hall that a determined effort will be
made in the next Legislature to compel the
company, which now enjoys a monopoly in
this city, to furnish gas at about 81 per
thousand cubic feet. A gentleman who has
studied. to some extent. the cost of manu-
featuring and furnishing gas, declared this
morning that, even at &l-50 per thousand
cubic feet, the company cleared fifty cents
on every thousand.
Mayor Wanser intends to make another
effort to secure Ii reduction in the rate in the
course OF a few months. The Mavor de-
clared this morning that the reduction of
twenty-five cents on the thousand was graft
flying to him. as he doubted his ability at
first to even secure that much. He has
already received the thanks of many large
consumers, who were aware that he had
undertaken the task of securing a reduction.
CArrn TDnEF -rrTDnrn