The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-01-11
WAR ON GAS RATES
Unemployed Claim that the Com
panies Are Making Overcharges.
Will File Complaint with the Mayor
County Commissioners to Be Asked
to Furnish Stone Yard.

While a spirit of unrest pervaded the
meeting OF the unemployed last night,
there was no stormy outbreak and the
milk-white flag of peace swung over the
Criminal Court undisturbed. Two or three
hundred idle laboring men attended the
meeting and heard the report of the chair
man OF the committee which called upon
the Governor in the interests of the ques-
ton of the city raising money by bonds.
d. F. Kennedy. chairman of the meeting,
reported the result OF the meeting yester-
day afternoon between the relief commit
tees and the Board Of Public Works. The
report was accepted without demur save
the remark OF c. A. Johnson that he
didn't believe the Mayor was laying
awake nights devising some plan to- help
the workingman." The chair pointed out
to the meeting that the city proposed to go
ahead with work If a scheme was possible
and 1t now remained for the meeting to
adopt scale of wages. After consider
able discussion Ii was decided that the
men could work for a dollar a day eight
hours until spring, provided that when the
regular work begins the wages may be re-
stored TO the old price, $50 a day.
Chairman Kennedy also announced that
IL was proposed TO add to the bill Of
fare now being furnished by the food mar
ket, several articles essential to the ordi-
nary table. The chairman stated his con-
hdence in the Commercial Clubs efforts to
do the very best thing for the masses Of
unemployed, and he advised the men be-
fore him to spare their criticisms and ac-
cept that which was offered He said that
much now depended on the department of
the unemployed, II they expected any re-
lief in the line of employment. 1t was sug-
gested that County Commissioners might
contribute materially to the call for work
by arranging for the establishment
and road-paving material might
be prepared. This plan was received with
favor by the meeting and the committee
was instructed to call upon the commission
ers and present the scheme. The question
OF exorbitant charges on the part OF gas
companies was brought up for discussion
and one man declared that the companies
were carrying thousands of feet of gas mains
without contributing a cent OF taxes. The
speaker wanted a committee appointed to
see that the gas companies paid their
share of taxes, an item, he thought, that
would swell the city treasury materially;
OF the meeting.
+. b. Cummings introduced a resolution
which passed by a rousing vote. Embodied
In Mr.. Cummings resolution was the
allegation that the gas companies are over
charging daily for fuel and are violating
provided that a No. s cooking stove should
be furnished with gas at the rate or SIS
a month. This rate he showed being
abused at this time when distress is alarm
ingly prevalent The resolution recommend
ed that the consumers pay or tender the
amount due when due and no more, and
further that complaint be filed In proper
form with the Mayor of the city and that
the legal department be demanded to begin
at once determined prosecution against the
violators. Proper legal steps are to be
taken to enjoin the gas companies from cut
ting off a consumer who refuses to pay the
extortion. The following committee was
4w,er % fhA LOTT for
proper presentation: e. b. Cummings, z.
z. Palmer. ID. +. Kennedy. William Snow,
c. j. Cash. The committee will meet at
the courthouse