The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1895-04-19
THE GAS BUSINESS

The gas question now under discus
sion is certainly an important one and
should be carefully considered by
every taxpayer and all persons who
use or expect to use gas. We should
make base slowly" and think of the
advice of that great statesman, Hon.
ID. Crockett, of Arkansas, who is re-
ported to have said, BE sure you are
right, then go ahead"
In Mr.. McClure's article of last week
l understand he is opposed to syn
dictate of home capital or any other
capitap owning and operating a gas
plant, but 1 infer he is in favor OF the
city voting bonds and doing the same
thing. In answer to that part of his
argument will say We have examples
of "home capitalp controlled by our
business men in lola, who, L think,
are at least reasonably successful, and
again, we have examples of the city
attending to city business and Will
give one instance. l refer to the mag
nificent management of the city in los
ing some SIC, 900 worth of stock of the
+. s. d w. X. X. when it would have
taken only wee bit of an effort on the
part of the city to have received suffl-
cient money from their stock to have
substantially paid off the bonds voted
to that X. II. | am sure L can ask the
question, Has the city attended to city
affairs better than home men with
home capital have attended to their
affairs? And again, if it is right for
the city to furnish Onekind of fuel,
gas-at actual cost TO such of her cltl-
zens as wish to use it and do not wish
to use wood or coal, would it not be
equally proper for the city to furnish
other kinds of fuel, wood and coaI to
such as wish to use them and do not
wish to use gas, on the same terms?
And remember, if the bonds are voted,
the persons who burn wood and coal
will have to pay taxes on gas bonds
like other folks.
But a condition confrOnts us and we
cannot grind the grist with the
water that is past.n Let US try and
solve the gas problem from what we
now have to work from.
1t is admitted that the city has the
right to permit company or corpora
tiOn to lay mains through her streets
and alleys, and it is also admitted
that the present owners of the gas
plant have several thousand dollars
invested in their work here. Now the
question is, how can our citizens get
gas,-if they want it,-at reasonable
rates, and the question with the own
ers of gas is, what rate can we give to
those that want our gas that is reas-
enable and will give us a reasonable
profit.
Let me suggest this: Have a new
gas ordinance drawn that will cover
all important questions that can arise,
such as cost OF gas pipes and mixer,
and whether consumer or gas company
shall pay for cost of piping gas from
center of street to lot line, etc. Then
submit ordinance to tho present OWL
ers of gas and require them, if they ac-
cept it, to lay at least 5000 feet more
mains before November |, next, and
at leas 5000 feet before November 1896.
In the event the owners of the gas
plant refuse to make any changes from
their present charges, it is possible
that another company may be organ
lied that would accept the ordinance
and operate plant. If the above sug-
gestiOns could be accomplished. L
think our citizens would say OF our
city officials, "well done, thou good
and faithful servants"
think the prices now charged for
pipes, fixtures, gas, etc. are too hlgh,
but l would prefer paying it or doing
without gas, 10 taking the chance on
the life Of gas well and TO help pay
Sl5, 900 or SO, 900 in bonds. 1t may be
better "to bear the ills we have than
dv IN othera that we know not of
1 seriously doubt the propriety of
the city voting bonds for the purpose
of supplying her citizens with gas at
least l should not favor such action at
present. A. IL. TAYLOR.