The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-16
OPPOSED TO METERS
JOINT GAS COMMITTEE PAYS IT'S RE-
sPECT TO CONSUMERS TRUST.
Immense Profit of the Concern and
Its Greed-Thc News
stock Bear.

Had an officer of the Consumers Gas
Trust Company been present last evening
at the conference between the Council COM
mittee appointed to investigate the gas
supply question, and the committees APP
pointed by the Commercial Club and the
Board of Trade for the same purpose, he
would have received little encouragement
for the success of the company's petition,
asking that consumers be compelled to use
meters and that gas be furnished by meter
measurement. The conference was held
at the office of the Mayor. Those present
were Councilmen Young, Allen and Ryan
and IL. h. Martindale, ID. r. Erwin George
w. Sloan, l. s. Gordon and NJ. b. Wilson.
Judge Martindale occupied the easy chair
of the Mayor, but Mr.. Young acted as
chairman of the conference
The first question raised was whether it
would be necessary to visit the gas fields
IN making the investigation, as the gas
companies have requested. Members of
the Council committee thought it might
be we'll to visit the fields but the others
present said such trip would be futile.
1t was claimed by them that ali the neces-
sary information could be had at the Of
nee of the Consumers Trust, but Mr.. Ryan
wanted to know what assurances the COM
mttee would have that information fur
nished by the company was reliable Mr.
houng said he had been informed that the
gas companies had refused to put in meters
Tor consumers when requested, notwith-
s'analng the ordinance says consumers can
nave gas at meter measurement if they
choose.
Does 1t not seem strange to you, Mr..
houng! asked MIR. Erwin, that the two
other companies, organized for speculative
purposes, are not asking changes in the
Mr.. Young replied that it did not for the
1 fha TWO companies had always allowed
me consumers Trust 10 take the lead in
all matters pertaining to gas legislation.
Ar. Erwin replied that all the trouble that
eAises results from the fact that the Con-
chew '''i - e<iu
The Consumers is trying to furnish fuel
70 TOO many customers and the result is
snat there is not enough to go around
Now. as | understand It, they propose to
nave meters used, and have we anv as
surance that this change is not asked so
ne company can increase the number of
pe tbn ana increase its revenue? Officials
De furnished next year by the putting i'm
OF pumping stations. The Indianapolis Com
Consumers should, 1t seems, do the same.
Inns talk about half of the gas being
m maste nalI OF the gas and then freeze for
not enough? Gas has been wasted in the
past. put there is not much OF it wasted
Mr.. Allen, who has made some study of
the gas question, said the committee of
consumers was making about go or 40 per
cent; profit, and that last year the net
earning ,a s,S Of e. the company amounted to be-
tween Soco0 and s35o,o0o He said he was
stoekholder In the company and that he
had got back the money he invested
~ Inc company is trying to palm off on
l me-, citizens of Indianapolis said Mr..
Anen, "a low pressure on the lines instead
Oh the pressure in the field. The field pres
aule IS decreasing at the rate of three
POUNDS hnt per year | have studied some
what meter measurement would cost A
meter would cost the consumer about $780,
II would cost much to supply an or
ulnary stove during one winter month as
year.
MIR. Erwin said a change to meters might
mean great deal to SPECTATORS who hold
gas stock He said he had bought and sold
Consumers stock and made money on it,
Mr.. Erwin referred to 1.-The great howl
which the News made about the gas giving
four years ago, gas still flows Mr.. Wilson
reminded MIR. Eerwin that the News had
succeeded in reducing. the value of the
about 25 per cent
Judge Martindale said a change in the
ordinance authorizing meters would mean
price. Although nearly all those present
expressed objections. to meters, all agreed
that the matter should be given thorough
Investigation. The representatives of the
Commercial Club and the Board of Trade
said they would rather not act with the
Council committee, unless the Council
should request them to do So 1t was finally
decided that the Council committee should
make report next Monday night and ask
for further instructions. When the commit
tee was appointed no provision was made
for any expense which might be incurred.
The members of the committee said they
would be pleased to have representatives
of the Commercial Club and the Board of
Trade act with them.
"