The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-04-24
FRENZEL FELT HURT
HE DID NOT THINK 1T RIGHT THAT
HE SHOULD BE SWORN.
The Trust Magnate stood the
Fire Well.

opend at the meeting of the Council gas
Investigating committee last evening was
that the trustees of the CONSUMERS Gas
Trust Company feel outraged to think the
committee has required them to take oaths
while testifying regarding the affairs of the
company. When the committee called for
John p. Frenzel, president Of the company.
he asked
do l have to be sworn?"
THAT is the custom of this committee"
replied Mr.. Young.
Each of our directors began Mr.. Fren-
eel. without taking his seat, feels hurt to
think the directors and trustees have been
compelled to take oaths in talking to this
committee. 7 want to enter a mild protest. .
why shouldn't you all be sworn?' asked
Councilman Ryan.
Because this is a matter between bust
ness men," answered Mr.. Frenzel, land the
directors of the Trust come here as bust
ness men, They, as well as myself, feel
outraged"
tits a pity your feelings are so tender"
remarked Mr.. Ryan, but Mr.. Frenzel made
no reply and began to speak upon the mat
ter upon which he had come prepared. 1t
must be said that the performance of Mr..
Frenzel was remarkable. He knew the
sentiment of the Council committee was
against him, as well as some members of
the Board Of Trade and Commercial Club
committees. 1t was evident that Council
man Ryan very much doubted the state
ments made by Mr.. Frenzel, and the latter
was frequently interrupted by questions.
Other members of the committees poured
the questions at Mr.. Frenzel, but notwith-
standing he answered all questions with
not the slightest display of exasperations
and talked for an hour and more upon the
AffAirS of the NnnonanU without hatnr
caught once on a misstat nent by those
who waited for him to make one. When
the meeting ended Mr.. Frenzel still held
the floor. willing and anxious to answer
airy questions put to him.
Before Mr.. Frenzel was sworn the COM
mittee obtained some information of Mr..
". IT.. Shackleton, superintendent of the
Trust. He said the Ohio gas field is prac-
towns are now drawing from the Indiana
field. The Ohio field is smaller than the In
ghta LANA out the result IN the former but
He said there has been a decrease in pres
sure within the last year Of the Consumers
In seven years has been about fifty pounds.
Mr. Chambers wanted to know if Mr..
last at the present rate of decrease in pres
sure. He answered that he could not, for
the supply Il UNCERTAIN. and may not last
coached by Judge Lamb. The latter led the
superintendent to say that the time is al
city by the natural pressure. and that it is
now time for some artificial means to be
n neea. me NJ cor company wa1is mas mh,i 2 P r s5orid q ba 1Se
225. The prices here are lower than in any
gas town in the State:
time of the meeting. He said the company
was prepared to furnish a list Of the stock
h hs atdsp Of 6s1 he &c company sapb irn NTH 5ist the e amount ann unit
it would be furnished. the committee. He
the gross receipts amount to, but the oper-
ating expenses are not exactly known. 1t
supply the demand at the present method
without adopting some artificial means
bringing In az gas nd from ssr the .. wells. ca MIR ! FT maml
bers of the press that the question should
be closed and the question settled, for he
thought the Council should investigate
thoroughly. The committee, he said, should
not give way to popular clamor: Mr.. Fren-
eel estimated the recei pts oo of the company
expenses at $16O, 900 and the field expenses
at $3.50, SOS. He estimated the deficit at $s2,-
holders at $47, 800. In answer to questions
Mr.. Frenzel said the company was not
able to raise money to put in a pumping
station, but should meters be prescribed
the company could raise the necessary
funds. He wanted 1t understood that meters
should meters be employed it would insure
gas for several years to come. The object
of the directors in asking meters meters he said,
was no selfish motive in it. In speaking
of the trust to the committee Mr.. Frenzel
referred to it as "your company the rela-
tive of the Common Council" and "the
property of the city of Indianapolis" The
citizens of Indianapolis, he said, are paying
$314,05 less per annum than fifteen gas
towns of the State for fuel for cook stoves.
CRATES and stoves. The total gross earn
ings of the company up to last October were
$2,4S4, $50. Mr.. FrenZel claimed that the
Trust saved the people half that amount by
insuring cheap gas.
you mean the people saved that amount
for themselves" suggested Mr.. Ryan.
THAT is the best way of putting it, Mr..
Ryan, replied Mr.. FrenZel. Mr.. RYAN
asked several questions and Mr.. Frenzel at
last said:
''We'Il gladly turn the company over to
1t is yours. The trustees of the Trust will
resign to you tonight if you say So"
No one made a grab for the seeming gold
en- offer. In answer to questions asked by
Mr.. Allen, Mr.. Frenzel said the majority
of people would pay less for gas than they
do now and the receipts of the company
would be greatly increased. He also said
the large stockholders have been drawing
dividends, but the company. mas been I'M
able to find many small stockholders. When
members of the committee began to talk
about adjournment, Mr.. Frenzel lighted a
cigar and standing majestically in the
circle, said:
There is more / wish to say upon tho
subject, but it is now growing late. Are
there any more questions wanting answers
before we ADJOURN The committee saw
that Mr.. Frenzel was prepared for an all
night session If necessary and no one had
further questions. The next meeting will
be held Tuesday night.