The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-05-06
THAT GAS BILL ENORMOUS
WomeL's Hospital In Chicago Forgot
About the Gas-Meter

Chicago, Ill, May 5.-The Chicago's
Gaslight and Coke company's bill OF
$4,000 for gas used by the Woman's
Hospital OF Chicago has unsettled the
faith OF that institutions managers in
the kindheartedness of corporations
Had it not been for the intervention
Of Robert T. Lincoln, president of the
company, who agreed yesterday to cali
it square for 10 cents on the dollar, Mrs.
John B. Lyon, president Of the hospital
and her women associates, would have
been driven sick with nervous shock,
while the hospital must have been para
lyzed beyond recovery.
II was all the result OF a misunder-
standing.
Ten years ago workman put a gas
meter in the hospital, which is at Thirty
second street and Rhodes avenue But
It happened that no report was ever
made 70 the Chicago Gaslight and Coke
company that the Woman's Hospital
had become a customer, and no hint
was ever carried 10 the good women in
charge thar their relations with Mr..
Lincoln's company were purely a bust
ness transaction
When no gas bill came in that month
it was June. 1S95-the officers OF the
hospital concluded that they were the
beneficiaries Of a charity on the part Of
the corporation.
Through a decade Of neglect that old
meter has been doing business. Nobody
went near It The wheels turned until
the cogs grew smooth. Rust set in,
the meter wheeled and broaned, but no
one thought TO give the old box any oil
Meters grew into millimeters as the
years rolled on. Perhaps the only man
who knew this particular meter existed
had forgotten about il.
Last week the patient old thing went
en- a strike-choked up with work, il is
said-Iiterally asphyxiated.
Mrs. John B. Lyon. No. 252 Michigan
avenue. president alike OF the Hospital
and the Chicago Exchange for Wonans
Work, went TO the office Of the gas cCom
pany.
Please send up and fix our meter"
said Mrs. Lyon. our gas has been
dim several nights now"
The clerk hurried through the pages
o. several books. HIS asked the name
OF the hospital and its location.
You are not one OF our subscribers,
madam" the clerk said 81 guess you
have made a mistake IN the company"
That reminded Mrs Lyon.
mo. not exactly a subscriber" she
said. but one Of your beneficisries. And
the ladies are al ever 50 much obliged
10 You for your exceeding kindness /;
is 50 good Of the company 10 encourage
our institution that way, and really
have myself meant % come in ana
thank you, over and over again"
II was investigated The gas COM
psny found there had been one steady
leak II never heard OF. The register
showed a consumption OF $50 worth OF
gas last month. il Is said. and with that
for q basis the bill for ten years was
figured out % De $I0.S00- The company
was willing 70 settle for $1,000.
We haven't the money" said Mrs
Lyon If you make Us pay anything
Ike that amount We VIII have % break
up the institution and turn over the
property % You"
Cooperation Counsel Seal and other |
attorneys were consulted. and finally /
" Lincoln interviewed The hospital
he said. could pay 81. Geo for the gas al !
ready burned and submit 70 a new me- !
ter and monthly gas bills for the fu-
ture-
The compromise was accepted by the. |
Chicago GsSlight and Coke company.
but they are now wondering how they
came 70 take the initiative IN clearing J
up the secret o. a forgotten gasoms- |
rer