The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-17
BRIGHTW0OD GAS RATES
SUBURBANITEs WANT NATURAL
FUEL AT ORDINANCE PRICES.
Petitions to the Common Council-NO
Contract with indianapolis Gem
paay, 1t Is Claimed.

The citizens of Brightwood are vigorously
protesting against the policy of the Indian
apolis Gas Company in refusing to reduce
the rate for natural ges in the suburb to
conform to the rate which it is supplied to
consumers in the city. The citizens contend
that they are entitled to the same rates
that are in force in the city, since their
suburb has been annexed and now is part
of the city. Some Of the citizens have APP
piled to the gas company in person to see
why they were not furnished with gas at
the city rates instead of being obliged to
pay from 80 per cent. to so per cent. more
for gas than consumers in any other part of
the city. The reply that they have re-
ceived is that the gas company has a con-
tract to furnish gas in the suburb at the
rate that the suburbanites now have to
pay, and that this being the fact there was
no reason why it should reduce the rate.
The citizens are not content with this an
swer. for they hold that annexation which
makes them a part of the city annuls all
ordinances that conflict with those in force
in the city, and as one Of the results they
are entitled to cheaper gas. 1t is also
claimed that there was no contract made
with the Indianapolis Gas Company regard
ing the rate that the citizens of Bright
contract, they hold. in order to make it
valid, would have had to be signed by the
trustees of the suburb. John Winenow,
trustee at the time the gas company laid
the mains and fixed the rates at which gas
was to be supplied to the citizens says that
there was no contract made and that the
only paper bearing upon the matter which
he signed was the original ordinance drawn
up at that time fixing the rates. AS the
trustees who served at that time all
affirm the statement that there was no con-
tract entered into with the indianapolis
Gas Company the citizens are wondering
as to the nature OF the contract which
Manager John r. Pearson has told them
IS locked up in the companys safe.
The yearly rates paid by Brightwood cit
liens on cooking stoves are: For No. 6.
gasoline stoves $12; laundry stoves. $12 and
water heaters, $40. For base-burning or
upright heating stoves the yearly rate
ranges from $40 to $40, and $15 for CRATES
and open-front stoves, While the yearly rate
for furnaces ranges from $50 to $40. These
rates, which are considerably higher than
the rates paid in the city, have raised the
Indignation of the consumers who are
obliged to pay them, and they are now
seeking means for relief. Every resident
of the city who visits the suburb and is
supposed to know anything about the man
agement of affairs in the city is button
holed and asked for an opinion on the sit
uation and if possible to give them
reason why these high rates are main
tanned since Brightwood has become part
of the city The citizens who have been
obliged to submit to these rates have at
Common Council of the city for relief
Petitions have been framed for. the resi-
dents, and some of the enterprisng citi-
zens who believe that they are not being
treated fairly have been circulating them
during the last week for the signatures of
their neighbors who are obliged to submit
to the high rates.
The petitions will in all probability be
presented tothe City Council at it's regular
meeting next Monday evening. The petit
tons that are being circulated are as fol-
lows:
1--WE, the undersigned. residents of the
First ward CBrightwood) of the city of IN
dianapolis, and consumers of natural gas
furnished by the Indianapolis Gas Com
pany would respectfully call your attention
to the fact that we are paying from 80 to
so per cent. more for natural gas than con-
sumers in other parts of the city, and re-
quest that some action be taken to compel
the Indianapolis Gas Company to reduce
the rates to conform to the schedule in the
city ordinance"