Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1898-06-30
NoFUNlM THE GAS BUSINESS
Ways 81 Compe.1;nS Delinquent Consum-
ars to Settle Their Bills

W Syo "a SOHpOaiLxsS DellnQucnC COn6um.
ers to Settle Their Bills.
"No, sir, exclaimed an official of
one Of the gas companies, there is
absolutely nothing funny or anus
ing in our business. 1t is all ex-
tremely serious We actually get
more abuse than the average car
conductor. People think they are
entitled to cuss and call us all the
nasty names from A to q. People,
as rule, don't regard gas in the
same light as other commodities.
Some actually think that they ought
to have gas for nothing, and they
are very much hurt if they are re-
minded that their gas bill is four or
five months overdue. So they take
it out in abusing US.
The speakers experience has been
gained in the Office. The life of the
men employed to collect overdue
bills is even more exciting. They
are sometimes lucky if they pass a
week without having to dodge fat
irons, broomsticks and bottles.
The gas man starts out in the
morning to go to the house of a con-
sumner who has refused to pay his
bill. The scene is sweatshop, and
the proprietor is busy with his irons
and his workmen. The gas man en-
tiers.
tive come around, /" he says, "to
see your meter" He takes out his
tally book, and the proprietor opens
the little closet where the meter is.
In a second the gas man snaps lock
on the meter, and the flames under
the irons in the shop die out.
Rascal" yells the proprietor.
''What have you dones It is rob-
berry! Why do you come here's
have paid my bill. I'll report you
to the company"
The gas man smiles. 'Have you
got the receipt" he asks.
II had it. I had it. did. did.
Turn on that gas, or I'll break your
head!''
"No money, no gas, says the gas
company's employee.
IT'S a robbery! Joe, where is that
receipt9' But Joe hasn't seen it,.
Finally the s7.s5 is paid, and the gas
man unlocks the meter and goes
back to his Office or to another house
where something similar is likely to
happen.
The consumer has learned a les
son. He abuses the gas company all
day and vows he will burn gas for
II months and never be fooled again.
A few months pass and another gas
bill runs up. The consumer pays no
attention when asked to settle, and
a man is sent around to look at the
meter again.
"Ha, hal I guess you won't do
that trick again, says the consumer
when the man in uniform asks to
see the meter. 81 have had the trick
played on me before. I am not
ready to pay. Wait awhile. !"
The gas company waits a month
and then decides to fool no more
with him. One morning party of
men begin to tear up the street in
front of the sweatshop. The propri-
etor catches sight of the uniforms,
and, knowing that the gas men are
upon him, rushes to his private
hoard and pulls out some money.
Don't ruin mel" he cries as he
hurries into the street, where the
men are already disconnecting his
gas pipes. II am ready to pay"
The crowd which has gathered
laughs at him as he appeals to the
gas man in charge.
''My friend, says the gas man,
''pay up then right away and make
deposit of $50 with me-"
Fifty dollars!" exclaims the con
sumner. II haven't that much in the
world. 1t is robbery, worse than
Russia. Villains Rascals!''
The crowd laughs some more and
the gas men go on with their work.
But in ten minutes the consumer
comes out of his house with the
money. A receipt is signed on the
spot, the gravel goes back into the
hole, and the gas men depart. New
York Sun.