The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-01-23
NO FUx IN TIE GAS BUSINESS.
Ways or Compelling Delinquent Consumers %
settle Their Bills.

Ways or Compelling Delinquent Consumers %
Settle Their Bills.
"No. sir!" exclaimed an official Of one Of the
gas companies. there Is absolutely nothing
funny or amusing in our business. It is all exc
tremely serious. We actually get more abuse
than the average car conductor. People think
they are entitled to cuss us and call us all the
nasty names from A to z. People as a rule
don't regard gas in the same light as other COM
modities. Some actually think that they ought
to have gas for nothing. and they are very much
hurt If they are reminded that their gas bill 10
four or five months overdue. So they take 10
out in abusing u.s."
Tho speakers experience has been gained In
the office. The life of the men employed to COLI
lect overdue bills is even more exciting. They
are sometimes lucky II they pass a week with
out having TO dodge t1atirons, broomsticks, and
bottles.
The gas man starts out in the morning to 90
to the house of a consumer who has refused to
pay his bill. The scene is a sweatshop. and the
proprietor Is busy with his irons and his work.
men. The gas man enters.
i've come around" he says, "to 500 your
meter" He takes out his tally book and the
proprietor opens the little closet where the
meter is. In u second the gas man snaps a lock
on the meter and the flames under the irons In
tho shop die out.
Rascal" yells the proprietor. what have
you donei 1t is robbery! Why do you come
herei have paid my bill. I'll report you to
the company
The gas man smiles. Have you got the rS-
ceipt !" he asks.
81 had it. i had 1t. / did. / did. Turn N
that gas or I'll break your head!"
mo money. no gas" says the gas company'S
employee.
Its a robbery. Joe. where is that receipt r.
But Joe hasn't seen IL. Finally the $7.s5 10
paid, and the gasman nnlocks the meter ana
whore something similar is likely TO happen,
The consumer has learned n lesson. He
SIH'SsS burn n" gas s1 FOR seventeen months and never
be fooled again: a lew months pass and an
other gas Sb pm runs oshsG HP p l lhe consume an u pay no os M
around 10 look AT the meter again.
"Ha'. hS; ! ~ guess Cess1 yoH w SSnn o., DO m that IN tT nSi.
form asks TO see the meter. u have had the
trick Played on me before. l am not ready TO
the gas company waits a month and then do
cidcs to fool no more with him. One morning =
front OF tho sweatshop. The proprietor catches
sight OF the uniforms. and, knowing that tho
gas men are upon him. PUSHES 10 his private
hoard and pulls out some money.
Don't ruin moi he cries. as he hurries into
the street where the men are already dis.con'
nf The crowd ",S dDS wfh IRYs' had "g gathered laughs a.
him as no apPeals to the gas man in charge; -,
then. right away and make a deposit of $50
with me-
Fifty d~ollars!' exclaims the consumer. II
haven't that much In the world, II is robbery,
worse than Russia. Villains! Rascals!"
The crowd laughs some more and the gas men
go on with their work. hut in ten minutes tho
consumer comes out OF his house with tho
money. A receipt Is signed on the spot, tho
gravel goes back into tho hole, and the gas men
depart.
The gas companies and their men are very ret
icent about such happenings, fearing that they
may hurt the business, but the stories do get
out. The method OF compelling the laRgards 70
btSh or poor. n