The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-06-05
Secretary Morgan Expects to
Know in a Few Days.
BUSINESS DELAYED.
Death of Governor Flower In
terrupted the Proceedings.
Question of Increased Consump-
tiOn Now Being Considered.
Dollar Gas Would Be Within
the Reach of All.

Mr.. H. S. Morgan. secretary and
treasurer of the Topeka Gas company.
stated today that he expected to hear
from the owners of the plant in the
east within the next few days in refer
ence to a reduction in rates.
He further stated that he believed a
reduction would be granted Topeka
consumers.
In the light of this information it
may not be necessary for the city coun-
ell to take radical steps in dealing with
the gas company. If the company is
willing to keep its promise and give
Topeka reduced rates there is every dis
position on the part of the council and
the consumers to await its action-pro-
vided it does not take too long. How
ever, a slight reduction in the present
rates will not be taken as a redemp-
ton in good faith of the promise made,
and no rate higher than 81 will be re-
ceived with satisfaction
Mr.. Morgan said that he knew the
matter of giving Topeka reduced rates
had been under consideration for some
time, and that he had expected to hear
from the owners before this time The
death of Governor Flower, he believes,
who was closely identified with Mr..
Anthony Brady, the principal owner Of
the Topeka plant, has been responsible
for delay in settling the matter He
now looks for a communication from
the east at any time.
THE company is now making but a
bare profit said Mr. Morgan, in dis
cussing a probable reduction in rates
Unless a reduction in rates would
bring US greatly increased consUm ptiOn
we would lose money by such a move.
People who think everything is profit
connected with the gas company are al
together mistaken. At the present time
We are not making as much the
States would
the event they were called upon to de-
eide what was fair return on the in
vestment-
1t is a fact that there could hardly
be a more unfortunate time to call on
the company for a reduction in rates
The expenditures in improving the
plant have been very heavy, and the
material necessary in an extension of
our mains and in making connections
now costs just double what ii did
year ago.
1T is only reasonable to suppose that
a reduction in rates would bring US
more customers Whether the increase
would be sufficient to offset the reduc-
ton is question With our present
capacity We are in shape to supply
more than double the number of our
present consumers"
Conservative business men of Topeka
express the opinion that the gas COM
pany could at least double its present
consumption by putting in a dollar rate.
This would undoubtedly give the COM
pdny as great. II not d pTOAl
than at the present time
There is hardly a family in mOder-
ate circumstances in any part of the
city that would not be glad of the OPP
pOrtunity of securing gas at a dollar
rate During the summer months the
company could count on a big con-
sumption for fuel purposes. gas being
more preferable than gasoline. Peo-
pie who might prefer electricity for il
Eliminating purposes would have gas
connections for the sake of securing it
for fuel
The gas company need have no hest
tation of putting in a dollar rate on
the question of increased consumption
Mr. Morgan readily admits that IL would
only be reasonable for the number of
consumers to increase with a reduc-
ton in rates For a number of years
there has not existed among the peO-
pie of Topeka the most friendly feeling
for the gas company because of the
high rates that have been maintained
The inauguration of a dollar rate would
completely dispel this feeling, and en-
gender one in its stead that the COM
pany desired to be fair toward its con-
sumers. Friendliness in a community
has much to do with the prosperity of
an industry, and the Topeka Gas COM
pany would find this out by placing a
dollar rate in effect
1t is a fOregOne conclusion that there
must be a reduction in gas rates at
this time. For the company to now
go back on its promise would be to force
the city council to take radical meas
ureS The Inauguration of any rate
higher than one dollar would not in
crease the number of consumers to any
extent The popular rate and the rate
on which the. company may hope to
double its present consumption is the
ing no false step in granting it to To-
DelSa consumers.