The San Francisco call., 1899-05-21
STRONGLY FAVOR THE
NEW ST 10 GAS RATE
IMPROVEMENT CLUBS PASS A
RESOLUTION.
81. G. Cupples Delivers Warm Argu-
ment Against Paying the Rate
Demanded by the Gas
Company.

The executive committee of the FEEDER
alton of Mission Improvement Clubs
held an interesting meeting last night
in Fairmount Hall. II. G. Cupples, one of
the organizers of the Gas Consumers
League, which is being formed to resist
the gas company's collecting 81 70 per 1000
feet, appeared before the committee and
delivered a lively talk. In part he said:
I'm my work of organizing the consum-
ers of gas to protect themselves as
against the gas company in it's exactions
of the 81 rs rate, when it is claimed that
the 81 10 rate is the legal maximum rate
to be charged, | have found a very gen
eral sentiment in favor of actively resist
ing the attempts of the company to en-
force the higher rate by bulldozing meth
DDS, or by the roundab bout method of
promising a refunding of a portion if the
lower rate is sustained. The only litiga-
ton thus far started is in the so-caled
Hooper case, wherein the company has
brought suit against w. B. Hooper for
rate. Owing to the press comments on
this case there are very grave doubts in
the minds of many people as to the out
come and how 1t will affect them. 1t does
not seem reasonable to suppose that the.
gas company would step in and so sud
denly select a person and open up a case
to serve as test of the rate if the facts
and conditions were not most favorable
to it.
But even supposing that the conditions
surrounding this case were favorable for
a fair adjudication of the rate it lies
within the power of the gas company to
dismiss the action at any time when IFS
interests can best be subserved. and in
such event the matter will still be unset
present.
1.-The only way of testing the matter for
the benefit of the people generally is
through an action brought in their inter
which hoy
Now. as to the payment or non-pav-
ment or gas bills. let me say this: If
consumers refuse to litigate and continue
paying the 81 70 rate with the promised re-
bate, depending upon others to make the
test, there is little likelihood of there be-
ing any refundng. If they let the mat
Ter or litigation rest in the charge of in
d1viduals,. even If the latter are in the end
successful, the return of the excess will
be in the far distant future
L have found that many people have
refused to pay the 81 rs rate but have
made tender of the amount of their bills
at the 81 10 rate, which has been refused
by the agents of the company. In no case
has the gas been shut off for refusal to
pay. Taking into consideration the fact
tnat while large number of parties are
not paying. many consumers who have no
desire to personally stand the brunt of
litigation are paying under protest at the
81 IS rate. The company is collecting in
this way and at this rate larger sum
than it would receive were it to adopt
the Sl' 1U rate ana De aDle 10 cOileCl IIoLu
all. Therefore the logical action to be
taken is for more consumers to refuse TO
pay except it be the 81 10 rate.
The remarks of Mr.. Cupples were lis
tened to with deep interest and when he
concluded the following resolution was
Resolved That it is the sense of the
Federation Of Mission Improvement Clubs
that the 8 10 rate made for ist gas BY the
tion to the San Francisco Gas and Elec-
tric tiio G. Company iin n.y. and we believe that the
courts will decide it to be the legal rate
and all that the gas company IS entitled
we urge and recommend our members and
the members of the affiliated organiza-
tions. as we'll as the gas consumers at
large. to pay their oills on that hasls
only