The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-08-15
ERRORS OF FACT,
ERRORS OF REASON
Official Points Out faIIacies in Gas
Syndicate's Statement.
CONTENDS PLANT PAYS CITY
Figures for 1908 Used to Demonstrate
That, with the Syndicate in Con.
troll, the Municipality Would
Have Lost $2O,001.7O.

In Sundays Times appeared state
ment prepared by representative OF the
local gas syndicate, in which figures were
adduced to show the unwisdom of tho
city continuing to operate the gas plant
on the score Of economy.
The following statement. made yester
day by a gentleman connected with tho
gas department, takes figures to prove
that the operating Of the gas works does
profit the city. The statement IS as fol
lows:
"Only one statement has ever been
prepared by anyone from thet Auditor :
books and records Of the gas department
showing the expenditures. interest on
money invested and receipts of the works
I'D 20 1896 inclusive. This statement was
prepared by Mr. Henry b. Boudar, which
including The last two years. shows a net
surplus to the credit OF the works OF
SjSz 05i.7l.
AS TO FIGURES.
From the figures contained I'm this re
port the representatives OF the syndicate
have labored very hard but unsuccess-
fully. 10 manufacture a statement SHOW
ing that the institution, which rhey are
SO anxious to get possession or. IS very
Improbable 10 the city. They have added
certain charges and deducted large
credit-that IS. they would abolish entirely
the ordinance providing the maner In
which the income from the works should
be arrived az. / am only surprised that
they did not charge to the department
the cost OF cleaning and keeping the
streets In repair and, at the same time
reduce the receipts OF the works TO the
actual cost Of the gas.
There would be about as much reason
in requiring the gas works to furnish the
city sl,526.Ol331 worth Of gas free OF
charge. after paying interest on the mon
ey invested In the works as there would
be I'm requiring a merchant, who had bor-
rowed money from "A bank al regular IN
terost. 10 furnish the president and d.
rectors Of the bank with his goods free
OF charge.
PUBLIC CONSUMPTION.
"As previously stated. IL is not true
that an Of this consumption was credited
10 the works at the market price. At
one time the price allowed the works was
less than the cost Of production. II is
also not true that all OF the public con-
sumtion was used by the fity. Last
year alone 6i7. 700 cubic feet was given
away 70 different institutions / sup
pose our "City Fathers" get into liberal
frame OF mind and make an appropria-
ton of gas TO anyone the works must
stand the loss.
1.-The only reason assigned by the SYM
dicate for wiping out at one fell swoop
the entire public consumption OF thirty
two years credited 20 the works. is the
fact that they include 100000 cubic feet
OF gas per annum, or 50 much thereof
as may be needed, IN their bid for the
lease Of the works. only about onc-half Of
which amount rs necessary 10 meet the
city's present wants.
Now. since the syndicate considers
public consumption and lamp-llghting nat
ural perquisltes due the city we Will
strike them from their proposition and
from the receipts and expenditure of the
works last year. and make a comparison
of what the city would have received In
dollars and cents I'm 1898 If the works had
been IN the hands OF the syndicate and
what she actually received from the gas
consumers
OPERATED BY THE CITY.
Receipts 0ess $500 paid by pub
lie buiiding).. ..........-....... $3.50 095. 63
Expenditures 0ess }2.@iit for
mp-lighting). ............ llN9'5.l'
Excess OF receipts over ex-
pendltures Observation-Disclosures. 20 10. IS
OPERATED BY THE SYNDICATE.
Stipulated payment 20 the
city ..................... $t1,tVtN3
Five per cent. on gross
receipts ................ 9.1llS 49,IiS
In favor Of present operation S2099l1O
PROPOSITION N A NUTSHELL.
$50. n the gas works had been leased
20 the syndicate IN 1891, the city would
have lost 50 40 last year which would
amount % S629.93l a the expiration OF the
thlrty-year lease. This is the syndicate's
proposition boiled down 10 its true worth.
IL cannot understand the purpose OF
the table published by the syndicate
showing a comparison of the expenses of
the works en- ls9S with what would have
been the expenses OF the syndicate for
the same year unless 70 was 10 show
how economically the affairs OK the de-
partment are being administered. IL was
a long time before the works were In
condition 10 make money for the city
and most ~ the surplus 90 its credit was
accumulated In recent years; bat now.
with a small portion of It's profits ok
pended IN Improvements when needed, We
feel confident that al the expiration OF
the next thirty-two years the surplus
will be many times the amount now 20
the credit Of the department. The profits
for the last two years alone would meet
the appropriations for repairs and hold
er IN the west end now pending before
the City Council
"The money the syndicate proposes 10
spend in improvements. II the works are
leased. viii be for their own benefit, and
will hardly be OF much service 10 the
city thirty years hence. / contend thar
the city should make these improvements
and reap the profits accruing from the
same.
This is the financial view OF the ques-
tion. which is decidedly In favor OF mu-
nicipal operation Of the works other i'm
portant objections TO leasing the gas
works should be considered. For IN
stance. the placing Of the gas consumers
OF this city al the mercy Of a gas trust
for the next thirty years, Is a very Sc
rious matter"
KNEW HEUREAUX.