The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-24
GAS METER SUGGESTION
COUNCILMAN NEGLEY WILL SUBMIT
HIS VIEWS TO COUNCIL.
His Idea to Use Natural Fuel for
poses OnIy-Other Matters.


First ward and chairman of the commit
tee on contracts and franchises, has made
a new suggestion on the question as TO
whether meters shall be made compulsory
in the consumption of natural gas. Mr..
Negley will present his views to Council in
regular form and it is probable that the
plan he outlines will have considerable
bearing upon the action of Council in con-
sidering the meter ordinance which, it is
stated, will be introduced one week from
tonight at the instance of the indianapolis
Gas Company and the Consumers Gas
Trust Company
Negley's idea is that hereafter natural
gas should be used only for purposes of
cooking and for illuminating. Restricted
to two uses, he thinks the meter sys-
tenn under certain conditions which he
specifies might prove to be extremely bene-
fetal in increasing the flow of gas and pro-
longing the life of the supply People
should not be allowed to burn gas in fur
naces, stoves and CRATES for heating pur-
poses, he thinks; and manufactures should
be cut off from its use altogether. If il is
the desire of a majority of the people that
the meter ordinance be passed by Coun-
Gil, Mr.. Negley holds that the best results
would be obtained by amending the ordi-
tons.
WILL RENT A HALL.
'T do not wish it understood at the
present time that am in favor Of the meter
ordnance he said. II have not consulted
my constituents yet and L do not know
just where they stand. If the proposed or
dinance is introduced L going to rent
a big hall and call a First ward citizens
mass meeting, where everybody interested
can be heard and where the sentiment
of the ward can be expressed. BY that
meeting my vote will be determined My
idea in making this suggestion is that if
a meter ordinance should be decided upon
II seems to be that could secure the
best results by insisting upon the restric-
tions in the use of gas which l have men
toned.
Il believe that the letters of the gas COM
panies are sincere expressions of the stu
alton as il appears to them" said Mr.. Neg
ley. THE letters declare just what we have
ali of us believed-that something must
be done to conserve the gas supply. The
companies want a meter system at a rate
of 20 cents per 1000 feet, but they do not
suggest with what appliances for burning
gas the meters shall be used. In that il
seems TO me lies the kernel of the stu
alton. | do not believe that meters would
be altogether satisfactory or would solve
the problem of saving the supply If they
are 10 be applied to furnaces, heating
stoves and CRATES as well as to cook stoves
L
that a general use of the meter would re-
suit in all that is claimed for il.
What L do believe in firmly is that If the
meter system were to be applied only to
cook stoves and Illuminating appliances
and people should not be allowed 10 use
natural gas for other purposes, then the
meter system would work we'll and would
result in actual saving to the people of
straitened circumstances well as in Civ
ing them more gas for their money than
they ever got under the contract system.
n at "a in a uOh rrnr.lH
have TO put in stoves specially constructed
for meter measurement stoves built on
economical principles. With ordinary gas
stoves under the meter system there would
probably be increased expense to con-
sumers.
SOME OBJECTION.
Some objection will likely be raised to
the meter system this particular point.
People will say: If meters are to be used
we will have to go and spend a lot of
money for new stoves to get any benefit
l would answer that by saying that in all
probabili meters used as / have indi-
Gated would keep the gas supply going for
four or five years more and that the ex-
pense for new stoves would be more than
made up by the saving and satisfaction
In that time This is how the meter eues-
ton strikes me at the present time Per-
sOnally | am inclined TO favor the idea
with certain restrictions. As the repre-
sentative or the FIRST ward, however, L
have first TO find out what the people
want before announcing how I will vote
Mr.. Negley is the first councilman who
has given any indication of his position
on the meter question. Other members of
the body have held their peace with great
discretion. When asked as to what seems
to be the chances of such an ordinance as
the one proposed getting through Council
Mr.. Negley said:
Although 1 have talked with few on the
matter, my opinion is that there are more
councilmen who favor a meter system than
/ there are who are opposed to one. There
are some Republicans who favor il and I
am convinced that there are several Demo-
/ Gratis in the same position. When the
/ show down comes finally il would not
surprise me TO see the ordinance passed
/ with only bare handful of dissenting
| votes"