The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-26
THE MAYORS OPINION.
Mr.. BOOkwalter Discusses Probable
Results of Gas Suit.

Mayor Bookwalter said last night that
the suit begun by the city was first step
toward the solution of the gas question.
He said he had examined the complaint In
conjunction with City Attorney Joss and
other attorneys who were not interested in
the litigation, and that all agreed that the
complaint presented the case fully and eff
fectively.
when the city has won this suit" said
the mayor, las / anticipate ii will, we Will
have only taken one big step in the solu-
ton of the natural gas question for Indi-
annapolis When the injunction Is made
permanent what situation will the con-
sumers of the Indianapolis company be in?
They will have gained the purpose of the
suit: the company will have been prevent
ed from disseminating its supply. But II
strikes me the victory will be very much
corn. The people will be just where they
were last winter-still keeping their mixers
and paying their bills, always hoping,
hoping; They will be buying 9ther a KINDS
gas they have been used to will be re-
stored for bountiful use. Then the city
must take another and bigger step In the
solution of the gas question
EQUALIZING SERVICE.
1--WE know that gas is falling. and We
ample quantities, such as we have had in
the past is a false one. But we must use
what there is left as far as it will go. 1t
must not be permitted to be taken by those
first served while those last served have
none. IL must be so distributed that it may
be used satisfactorily. If limited to only two
uses-cooking and heating water. That is
an important question that will follow the
permanent Injunction.
What system of regulation would you
suggest"
n discussion of that question. Winning
this suit will put the consumers of the
company in the position they were last
winter when the supply failed In the cold
periods and the people had to burn other
kinds of fuel when they could not get what
they paid most for. Then a system of reg
ulation may be discussed"
Consumers on the indianapolis Com
pany's lines are deeply interested in the
suit because of the hope that IL will re-
store an adequate supply of gas for Gull
nary and water-heating purposes. One of
the consumers said yesterday: Before
the introduction of natural gas our cook
ing stoves had unsightly water backs and
hideous water tanks were part of the
scullery of every kitchen. When gas came
in these tanks were put in the cellars, a
natural gas jet placed under them, and
ever since the householders have enjoyed
hot water without scarcely an effort That
little gas jet, working twenty-four hours
day for Sc year, was "A luxury that
householders are approaching now when
they are hidden by circumstances to re-
store the tank to its old place in the kitch-
en-. Nothing has spoken more eloquently
10 me of the wrong done all the people of
indianapolis blythe wasteful methods used
than this little Woodworking gas jet. and
| would pay three times the amount have
paid for over ten years to keep this one
little servant and be spared the expense OF
new plumbing, uncertainty of service and
the unsightliness OF the tank in the
Kitchen"