The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-10
Not Much Can he Done IL They Re-
fuse Absolutely to Accept a Rate
Less Than stipulated.
FIRST WARD MEETING CALLED
CITIZENS MEETING IN FLASkANP'S
HALL TOMORROW NIGHT.
Water Company Will Pump Water to
Irvington-Other Munich
pal Affairs.


movement is on foot looking toward
a reduction of the rate proposed by the
Indianapolis Gas Company and the Con-
sumers' Gas Trust Company. Councilmen
who are in favor of meters but who be-
lieve that the 25-cent rate is excessive
are discussing the advisability of the COM
mittee on contracts and franchises hold
ing a conference with the officials of the
gas companies TO see if the companies
will not accept meter rate less than the
ore proposed. They believe that if the
committee could obtain some assurance
from the gas companies that comp omise
would be accepted. the whole matter would
be greatly simplified. With the possibility
of an agreement on the rate issue, the
committee would then be free TO devote its
time to ascertaining whether meters at any
price would be better for the interests of
the people than the present contract sys-
TEN. They say. too. that such confer
ence would not bind the committee to any
course of action towards the gas COM
panies, but would serve only to dispose at
once of a vexed question.
councilman who believes that meters
must sooner or later be made compulsory
but who "balks'' at the 25-cent rate, talked
to the Journal yesterday on the proposed
conference. He stated that he did not wish
TO be quoted for the reason that his at
titude might be misunderstood. He said
"It seems to me that the qpestion as to
whether the companies Will accent mOdl-
fication of rate should the committee de-
qfgl 10 70 aro1aT no "a.
mount at this time. What in the world
would be the use of considering the meter
question at all if the gas companies stand
flat-fOOted and spurn any rate less than
. cents? We might as well throw up
the whole business at the start. This is
an issue in which il looks to me that both
Thousands of citizens may have TO back
down, in a way. the question as TO
whether meters shall be made compulsory;
and on their part the gas companies ought
pie half way with a reduction of rate.
Their announced policy of accepting no
compromise is not calculated to advance
their ordinance through Council.
A DESIRABLE CONDITION.
But on the other hand. if they would
agree to meet with the Council committee
and after a businesslike discussion and in
vestigation OF all the details of the whole
question would agree to compromise the
rate question on a basis to be settled later
the committee would have then something
to go on. The public generally would
change it's attitude and thousands of per-
sons who have announced themselves az
against gas meters without careful con.
sideration would modify their views This
statement OF the companies that they will
adhere 10 the proposed rate and the threat
OF the indianapolis Gas Company to with
draw May / If meters at 25 cents are not
given them tends to antagonize people. IL
puts the gas companies in the attitude OF
the little girl who said: If / can't have
my own way i will take my doll rags and
go home First of all. / am of opinion
that the companies should announce to
the people that they will accept com
meter can be furnished without loss at q
rate less than % cents.
Il have talked to several cOuncilmen, -
ne continued, land / find that they hold
the same view this point. They don't
care to have their names I'm print for the
reason that constituents might Jump to the
conclusion they were going to vote for
meters at any price, but they favor some
sort of conference as the one l have in
dicated."
Councilman John L. Mcfarland is one of
those who believe that the 25-cent rate is too
high. Mr.. Mcfarland will prepare an
amendment to the ordinance providing for
a lower rate. He is not certain, he says,
until he investigates the matter further,
whether his amendment will provide for q
rate of % cents or of 10 cents. Mr.. McFar-
land believes that progress could be made
I'm the consideration OF the matter if the
gas companies would stand ready to accept
compromise. Councilman Holiday, who
introduced the meter ordinance. holds the
view that the proposed rate is excessive
and may also introduce a rate amendment.
IL is said that Mr. Holiday is one of the
cOuncflmen who advocate a conference with
the companies, but as he was out. of the
city yesterday the statement could not be
verified In addition TO these there are
several Democratic members who favor the
proposed conference. They stand ready TO
vote for meters. ii is stated. if a lower rate
can be obtained.
GAS-COMPANY MEN
John r. Pearson. of the indianapolis Gas
Company. and John p. Frenzel. of the
Consumers Gas Trust Company, said yes
terday that they had not heard of the
movement for a conference To the direct
question as 20 whether they would meet
the committee half way both stated they
preferred not TO be interviewed on that
point. In the Journal last Monday morning
Mr. Pearson made this statement in answer
to a question as 10 whether the Indianapolis
Gas Company would agree to fix a lower
meter rate than p cents:
Il have no hesitation in saying no" said
Mr.. Pearson. From my knowledge of the
attitude of President Hastings and the de-
mands of the stockholders l am confident
that nothing less than a 25-cent rate could
Suppose that a Council committee were
To be appointed 10 arbitrate the rate ques-
tiOn with a committee from your company.
and the whole matter came down TO a ques-
ton Of agreeing on what rate should be
charged, would there be a possibility of Mr.
HaStings's decision being changed?"
No, again. said Mr.. Pearson. The
company has figured the question OF rate
down 10 what | consider the lowest under
which II could maintain business in Indi-
annapolis / want 10 say that the letter
is NOT
sense of the term: IL is plain matter-of-
fact statement of what We consider our pO-
sitiOn and just needs. The company has
figured closely on the rate: IL has not gone
into the question in haphazard fashion
We ask the officials and the people in a
business-like way TO give us meters at a
rate which we know positively is not ex-
Cessive."
WATER FOR IRVINGTON.