The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-21


their windows wide open in warm weather
and allowing the heat to escape, just as
they do with natural gas where meters are
not used. How long could coal dealers con-
tinue in business?
Full warning has been given to consum-
ers by the company that the supply of
natural gas in the field is constantly wan
ing, and joint circulars have been issued
to the consumers by the Consumers Gas
Trust Company and the Indianapolis Gas
Company. under date of June y, 1900, in
which the facts were fully set forth. In
that circular the consumers were advised
that the city authorities were fully in
formed as TO the success which the plan of
selling natural gas by meter had met in
PittSburg. Allegheny, Buffalo, Erie, Day
ton. Detroit. ichmo and other cities.
Committees of the Indianapolis Board of
Trade visited some of these cities, made a
thorough investigation, and reported that
with meters at % cents, 2112 cents and 80
cents per 1000 cubic feet the conditions
were satisfactory, so long as modern APP
pliances were used
USE OF LAS IN THIS CITY.
Indianapolis people use an amount Of gas,
he says, three times as much as is used
by the same number of consumers in other
cities under the meter system. 1t clearly
follows, he says, that if proper appliances
were applied and the waste stopped the
quantity of gas brought TO Indianapolis
would be only one-third of the amount now
consumed, and yet every consumer would
have good service with plenty of pressure.
In Chicago. where the meter system is
used, natural gas is sold for 80 cents per
1000 cubic feet, he says. An examination of
the books of the Peoples Gaslight and
Coke company of that city shows that 5000
people pay less than so cents per month for
their gas supply. These customers were
the ones that used the gas for stoves. H.
draws the conclusion that in this city II
the meter system were applied il would
prove particularly beneficial to poor people
who would be furnished with plenty of fuel
for perhaps half of the present contract
price of $2 per year.
He declares that the volume of gas used
in Chicago is much less than the volume
used in indianapolis on a cold day; that
competent engineers have estimated tina.
with a meter system and careful use one
quarter of the present amount supplied
would give better service than is now af-
forded. and the gas would last proportion
ately longer. The meters stopped the waste
full practices in Chicago, he says, and they
would do the same for Indianapolis. In
quiries made in Pittsburg. Steubenville o.,
New Castle. Pa. and other places where
the meter system is used developed the fact,
President Hastings points out. that entire
success has resulted and satisfaction TO the
consumer as well as to the company.
ALTERNATIVE.
AS to the alternative left to the consumer
and the attitude of the stockholders of his
company President Hastings says:
THE foregoing facts being indisputable
and easily susceptible of proof, the ques-
ton arises, what alternative is left to the
consumer i'm case the supply OF natural
gas is discontinued in Indianapolis? He
will either have to use coal, at current
prices. or Illuminating gas at 81 per thou
sand cubic feet. with less efficiency than
the natural gas, which, at 70 cents per
1000 cubic feet, can be supplied in sufi-
cient quantities for years TO come.
THE stock Of the indianapolis Gas Com
pany G2,OO0.OCO has been fully paid, and
under the l. US OF Indiana cannot be in
creased. Unde a trust agreement the
tional bonds. The mortgage of the COM
pany covers all its assets, of which one
of the most important is the natural gas,
which may be regarded as a fleeing asset,
as attested by the State geOlogist. as IL
well known by all persons interested in
the natural-gas business in Indiana. The
directors of the company have been elect
cd by the stockholders, charged with a
trust. viz: to administer the property for
the best interests of the stockholders. sub
ject, however, TO the rights OF the bond
holders. The stockholders unanimously
agree that the directors, in allowing this
feeting asset TO be used mi wfully. have
been grossly derelict I'm their duty. In this
opinion the bondholders concur, but have
gone farther, and to-day are considering
a legal plan by which the directors will
be forced by proper legal authority TO dis
continue to dispose OF this ieeting asset
i'm the unlawful manner aforesaid, and 10
dispose of it 70 the best of a0-
vantage and at the best Obtainable price.
The company has opportunity 10 dispose
of it's gas elsewhere in unlimited quanti-
ties by meter measurement only, and at
prices varying from 10 cents 10 y cents
per thousand cubic feet. Undoubtedly. If
an effort were made by the company higher
prices could be obtained"
He concludes his letter with the asser-
ton that his company has a legal ugh 10
quit business here If prompt remedial legis-
lation be not obtained. Counsel has ad-
vised fully on that point, he says In ask
ing for the adoption OF the ordinance he
urges promptitude.
The action OF the companies was received
everywhere with surprise and furnished a
general topic of conversation. While there
are many who are sill bitterly opposed
10 the adoption OF meters. there were many
others Yesterday who were outspOken in
the opinion that the adoption OF the meter
system is the only way that the gas supply