The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-21
An Ordinance Providing for Meter
Measurement VIII He Intro
duced in Council.
THREAT MADE BY COMPANIES
UNLESS DEMAND is MET THEY WILL
WITHDRAW FROM FIELD.
Reached by Representa-
tives of Both Companies Last
Summer-Text of Letters.

The Indianapolis City Council must pass
ordinance providing for the consump-
tion OF gas by the meter system or the
Consumers Gas Trust Company and the
Indianapolis Gas Company will go out of
the business This is the gist Of communi-
cations sent to Mayor Bookwalter and the
Council yesterday afternoon by the two
companies. The letters. which are in the
nature of petitions for an ordinance, are
lengthy and give in detail the reasons why
the two companies must operate under a
meter ordinance or give up their franchises.
The letter from the Consumers Gas Trust
Company is signed by the trustees-Henry
Schnull, II. H. Hanna, John H. Holiday
and John G.. Williams, and by the direc-
tors-Robert n. Lamb, Henry Coburn, Fred
Fahnley, Nathan Morris. A. A Barnes,
Henry Wetzel, Bement Lyman and John
P. Frenzel. The communication from the
Indianapolis Gas Company bears the sigma
ture of F. S. Hastings. the president of
the company.
At the instance Of the companies, whose
interests are practically the same in the
matter at issue, an ordinance will be in
troduced in Council at the next meeting
providing that the use of meters shall be
made compulsory and that the companies
shall not charge more than % cents per
1000 cubic feet for gas. 1t will provide
also that meters shall be furnished to con-
sumers free of charge. The ordinance has
not been drawn yet. and it is not known
by what councilman it will be introduced.
John r. Pearson, of the Indianapolis COM
pany, and Bement Lyman, of the Consum-
ers' company said last night that il would
be ready for the next meeting of Council
and would cover the requirements of both
companies.
PETITIONS SIMILAR IN FORM
The petitions are similar in form and
argument with the exception that the one
of the indianapolis Company makes the
direct statement that if relief is not pro-
vided by Council within a reasonable time
the company will have to shut off its In
dianapolis supply and take its goods to an
other market. The letter of the Consum-
ers' Company declares that it will eventual
ly have to suspend operations unless the
meter system is made compulsory.
1t is stated that the two companies
reached an agreement last August shortly
after the Indianapolis Gas Company sus-
pended the payment of dividends E c.
Benedict, Of New York, director of the
indianapolis Company, advised at that time
that the company refuse further to provide
gas for fuel purposes and transfer its sup
ply to the Chicago market. where better
protection would be afforded 1t against
waste. 1t was reported at the same time
that Mr. Benedict made sweeping charges
against Indianapolis consumers. alleging
that they violated agreements and good
ing the supply. 1t is stated that John p.
Frenzel, of the Consumers Gas Trust Com
pany, mad conference with Mr.. Benedict
Immediately after the former had advised
withdrawal from this city and advised
that tho Indianapolis Company continue in
| business through the winter. and then when
spring came they should unite in an appeal
to the city authorities. Mr.. Benedict con-