The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-26

of meters the companies would be given
a good chance to cheat in dispensing the
gas. Now L say that even IL honorable
men well known to you all would stoop 10
dishonesty in business practices they would
have no opportunity 10 do so with the
meter system because meters register ac-
curately and honestly. More than that
Council has power, and the companies
would not object TO its use. to put into
the ordinances such safeguards as IL may
think necessary to protect the people from
the danger Of false registration by meters.
Now what remains? The question of
rate. This is a matter where there is room
for a difference of opinion. In the nrSt
place, / know that the rates now in use are
lower than rates under which gas was
burned throughout the gas belt when gas
was as plentiful as air. Well, II that rate
was fair then is it just now that gas IS
scarce and expenses have increased? No
one will say that II a 1O-cent meter rate
was right in 1887 it is right in 1902 The
best evidence i know of as TO what should
be the proper rate is the experience or
other communities.
Il am connected with the Deiterich syn
dictate which dispenses gas in many cities
and towns in Ohio. 1t has established a
meter rate of % cents in all of these places
and L know that gas is burned in these
communities with satisfaction to all.
1.-THE time is fast approaching when the
revenues of the Indianapolis Gas Company
Will hardly equal expenses OF operation.
The company wants to bring its gas TO
Indianapolis and sell it here, and all other
il wants TO deal with Indianapolis people.
but il must have a fair return for its in
VeStment. Its stockholders are clamorlng
for dividends and the officials are threat
ened with suits. They making the last
appeal to the city. / say this, that the
committee may realize that the company
is not making a bluff of any kind. know
that last winter Mr.. Hastings and the di-
rectOrs considered the advisability OF cut
ting off some of the territory supplied here.
1 told them that il could not be done legal
ly; that people in Brightwood. Haugh-
vile and IrvingtOn had as much right to
the gas supply as people in the center Of
the city. That idea was dropped and only
one thing remained-remedial legislation"
Councilman Cooper asked Mr.. Winter II
the company would refuse TO accept any
other ordinance than the one now before
the Council. Mr.. Winter said that he
could not 80 SO Ear as TO answer that ques-
ton, although he did not think the COM
pany would assume a stand so autOcratc
and arbitrary. He said that some legisla-
ton would have TO be enacted, however
this ordinance or some other as fair.
MR.. PEARSON'S VIEW.
John r. Pearson said: Il have studied
the question of rate thoroughly and firm
ly believe that the company cannot do
business with a lower charge. L know
that we have more than 600 consumers of
artificial gas who are burning it for cook
ing and heating purposes at 81 per 1000
cubic feet. l don't see why natural gas,
which is richer in heat units than artificial
gas, cannot be burned for % cents"
Bement Lyman said: 1T has come to
this with the Consumers cOmpany-a rap
idly diminishing revenue and rapidly in
creasing expense account. | don't know
how long can hold out, but certainly not
very long. We think the 25-cent rate is
fair"
Captain Bigger, Of Pittsburg, said that
the Philadelphia Gas Company furnishes
gas by meter at rate that runs from -
cents 10 80 cents. Nine-tenths of the work
ing people who burn gas In Pittsburg, he
said, viii testify that gas by meter IS
cheaper and more satisfactory In every
way that under the old plan which was
tried formerly by his company. Captain
Bigger said that his company has intro
duced economical appliances which have
been pat into general use by consumers.
we have inspectors" he said, who show
our patrons how TO use them and how TO
keep them clean. Old coal appliances are
not suitable for burning gas"
Councilman Sourbier asked what il would
cost 10 run a cook stove and heater for "A
year by meter at a 25-cent rate. Captain
Bigger estimated the cost at so annually.
Mr.. Mcfarland inquired as 10 the cost OF
economical appliances He was informed
that they could be purchased from s. or 81
up. Other questions led Captain Bigger 10
say that the adoption Of the meter system