The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1903-11-18
AMENDS CONTRACTS.
Union Utility Bows to Force of
Public Opinion.

will not Demand Exemption From
Damages Caused by Negligence
Statement Issued to to the Public
Defense or its Positien-Gas Lights
and the Charges fer Them.
The Union Utility company has
issued the following statement to
the public:
There seems to be an honest diff
ference OF opinion on part OF some
customers of the Company who seem
to believe that the printed form of
application prepared by the Com
pany for signatures of users of gas
and water requires them to waive all
claims that might arise from loss or
damages caused by the negligence
of the company, and that their in
suranee would be lost in case OF fire
caused by the use of gas. all CT
which is without foundation in law,
and none of which was ever intended
by the Company, nevertheless the
Company is willing to concede
something to the fears of customers,
hover groundless In fact or law, and
authorize a modification of the form
of application by inserting the words
'but not waving any damages
caused by the negligence of the com
pany," or words of like meaning.
The company has at all times en-
deavored to secure and use the best
and latest devices, appliances and
methods in all its operations, so as
to protect the life, health and prop
er ty, of al. who deal with it, or come
into contact or any relation to it.
1t has applied tenders to its cars,
while many companies regarding
them as useless have saved the cost.
1t has secured the best gas regula-
tors after investigating all that are
in use or in the market anywhere.
1t has installed filters at the pump
ing station and tunnelled under the
river and takes the water far from
the shore in order to get the purest
and the best. 1t has in numberless
ways lin fact regardless of cost In
every known way that human know
ledge and skill could devise or fore
see) tried to render the safest and
best service in every department of
its operations. 1t calls attention to
the fact that in nearly fifteen years
during which it has supplied water
and gas it has had but one suit for
alleged damages, and this suit has
not been tried.
The Company fesis that much
needless and perhaps thoughtless and
unintentional, and some wilful mis-
representation has been INDUCED in,
and an effort made to stir up strife
and incite ill-ieeling by calling hard
names, seeking to arouse suspicion
that the company has Interior and
unlawful purpose, or sinister designs
against the public. 1t should be
RENE mbered that every stakeholder,
but two, is resident and all tax
payers in Morgantown. and each
consumer of gas, water and electric
light, and interested in securing the
best and safest service for themsel
YES and their families. In addition
they are wholly identified with the
City and its prosperity and they
should be credited with little COM
mon sense and the knowledge that
only fair dealing, safe, efficient and
reasonable service will command the
support and confidence of the pub
lie, and increase the population,
business and prosperity of the City.
They have invested very large sum
of money in the effort to supply as
cheaply as possible several of the
prime necesssries Of life, and of
business prosperity. They are re
ceiving no dividends and do not ex-
pect any for a long time to conc.
They are entitled to fair treatment,
aud should not be vilified as though
they were harpies, octopuses and
public enemies. Some Of the loudest
takers and most unreasonable in
their criticisms would not put a
dollar into such an enterprise.
Another misapprehension should
be corrected. The City ordinance
fixes rates for gas and water TO pri-
vate families and to the City, but
does not fix rates for hotels, board
ing houses, offices, stores, shops,
factories etc. The Is cents per
month for Wellsbach or similar
buraers is expressly limited by the
franchise to private families. The
Company's new rate for such lights
to take effect January LIST, 1904 at
rs cents applies to all other consum-
ers except private families.
The following reso luton was pass
ed by the company on Saturday after
noon:
WHEREAS, the application for gas
ard water being made by the consum-
ers, as it now is, does not require the
consumer to waive any damages which
might be occasioned to him by the
negligence of this company, If it
should be guilty OF negligence; and
whereas, DO such construction can
reasonably or legally be given to said
application; and, whereas, this COM
pany had no intention Of asking the
consumer to waive any damages which
might be occasioned by the negligence
of this company: Therefore, be it,
Resotred, That any consumer who
desires may have inserted in his APP
plcation, before his signature and
after the word "hereof," in the third
line of said application the following
word "but not waving any damages
which may be occasioned by your
negligence" and that all consumers
be notified accordingly.
TlJroNr TIpIr INV M