The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-01
MEANS CHEAP GAS
What a Pipe Line Would DO for
Topeka.
S. B. ROhrer Explains Purposes
Of Company.
is ASKING NO HELP.
Promise Light and Fuel at One
Third Present Rates.
Proposed Line Not So Long as
Those in East.

S. 3. Rohrer who with N B. Burge.
IS promoting the plan to pipe natural
gas into Topeka. has the following to
say about the proposition which is to
. he pushed on its merits. If the council
II grant the privilege to use the
streets and alleys for laying pipes:
Il have noticed in one OF the papers
that there seems to be some opposition
the granting of our franchise for
pplying the city of Topeka with nat
al gas, first because we have not pro-
.-ded in the franchise for the putting
N OF cash forfeiture, and second, be-
cause we have not incorporated our
,mpany prior to asking for such fran
dse.
I'm relation to the cash forfeiture, /
desire to say we expected opposition ON
this score. but not from the source from
waich it came. We were very much
surprised that any Topeka daily paper
Should even suggest that the city coun-
CT. demand a cash forfeiture of us in
oder to show our good faith when we
are trying to promote an enterprise OF
. Ieh Importance to the citizens of To-
pskR. We have accidentally talked with
few OF the stockholders OF the Gas
ompany now furnishing gas to the city.
md they were unanimously of the same
7inion as that expressed in the daily
er referred to. l think there is a
understanding about this Whole
after.
- doubt II there is city of forty
~ lusand Inhabitants in the country
nat would not be glad to donate $780,
to assist an enterprise of this char
hcter. The building of pipe line nee
essary to supply sufficient natural gas
ler Topeka means the expenditure of
nearly one million dollars and 1t is of
vast 1Tlnnrfan n 40 pif of
this city that we feel we should have
their liberal support and that the citi-
ms Of Topeka should not be Influenced
= some of their friends with whose
n Esiness our company might interfere
91d who are now suggesting plans by
hich an enterprise of this kind might
~ Killed before it has fairly gotten
M aarted.
THE people should remember that
there Is not a single town along our
roposed pipe line of any Importance
rom which we can derive very great
= venue and while we appreciate the
ct that in eastern cities the general
re is about % cents per thousand, yet
must be remembered their cities are
ny much larger and they can better
ford to furnish gas at 25 cents than
E could at so cents without having
itermediate towns to supply. The
kron, Ohio line which is 130 miles in
ugth supplies about fifteen towns and
is may be said of all other lines Op-
grsonally we would be glad to name a
.ry much lower rate. but in order to
lid the line it will be necessary to be
sble to offer sufficient Inducements to
4pital to realize a good profit on their
vestment or it win be impossible to
It the money to build the line.
TT makes very little difference to the
eople Of Topeka whether we name a
lte of so or 80 cents in the franchise,
3 when the line is completed it will he
f.ecessary for the company to offer such
= rate to the consumers as will permit
their using gas as fuel instead of coal,
or the company will operate at a loss.
While taking it as a general rule it
might be proper to ask or demand q
cash bond. but in this case it is en-.
hrely different, as great deal ot
money must necessarily be spent before
The promoters would be able to get
anything out of the scheme On the
ther hand, we have no assurance
whatever that the council would not
grant another franchise to other par
lies who might desire to engage IN this
same business.
IF the citizens feel 1t is necessary foi
US to put up an approved bond in order
to guarantee the carrying out of the
provisions of the franchise, I desire tc
Tay we are perfectly willing to do this
roviding the city shows it's good faith
putting up a cash bonus to thC
ompany when gas is turned on in tht
- city Of Topeka. We have not asked
Angle dollar of aid from the city q
peka, and we feel the city should no
p-tsk us to guarantee something wheI
1t would not be willing to do the sam,
thing.
LAS to the second proposition that VIZ
incorporate before asking for a fran.
Mise, / have only to say we desire tC
aake this a Kansas corporation tn,
-harter fee alone costing us nearly 81. .1Ol
md we do not think 1t right nor Just tC
ask US to spend this amount of money
before knowing what we are to receiv,
at the hands of the city council If To
pelxa is not willing to grant this fran.
chise, there are cities in Kansas read,
to put up a cash consideration to ge
such a line.
"Our proposition is presented to th,
city Of Topeka on its merits. have no
asked a single councilman to summon
our franchise. This is a matter of pub
lie interest. If the people want chear
gas and are willing to lend their sun
port, they will have it If the cit,
council continues to spend its monei
trying to force the present gas compan,
TO reduce its rate to one dollar and a
the same time opposes our proposition
which will reduce the present rate abou
70 per cent. it seems to me this woult
pe inconsistent to say the least.
We feel very confident in being abl
% promote and build a gas pipe line t
topeka but we have right 10 ex1ec
ne liberal support and encouragement
Of the citizens of Topeka who will Ger
tainly be benefited more than we It 4
very important that whatever is don
should be done at once, as it will tax
AZ least four months before we will h
2ole to get any pipe after giving tn
sr and any unnecessary DELAY viii
kSnure to the benefit OF the old com
and against the interests of on
Death of p. c. Rittner.