The Indianapolis journal., 1903-10-29

return postal cards and the blank petitions
printed in the newspapers, citizens are put
ting themselves on the side of those who
are opposing the dissolution of the company
after the natural gas supply shall have
failed entirely. Mr.. a. L. Potts. who Is
conducting the public's appeal to the trus-
tees, is receiving daily hundreds of replies.
and by Nov. 3, when the trustees will hold
their annual meeting. Mr.. Potts expects to
present to the board at least 10000 signed
petitions.
A new feature OF the situation is the
suggestion that by the adoption Of the
meter system the Consumers Gas Trust
Company coulo furnish artificial gas to the
public at very low rates and yet realize
profits sufficient to keep the concern on its
feet. This view is taken by Robert n.
Lamb, president of the Consumers Com
pany. Mr. Lamb has had no hesitancy in
declaring that the company should continue
in business, and that its business for the
future should be 10 supply the people with
artificial gas for fuel purposes at as near
cost as possible.
GAS BY METER
CT am convinced said President Lamb
yesterday, that plan could be formulated
by which the company could go right along
serving the public by the manufacture and
dispensing OF artificial gas. I think by the
use of the meter system, providing the
public could be made to see its advantages,
artificial gas production could be made
practical and sufficiently lucrative to pay
expenses OF operation. This is large sub
ject. however. and L have not gone into it
thoroughly, but / have no doubt that the
suggestion is an entirely practical ONE
Frank E. Gavin, president of the Com
mercial Club. agrees with Mr.. Lamb as TO
the practicability of furnishing artificial
gas by the meter system.
''It seems to me- said Mr.. Gavin. ''that
there is only one way to look at the main
question. 1t was understood when the
stockholders went into the concern that
when they were paid off the company was
to be operated for the benefit of the public
at large. The stockholders either have
received the value of their holdings or can
secure it any time. My opinion is that
few lawyers would hold other than that
the Consumers Gas Trust Company is a
public corporation, to be run for the public.
'It occurs to me that the introduction of
the meter system by the company in sup
plying artificial gas would be most ex-
cellent thing. 1t would mean. 1 feel sure,
plenty OF artificial gas at low rates, and the
continuance of the company as a self
supporting institution
Others interviewed on the matter ex-
pressed the belief that by the use OF the
meter system the company could easily
continue fits usefulness to the great benefit
of consumers. Directors John p. FrenzeI,
Bement Lyman and Fred Fahnley refused
to be interviewed on this subject.
COMMERCIAL CLUB ACTS.
The directors of the Commercial Club
met yesterday and took action on the situ-
alton. formulating petition to the trustees
of the Consumers Gas Trust Company to
elect directors who will manage the COM
pany so that the public may be served with
manufactured gas at the lowest possible
cost. The resolution, which was unani-
mously adopted at the noon meeting. is as
follows:
Believing that the Consumers Gas Trust
Company was organized for the public
spirited purpose of securing gas for the
citizens OF Indianapolis at the lowest DOS
sible cost, and believing that it's stock was
placed in your hands as a sacred trust 10
enable you to protect the consumers. We
therefore petition the board OF trustees of
said company to exercise the power vested
in them to elect directors for said company
who will. when the natural gas supply is
exhausted. plan to furnish manufactured
gas through the pipes of said company al
the lowest possible cost.
A similar petition will no doubt be adopt-
ed by the Board OF Trade at its regular
meeting next Monday night. The Board OF
Trade was foremost in the organization oi
the gas trust, and members of the organ
iZation devised q plan OF existence for the
concern. The members are almost unani.
nous in the belief that the company should
not be allowed TO go TO the wall simply be-
cause one OF its activities is about to be
neutralized. John j. Appel and others who
are prominent in the affairs of the Board
OF Trade declare that decisive action will
be taken Monday night. The meeting oi
the gas trust trustees will be held on the
day following.
MR.. MERRITT PRAISED.
The course of George Merritt, who al
though he had pooled $4,000 worth of Con.
surners' Company stock in the Eureka In
vestment Company, has taken sides with
I the people on the question, declaring that
4 the assets of the company belong to the
people rather than TO the stockholders i:
generally praised by other public-spiritec
I citizens. Henry Schnull. ono OF tn,
/ trustees who will decide the question next
I Tuesday. has put himself on record a.
/ opposing the discontinuance OF the com,
/ pany. He praises the stand taken by Mr.
4 MelTltl anu OlntTSs ana says there Is
question in his mind but that the company
! has the right to manufacture artihcia
/ gas. Mr.. Schnull said: II stand by ths
/ people OF Indianapolis. and in their in
/ terest 1 shall do oil possibly can do. The
/ trustees should work together 10 this end
/ have not seen any OF the trustees sine,
! the last meeting, from which / was taker
( home sick. Nothing further Is 10 be sale
until after the next regular annual meet
| ing. which will be held Nov. -
/ My heart is in this business 10 preserv,
! this plant for the people / am glad tha
/ George Merritt expressed himself as h,
did In his card. That makes me feel good
/ 1t was just what might have been ex
pected of him. He Is a broad-minded citi
zen. always thought a great deal o.
| George Merritt"
MR.. LIEBER'S OPINION.
Herman Lieber. a large stockholder II
the company. declares that the compan,
belongs TO the people or indianapolis Hi
statement as 10 the understanding of al
concerned when the corporation wa!
formed is OF especial interest: IT was on,
OF the men that took an active part in or
ganizing the company. and I now hav,
$,eoo of the stock. I, and everyone tha
was interested in the organization OF th