The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-16
Gas and Electric Light Com
panies Favor an Inspector.
Would Settle Many Disputes
With Customers.
FOR NEW CITY OFFICER
Meter Inspector Might Also
Look After Wiring.
Mr.. Green's Plan Would Make
Office Self Supporting.

VIII the gas and electric light COM
panies fight the proposed ordinance
creating the office of city inspector of
meters?
Not for a minute. It is a mistaken
idea that these companies are any more
dishonest than any other merchants.
They have announced that they well
come the appointment of a city inspec-
tor who can settle the disputes about
meters which are constantly arising
between them and their customers.
They figure that it will increase the
10Y and decrease the perplexities of
their business about 10 per cent, which
As pretty good interest on the invest
nnent-
c. r. Maunsell of the Edison company
goes even further. He wants city in
spector Of wiring. He says: I'VE are
certainly in favor of a city meter in
spector. 1t is a good thing. There is no
reason why the city should not also
have a city inspector of electric wiring.
It would serve as considerable help to
the fire department in preventing fires.
AS 1t is now, there is no one who sees
to it that wiring is properly done ex-
cept Charles Eldridge of the insurance
rating bureau. We have had some ser
1ous difficulties with customers because
for a building where the wiring was
not properly done, and where it was not
approved by ME-. Eldridge. A city in
spector would help us out of all such
Observation-Disclosures"
P. J. Diehlmann of the Excelsior Coke
& Gas company also expresses himself
as strongly in favor of a city inspector
of meters for the gas consumers of the
city.
When a man feels that his meter is
going too fast, his anger and dissatis-
faction is considerably augmented by
his inability to do anything. He feels
that he is in the absolute power of the
company which supplies him with gas,
or electricity. that it does no good to
kick, and that he can't afford to order
the service taken out of his house. He
takes it out" in abusing the company,
swearing at the bill collector wheI re
comes around, and getting himself
worked up into a very nice and anarch-
4stic attitude toward the public utility
corporations.
If the plan proposed by Councilman
William Green is adopted, the customer
will have some redress. He can call
upon the city meter inspector to judge
between him and the company and de-
termine whether he is getting a square
deal. Thus the customer is satisfied by
an ex parte examination and the COM
pany avoids a lot of animosity with its
patrons.
The plan is to have the city plumbing
inspector, VINO is not one OF the over
worked officials of the city, assume the
extra duties of city meter inspector.
When a customer feels that his meter
is not right, he can call on the meter
inspector for an investigation. If the
investigation shows that the meter is
all right, then the fee of 81 which is
charged for the inspection, must be
paid by the consumer. If, on the other
hand, the inspection shows that the me-
ter is giving the customer the worst of
1T to any material degree. the company
must put up the fee of 81. Thus there
IS fascinating element of speculation
involved in calling in the city inspector.
AT least this is the way the plan is be-
ing talked over by members of the city
council, and this is the idea which
Councilman Green had in proposing the
plan.
Every time the meter inspector is
called upon, somebody must pay a fee
of 81, and this 81 goes into the city
treasury. 1t is likely that the fees from
meter inspection will become quite a