The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-18
Company viii Furnish Free Ser
vice Pipes and Meters.
TO ALL SUBSCRIBERS
Is 1t Always Has Done in the
Past.
Ninety-fiVe Percent Of COnsum.
eTs Have Signed.
To the Gas Users Of Topeka:


The city attorney, Mr.. Dreaming. in
last nights State Journal, purports to
give an opinion on the legality of the
applications for natural gas. that gas
solicitors are now requesting parties
desiring the same to sign.
Mr. Dreaming says, first, that the
Consumers Light, Heat and Power
company can charge the consumer not
to exceed As cents per 1000 feet Tor
domestic purposes. Mr.. Dreaming IS
correct-but the company's applica-
tions read 81 cents. Is this a hold-up
or coercion?
Second-Mr. Drenning says that the
gas company is required to be IN posi-
ton to furnish ten million cubic feet
every thirty days. Correct Mr.. Dren-
ming further goes on to state that a
| demand and tender of price is sum
cient to compel the gas company to
4 furnish gas. 1t is-providing certain
/ reasonable rules and regulations TO
protect the gas company from loss and
waste, have been complied with, the
right to make which is part of the gas
| company's franchise.
Mr.. Drenning goes on further and
advises gas consumers not to sign the
applications for natural gas, form No.
| s, now being circulated by the Gas
company and threatens legal action in
the name of the state, if parties who
refuse to sign are refused gas. The
only point involved is, are the rules
and regulations in the application rea-
tsonaDIe? What are they2 In brief,
the printed rules in the gas applica-
tions are as follows:
1. Consumers must pay at Office on
4 or before the 10th day of each month
to get the 25-cent rate.
2. The books of company may be
examined once each month by sub
scriber to look over his account. II
dispute arises, books of company are
pr1ma facie evidence that account is
correct If meter does not register
in any month, right is given to esti-
mate amount Of gas used by averag-
ing gas consumed during previous
8. Consumer agrees to provide
suitable place for free meter, and to
provide on his premises suitable ft-
tings and fixtures for natural gas.
f. Consumer agrees to protect met
er from frost and interference and il
required by company. agrees to de-
posit money to secure payment of bills.
8. All applications for natural gas
and all notices to discontinue same
must be made in writing in order to
keep record of same.
6. Immediate notice in writing
must be given to company of escape
| of gas. No light must be taken near
escaping gas and stop cock must be
turned off whenever leak is discov-
cred and consumer agrees not to hold
company liable for accident.
Z. In case supply Of natural gas
fails, company is not held RESPONSE
BILE, as company has no control over
same.
s. Company has right of access to
J meter and pipes at all times to see
that same are kept in proper condi-
ton, to read meters, etc. These are
in substance the rules governing ap-
plicaGons for natural gas and in COM
parisOn with the rules and regulations
4 far II ~,
, as mild as a maiden's prayer.
Third-Mr. Dreaming says that the
rule, 1.-THE subscriber will furnish suit
able pipes, fittings and appliances on
0 the premises for the use of natural
f gas is an express violation of the
cOmpany's contract with the city. Mr.
EDrenning quotes section No. OF the
z ordinance. 1t saws All service DiDcs
e and meters shall be put in free OF
- charge to the consumers" The gas
2 company puts in the service pipe from
the main to the house free, puts in G
: | meter and makes the connection free
Il but service pipes have nothing tC
| do with house piping or fixtures. II
= ! this Mr.. Dreaming is absolutely wrong
( In closing, would simply state thai
= the present mayor of Topeka. the eX-
mayor and eX-city attorney, W. z
i Sterne, county commissioner, and Ira
u 0. Howe have all signed these gas ap-
y plicatiOns; also, that 95 per cent Of the
Il gas consumers have already signed.
One word in general: The form
used for applications for natural ga
y by the gas company IN Topeka IS al
It most identical with the form used by
o all natural gas companies in the cas-
and is not nearly as stringent as manl
o of them. The gas company is th'
friend of Topeka. Within two year
it has reduced gas from S1.65, $3.50
-e 1925 to 25 cents per thousand cubir
l. feet. It is now spending a very Iargl
/ sum of money in Topeka.
n There is nothing in the application
le for natural gas as used by this com
n pany that should cause any one VIII,
le wants to use natural gas to refrain
II | from signing the same, and by the tim
az natural gas is turned on, we have ever
n reason to believe that all who reall
s. desire natural gas will have signed.
re Respectfully.
5s 2. J. DIEIsMANN
4 Manager Gas Company.
Y