The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-11-12

such proper restrictions and safeguards az
to prices to be charged tho city and cit
izcns, the candle power to be furnished,
etc.. as will protect tho Interests OF ~
concerned.
In 1893 a proposition was submitted
to the City.Counc,i by responsible par
ties 10 lease the gas works for q period
OF thirty 900 years upon the following
condtions To furnish gas to tie city,
free OF cost at such places along the
mains, and In sucn quantities as may DO
necessary for tho lighting OF the city
buildings and Its streets; to pay tho
city the sum OF $4,000 per nnnum during
tho continuance OF said lease, to keep
III order and light Ill Of Its street lamps.
and to give the city yearly, as the Same
may be required 900 loads OF coke for
distribution among the poor; TO furnish
private consumers gas at not exceeding
81 per thousand, the price then and now
charged, the candle power TO be not less
than 70, and free from sulphurretted
hydrogen; to make, all necessary extern
sons, repairs and improvements, both to
the mains and to the works, as might be
necessary, and at the termination Of the
lease to surrender the works. mains and
p ant In as good or better condition as
they were received from the city; to ex-
pend within two years after obtaining
possession of the property, not less than
two hundred thousand (s2o0,oOg dollars, In
the construction Of an additional gas
holder Xxx. and after two years to
expend not less than $4,000 on an average
for the term Of thirty 500 years; TO pay
irto the city treasury at tho end OF each
year, during the continuance OF the lease
five (5) per cent OF the gross receipts
from the Soale OF gas furnished private
consumers: 10 keep the property insured.
These parties agreed TO give bond for
10000 for the faithful performance Of
their contract. and yet strange to say,
this proposition was rejected Wy the
Board OF Aldermen by vote OF 10 to z.
JUST Imagine the thousands OF dollars
that would have been saved the city. had
the gas plant been leased upon the terms
end conditions named!
II the city will advertise the property
for lease. it is possible she may get rid
OF this white elephant or incubus upon
similar terms and conditions. The oper-
alton of the city gas works has been,
costly experiment, the gas furnished mas
been insufficient In quantity and misera-
BILE in quality, and the people would
never have submitted to the many iInpo-
sitions and evils they have patiently en-
dured had tho plant been operated by
private corporation.
It Is Just md proper to state that IN
computing tho expenses OF the Gas Do
partment, no account has been taken OF
the rent Of the Offices occupied BY tho
lighting department, no allowance made
for services rendered by other depart
ments OF the city government, the legal
departments in defending suits ETC.. the
paving OF the streets for original subway
work. as we'll as repairs, which we un-
aerstand are charged 10 the street de-
partmnt. Water supplied by the city
is not charged to this department. all
OF which arc proper and legitimate
charges that should be reckoned within
the computation OF profit and loss,
| In regard to the recent letter Of Mr..
Frank Jay Gould. ! regard II as disin-
eenious and misleading, when he states
II have long realized that the present
street railway and lighting properties IN
your community, and many OF the exist
Ing lines, are now run at an actuat
operating loss throughout the year" This
may be true II Mr. Gould estimates h's
profits upon his capitalization ana not
upon what the properties cost MN. re
would hardly assert that he does not
X a. Z
yestment upon what he paid for these
properties. Property costing say, ~
10000, should not DO expected to pay
much OF an income upon capltahsltlon
OF $15, 0o0. 600. II he Is really operal,ns
"at an actual loss" he should DO sMa
to pet rid Of It to the city or any other
party whom he can induce TO puy,
Mr.. Gould, keen business man, oper-
ates the electric properties In this city
because there is money, good money, in
them, but where he can make money I'M
der his good management and economic
administration, the city "oulu iooso ..'ou.
sands in carrying on an eleo't'o p'e'"'' %
she has on her gas WORKS,
Let tho city at once advertise for ap-
r,ca inns for lease OF the gas works
ana 50 out = J. s. MOORE.
Richmond. Va. November lo'h'