The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1906-02-07
All Night Lights to Begin March
l5th--First Step For New
Sewer System Building
Boom Still On

, the lG 4. Il. now III use, at very
small increase Of cost per light The
usual prices for service of these i'm
proved gas lights in many of the large
cities is 1929 to $2.42 per month.
The improved street lighting com
pan.es will not sell their lamps, but
only put them in service at fixed
/ price per year, we merely furnish the
gas used. There are only two companies
in the United States furnishing these
they know it.
| Electricity as furnished by us to-
day is not excessive in price com
pared with other cit es of like area and
conditions as our own, therefore do
not regard ii necessary To enter into
lengthy discussion pertaining to it
but much criticism has been made by
our citizens toward the gas company,
because of its charge to them of two
dollars per thousand cubic feet for
gas. 1t does not appear to the average
consumer, an eXorbitant price com
pared with prices charged in many
cities.
Il anticipate how difficult on my
part 1t may be to convince some of our
citizens that the lighting corporations
in the city of Cairo are not dollar
greedy. nevertheless this does not
prove it is fact, nor does it change
the true condition. The profits from
furnishing manufactured gas, Is solely
dependent on the output in proportion
to investment, and the price is gov
erned accordingly. The consumption
OF gas In the city of Cairo has always
been such limited amount, thar II
has to bear an unusual burden in pro
portion, viz cost of production.
operat ng, maintenance, depreciation
and investment, or cost. of properties
In addition to this, the city lighting
less the cost of car? ana attention to
street lamps, has been at a price that
only allowed for gas consumed, about
cents per thousand cubic
feet. Consequently the private or small
consumers, had TO bear maximum
charge for gas to partially offset this |
deficit. Our citizens have reason to
claim tbs is not fair or just TO them, |
but the only reason on our part that |
can be offered for such conditions, |
has been the constant demand from |
lime to time. and may say forced |
lpon us. to furnish cheap lighting to
he city. and is the only excuse to be
given for such results
Another item of cost in supplying
gas in the city of Cairo. which | am
Inclined TO believe our citizens do not |
or clearly understand. T.
he great loss by leakage. We have
oday 1874 miles of pipe mains. i'm
,edded in filled Streets composed of
oose and wet soil. causing a settling
nd deterioration, also constant ex-
,ense of repairs and excessive de-
'reciation of pipes. not generally the
ondit'o on elsewhere. II Is impossible
o prevent leakage under these I'M
iatural conditions. and which runs
rom ten to thirteen per cent. of the
utput OF gas manufactured,
1T is a conceded fact; that after a
ertain given quantity of gas is sold
pom which the price Is based TO cover
xed charges of operation. mainten-
nee. depreciation and investment. the
ost of additional output of the plant
! largely for coal consequently this
materially aids to lessen the cost of
he entire production of gas. am
90i the Palmer House block In the
ity of Chicago consumed almost as ,
luch gas as was furnished TO private
onsumers in the entire city OF Cairo
his too from pipe mains not exceed
* one thousand feet. Take all this
} consideration. 1914 miles OF mains.
Dst of maintenance, depreciation.
irge leakage. the minimum of con
lmpti0n in proportion to mileage Of /,
iains and you can readily under
and why large cities differently To-
ated. can afford 10 sell gas at a much
,wer price than Cairo. and at the !
anne time produce a profit to the
Now gentlemen | desire TO say ,
w words that interests the private .
lnsumer. In considering the price for
D. lamps. contained in our present
rOpo al 10 light the city, we have
riced the gas consumed ar a rate Of
he dollar and ten cents per cubit feet. .
nder the new lamp system Of light !
e. the gas will be about - per cent
thai heretofore furnished the CITY.
our proposition nov before you is
scepted and contract executed by /.
Ie city. We propose to stimulate. OF in
ease. the use and the sale Of gas.
private consumers. by the reduction
price from two dolla-s. TO one dol
r and fifty cents per thousand cubit q
Frs~rrruur-r On e.oa..ra asaCa