The Topeka state journal., 1906-05-12
A CRY FOR RELIEF
Topeka Manufacturers After the
Gas Company.
Compelled to Pay More for Fuel
Than Other Cities.
MIST RAISE PRICES.
MUST RAISE PRICES.
Ice Men Say Can't Sell Product
at Present Rate.
Telegram Sent to Mr.. Brady
Making an Appeal.

The Consumers Light, Heat and
Power company, which is the gas
company of Topeka, came in for their
fun share of attention at the meeting
of the Commercial club last night. in
fact it was the feature of the evening
and was the one drawing attraction.
The majority OF those present seemed
to have a club in readiness to enforce
their demands for ten cent natural gas
for manufacturing purposes as was
promised before the gas company Sc
cured Its franchise. President Holli-
day. who is also president OF the gas
company. had a bad night Of it.
The subject was taken up the first
thing after the meeting was organized
SO that a committee consisting of NJ
c. Holman of the Western WooIen
Mills, J. S. Parks Of the Continental
Creamery company, j. W. Ripley OF
the Topeka Laundry company, r. F.
Hodgins and V. Kaczynskt of the To-
pelra Ice and Cold Storage company
could have their say and get away.
There was but little delay on the part
of the committee, and the fireworks
was started by J. W. Ripley, who
seemed to voice the sentiment of the
users Of natural gas for manufacturing
purposes.
ripley Sd1Qs Inc company
promised the large users of natural
gas. for power purposes, that they
should have q fat rate Of ten cents
and the company has since refused to
make this rate and has insisted that
fifteen cents is the lowest rate for
which gas will be sold in Topeka.
Natural gas is used in many of the
larger cities as well as smaller towns
in the state and the rate for manufac-
turing purposes has been and is now
ten cents with the single exception Of
Topeka.
"The pipe line demands z a cents
net per thousand feet for gas to be
used for manufacturing purposes.
The local gas company demands one
third Of the 10 cent rate as their con
tract says that they shall have one
third of the price exacted from the
consumers, of % cent gas. or S1s,
and claim the same ratio for manu-
facturers' gas.
"The local company demands the
same ratio on 10 cent gas as they are
receiving on 25 cent gas, or 1s cents
as their share of the receipts from
their patrons. If the demands of the
gas company and the pipe line repre-
sentatives were each granted there is
the Is cent charge made for gas for
manufacturing purposes which
amounts to is cents per 1000 feet,
which is not accounted for by them in
their statement and IL a bold hOldup
on the part Of the gas company for
which they do not even offer an ex-
cuse."
Each of the committee in turn took
twist at the gas company, which
made the seat occupied by G. K Hol-
liday, president of the Commercial
club and also president Of the gas
company, a very uncomfortable place.
The speech of the evening on the
proposition was made by R. f.
HOdgins who had his Irish and indig-
nation in just about the right proper
ton to be interesting to the commit
tee as we'll as the gas company rep
resentatives. He told of the installa-
tion Of machinery, burners, etc. for
the use of natural gas at the plant OF
the Peoples Ice company on the
promise of 10 cent fuel which the gas
company had made, and the fact that
the local company had exacted the
payment Of 3 cents for their product.
As manager of the Peoples Ice COM
pany, he said: Kansas City has ten
cent gas and even with their fuel
furnished at this rate they have raised
their price Of ice to the consumers 6 0
per cent. We do not want to be com
PEELED TO raise the price of ice but if
we must pay IS cents for natural gas.
which is the fuel that we are using.
It viii be necessary for US to ask an
advance for our product This will
compel the consumers to pay the
extra cents which the gas company
has been holding US up for.
We are not going to raise the price
Of ice If we get 10 cent gas as we were
promised when we fitted our plant