The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-04-14

light, therefore, this most liberal
spirited corporation charges them
S1.20 net cash per thousand for gas,
and at the same time sells its 500
patrons to whom IL furnishes nice,
clean electric light, the same quantity
OF light, and a better quality of light
on a bases of less than 90c a thous-
and when compared with gas. In
other words, the 1000 users of gas,
where the Light, Heat & Power Co.
have exclusive control, are mulct to
about the following extent: namely,
1t Is a fair estimate that these 1000
gas users are taking an average OF
$l.00 worth of gas per family per
month, or in round numbers $4,000
worth of gas per month, or annually
S24 900 worth of gas. 1t is a certain
proposition that they are being charg-
ed fully % per cent more for this
gas than they would be for electric
light, and this is being done by the
liberal" Light, Heat & Power Co.
because it has control OF the situation.
In other words, in this one item alone
1t is charging their patrons higher
rate annually by $4,000 than it is
charging its electric light patrons
To this add a depreciation account in
each of these families of soc per
month, or Sc annually, account of
dirty gas on wall papers, draperies
and general house furnishings, and
you have a net sum of Sc per family
on 1000 families, or net total of
$4,000.
These two items, one of excess
charge for gas and tht other of de-
probation on account of quality
makes the net sum that the 1000 gas
users are paying for the privilege of
allowing the Light, Heat & Power Co.
monopoly, about $4,000 annually.
This alone would pay 6 per cent on
the entire money invested in the
Municipal Plant, and yet Mr.. Wither-
| by says that the sins of his prede-
7 cessors should not be charged up
against the present management of
the Light Heat & Power Co., and we
ar inclined to the opinion that Mr.
| Witherby, still has an idea that the
| people of Richmond are easy. The
writer however, don't believe the
| story that the people are easy when
they have their eyes opened.
Citizen
Editor Palladium.
Is the Palladium biased or unwill-
| ing for any cause to grant square
| deal? | notice that the. communicate
ions published thus far concerning
| the proposal TO sell the municipal light
| plant, are all from those who are
| opposed to such a sale, and they all
| present arguments which seem con-
elusive; but there are two sides to
| every question" Even though this
were not commonly accepted as a
| fact, the action of the Mayor and
council should constitute proof that
the question is not as one-sided as it
appears in the Palladium. Then why
not give space to some of the adyo-
| Gates of the salegto present that side
ally want to be enlightened, because
they want to do the thing which will
be to their own interest and right to-
ward their neighbors.
The men occupying positions of
confidence and trust, must certainly
have some reasons greater and
weightier than the doubtful state
ment that the plant, for want of a
little adjustment-possibly of rates
may be losing the city few dollars
year though saving immensely
greater amounts in cost of lighting.
If this be a sufficient reason for the
sale let the people of Richmond de-
eide it So and then let the proposit-
| ion be broadened by proposal that
| the L. S. Government sell to a cor
| poration, the business of carrying
mails on account of known deficit an
nually incurred.
Will the Palladium be kind enough
| to give space for what ever reasons
may exist that will appeal in the
least to reason or conscience?
INTERESTED CITIZEN.