Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1906-08-24
HOW ONE CITY GOT CHEAP GAS

( plant. Because of the operation of the
independent company, the low rate for gas
fixed by ordinance was maintained, the old
gas company, which also furnished nat
ural gas, being forced by competition tc
sell its products at the ordinance ate.
Natural gas could be had for one-third the
cost of coal until the supply was exhaust
Ell, and for fourteen years the people Of
Indianapolis were enabled to save $1,000
Geo a year which they would have had TO
pay if they had meekly yielded to the de-
mand of the old monopoly to nave the
ordinance rate doubled.
From first to last there was not even a
suggestion of scandal in the conduct OF
the company. 1t was allowed TO nave no
affiliations with political organizations,
Economy and efficiency were the only
ends sought by its trustees and directors.
And this result was attained in spite of
the fact that, as the supply Of natural gas
began to fail, because of the extravaganza
~ wasteful use TO which.it was put, enor-
nous expense was necessitated in pushing
farther and farther into the field to secure
4 supply. Pumping stations had to be
built until the total investment finally
reached 81, 100000, but In the end a bonded
Indebtedness of $750,0Q0 was paid off, all
ether obligations were met and the stock
issue of 5000, eco will nave been repaid twice
over.
But this was not accomplished without
a tremendous amount of hard work and
self-sacrifice on the PARK of the men who
put their shoulders TO the wheel. Alfred
f. Potts, retiring president of the Conn
mercial club of indianapolis, an office to
which he could be elected as often as he
chooses, bore the brunt Of the struggle.
Associated with him as trustees, upon
whose integrity and ability it was ac-
knowledged that the success of the enter
prise depended, were Albert G. Porter, a
former governor of Indiana and minister
of Italy; John NJ. B~ler, q prominent at
torney; Thomas A. Morris. president OF
the indianapolis Water Works company,
and o h w. Murphy and Henry Schnull.
prosperous merchants.
Ho~useholders Took Stock.
These men, with others who realized that
the city's immediate future was in great
measure dependent upon their efforts,
went before the people and explained just
what II meant in d~oilars-millions of therp
If the demand of the monopoly to have
the gas rate doubled was complied with
Mass meetings were held night after nigh
In all the wards Of the city. The ndian
apolis News took up the fight on behalf
of the people and in a short time the pub
lie was so aroused that there was no long.
er a thought Of yielding. Hundreds of
h~ouseholders ventured TO take small stock
holdings In the company, and by the time
the men in control of the old company,
who had been scornfully biding their time,
awoke to their peril the baby enterprise
had grown into a lusty child and was well
on toward maturity.
In order to induce a widespread inter
est In the company through the medium
of small holdings widely distributed, the
stock was offered directly to those who
would become the company's customers. in
shares of SIS each, and in consequence OF
this general distribution of the stock
among the voters of the community no
council dared to pass any regulations Diet.
rimental to the interests OF the concern.
Within q few weeks more than 1880 stock.
holders were obtained, their subscriptions
ranging form $25 to 5000.
Ii is undeniable that the success of such
an altruist,c enterprise as the Consumers
Gas Trust company must be dependent in
large measure upon the character Of the
men WHO direct its fortunes. But whc
would venture to suggest that in any city
in this country there cannot be found men
equally patriotic and unselfsh who have
the requisite ability 10 conduct the opera,
tons OF q great pubic util.ty?