Free press., 1908-01-11
PREJUDICE AND
The METER Man

Figures can't he," but some per-
sons won't believe that about the gas
meter. That is Why the gas meter
mans job is something like baseball
umpire's-only worse There is al
ways kicking.
human being who has been read
ing gas meters for a dozen years
comes through the ordeal with the
fatalism of Omar and the cynicism of
an old reporter. But his stock of pa
tience is truly wonderful. Job would
appear TO be an impetuous and irrit-
able man alongside this survivor.
Ma, the gas man has calne.
That is often the signal for the poor
meter mans woes TO begin. The lady
of the house follows him into the eel
lar and the dark corner wherein the
meter reposes. She knows the way
of the gas men and she is going to
watch.
Mrs. Jones. in the apartment be-
low, showed me her gas bill yesterday
Do you know what it was?"
The meter man said he didn't.
"Well, it was so cents less than
mine. How do you account for that?'
she burned less, madam.
Burned less? Why, she burns just
twice what l do, for she has three
meals to cook day and I have only
two. And they sit up all hours of the
night, and we never burn our lights
after ten o'clock 1 think it is perfect
ly disgraceful. I'm paying part Of
hers. That's what it is, and you know
it,"
I'll have the meter tested, madam,
If you WISH" he ventured, courteously.
She did wish So the meter was
tested, and it was as she said-the
meter was wrong. But the discs were
beating the company instead of the
customer. She paid higher bills after
ward, but was satisfied.
Nobody can be induced to believe
the meter. Often, the mistress of the
household will lead the meter man
triumphantly to the machine, and
pointing a finger of scorn, request him
to listen. When one listens intently, a
faint, a very faint squeak can be
heard. This is where the gas goes to,
she declares. Either there is leak
or there is a rouse inside.
Protests are in vain. Assurances
that all meters squeak little avail
naught 1t has to be taken out and a
new one put in.
There IS the mistress OF a large
household in the South end who thinks
she has scored a triumph over the
meter man to this day. 1t happened
az the end of summer vacation.
What about this?" she demanded,
when the man put in an appearance in
response to her summons, after she
had received stiff bill. Look at this
gas bill More than our average, and
here t.le house has been closed. I've
been away with the children and
George has been alone. He has only
burned gas enough to go to bed each
night I've caught you at last, my
friend"
It did look queer. And yet the meter
man was sure that his reading was
correct He tested the meter, and
could find nothing wrong. Finally he
decided to go to George" himself.
That worthy was a bluff, hearty
man, who took a great joy in living.
He favored the meter man with
knowing grin, and proceeded to take a
roll from his pocket.
Ter had to do a little entertaining
for some friends of mine when my
wife was away. I'll pay that bill, and
don't you say anything about it."
Sure" replied the meter man. 81
used to play some myself once"
After awhile, some men get a sort
of personal feeling against the gas
meter, and the gas meter man. 1t is
like the constant weather kicker, who
is sure that the supply handed out is a
personal affront to him. People have
been known to smash meters when
greatly incensed in this way, and their
requests for changes Of meters come
in frequently. Not long ago a man
met the gas meter reader at the door.
Under his arm he held his meter
which looked as if it had been
wrenched from the wall.
Here's your meter" he said,
sternly. I'm going away on business
for couple of weeks, and I don't in
tend to have that rotten machine whiz-
zing away at my expense all the time
I'm gone
There are a great many people who
try TO beat the meters, where the coin
meters are used. These are the ma
chimes in which a quarter is placed
and gas is supplied until the amount
equivalent to the coin is consumed.
TIE meter man frequently finds spuri-
ous coins when he makes his round to
collect or discovers that attempts
have been made to employ other than
coin Of the realm, without success.
For the machines are so cunningly
contrived that nothing but whole
coin OF the proper weight and size and
edges win pass INTO the meter and do
the job.