Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1908-10-22
GASAT $l.5O
AFTER NOV. |
City Council So
Ordered Last
Night.
BELIEVED QUESTION WILL
FIND WAY INTO COURTS

DAAW VIZ QULOIIUN WILL
FIND WAY INTO COURTS
If there is any virtue in an ordi-
nance of the City Council on the sub
ject, Americus gas consumers will
have reduction in gas from Nov /.
The Childers ordinance on the SUP
ject was passed last night by Council.
but not before it had been amended
SO that the price of electricity should
be not more than 12 cents pek kiIo-
wat hour Both the price of gas and
electricity, as provided by the new
ordinance, will be the same as pro-
vided for in the Dodson contract.
The meeting last night was called,
as stated in the document, which was
| signed by every member of the City
Council asking Mayor Hawkins to
convene that body, for the purpose of
hearing the report of the committee
appointed to investigate the earnings
of the gas company, and such other
matters as might be brought up. This
petition was circulated yesterday
morning. The committee made their
tour of inspection on Tuesday.
Promptly on the hour the City
Council was called to order by Mayor
Hawkins, with every member present
Mayor Hawkins stated the object of
the meeting to be to hear a report
from the committee appointed to ex-
anime the books of the Americus Il
Illuminating & Power Company. Alder
man Furlow was chairman of the
committee, but stated that as he was
unable to accompany the other mem
bers, the report would be made by
Alderman Allen
Mr.. Allen stated that he and Alder
man Childers had been most court
eously received by the Messrs. .Har-
rold, and that a statement had been
furnished them of the operations
for the fourteen months between May
1, 1907 and June l, 1903. This report
showed the total income for the peri
Cd $44, 1929, and the expenses SAB
911.42. This report was criticised by
Mr.. Allen, who said that the earnings
were really II to 13 per cent, though
the report only showed 6 per cent on
the $S5, 900 of bonds. This statement
of Mr. Allen was explained by him
when he said that over $4,000 charged
up for improvements and expenses
should have been credited as an addi-
ton to the capital from the gross
earnings and not as a charge on the
earnings. He further stated that he
did not believe the City Council had
anything to do with what the plant
was earning, but that he had visited
the Office of the company because di-
rected to do so by Council
Councilman Allen declared that he
fully accepted the figures submitted
to him as absolutely correct.
Speaks for Gas Company.
Attorney w. P. Wallis was accord
ed the floor as a representative of
the gas company He thought the
company ought to earn a profit. He
explained the expenditure of the $6,-
600 in betterments as including an
extension to the Agricultural Col
lege, among other large items in the
period covered. He also dwelt on the
fact that repairs were made free of
charge in gas mains and electric |
bulbs furnished free, while the city |
made water consumers pay all plumb |
ing bills, and charged for turning
the water on again. He also made a |
report covering the operations of the |
which tho
com eand expenditures. The sum of
$240, 0,140.44 had been taken in, all of
which had been expended, still leaving |
a shortage in the interest account of
over $4,000 on a per cent basis on
the bonds
Mayor Hawkins explained some of |
the history of the company, stating |
that it had been sold subject to a |
mortgage of 100000.
Alderman Poole asked who got the |
interest?
The men who owns the plant. of
course replied Mr. Wallis. "They |
ought to get returns. The net earn
ingc do not mean any big thing No |
money has been set aside topaydam- |
age suits. Suppose damages had to
be paid Where would the money |
come from?'
Mi. wallis, on Denalf OF the COM /
pany, proposed that II expert be |
employed to go look the plant over to
say if it was up-to-date, or not, the |
company offering to bear half of the
expense. He claimed that the COM
pany could not make gas at a profit /
cheaper.
Alderman Childers moved to take
up his ordinance on second reading, |
which provided for reduction of gas
to $3.50 for lighting and $1.25 for |
manufacturing purposes.
Alderman Poole offered as a sub |
stitute an ordinance with nearly the |
same wording, except that it also re-
duced the price of electricity to II I
cents per kilowat hour.
Alderman Furlow objected to taxi |
ing snap judgment, and moved that |
an expert accountant be employed to |
audit the affairs of the company from |
its organization Alderman Allen did |
not see any need for this, as there
was no disagreement as to the report |
furnished him by the company. The |
motion was put, Alderman Furlow be-
Jug the only supporter
noa..J