The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-26
The Gas Question in Indianapolis: 6O-Cent
Gas at Profit.

On another page today The Times prints an interview
with Hon. DeIavan Smith, publisher of the Indianapolis
News in which is told most illuminating story OF the
fight of indianapolis for cheaper gas is worthy the con-
sderation Of every citizen of Washington.
But more than all ese it deserves the attention OF
members of Congress- and especially of members of the
Committees of House and Senate on the District OF 20
lumbia.
Mr. Smith says that indianapolis is to have gas-art
fetal gas-at 60 cents per 1000 feet and that the company
will make profits at that price
Washington pays ST. and the Gas Monopoly is asking
the privilege of increasing its capital stock by at least 100
per in order that its huge profits may be made to APP
pear smaller.
Is there any reason why gas should be cheaper in In
dianapols than here3 Mr. Smith says not.
Further this indianapolis mana business man who
IS among the leaders in one of the best cities of the Middle
West man who is anything but visiOnary-tels why
Washington ought to be Of the best cities in America
for cheap gas Conditions favor against cities which
get their gas today at So 60, and 10 cents.
Of course the answer will be made that Mr.. Smith is
not taking consideration all the circumstances. But
the answer will not be sufficient There is doubt that
Washington is entitled fairly to cheap gas Indian
apois Louisville Cincinnati, Cleveland to all of which
Mr. Smith makes reference According to Browns Direc-
tory of American gas companies the rates in these cities
are:
Louisville Gas Company-Light, 81; fuel Is cents.
Kentucky Heating Company of LOusvlle-Fuel gas, 1914
cents
Cincinnati Gas and Electric Company-Light 70 cents;
fuel, so cents.
Cleveland Gas Light and Coke Company-Lght and
fuel 70 cents. Peoples Gas Light Company of Cleve-
Iand-Lght and fuel, IS cents.
To this add the Citizens Gas Company of Indanapo-
lis 90 cents and the showing for cities fairly comparable
to Washington seems to be pretty conclusive.
Hamilton, Ohio gets gas at 80 cents and there is
profit in it.
In Indianapolis the proposition of selling gas at 60
cents looked good the people that than 1000 of
them subscribed to the stock of the company for the sake
of investment
To the Legislature of Indiana go cents seemed rea
sonabe price that passed law providing that after
the expiration of the present contract for public lighting
in Indianapolis not over 60 cents should be paid for gas
by the city
Are not these facts worth investigation by the Con
gressiona committees having to do with these matters in
Washington If they facts if they cannot be contro
verted; if there is showing Of the reasonabenes of the
lower price-then why should Washington be denied
a hearing its petition for cheaper gas7
Let it be remembered that this petition is not the pc
tton merely of newspaper that has been, perhaps es
peeialy in the matter It is the petition of al
every organization of citizens the District of Co
umbia. It is the petition Of the Commissioners appointed
by the President the chief executives of the District
1t is the demand of justice and fairness It ought to be
considered SUCH 1t deserves consideration on no other
basis.