The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1909-02-11

Activities of Gas Consumers
Audit Company Brings
Quick Action by Lacombe.
;MAKES CITY CANVASS.
Concern BlaneS It's Agents
for Saying They Represent
the U. S, Commissioner.


Complaints made to The Evening
World that agents from concern called
The Gas Consumers Audit Company, OF
No. 20 Broadway. were canvasng the
West Side. were to-day submitted to
Special Master John A. Shields In charge
OF the 100000 gas fund. After an IN
yestigatlon made by men from the office
OF The representative Of the United States
CiTuit Court, the following special
memorandum to the public was issued
By Judge f. Henry Lacombe.
AL persons entitled to refund
from the moneys deposited by the
several gas companies are again
notified that under the regulations
approved by the Court thoy will
- receive their rebates promptly and
without trouble or expense II they
will hold on to their receipts and
notify Of any change Of address.
THOSE OF THEM WHO ASSIGN
THEIR CLAIMS, OR WHO SIGN
CONTRACTS WITH SOLICITING
AGENTS TO PROSECUTE TIE
Same, ARE PUTTING THEM.
SELVES TO UNNECESSARY Ex-
PHNsE AND ARE PROBABLY
FORTHCOMING THE TIME WHEN
TEEI1 Refund CAN BIZ MADE.
Commissioner Shields added the fol-
loving card to the public:
70 the Gas Consumers Of New
| York:
Information having come to me
that agents representing various
alleged auditing companies are
using my name In a collection Of
gas receipts, I wish to serve notice
on the public that such representa-
lions are entirely false and with
out any foundation. Gas consum-
ers, who have been already warned
by the Court, should look to 1t
that they are not defrauded Of
their rights. have authorized no
agents to collect gas receipts.
The Gas Consumers Audit Company Is
located on the third floor front OF a
building at No. 965 Broadway. 1t is one
OF the many mushroom gas bill collec-
ton agencies which are springng up all
over the city.
BY Consent Of Court. He Said,
Ayoung ran seated at desk at the
~ ha pfFipp IL hn GA his m a
as Barnett, In reply to an Inquiry from
an Evening World reporter about his
concern. said:
I'VE are engaged In this business
with the full consent OF the United
States Circuit Court"
who is the head OF your company"
was asked.
mfr. A. T. Rowe, lawyer" was the
reply.
''He Is associated with a number Of
gentlemen. While our concern is not
incorporated, We are On record at the
County Clerks Office
what are the names OF the gentle
men with whom you are associated"
"There Is a Mr., John Smith," replied
the young man, "a Mr.. Brown and some
other gentlemen. but you will have to
see Mr.. Rowe. He has charge Of the
whole matter
Lying on the desk In front Of Mr..
Barnett was a huge stack OF gas re-
ceipts, which in all probability had been
obtained rom gas consumers.
! The Evening World reporter next
visited number OF dwellings along
sres. Twenty-fourth street, and at No
t7s found physical proof OF the collec-
tion OF money by an agent representing
the company. A woman, whose name Ia
withheld, surrendered her reseipt from
agent No. H." who claimed to be In
the employ OF the Gas Consumers Audit
Company.
One Womans Experience.
On the back OF the receip, the woman
\ wrote her experience OF Wednesday
morning with the agent. which is a.
follows:
a9hs agent said Commissioner shisldi
authorised the bonding Of this com
yaay, made mp Of twelve men, saoi
bonded ct $1,000. The bills are to b,
collected BY those mon. who win turn
over the amounts to consumers. 4,
4 -
Continued on second Psgs,)