The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1911-07-20

JaSsh 10 which 1t FUR
nishes gas Including the S5S,3St
appropriated toward the construc
lion II its new offices. its total ne
profit was S561,S9S- of-which S545,
is. are earnings which it is consid
cred will meet expenses that without
this contribution would have had tc
be paid out of taxation.
Reduced Cost OF Gas.
one of the principles upon which
the Birmingham municipal under,
takings are e is to reduce the
cost of their products to the con-
sumer when conditions warrant
ih1s not only satisfies public pinto
but increases the demand for these
municipal products.
Thus this year the gas department
has decided to reduce the price of
gas. For lighting, heating and do
nestle purposes in one premises the
reductions are to be as follows per
1000 cubic feet: Under 81. 600
cubic feet per quarter, from 81 cents
10 53 cents; $4,000 to 100000 cubic
feet per quarter, from SO cents to 46
cents; 100000 to 100000 cubic
feet per quarter, from &C cents to ~
cents For each additional 1000
ooo cubic feet or PARTON thereof
consumed beyond 4 million cubic
leet there is to be a reduction of .
cents a thousand cubic feet until the
minimum rate of 80 cents per 1000
cubic feet is reached.
For manufacturing and motive
power the rate per 1000
cubic feet will be as follows: Under
l ,ooO cubic feet per quarter, Sc
cents; OR each additional 1000
QUO cubic feet or portion thereof
there is to be 4 reduction on the
total consumed of . cents per 1000
cubic feet until the minimum of 80
cents per thousand cubic feet Ia
reached.
Inc prices for lighting, heating|
and domestic purposes and for man
ufacturing n for motive power
purposes are subject to a discount of
D per cent for prompt payment.
Whuch means within thirty days of
rendering of the account. As
practically everybody pays promptly
his . e cent is in actual practice
reduction, so that the price for gas
is charged at SO cents perl
ousan cubic feet is practicallyl
30 IL cents, and the minimum price,
d 80 cents in practical operation be-
comes ABOUT ~ cents,
Prepayment gas meters are used
n immense numbers in the houses of
he poorer people. penny-in-the-slotl
meters being provided. The prices
or this service have been educe |
With gas cookers and fittings free,
number of cubic feet obtained
or , cents has been increased from
to ii. With cooker only free the
mount of cubic feet ~purchasablc forl
cents has been increased from SO
D 80. previously, in a few cases,
'entS nave been charged for meters,
'ut 1t has been decided that afterl
Iune. when all the new rates .become
.peratlre. all meter rents be abolish-
ID except in cases whore additional
METERS are required for the con-
own
Cost Reducc,I
The electrical supply department
las decided to reduce it's prices for
Ugh tension purposes. Hereafter
are to be calculated
N a quarterly basis instead of an
annual one a reduction from
to SO.O19 per unit is made to
consumer using G2.5OO to 12O.O0O
lnits per quarter. and Il reduction
# $O.O1S to SO.O17 per unit to con-
umers using $4,000 to 25O,OOO
lnits per quarter. The existing rates
re to be extended so as to provide
or a charge Of $0.O13 per unit to
consumers using between 75O.OOO
nd 100000 units per quarter, and
# SO.O125 per unit to consumers
100000 and upward per
.Iuarter.
The water department of the city,l
ecause of the immense cost OF
the Welsh waters seventy
niles. still continues a charge on
aXation. However. the returns fori
he year ending March 81 show n
otal increase of 2.25 per cent, SAIL
30. over the previous year. The
evenue account shows n profit of
l~.o39.S3O. an increase of S42,OJ5
'ver the previous year. The chargesi
IN of capital amounted to
II .4O5.221. including the provision
" ~S1OS.591 for redemption of debit
nd extinction of annuities. or sal
30 more than the previous year.
because OF the growing eQuirementS
If the sinking fund. The deficiency
or the year was. however, S465,-
a reduction of S29.OS2 over the
year. To meet this deh-I
$31G.323 will be raised by
the balance being other
wise provided for.