The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-12-31
MAYOR MAD
Billiard Says Topeka Won't
Pay so Cents for Gas.
Claims Order Is Scheme TO
Bleed Consumers.
BOYCOTT GAS is HIS PLAN
Bring Companies to Time
Through Over-Supply.
Small inconvenience Will Mean
Cheaper Prices.
CALL ALL CITIES TOGETHER
Meeting of Kansas Representa-
tives in Kansas City.
Manager Treleaven Says 80
Cents Must Be Charged.

Declaring that the decision of the
receivers of the Kansas Natural Gas
company and the federal court to
raise the price of the product is moth
ing more than a scheme to bleed the
consumers for more money, Mayor
Billiard today threw down the gaunt-
let for the city of Topeka in the COM
ing fight this winter. Furthermore,
the mayor said the people of Topeka
would go without gas before they
would pay fifty cents thousand
cubic feet.
In answer, Manager Treleaven of
the Consumers Light. Heat and Power
company stated that his company
could not exist under the new dis
tributers' price and furnish Topeka
gas for the franchise limit of 45 cents
a thousand feet
Beautiful outlook for the pending
zero weather this winter eh?
Mayor Billiard this afternoon was
fun of fight. He not only foamed at
the mouth when it was hinted that
the gas company might charge the
franchise maximum price of IS cents
a thousand feet. but he placed himself
on record as being opposed to any
raise. Then he relented long enough
10 say that possibly the gas distribu-
ters were entitled to a five-cent in
crease-but positively and absolutely,
that was all
The order of Judge Pollock charg-
ing the distributors 81 cents a thou
sand cubic feet has not been received
in Topeka But Manager Treleaven is
expecting it at any time.
Mass Meeting in Kansas City Friday.
Mayor Billiard announced today a
meeting of representatives of Kansas
cities in Kansas City Friday. If the
mayors listen to the Billiard logic Fri
day they will organize boycott
against the gas companies doing busi-
ness in this state
Here is what should be done,' ex-
planned the mayor. We should under
no consideration stand for the unfair
increase announced. We should ask
our citizens to stand the INCONVENIENCE
of no gas for short time until we can
bring the gas firms to time. In other
words ii is up to the cities to stand
pat and not allow the receivers or the
Kansas Natural Gas company to ex-
tort money through the scheme just
made public
Twenty-Five cents is enough. But if
the companies should show that an in
crease is absolutely necessary let them
raise it five cents a thousand feet but
dnder no consideration double the cost
60 the consumers
Manager Treleaven stated that under
the new management it would cost the
local distributors 81 cents a thousand
feet at the city limits. Under the old
contract the Kansas Natural company
took a certain per cent of the receipts.
When they charge 81 cents a the CITY
limits it means that the natural shrink
age OF from 10 to 10 per cent and the
natural loss through unpaid bills would
have to be charged to the local ac-
counts. This, Mr.. Treleaven believes.
is worthy of a fifty cent charge. The
manag ger also predicts a big reduction
in both the number Of consumers and
the receipts
The city legal department under w.
C. Ralston, attorney, will not fight the
proposed raise.
The local company supplies Topeka
and Oakland he said. 1T is under the
jurisdiction of the state public utilities
commission. We are out of it,