New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-05
PUBLIC UTILITY NOTES,

VI. Is. DalN, president or tne East pnlo
Gas Company. Cleveland, the newly elected
president OF the Natural Gas Association OF
America, will soon appoint committee
OF natural gas engineers TO make an ex-
haustive report on the question Of rates
in an endeavor TO secure conformity. 1t is
the desire Of the association to secure all
data possible on rates, with expenses or
production. carrying Of leases, operation
Of compressor stations. construction of
field and distribution mains and admnis-
trative expense
With this information supplied, the COM
mittee hopes 10 be able TO discover way
70 establish an equitable rate for the use
OF natural gas for any locality. Men in
the natural gas industry consider present
rates in most cases too low. BY the aid
of the statistics gathered they expect to
he able to show public service commissions
and the natural gas using public that an
advance in natural gas rates in most cities
now served is justhable.
The committee also will take up plans
for the enactment of more adequate laws
for the conservation of natural gas. ON
Gals OF the large natural gas companies
assert that the supply is failing In many
fields and rigid conservation is the only
hope for many localities. In addition,
there is movement among the companies
To limit the use Of natural gas to domestic
purposes and eliminate the industrial con-
sumner.
1t is said that definite plans will be an
nounced shortly in connection with the con-
structon Of large hydro-electric develop
ment near Pittsburgh by the American
Water Works and Guarantee Company and
interests allied with the corporation.
tI, IA doh sh, an1c of
the 100000 s per cent preferred stock.
recently issued and sold by the company,
will he put Will be toward the construction
Of this enterprise The work OF acquiring
power sites on the Cheat River, in West
Virginia. in the Pittsburgh district, has
been going on for some time. With the
property and rights already secured a total
in excess Of 100 0-horsepower can be de-
veloped when the entire installation is
complete.
The American Cities Company will com
plete It's first full year Of operation June 30,
but this will not he the close Of its fiscal
year. as that will end December 81. At
the end Of the first six months Of opera
ton. December 81. 1911. the company issued
a report covering that period.
II Is not expected that another complete
report Of the operations ~ the company
will be issued until the end Of the fiscal
year. II may be that statement Of earn
ings will be given out after June 81, but
this has not been decided upon. Reports
from the subsidiary companies, New Or
leans Railway and Light. Birmingham
Railway, Light and Power, Memphis Street
Railway Company, Little Rock Railway
and Electric, Knoxville Railway and Ight
and Houston Light and Power, received ny
interests connected with the. company m
dictate that the estimates OF earnings FOR
the first year will be confirmed. II Is
stated that the earnings or the Subsidiary
corporations are showing falr increases.
Estimates Of earnings for the first year
were s. 400 900 as applicable 10 the securlues
OF the American Cities Company, WHICH
after payment II expenses, interest on col
lateral trust bonds and preferred stock
would leave about ABS per cent for Amerl-
can cities common stock. Interests con-
uected with the company state that they
expect to see this estimate realized II not
exceeded.
THE American Gas and Electric Company
has issued circular letter 10 stockholders
and holders Of voting trust certificates on
their right 10 subscribe at par for additional
stock to the extent Of 20 per cent OF their
holdings. Injunctions which restrained the
company from issuing any new company
stock having been dissolved the circular let
ter was issued 10 inform stockholders mat
subscriptions can now be made
The Lake Shore Electric Railway. which
or.rates a traction line between Cleveland
ord Toledo has not yet brought It's earn
;ros FOR the present year up TO point
where fixed charges are covered. ao"e,Efr.
Il Is reported to be slowly dolns so. anu ny
Ink. ! II is believed by insiders that the
S siy months operation will show surplus
instead of detlClt