The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-12-31
CHEAPER GAS MAY
COME SOME TIME
FINANCE COMMITTEE HEARS MUCH
TALK, AND ADyoURNs WITH
OUT ACTION
FURTHER DISCUSSION
EXPERT OPINIONS DIrFER--sUPER-
IvTENDENT FAyORs DECREASE
AND SAYS CITY CAN ALSO
IMPROVE PLANT
FURTHER DISCUSSION

After hearing at length members
of the committee on light, Superin-
tendent Knowles and Inspector Shell
ton. OF the gas department, last night,
on the questions of cheaper gas and
improvements to the gas plant, the
finance committee determined. upon
motion of Mr.. Grimes. TO extend to the
incoming committee the suggestion
that they invite the present finance
committee and the present light COM
mittee to join in an inspection of
The gas plant. with the object in view
of becoming more fully informed as
to the condition OF the plant, so that
at the proper time the question Of
both cheaper gas and improvements
TO the plant might be determined
with more light.
Those who spoke to the committee
were Messrs Haddon and Powers, of
the light committee. and the superin-
tendent and inspector.
Mr.. Haddon spoke at length. He
endeavored to show that as the gas
plant was making many thousand dol
lars more than II cost to maintain
the citizens who use gas should get
the benefit OF the surplus, He said
that the users of gas should not be
required to pay for the maintenance
Va otnsF departments OF iHe CITY guy
eminent.
just Pay For Gas.
Let the general taxpayer pay. II
there Is anything to pay" he said,
but do not cause the consumer of
gas to pay for the maintenance of
streets or water or anything else. The
city Is not in the mercantile bust
ness We are here to give any COM
modify which we may supply to the
people at the lowest cost. after the
expense OF conducting the department
is covered"
Many technical questions were ask
ed by Committeeman Powell, Grimes,
Fuller and Seaton. all tending to show
that the city. after paying every in
cidental cost of maintenance. inter-
tst, etc, on the plant could not give
lower gas without curtailing the pro-
posed appropriation for improve
ments.
Superintendent Knowles suggested
that the Improvements he made by
means of a bond issue and upon in
formation furnished by City Account
ant Crenshaw. he stated that the bond
issue referred to would in no wise
conflict with any outstanding issue
now being carried by the city.
AN independent bond issue may be
carried by the gas plant" said Mr..
Crenshaw.
Shelton Prefers improvements.
Mr.. Shelton said that ne would like
to see both, but that ne would prefer
| the improvements. as he was daily
in receipt of complaints from people
n bout the quality and service OF tns
gas.
Our new West End holder Ia prac-
tically serving people all over the
city" said Mr.. Shelton. We need
great improvements In the lower gas
works. The pressure fro.n the west
End holder sends gas through the
pipe in the middle and East En,se n.
such rate that the consumer gets
the worst OF IT."
After the discussion the committee
decided to make the recommendation
that the two committees visit the
plant, and then determine specifically
what would be the best thing to dc
In the premises.
Superintendent Knowles asks for
$4,000 for improvements, and claims
that with this there should be no rea-
son why the price of gas should not
| be decreased.
The committee recommended tt
| the administrative board the paymen
1 Of SANE for improvements in Co
/ wardin addition, which have beef
made under agreement with the city
The committee then adjourned.