The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-01-01
Gas Company Men Started the
Work Today.
So Local Company Can Check
With Kansas Natural.
MAY HAVE TO PAY 90 CENTS
Company VIII Await Final Oh
Pollock Ruling.
Treleaven Says Cannot Pay Sic
and Charge Only 25c.

The first official action looking to an
increase in the price of gas to Topeka
consumers is being taken today when
a small army Of men are busy read
ing the meters all over the city. 1t is
expected that every meter will be read
by tonight. The action is taken, Man
ager L. G. Treleaven, of the local gas
company says, as a precautionary
measure only. No official increase in
the price of gas to Topeka consumers
has been taken, but such an action
must be taken soon if the ruling OF
Judge Pollock is sustained.
The reading of the meters today will
enable the Topeka company to check
up with the Kansas Natural Gas COM
pany, for which the Consumers Light,
Heat & Power company here has been
merely a distributing agent. If Judge
Pollock's ruling is followed the local
company no longer will act as dis
tributing agency, but as a buying and
selling concern, buying the gas at the
city limits where it is delivered by the
Kansas Natural, and selling it to con-
sumers in the city.
For the present at least the local
concern is waiting for developments,
just protecting itself in case it is COM
PEELED to increase the price, which it
will have to do if no action is taken
to abrogate Judge Pollock's ruling.
The situation, as cited by Manager
Treleaven, is merely this: Heretofore
the local company has acted as dis
tributing agent, receiving one-third of
the revenue from the sale of gas. Thus
the Kansas Natural has been paid
16 2-3 cents a thousand cubic feet for
gas consumed. But the Kansas Nat
ural has shared the losses, leakages,
etc, on the same basis.
TyYd IiT1or n
cal company must now pay L fiat rate
of 81 cents a thousand cubic feet, which
actually means more than double the
amount at present paid, for all gas de-
livered to it at the city limits. 1t is
evident that to pay such a price the
company will not be able to sell for 25
cents, the former price, Treleaven says.
Under the new ruling the local COM
pany will bear all losses and leakages.
The losses include had accounts and
the like, and leaks that are sure to
occur The loss in this manner viii
be considera BILE, if the local company
is compelled to pay 81 cents for such
gas as we'll as that which is paid for.
Manager Treleaven does not believe it
will be possible to supply gas for less
than so cents a thousand cubic feet,
Just double the present rate.
The Topeka franchise allows a limit
of As cents a thousand feet. The 10
cal management says such price can
not be made if the Kansas Natural
enforces it's privileges under the feder-
day that the local company may ask
for a receiver, following the example
of the distributing concern at Kansas
City, Mo, for whom receivers were
appointed yesterday.
Mayor J. B. Billiard has announced
that he will resist with all his power
the attempt to raise the price in To-
peka. An increase of five cents a
~, 1oa hi 7lyc 7icrI7f r
be reasonable, but double the price
will not go.
So when the meter readers call upon
you today you may know for what
meter is read it is likely that you may
be called upon to pay so instead of
25 cents a thousand cubic feet for the
gas consumed.
what will be DONE" was the report
from the local company this morn
ing. THAT we cannot sell gas for 25
cents and pay 81 cents for it is evil |
dent. Reading the meters today is
merely a precautionary measure, to
check up with the Kansas Natural |
We will simply wait for develop
mentS."
Atchison, Kan, Jan. 1.-Atchison and |
her city officials will resist to the ut
most the attempt of the gas company |
to boost the price of its product here. |
rights do not permit the |
to charge more than 35 cents
a thousand feet for gas and they also |
Sdpulate free gas for schools city |
buildings and the public library
Mayor c. D. Walker, after a confer |
ence with the gas officials, announced
that franchise terms would be insisted I
upon to the letter. The present price of |
gas in Atchison is 25 cents The gas
wants to charge so cents 1t |
now pays the Kansas Natural 16 2-3 |
cents.
Joplin, Mo-, Jan. IA declaration |
that the city council of Joplin would !
see the gas company withdraw rather |
than permit an increased rate for gas |
was made by Mayor Jesse F. Os- |
borne. who has led a fight in the !
council to prevent any increase.
I'VE will go back to coal first"
said the mayor. 1.-The @Jopiin Gas
company, which obtains it's supply |
from the Kansas Natural Gas com
pany, can not realize returns under
the present rate. but We will not per-
nit any such increase as the receiv-
srs' schedule designates. The city
regulates the price and if we cannot
get artificial gas at a reasonable rate,
hen we will use coal"
Cold Weather Is Expected.
1t is delightfully."- sunny and warm today,
but lower temperatures are predicted for
and Thursday night