The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-09-27
BOARD FILES OFFER
WITHOUT COMMENT
Gas Leasing Proposition Goes
Next to Council, Where 1t
May Be Filed Again.
MEETS MUCH OPPOSITION
Folkes Regards Proposition as
Natural Outgrowth of
Criticism.
MEETS MUCH OPPOSITION

The only official development in the
gas situation yesterday was the recep-
ton and filing by the Administrative
Board OF the communication submit
ted TO it by the southern Gas and Elec-
tric Company, OF Baltimore, Offering to
all annual rental of $4,000. plus per
cent OF the gross receipts. The board
was admittedly without power to act
upon Il proposal which. under the char
ter, requires ratification by the people.
and merely directed it's clerk TO ac-
knowledge receipt.
Unofiicially, the proposal of tho Bal
timore company was freely discussed.
The most significant expression came
from L. c. Folkes. of the Administrn
tive Board, who. under the new divl-
sion of duties. has immediate super
vision over the Gas Work. He was
unqualfiedly opposed to the plan, and
the Baltimore company as the natural
outcome of the recent agitation for
cheaper gas.
When municipalities begin to criti-
clze their own utilities. said Mr.. Folkes,
private capital is encouraged to come
in with offers to take them over. The
he thought, would meet with the fate
of tho four or five that have como be-
fore
Plan Universally Opposed.
diligent canvass OF officers Of the
city government and members of the
upper and lower branches OF the City
vocate of the plan to lease the Gas
Works to n private corporation. Those
who consented to look upon the leasing
proposal at all, regarded the rental of
$4,000 as preposterously small. The
majority opposed altogether the idea
of leasing the works, which have been
sixty years and which have returned
TO the municipality untold thousands
In profits that have been devoted to
public uses.
err tho CITY prowe In tho nevt ION
years as rapidly as it grew In the past
ten years; the gas CONSUMPTION OF Rich-
the city government. In twenty years
from now there is no telling what the
lease will be worth ] hesitate to say
to day"
IF my influence is worth anything,
III the &C, city will never lease the Gas
have been paying too much for gas, the
profits have been returned to the people
in public improvements. which would
am opposed TO leasing away paying
end profitable municipal business.
Investigation Probable.
While the leasing proposal received
scant attention Yesterday, the plan for
a general rehabilitation of the Gas
Works received considerable discussion.
individual members of the Administra
tive Board expressed themselves in
favor of the idea, and it is probable
mend the employment of an expert gas
engineer to make complete survey of
the municipal plant and point out It's
needs.
Comparison OF Richmond rates with
the rates charged in other cities of COM
parable size. rs shown by tables on
file in the Acting Auditors office, made
it clear that this city enjoys a rate
which, with few executions, is the low Low
which have considerably lower rates,
enjoy the advantage Of natural gas in
large quantities. the use of which in
combination with coal and water gas
chcapens the product.
Goes To Council.
The offer of the Southern Gas and
Electric Company is now on file with
City Clerk August and will be pre-
scented to the Common Council when
il meets in regular session on Octo-
Der C. 1t will require n joint resolu
ton 20 bring the issue before the peo-
pie. The prediction was freely made
last night bS Councilman in close touch
with the temper Of the city lawmakers
that the Common Council Will receive
the communication and order 1t filed
without taking any action whatever.