The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-01-06
One of Kansas Natural Gas Re-
ceivers Makes Statement.
Declares Receivers, Not Pol
lock, Are to Blame.
ADOPTED THE ONLY PLAN
The soc Charge Made Impera-
tive by Conditions.
Present Supply Gone-Cost
More to Get More Gas.

George Sharitt, receiver for the Kan
sas Natural Gas company, is Indignant
Before leaving for the southern Kansas
gas fields last night, Sharitt declared
that the abuse of Judge John c. Pollock
| because of his recent order was unfair
and unjust. The Topeka man places
at the door of Kansas state and munic-
| ipal officials much of the blame for
the present troubles and complications
in the gas situation.
In the opinion of Sharitt the order of
Judge Pollock, issued on the recommen-
dation of the gas company receivers,
was the only solution of the gas sit
uation for Kansas and Missouri towns.
He declares that gas cannot be FUR
nished for less than so cents thou
sand feet and even at that price, the
receivers have lost all sight OF the in
dividual stock holders of the Kansas
Natural and are merely striving to Sc
cure enough money to provide an ade-
quate supply for future years and to
pay off the present Indebtedness of the
big corporation.
Blame the Receivers, Says Sharitt.
"City officials of Kansas City, and
others towns have worked the people
into a froth over this thing, said
Sharitt But Judge Pollock merely did
the thing we asked him to do and the
only thing that could have been done
1t was the only way to conserve the
gas supply and to keep gas In the
mains. Even then, when this clamor
arose. we went before the court and
asked to have the order rescinded. Then
Judge Pollock showed better Judgment
than we when he declared that such ac-
ton would allow the supply to diminish
and that the innocent consumers would
suffer But if there is to be any blame
in this matter, let the people blame us.
VET1 %Hn what
and the only fair thing that could be
done. go
soThe trouble" continued Sharttt, "is
that every city and state official had
reason to know that just this very
thing would happen and they did abso-
lutely nothing to prevent 1t. When an
appraisement of the gas companys
property was ordered no one said word
The utilities commission and the mayors
of the various towns knew that II
meant an increase in the price OF gas.
They knew it could mean nothing else.
R,1t did they go before the court and
ask to take a part in this investiga-
ton or to be notified before an order
was issued? Not a bit of 1t. They
waited until the order was made. Then
they set up a howl
Criticises Utilities Commission.
With the exception of John Marshali'
its attorney, Sharitt has no kind WORDS
for the utilities commission. He de-
clares that the commission dodged the
issue and made no effort to inVestlgate
the real conditions.
Away along last May" said Sharitt,
1.-The gas company went before the
commission and told them of
the situation. They asked permission
TO increase the rate to boiler consum- |
ers in tie amount of two cents a |
Thousand feet And what has the |
utilities commission done about it! |
Why, they have never even passed on |
the case. The attitude of John Mar
shall in this matter, however. has been
most admirable. In the Kansas City
meeting, he showed excellent judg-
nent and looked at the facts as they |
really exist when he told the men in
the meeting that they could not hope
to secure natural gas in the future
at the old prices"
City Officials Insincere.
Sharitt complains bitterly Of the in
sincerity of the city officials Of Kansas
and Missouri towns which use natural
gas. In % towns the city receives free
gas. Yet Sharitt points out that in
the clamor for cheap gas and for a
of the supply that none
IF these officials have shown the least
tendency to relinquish the contract to
use all the free gas possible.
"If these officials are really sincere
md are not playing politics, they
Gould very easily vitiate their muni-
,ipal contracts in the interest of hu-
nanity over whom they now show so
much concern. Those contracts were
made at a time when it seemed the
Oklahoma gas supply was as
as is the West Virginia
ields. There are % towns and cities
.eceiving free gas either for light or
leat or both.
"Some of the towns even receive
rec gas for their schools and
churches. They heat and light their
,ity halls, fire stations. hospitals and
public buildings. They don't pay a
,ent for this. gas. But in the clamor
or gas for the poor, meagre salaried
working man none of these cities have
aid they would shut off their free
upply and let these poor working men
ave a little of the fuel to cook his
arIy morning breakfast. Not a bit
f it.
"In Kansas City, Mo-, where there
5 the greatest criticism, the town gets
200 free street lights. 1t lights its
lospitals and fire stations and public
uiidings and heats them, too, but
oesn't pay cent. And now when the
as is low, the town enlists the aid
f Topeka and other towns and makes
great demonstration in the interests
f the poor. working people. But non,
f them have relinquished their con-
ract which gives them millions of feet
f free gas.
That State Contract.
1--WE furnish the Parsons ASYLUM gas
t contract price which is ridiculous |
' low. The state pays us six cents !
feet for that gas. In Janu-
ry, 1872 that institution alone used
$4,000 feet of gas a day. or s.36s 600