The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-14
GAS PROPOSAL OF B. R.,L. .&P. CO. IS DECLINED BY CITY Commissioners Think Prices Are Too High for By
 Product Gas LETTER WRITTEN TO
 PRESIDENT FORD Says He Is Much Disappointed at Failure to Accept Proposition. Next Step in Matter Has Not
 Been Determined

Because they believe they can get more yesterday declined the by-product gas of fer of the Birmingham Railway. Light and Power company.
 When asked about the matter last night, all President A. II. Ford of the gas com- pany would say was: q am sorry"
 The commissioners stated they had nothing to say in addition to what was contained in their letter to MT. Ford declining the offer. Their action in the matter, they said, was supported by ex- pert advice which they had carefully se- cured on the proposition.
 It is stated that the price quoted hsF the gas company on the by-product gas was not as cheap, comparatively, as the pres- ent price on the present gas, as the by product gas would be of a much inferior quality. At the last conference with the officials of the gas company the com missioners asked that a lower rate be quoted and a higher quality of gas given. and this the officials answered they could not 6c.
 Letter to Ford
 Hence the letter of declination which was sent to MT. Ford yesterday was as follows:
 "Mr. A II. Ford. President Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company, Birmingham:
 Dear Sir; In re by-product gas rates, the city commissioners cannot accept the made by the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company for the following reasons
 First it would seem inadvisa ble for the city to agree to reduction in the al- ready low minimum of 575 B. T. us and 15-candle power for light.
 Second because assuming only for arguments sake that your maximum is reasonable, the price of 55 cents per thou sand after three years is too high.
 The Greatest Obstacle
 From the best expert advice obtainable, il appears that the first reason presents the greater obstacle, as the commlssion- CTS feel that after a full discussion of all the facts the Birmingham Railway. Light and Power company will act along broad lines and assist them in removing the second objection.
 "It would seem that from the data on hand a gas containing GOO minimum heat units, with an average of 625 could be had with a corresponding increase III tdlnit PoWtls DN o pIopti at the ovens, so that only the richer gas would flow to the city mains Whether the Tennessee company ca -. range this or not, we do not knoy bar we certainly would not be iuf fife H view of all the facts. in ac, a a gas with less heat units than F eHaa= ent minimum.
 If this objection can be 3fla either with the Tennessee ( HH aF como tbpr pompapN tha pofss feel that a satisfactory uJ AKsGfns can be had as to the maxi 5 ffs Hs be charged after 'Nes ~ adHfs very truly
 "GEORGE WA
 JAMES wEp r.nh
 mnia as
 "A. O. LANE
 lHssians
 The status of the E 'CrtHeEeHsS aE the present time then na aame if was before the gas compa4lH aaada tae by-product gas offer.
 As to whether another propo.. ff would be made regarding by-produ.l gas nothing can be learned at president. The commissioners would not say whether or not they expect another of- fer.
 Ford Is Disappointed
 That he was very deeply disappointed by the rejection of the city of the by product gas proposal was the only statement that was obtajnable last night from A. H. Ford, president of the Railway, Light and Power company. when advised by The Age Herald that the commission had turned lown the by-product gas offer MT. Ford said that he was at this time un- willing to intimate whether there would be made any further effort to take up the gas proposition or whether the com pany would further pursue its plan of by-product gas to the itesi- Tents of Birmingham
 "I have not read the reports as to he rejection of the gas offer" said Mir Ford, and further, my information is ,nly what you tell me. have nothing .o say at this time except that am As for any future state nent I do not imagine that we will nave anything to say"