The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-03-16

Baltimore the opportunity of present
ing their case, asked that the resoIu-
ton offered by Mr.. Christian be voted
down. Mr.. Radcliffe. who has always
been an S0-cent man, suggested that
time limit be placed on all who wished
TO speak on the question. and after Il
was explained by Alexander II. Sands,
counsel for the petitioners, that his
side would consume very little time
and the resolution offered by MIR. Chris
tian had been voted down. Mr. Sands
introduced Mr., PoiIitt.
The same ground practically was
gone over that had been taken by
President Homer at the recent meet
ing Of the subcommittee. Writing
from his sick room. Mr.. Homer en-
larged to some extent upon his former
remarks, and gave figures, through
Mr. Poiitt, showing that the Southern
corporation could and would give the
people better gas at lower rate than
that now being received. and that
within ten years the price would be
as low as rs cents, while in the mean
time the company would spend many
thousands of dollars in improve
ments.
Suggested improvements
These improvements would be EN-
braced in better fixtures larger and
lev Ala4hS, AaIio anu 'AbSt
accessories necessary to the conduct
OF an up-todate gas plant.
In reply to question as to the
character of labor to be employed
Mr.. Pellitt said that every man now
employed at the gas works would be
retained, IL his services warranted 1t,
and that there would of necessity be
more men employed. as the nelarge-
ment and improvements to the plant
za+nr hUf hA Al
stood a good chance of prom otion, as
old men would have to take charge
OF green hands.
Figures were presented to show
that the large surplus shown every
year by the report OF the Superintend-
ent OF Gas was not really surplus
because depreciation and other
charges were not included in the ex-
penses,
Inspector shelton. who was preseu.
replied hat the figures recently got
ten together by the CITY Audito- IT.
Dictated that all costs to the plant were
included In the disburse ments for
three years on the basis of so-cent
gas. and that even then the total for
three years amounted to--disburss-
ments. Sl,454.7l4e9 receipts, 81 =
5sS, 5S9.70. profits, sl3s,ST4,7t.
Conditions on Premises.
President Homer In his letter. ex-
planned that large number OF COM
plants from citizens about bad gas
were due tc conditions existing on
! the premises Of the consumers WHICH
could not be eliminated through cx-
penditure of public funds Privat !.
operation is not subject to such lin
itations In the expenditure Of its
moneys when liberal business policy
requires.
Municipal operation cannot pro-
vide an adequate commercial de part
nent," said Mr.. Homer, "as the same
is understood and conducted in the
best modern gas practice. This price
OF gas, its quality and service are all
affected by the quantities in, and regu-
larity with which it Is produce /. No
municipality operated gas plant con-
1acts an intelligent, continuous and
effective advertising campaign tn IN
crease the consumption of gas By ex-
isting patrons or to multiply the uses
thereof.
"A lease OF the gas works will bring
not only the direct advantages of in.
creased net revenue to the city. of
lower priced gas and improved SER,
vice to the consumers. but also indi-
rect advantages by corporation with
existing industrial enterprises and
attracting new manufacturers and
have not In the past and therefore.
Il is reasonable to assume will not
In the future. accrue to the city un
der a continuance of municipal opera
ton.
you cannot curtail or throttle the
efficiency and growth of any public
service. without at the same time
cramping and dwarfing the growth Of
the entire community
Homer Gives Reasons.
In conclusion MIR. Homer says:
Richmond 4s-Het- confronted with
the necessity of considering the ques-
ton of a lease which involves a saeri-
fice in any one single particular.
"fa) 1t does not lose It's title to its
gas plant.
"th) 1t does not forfeit any regula-
tory power necessary to secure ade-
quate service which IL cain exercise
while in complete control itself of the
Gas Department.
'"(c) 1t insures a lower charge for
gas than that now existing with
further reduction. In the future.
"(d) 1t secures to the city in net
revenue an amount In excess of that
resulting from Its municipal opera
ton.
"te) II reserves the right on eaui-
table terms at the expiration OF the
lease to resume the municipal opera
ton of its property, with the additions
and improvements that have been made
thereto.
~ Ii secures an expenditure o;
large sum Of money forthwith In
the city of Richmond In the improve
ment OF the gas plant and especially
Its distribution system. thus gtying
employment. to labor and adding
thereby to the prosperity Of the city.
"tg) II provides needed capital
for the gas works from sources with
out the city, thus making no drain