The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-02-09
QUESTION Of Gas
NOW UPP[RMOsI
POWERS WILL INTRODUCE REsO.
LUTON TONIGHT CABLING
FOR so-CENT RATE.
BRYAN ON SITUATION
ATTORNEY POINTS OFT Features
AND WHAT HE CoNCEIvEs AD-
yANTAGEs OF LEASE PROPO-
sITrON NOW BEFORE CITY.

sITION NOW BEFORE CITY.
"If a corporation can give us Se>
managers of the city Gas Works
should be able TO do so. ] am for So
cent gas" WITH these words AIaer-
man Joseph L lowers Yesterday an.
nounced that at the meeting OF the
Board os Aldermen tJnigh; he would
introduce a resolution calling for so
cent gas.
Mr.. Powers said further:
IT know it will be argued that X
the price of gas is cut to 80 cents the
profit OF the city from the Gas Works
will not be as great and the city needs
all the money It can raise. 1t strikes
me, however, that the citzens at large
will profit more from S0-cent gas than
they will from the profit the city dee
drives from the Gas Works.
According to published figures. the
city received net revenue OF $780,
900 from the Gas Works last year. Il
received a total OF s545, 900 and ex-
pended, in round numbers. 1000 on
the works. II / remember rightly this
is $4,000 less than the Southern Gas
and Electric Company offered last year
for the lease Of the works. and /
offer in their latest petition.
The $4,000 net profit does not
show depreciation of the plant, either.
1t does not take into consideration this
wear and tear that naturally goes with
the operation of any plant. and which
is figured In estimating receipts and
expenditures. Right at this moment
II does not appear to me that the city
has profited greatly by a0-cent gas
this past year. although it is possible
that when the annual report Of the
Gas Works makes its appearance 1t
will be shown that improvements and
extensions have cut down the profits
considerably. 1t doesn't look to me.
Thoughts as il the improvements have
aided the service. 1t will be inter-
esting to see If the number Of com-
plants Is smaller than the year be-
fore.
Understand. am not urging any
change at the Gas Works or for
leasing 1t to any corporation. / wish
merely to point out that the people are
entitled, in my opinion, to s0-cent Ras.
think the city's profits Will be Just
as great with s0-cent gas as 90 cents,
directly or indirectly. am also Of the
opinion that Ii corporation can take
over the municipal Gas Works, give
the people s0-cen: gas and then have
enough TO satisfy stockholders after
paying the city a percentage on the
gross receipts and splitting the profits.
the present management OF the Gas
Works should be able to give us so
cent gas and still show a fair profit
for the city
Statement from Attorney Bryan.
! Mr.. george Bryan, a wel1-known
attorney, said last night, when his at
tentton was called to Alderman
Powers statement:
4 ST int Of ~ =
gas rates both as consumer and az
citizen. When a necessary COM
modify is offered me, either by a nu-
nicipal or a business corporation and
when l accept the offer and pay the
bill rendered. / want to get what I
pay for. j am not particular about
ten cents a hundred either way. br,f
when the contractor agrees to light my
house. want light and not twilirft.
Some six weeks ago at my residences
II was difficult TO read for seyernl
evenings by Welsbach light from 7.
to p. NJ. This was a breach az
contract by the city and while we do
not ask damages for the breach, We
are entitled to relief against It's re-
question. II the city can't furnish =
merchantable article. II ought to get
out of the business and let q re-
sponsible party, who not only SAYS he
can light our homes, but offers Z
guarantor. undertakes the task.
( Naturally. we are all interested IN
the question of gas rates and any pros
posed reduction in the price. At thio.
time. however. we must consider thn
question of the quality of the con,-
modify and the other important fac
tor--the service rendered We cans
not deny the fact that under the con-
ditions now existing in Richmond We
are not getting Il gas service that
COMFORTS with the dignity and marni-
tude or city Of our size. / am told
upon good authority that there are
towns and cities of a quarter Of thu
size of Richmond that can boast Of =
far superior service than is being
given to US
I firmly believe In the citizens oS
Richmond giving full consideration q
the proposition now before the preaf-
dent and members of the Common
Council as to the leasing Of our 80
plant to the Southern Gas and Electric
corporation. For many years the xaa
plant in Philadelphia was municipal-
ly owned and operated. Some wears
ago the gas works were leased to =
private corporation. and the result has
been that Philadelphia has a quality
}of gas and standard of service ur-
eGualed by any other city in tho
world. and, 1 am informed, Phiiadel-
phia has profited financially to a re-
markable extent
AS | understand it. the Southern
ias and Electric Corporation is will
ing TO lease our plant and spend one
milton dollars or more In extending
the distribution service and in build
ing up the city's property. This props
osition Is businesslike and seems fair
to the city: In fact. 1t looks to -
exceedingly liberal. In spending the
money for improvements. that means
that there will be plenty OF work for
the working classes Of our city.
The time is approaching when
there Will be an issue OF bonds by the
city. as our distribution system -
antfquated and improvements must -
made. This, the city OF Richmond en-
keep on doing Indefinitely. It's N
pocket with a hole In It,
] Don't let us consider now any
question of reduction In price-eveil
5o-cent gas under the present dc.
piorabie conditions is too much-bue
let us, as business people, give 4
thorough consideration TO the question
OF private operation with the accrued
valuation Of our gas plant under the
up-to-date methods OF private opera
ton. which means Initiative anH