The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-03-08
FIGURES INDICATE
80 Ct. GAS soon
LARGE SURPLUS OVER AVID ABOVE
ALL EXPENSES At END
-
OF YEAR.
IMPROVEMENTS, Too
PROFIT SUFFICIENT ron ANIMAL,
ADDITIONS TO PLANT SHOWN
IN REPORT OF SUPER
INTENDENT.

That the city OF Richmon can pro-
dncc gas at a cheaper rate than that
now charged is quite evident from the
reports Of the Gas Department.
The fact that Superintendent
knowles III his annual report for
years has asked for large appropriA-
Ions for improvements at the plant.
and the further fact that he does nor
get them, are time-worn legends
around The City Hall
WIN large surplus every year.
over and above all the necessary out
iay for maintenance. taxes salaries.
ETC., the Finance Committee seldom
sees it's wsy clear to an appropriation
or sufficient size TO carry out the
recommendations OF Superintendent
KnowieA
Had the sums asked by Dir. Knowles
oeen appropriated and had the gas
plant been improved and modernized.
the citfxens would now be getting q
better grade OF gas. and with the large
surplus every year. the cost OF gas
70 the consumer could have been re-
duced long ago
The figures speak for themselves.
City Can Do What Others Can.
IT In promised by those who are
anxious TO lease the gas plant that
iarxe sums OF money will BE spen.
'tNNAhtA AAAA VS yCdJS, anu IsEAI a ltlif-
hon dollars will be expended in Inn
provements within ten years And
with all that the corporation claims It
can give tho people much cheaper gas
Wan they are now receiving
1t Is argued by those who are
against the sale lease Of the plant.
that II a private corporation can do
this the city can. also
II the city determines to lease the
gas plant. at the figure mentioned
by the Southern Gas and Electric
Corporation--t14o.e zoe a year. at the
expiration OF the rhirty years contract
the city viii have to pay for the ad-
ditfons and improvements which tha
company may have made.
So, II Is argued by the counclirlen
who do no. approve OF the suggestion
n lease the city will In the end
have TO pay for The Improvements.
Therefore, they say, why should
The city lease its works. when the
arures show that II is fully able 10
take care OF Itself, and give the peo-
PIE lower rate for gas.
OIL Was Higher
The receipts at the gas plant Last
wear were lower tsaar the previous
wear. due to the fact thai during the
early months OF the year oil was very
high.
Figuring for three years. 1912, 1919
and 1914. Inspector Shelton. OF the
Gas Department, shows thar on an
eignty-cent basis. the department
could have shown a net revenue OF
NSs,Ss4.ei. On the prevailing basis
~ ninety-ctnt gas. the revenue above
every expenditure for the three years
~aa e3oS,bs1.a5, more than 500. 600
r year.
These figures make very clear the
fact that cheaper gas may be had by
The people OF Richmond. and still
there Will be q revenue To be placed
10 the credit Of gas fund" for inn
rrovements. or returned to the general
treasury. from which appropriations
OF reasonable size may be de. when
necessary. for improvements to the
plant.
The fAes that the Southern Corpora.
ton states that It will spend large
Gums IN improvements indicates that
large improvements are necessary,
ana when the plant is returned to the
city at the END OF thirty years the
cost OF these improvements will have
to Be paid by the city.
Three Yearx' Business.
Hero are the figures as compiled by
Inspector Shelton. showing the dis
bur0ements and receipts OF the de-
pArtment for tho past three years on
An eighty-ceni gas basis:
Disbursements. Receipts
1919 1898 8es.ssa.32 4ss,4s4os
1919 80. <23,S36.7o b52.17s.oS
fAyl Ar E57 70 sAaax- 4