The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-05-13
ARE GAS USERS
FUEL THIEVES?

CONTINUED from Page One.e
Haunted in the faces of the utilities
commissioners by r F. Higgins, city
attorney of Kansas City, Kan. when
he declared that his city is prepared
to go to any length to defeat any in
crease of gas rates whatever.
The Kansas Natural company is
bound by contracts TO deliver its com
modify at certain agreed prices and
it has no recourse but to face the con-
sequences of it's injudicious undertake
said Higgins. THE consumer has
made his own investment, aggregating
millions of dollars, for the purpose of
utilizing the gas which this company
has to sell. No court of equity will
say that the rights of the consumers
who have expended an average
amount of $50 each for fixtures should
be ignored by the setting aside of the
contract price under which they de-
cided to make that investment.
Distributing Companies at Variance.
Distributing companies at Topeka,
Galena, Independence, OSwegO, Atch-
ison and other cities were represented
by spokesman in this mornings ses-
sion, who disclosed that while they are
anxious for increased revenue, there is
a wide diversity of interest over the
manner in which that increase is pro-
vided.
T. F. Doran, attorney for the Con-
sumers' Light, Heat and Power COM
pany of Topeka, now in receivership,
pointed out that the company he rep
resents will strenuously oppose an or
der by the commission along the lines
asked for by the receivers of the Kan
sas Natural for the simple reason that
the receivers have ignored the inter-
eStS of the local distributing company
under the original contract on which
business was started here. Under that
company the pipe line company and
the distributing company agreed to
agreed that the point of delivery of
gas should be at the meter of the con-
sumner. The receivers ignore that ar
rangement when they ask for the es-
Enlistment of a fixed rate for deliv-
cry to the local company at the limits
of the city of Topeka
Public Is the Only Beneficiary.
with all due Difference TO the great
public of the state of Kansas de-
clared E. E. Sapp of Ga1ena, attorney
for the local distributing company
there, sit is getting more than it is
paying for with gas at the present
rate"
. Judge Sapp, in his address to the
commission, admonished that body
that any heavy increase in rates which
might be ordered at this time for the
purpose of putting the gas companies
back on their feet might defeat it's
own object by inducing the consumers
to take out their gas fixtures entirely
and make arrangements to use other
fuel next fall. He also pointed out
that of the Ia million cubic feet sold
daily by the Kansas Natural Gas COM
pany receivers in the past winter
nearly half was sold outside of the
state, and that any increase, that might
be ordered in rates in Kansas should
be made conditional on corresponding
increases in Missouri.
Very interesting from the standpoint
of the investigation was the statement
in behalf of the receivers application
for an increase presented by T. S. Sal
athiel. attorney for the receivers, who
have been in actual possession of the
property of the Kansas Natural since
last September. Salathie1 recounted
the general situation of the gas bust
ness as engaged in by the company
for which his clients were named re-
ceivers by the district court of Mont
gomery county. j. S. Landon of In
dependence, one of the receivers, was
here today. The other receiver is
Royal s. Litchfield.
The receivers petition is based on
their statement that in the past winter
they have furnished gas at a consider
able actual loss, to avoid the failure
to furnish service, it being necessary
for them to purchase most of the gas
delivered through their pipe line at a
price too high to permit profit at
contracted selling rates.
Baptist Endorse Wilson.
Houston, Texas, May 13.-Thc
Southern Baptist convention today
unanimously adopted resolutions APP
proving the stand taken by President
Wilson in international relations of
the United States since the European
war. Prayer was offered for the di-
vine guidance of the president. The
resolutions were ordered telegraphed
to President Wilson.
InnHl RAcuTI0u