Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-06-24
CHEAPER GAS A NECESSITY

DOLLAR gas Is an anachronism. Every
~ citizen who pays that price is being
taxed 25 per cent. for the use Of neces.
sity. The practice is tolerated because
the people have become used to the bur-
den. Were It proposed as new scheme
there would not be enough votes in favor
of it to fill the shell of a hickory nut
As owner of gas works the city is enti-
tied, of course, to a return on its invest
ment. 1t is argued that the 25 per cent
tax is that return and is a just tax on
this account. As a matter of fact, let
it be remembered that the gas property
never cost the taxpayers dollar. The
plant paid for itself and no matter what
any. man says, was to this extent n sue
cessfuI experiment in municipal owner
ship.
We take 1t that it was never intended
the city should dump into the treasury
each succeeding reduction provided for in
the lease. The public was supposed to
get the benefit. 1t has done so indirectly
only, through lighter taxes; but even So
the situation has been undemocratic for
the reason that people who do not use
gas have received a special benefit. A
citizen can use electricity or oil without
being penallzed therefor, but the instant
he uses gas a special tax is laid on him.
The u. G.. I. is apparently convinced
that lower prices are necessary If the nor
NAL increase in the use of gas Is to con-
tinue 1t proposes as solution that the
city surrender in toto it's share of the
receipts. This would virtually be giving
.l,a 60
free of charge, which would be inde-
fenslble. We do not doubt, however, that
the city would be able to meet the com
pany more than half way. Let both
make concessions. They need suffer lit
tie, If any, financial loss by so doing, for
the increase in consumption would COM
pensate in large measure for the unit
decrease. This is true, however, only If
there is a fair profit left after the reduc-
ton. Just what is a just return for the
company, the limitations of its lease
being considered. is q matter for expert
investigation and cannot be determined
offhand We know that the present can
dlepower test for quality is obsolete,
owing to the use of mantles for lighting
and the general use of gas for cooking.
Ihe neat test Is tne HpueFn test lHe
object at one time was TO make a gas
which would give minimum heat and
a maximum light but that is no longer
the goal. We know, too, that improved
methods of gas-making have greatly re-
duced the production cost. If the COM
pany was able at the time of the lease
to see profit eventually in 75-cent gas
in view of the progress in manufacture it
is quite likely that it can see now a profit
in gas at a still lower figure
It is perfectly obvious, at any rate
that dollar gas IS an anachronism and
must go. II is Just as obvious that all of
the concessions must not be made by the
city The Mayor, we are convinced,
should summon expert advice to guide
him in the approaching negotiations.
The recent victory of the city in the elec,
trie light rates was convincing evidence
Of the fact that II pays the municipal au.
thorlties to be as we'll fortified in THEN
knowledge OF the facts as the company Is,
and there are plenty of experts who can
be called 10 the oltys aid.