South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-07-18
REDUCING THE CITY GAS RATES.

KEDO(-lNO NE u 1 OAS IA 70
In view OF the fact. understand it, some more
less administration OF city affairs ordained
that the Northern Indiana & Electric Co. should
have the use of the city streets charge for
gas for nigh onto time eternity acceptance
Of the submitted, providing for a sliding
scale of reductions probably about the best thing
South do. We not sufficiently versed
in gas manufacturing to justify saying of Ger
tainty that reductions should be greater. We be-
leve they should be- but view of the ordinance un-
der company operates being in effect con-
tract abrogation of which is forbidden only by
the constitution of the state the United States
reduction 10 per pending the expiration Of
the 6O-year period-heaven only knows when-it
would might better be accepted.
Although this ordinance originally passed in
1868 period of so fixing the rate at which
gas might be sold appears that sufficient number
of amendments been obtained, and of sufficient
lateness it will be approximately half century
still before the contract-called franchise-expires
When South Bend and Mishawaka filed their suit with
the state public service commission for reduction Of
years it appears that the gas company
filed an answer and brief setting forth the defense
above outlined. As we understand it neither South
Bend nor Mishawaka have replied TO that answer or
that brief which may may not mean that the con-
tentions therein forth. admitted Up against
such a stone wall, if stone wall most anything
ought TO be better than nothing Mayor Keller go
his municipal ownership bluff just the same
If the council will just take care that in accepting
these terms no more ordinances will passed, extend
ing the term of the franchise-or contract-some so
years longer, we may have to be satisfied.
Investigation indicates that there basis for
the gas companys that it cannot afford to
manufacture gas sell it low rate as some
other companies are selling pointed out
us concIusively cities which Mayor
Keller points as showing the rates ought TO get
are using gas which there is the byproduc
coke while local gas company manufactures from
water and oil, to which there is by-product We
it pointed just conclusvely that
the rate here is is in other oil and water
gas cities To green laymen like US. it would seem
that water as gas making material, at least should
be as inexpensive as coal spite of the absence OF
by-product though must admit that since
they have taken to shooting Rockefeller oils at each
other in Europe. that commodity has taken
considerable jump The point is that the local plant
is 10 be oil and water into coal
plant during the year paving the way for the re-
ducton promised This plan eliminates customer
for Standard OIL and maybe ought to be willing to
pay little higher coal than they are pay
ing in some other cities that sort of pat our
selves on that have gotten at least
short way even with Uncle John D.
The thing SINNERS itself down it seems. choice
between taking what get and keeping what we
have got We can pay the difference or save II Inc
company. bound TO contract made by IL
ustrious and renewed by more recent coun-
ellis furthermore saving the city the cost of an ex-
pensive fight assuming of non-acceptance
the fight go on. This is worth something Avoid
ing this fight alone would well-nigh save Mayor
Kener's administration enough TO pay for Rum vii
age-his JOY and his pride What is the use of but
ting against brick wall: and as to combat
ting it with threats Of municipal ownership-none OF
that for us with Mayor Keller at the helm
When we back municipal ownership it will be on
basis of service public-the whole public-and
that without regard sectionasms or for political
enect--not after the manner that the mayor
conducting the city water plant.