South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-08-05
Gas AND JURISDICTION SEEM TO DEPEND
on WHOSE OK IS BEING GORED.

CITY Atty Seeuirt has raised very nice issue FOR the
Ceist gas maguates with particularly with
respect 10 the membership the Northern Indiana Gas
4 Electric CO.. ia the Indiana Gas association. and It's
appeal 20 the Indiana Public Service commission for
permit TO muiet the public with a hfty-cent service
charge per meter per month, surcharge OF approx
maesy twenty-five per cent The city attorney points
out that couple years when the city appealed
70 the public service commission for reduction in the
Northern Indiana gas rates here. the company chal-
lenged Jurisdiction the commission interfere
due 20 existing local franchises and in consequence Of
the apparent legality Of the challenge.
ment was entered into reducing local gas from one
dollar 10 ninety cents. provided YOU hurried in with
your monthly settlement
That ninety rate in effect since the first
May though we dare say has noticed it from
the size Of their gas bills About that time meters
had to De Inspected. and somehow, some OF US have
caught ourselves consuming just that much
probably due the war. but anyhow getting it
our gas bills. is proposed that be soaked
fifty cents per month meter rent-whch is what it
amounts tor else have a twenty-five per
charge added 10 our bills. What the city attorney
wants 10 know what Jurisdiction the public
commission can over gas situation II
II didn't have any years ago2 The company still
operating the old franchise Is the law
different the question OF jurisdiction when the
company something than it is when the city. and
the people want it? It is a question also
mission o cOnjure with.
Rich as the Gests have grown out OF the local gas
plant despite protests with respect oil lack of
byproducts etc, constantly impending poverty.
doubt If there can be much excuse the wanted
OF rates though the cost of production
materials. etc. gone UP from thirty per
labor 20 two hundred thirty-three per
coal latter Geists say they They
use oil and wate they tell us To surprise we
no stated OF the water though
scheduled 20 have gone up hundred. That Is the
same increase that claimed and more ago,
when the ninety-cent rate agreed upon. Evidently
the rate based upon that increase. What next?
Oh heavens, don't ask
But you still have the old avenue OF competition Gas
is used at least partly light electricity When
South Bend wanted reduction in electric light and
power rates two years ago the commission
with it. before the commission and, on a
compromise the commission awarded the people, ap-
proving an agreement Of the parties. reduction OF
from what is called ten to and half cents per
IIilowatt hour. on a basis OF competition with gas.
cent electricity for lighting purposes
is equal to seventy-hve cent gas. South Bend
ready paying ninety cents.
Furthermore. the Indiana & Michigan is standing by
its guns: willing little along with the people,
and when Indiana Electrical association recently
went before the commission ask for a and
sucharge in electric rates the local
kept out of it, There a monetary reason perhaps.
part. Using water considerable degree for
power. II hadn't the nerve TO ask for an increase IN
of the increase in the cost of COAL and
yet with its auxiliary steam plants have little doubt
but that much coal than the gas company
does least much than the gas company claim
ed TO use negotiating the present rates it
pleading the high cost of oil.
didn't reduce its rates voluntarily. in spite of its
claims. the Indiana Michigan
nues making good. by rates.
share Of price bitterness along with the people;
we'll the gas situation being quite unequal and era bling
for more-eectricity ia at least alternative
old-fashioned competition after ALL when left
free good cure OF retrbution
such antics the gas company indulging in you
can conveniently find.
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