Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-09-19

inning 70, 3,DVNy,bOv EHtt'tiH VI Ritt WI
which 36 cents per gallon, delivered,
was paid Since July 3 the gas company
has not made any oil contract, but
has bought from the Atlantic Refining
Co. paying the price prevailing at the
time of shipment. In July S.lS cents
per gallon was paid and III August s.6S
cents. On coal and oil the increase
amounts to $l65,0OO
WAGES INCREASED.
Office help, Mr. Sehutt said, has
increased 30 per cent, wages of shop
Iaborers have advanced from 81 To
5515 cents per hour, street laborefs -
10 As cents. other laborers 40 to 80 cents,
plant operators 40 To 6fi2 cents ana
plant fireman % To 62 cents.
Mr.. Schutt submitted a valuation OF
the gas company's property, which was
admitted in evidence without being read
The pas sent out in D-hours periods
during the winter of 19l6-i7 amounted
10 2. i6S. 600 cubic feet and during the
winter fo 1918 to 3,229, 900 cubic feet
Last winters increase, 19.S per cent,
due largely to shortge of coal. In 1910
tho pas sent out in 2d-hour period am
ounted 10 I.226. 900 cubic feet. In 1909
gas sales amounted To 270,0OO,0m cubic
feet and from September |, 1917, to
September 1, 1918, To 677 ,S8d, 600 cubic
feet. Charts showing gas sent out and gas
sold were submitted.
MIR Schutt said tho company could not
give uninterrupted service had 1T not made
additional expenditures lts plant -
being improved at n cost ot Sl65.ooo lie
went TO Washington and got a priority
certificate for large part of the new ap-
paratus improvements probably will be
comnlcted before the excessive demands
of winter
Increased gas rates, MIR Sehutt said,
arc necessary 10 pay for the improvements
and 10 meet operating expenses and IN
terest. Last wear the company had
deficit of IS. .I3a In June 1918 the deficit
amounted to xdt5. lie estimated operat-
ing expenses and interest for SIX months
at 3S2, ,2G4 An inerease of % cents per
1000 cubic feet for gas would give no sur
plus or provide a dividend for common
stock
WANTS TO REMAIN SOLVENT.
Mr. Schutt said the company was ask
ing only for what would permit II to make
improvements and remain solvent. There
are increased demands ON the company,
II having Ia provide gas for the housing
projects or the Union street and Wawaset
Park tracts Before spring It will provide
gas for at least 900 additional houses
II ought To contract for equipment IN
addition to what has been ordered but
rnnnot before II gets credit, and to get
credit II must increase pas rates Equip
ncnt IN addition ia what hns been ordered
would cost $4,000
The price Of gas IN 1864 was 81 ID per
.OOO cubic feet, Mr. Schuit sald, and IN
1911 II was o. cents On October / 1917,
tfgKsf g. In
wer the pr,cc would be lower now
Advertisements recently published hy
the pas company were offered IN evidence
Mr. Sehutt. replying to questions asked
bv Commissioner t,arretson. SAID the net
value of the company plant IS - l3l.2sh
and tho replacement value s.sa1 $50
The company has outstanding bonds
amounting 10 81 pn5,0O0 and preferred
stock agFrrrating si.25S. 800 Ninety
seven per cent Of the company = BUSINESS
Is in Wilmington.
Mn o'kaNB QUIZ Es.
James Okanc of the Central Labor
Union did not think MIR Schutt had gwen
sufficient data.
what dividend docs the company pay
on common stock" MIR O'kanc asked.
"Nonc.' Mr.. Schutt replied.
Have you given an Itemlzed account
of what Is paid to employees
Il have told what Is paid to office, shop,
plant and street employees.
Does that include the president
1T does not The figures submitted
show the production and distribution
expenses. the interest on bonds and the
dividend on preferred stock Officers have
not received any increase. do not object
Ill that shr.-
Mr.. O'kane thought Mr. Schutt was
taking the same position as Nice-President
Wilson of the Wilmington 4 Philadelphia
Traction Co.
Commissioner GarretSon objected
Mr. Wilson declared the traction com
panv would 90 in the hands of receivers
II it did not receive a seven-ccnt fare,
Mr. O. Kane said but II did not get a
seven-cent fare. and II has not gone IN
the hands of receivers.
President Isaac ruled MIR O'kanc out
Of order
James Dale of the Central Labor Union
requested the privilege of examining the
gas company books and was told he
could do SO at another tune.
MR. ROBERTSON TRIUMpHs.
Councilman Robertson asked for a hear
ing.
Commissioner Garretson objected. say
ing Mr. Robertson had not filed appear
ance.
According to the rules of the board
we cannot hear YOU. President Isaac
said
You will hear me. Mr. Robertson
reto:ted
Attorney Neary said he had no OBJ
lection.
Mr. Garretson asked for the opinion
of the city solicitor
According to the rules anyone who
has not filed appearance cannot be heard,
Mr. Rayard said, The board is auth
orized to make rules and publish them
IL ask the commissioners Ii decide .