The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-11-27

schedule Notwithstanding the pro.
visions OF the franchise. After al
but seven Of the steam consumers
had agreed to pay this increased
rate, proceedings were begun by the
city to compel us to furnish steam al
the rate provided in the franchise
The litigation resulted in favor oi
the city, but the court did not deny
that our showing was meritorious
but determined that the City Com
mission and not the Court could
grant relief.
Claim Loss of $ie,sse
For the year ending Aug. 81. 1918,
there was an actual operating loss
o the company in the steam depart
ment alone, of $19.986, and this does
not include any allowance for de-
probation or interest upon the in
vestment. It Is estimated that the
loss for the year ending Aug. 81
1919, IL this old rate remains in
force, will be not less than $40, 900.
The rates which were announced and
which almost all OF the consumers
agreed to are idenucally those in eff
feet in the city of st. Paul and in
various other cities in this portion
of the country and can be demon
strated to be fair and reasonable.
Reduce As Coal Decreases
We desire to meet the request that
you have made for a reduction in
the gas rates in a spirit of fairness.
We, of course, are very DESTROYS of
having the steam business placed
upon it's own basis o that at least
we will not lose money upon this
enterprise. We ask you therefore,
to permit us to place in effect the
newly scheduled rates by amending
our steam franchise ordinance in a
manner which we think eminently
fair to both the city and the COM
pany. Under this proposal the con-
sumers would get the benefit Of de-
creased costs in coal as soon as they
occur, an d we shall be glad to sub
init herewith a proposed amendment
to such ordinance.
Lower Gas Rates
II yiur commissioners will consent
to this arrangement and pass an or
dinance along the lines suggested,
the company will in turn agree to
place in effect on and after Dec. l.
1918. rates for gas to it's consumers
in Fargo of $1.S5 per thousand Gu
bic feet with a cash discount of 25
cents per 1000 cubic feet, If bill be
paid within ten days from its date,
thus making a net rate Of $3.50 per
l 900 cubic feet. - n
We believe that the interests of
the community will be best served
If the gas consumers are taken care
of by a reduction of 20 per cent in
their bills and IL the consumers of
steam should be asked to pay a. fair
and reasonable price for the service
rendered them. Certainly the con-
sumers of steam who are all in the
downtown district, business houses,
and men of means in almost
all instances, can afford to pay this
increased cost better than the house.
holder or resident who are not al
ways people with ample means, but
are largely dependent on salaries
and wages for their living.
This proposal means that we are
anticipating to a very great extent
reductions in coal and manufactur-
ing costs, but since we must lose
money upon one of our commodities
it ought to be the one that would
afford the greatest relief to the
greatest number.
rates and for increase in steam
rates--if accepted, shall apply as of
date of Dec. 1, 1918.
Yours very truly,
UNION LIGHT. HEAT & POWER
COMPANY,
BY General Manager.
Changes In Rates.
The proposed amendments to the
present charter is as follows:
From and after the first day of
December, 1918, and up to and in
Guiding the 31st day Of August, 1918
the following rates fork steam
furnished through steam mains for
heating shall be effective:
For an steam consumed as reg