El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-04-20
4 Liberal Expresses Himself Upon
The Views OF The ReviVaIist, Brown

charge all consumers a flat charge OF
o2c per month in addition TO the
charge made FOR the actual zmount Of
gas consumed. Is on the present
showing an absurcity.
The Eas company enjoys a franchise
granted TO 81 by the city, and IN that
franchise the maximum charge for
gas Is stipulated When 4 consumer
applies for gas he must pay the price
stipulated by the gas company or do
without the service. and the city
council Is the only body that can rro-
charges.
A gas company is a necessary in
gas company 20 make money IN order
TO exist. a fair return on its invest
ment IS Its due. II the people OF Fl
Paso were convinced that an Increase
was necessary IN order for the gas
company 10 continue. then I think 10
one would object 20 reasonable in
crease But 70 come before the coun-
Gil. the peoples representatives and
say; we want a minimum OF s420
per year more than we have been
getting, from every householder and
user OF gas IN Fl Paso.' without any
showing whatever OF why the money
Is needed, is preposterous.
Assuming that Fl Paso has a Dopu-
lation OF 100000 and that there are
an average Of four people 10 the
-aNAAANr N.ANN rs 0ANA mean NNN users n
gas, without taking into account the
gas used IN restaurants. hotels and
other places. II there are $4,000 users
Of gas IN FL Paso. the Increase asked
oT the Eas company will produce an
increased revenue for the gas COM
pany OF more than 100000 every
It is admitted. OF course. that every
thing is higher now than a few years
ago The dollar has not the same
purchasing power that 70 once had.
The country IS at war. and few peo-
same amount OF money during the
war that they made before. An eTis-
fence is all that many ask They
don't demand business as usual" but
the gas company comes along and
says IN erect. that "on account OF
the war we can't make as much
money as We used TO unless we in
crease our charges for gas" The gas
company seems unwilling 20 carry
its share OF the war burden. but asks
the city council 10 permit il 20 pass
Its share on 10 the public.
Now, II the gas company can not
do without an increase. II o can not
make a fair return on the sctual cap
ltal invested without an increase, then
common fairness dictates that the In
crease should be granted II the CITY
council VIII appoint an independent
auditor and have him make an audit
OF the books OF the gas company az
the gas company's expense. and II his
audit shows that the increase de-
handed by the gas company is neces-
sary, then everybody viii be satisfied
at least they should be.
II a sufficient number are inter
ssted 7 VIII prepare a petition 20 be
signed and presented 10 the city
council
Edgar williams.
On justice 70 the gas company. IL
Is only fair 20 state that the company,
In presenting its request FOR an In
crease. asked the city council 70 make
an audit Of its books; al least two
aldermen have already made an in
vestigation Of the books. Two years
lgo mayor Lea, ~ that time consider
Ing the feasibility OF making r reduce
ton in gas rates. had the gas COM
'any's books audited, and decided that
Q would not be feasible % cut the
ate The company has always held
is books open 10 the city Tor exam
uation--Editor.)