Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1919-09-19
COUNCIL MEETING
Gas Company Ask For Temporary
Increase In Rates To Permit In
stallation of Equipment to Insure
Better Service-Sewers, Stlee.s
and Traffic Post =.

Following the usual routine Of
business program, the Council listen
ed last Monday night to a statement
and proposition from Mr.. S oan, man-
ager of the Ohio Gas, Light and
Coke &c. Mr.. Sloan's statement in
oluded a monthly report showing
that for the month of July the actual
profit on gas furnished to consumers
in Wauseon amounted to just $104
and the report did not include in cost
of production and delivery, interest
on money actually invested in the
Wausecn plant or other legitimate
overhead expenses. Mr.. Sloan also
stated that the company were unable
to give satisfactory service to con-
sumers living in the northwest
ggarter Of the town for the reason
that their present equipment in Wau-
seon was inadequate and they were
unable to increase this equipment un-
less they could borrow money to pay
for such equipment and that It was
impossible 70 borrow money for fur
ther investment in the Wauseon
plant unless they could show income
enough TO pay interest and provide
a sinking fund to pay the principal.
He also pointed out that while the
prices. on everything else had raised
the rates on gas to Wadseon con-
sumers had not been raised, but re-
mained the same as before the war.
ffr. Sloan invited an inspection Of the
books and business Of the company
to verify the statements he had made
and asked that the council permit
the company to increase the rate on
gas 20 cents per thousand cubic feet
for period Of six months and assur-
ed the council that if this permission
is granted that within period Of 90
days the company win install holders
and other equipment in Wauseon
which win insure adequate and sat
isfactory service to gas consumers in
oil parts Of the town at all times of
day and enable them to take care Of
new customers; something which they
ore hardly abe to do at the present
time.
There are about 700 users in Wau-
seen at the present me and that por-
on Of them that happen to live in
sections remote from the present
tanks or holders are for the most part
perfectly willing to pay $3.50 per
thousand feet for gas providing they
may have an adequate supply Of gas
when they want to use it
Members of the Council asked Mr..
Sloan questions and there was some
discussion The Mayor remarked that
th1 counci' was not in position to de-
cSSe upon the question at that meet
ing and that it was a question de-
manding Investigation and considera-
ton; he then appointed Messe-s Oak
ley. Schlatter and Ives a comm ttee
to investigate end consider the matter
rnd report their conclusions to the
council at their next regular meeting
three weeks from Monday night.
Mr. Anthony Bensman was present
to present proposition in behalf OF
Commercial Street residents, to lay
the sanitary sewer proposed for thai
street on the back ends Of the lots
facing on Commercial Street insteat
of on the boulegards in front of those
lots. This plan would save labor
and expense and prove just as eff
cient, the matter was referred to tht
Sewer Committee and the Street Com