The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-03-06

Mr., Miles then read the ordinances
pertaining to the Eas companies dating
back to October, 1895, He was ofter
given cues by the court, iwho asked that
certain sentences be read, that appar-
entity the gas oompany's attorney was
overlooking. one that Judge Fitzhugt
called Mr.. Miles attention to speclfiet
that each and every officar Of the COM
pany could be fined for each and every
offenae, and each day constituted
separate case.
Mr., Goodman suggested that such ac-
ton be taken and that the general pub
lie who are suffering, Join with the
court In obtaining redress from the
poisonous and inferior gas.
Mr. Miles said: II don't wish to so on
record as averring that the gas com
pany at present is furnishing the quail
ity OF gas to which their customers are
entitled, but l do wish to state that 1t
is being done under conditions that
were unpreventnble and that the gas
company's excuses are sincere and ev-
erything possible Is being done to REM
edy the trouble"
X, D. Mcclellan Director.
On taking the stand Mr.. Stieg said
he was vice president OF the company,
and In answer to question Of Mr.
Goodman as to who was manager OF the
company. replied that II was divided =
In answer to Mr.. Goodman's questions,
he said the heads OF departments In
cluded Guy Turner, c, X. Chaplin, j. r.
Rainier, William Flock and himself
that one meeting a year was slated by
the directors, held In New York, ana
but two OF the directors lived In Mem
phs, they being j, r. Norfleet and Sen
ayor X. d. McRellar.
Mr., Stieg said he could not answer
the question, whether the New YORK
directors we're aware of the conditions
In Memphis or not"
Then Judge FitEhugh dropped over a
"hand grenade" with the query: We'll
do they use their own gas1'
Mr.. Stieg admitted, as he laughed
along with the big crowd, that he could
not answer that
After listening to arguments that had
little bearing on the facts Of the case
and the statements Of DR.. Jones' and
DR.. Burns that the present quality oi
gas when 1t was furnlshed) was dele
terious and harmful to the throat, bron-
ehIal tubes, etc, Judge Fitzhugh an
nounced that he would hold Stieg liable
Mr.. Miles said: THAT ends 1t, then
and we waive an examining trial."
Every Executive Liable.
Il want to notify your company. MIR
Miles" Judge Fitzhugh announced
that we are going to hold every mar
or executive Of the company responsi
BILE and each day and every consumer
who complains will be a separate Of
fense. fine Mr.. Stieg $50
Mr.. Livingston, IN questioning iI MT
using coke and begin using coal some
four or five months ago, and isn't Il
a fact that your plant IL not equipped
for using such quantities Of coal?"
The witness endeayored to eIplair
the theory Of making gas and answered
I'm terms that could only be understood
thoroughly by an expert gas maker.
He admitted that the company hat
purchased its own coal mine last Dc.
cember and been using much coal since
In answer to Mr. Goodmans query AZ
TO whether the coal ran 10 per cent
sulphur, Mr. Stieg laughed and eX'
plained that 1t only ran one and frac.
tion per cent sulphur, He said therC
had been 10 or II per cent increase II
the revenues received by the company
from January, 1918. to January thii
year, but that many new customers hat
been added in that time.
"A Little Weak"
Mr.. Goodman asked Mr. Stieg: "Dc
you know that the gas Is badP
Mr. Stieg answered: II knew of the
| trouble last Sunday, but the gas AZ
| a whole Is not bad. A little weak gas
got In Sunday and blew things out
| some" The gas man stated, In answer
| TO questions, that sulphurous conditions
resulted from about everything with
which gas was made--coal. oil, water
etc,
II am asking you" Mr.. Goodman
said. "is the gas OF the past two OF
three months Of the same quality ~
previously furnished Memphls?"
Mr. Stieg's answer was: "The method
OF manufacture is the same"
We'll, then" snapped Mr.. Goodman
what is the matter with the gas?'
Mr.. Turner proved an even more eva
sive witness, when queried regarding
the quality OF gas and what constituted
standard gas, than Mr.. Stieg.
Experts Needed.
1t was finally got from Mr.. Turner
that consumers should adjust their own
stoves to suit the gas
Now take II at my home, the gas
expert said Il adjust the burners OF
my stoves and heaters TO suit the gas. y
"oh, see," came back Mr., Goodman,
"You would expect every customer "a