New-York tribune., 1920-03-15
Nixon's $ Order
Fails to Bring.
Gas to Tenants
Supply Won't Permit Ser
vice to New Applicants,
Declares Kings County
Lighting Co. President
No Funds for Extensions
Complains Corporation Has
Been Made Football of
Self Seeking Politicians

Residents of Bath Beach, Benson
hurst, Borough Park and Gravesend,
who have newly applied to the Kings
County Lighting Company to be sup
piled with gas, will not be given serv-
ice. although an order on the company
to do so has been issued by the Public
Service Commission. Ralph Elsman,
vlce-president of the corporation. yes
terday said that it viii be impossible
to comply with the vrder He declared
the company is being used as a legal
football by self seeking politicians"
Commissioner Nixon. acting on al
opinion by Morgan T. Donnelly deputy
commissioner, on Saturday directed the
company ito make all connections to
houses of people who have made ap-
plication and are legally entitled to
service" The company had protested
against taking new customers. 1t had
been charged that the embargo was put
on to obtain higher rates.
IF the Public Service Commission
will show US how it can be done ! will
be glad to comply with the instruc-
tions." said Mr.. Elsman.
This company cannot and will not
raise the necessar. funds TO finance
the extensions and improvements
| necessary to supply these consumers
under the statutory law now in effect.
1t would be criminal to ask the people
to invest their money in this coInpany
when we are compelled to sell our
product below cost.
at is now time that the people are
! made TO realize that this company has
been made the legal football of self
seeking politicians. who have no real
interest as to the price of gas, but
who are attempting to mend their po-
! litical fences before the people have
an opportunity to express themselves
at the polls next election. For the last
two years | have been warning the peo-
pie and officials that the present situ-
alton was coming unless some relief
was granted, but this has had no effect
on the politicians, who have tried TO
block every move to bring this matter
before the public.
Because OF the attitude of certain
politicians. who have tried to conceal
the truth in every way, we are without
funds to make any extensions to our
plant or to add any consumers. and
there is no possibility Of our raising
any money. We are faced by gas oil
shortage that means that. unless we
are in position to pay the price de
munded in the open market for the
limited supply available. the gas sup
ply not only to possible future con
sumers but to our present consumers
will have to stop.
The contract of my company for oil
supply expires within snort time. II
I am unable to arrange new contract
and the supply of gas Is stopped there
is grave possibility of many lives
being neediessly sacrificed. u viii not
take the blame for this impending dis
aster. II is clearly up to those who are
fighting. not this company, but the
very public they have been chosen 20
represent This condition cannot last
much longer, for the people will no.
be >fooled all the time.
81 am absolutely in earnest. and
stand in back of every word 7 utter.
Now it is time for some one to act. The
people will know best on whom to
bring pressure to obtain justice for
~ al 1vac -