Imperial Valley press., 1920-08-09
GAS
C0MPANY'S
CLOSING
DOWN
Ell Centre Chamber cf Com
merce Joins Associated
Chambers in Protesting
: Action Price Opposing
= Commissions Orders.

The FL Centro Chamber of COM
merce has joined with the Associated
Chambers in protesting to the rail
road commission the proposal of
Charles E. Paris, receiver for the I'm
perial Gas Company, who proposes
to close down the gas works serving
Ell Centric, Imperial and Brawley, in
spite of the fact that the railroad
commission lately ordered continued
service.
The tlegram reads:
Railroad Commission,
San Francisco, Calf.
The people here joined in raising
rates OF gas company to insure serv-
ice. Collections were made on the
raised basis. Now comes notice that
gas company intends shutting works
down Sunday afternoon at which time
their oil supply will be exhausted. 1t
will be very serious public incon-
venience if this is allowed to be done.
Ell Centre Chamber of Commerce,
Clifford Coggins, President.
AS the railroad commission recent
/ ly issued an order prohibiting the
closing of the gas plant here, ana as
the commission has not since amended
it's order Paris is apparently acting
under no authorized order.
The Associated Chambers of Com
merce sent the following telegram
protesting the action of Paris last
Saturday.
Ell Centre, CAL, Aug. Z, 1920.
State Railroad Commission,
San Francisco, Calf.
Gentlemen-Paris, receiver, Impe-
rial Valley Gas Company, has sent
notices to consumers that on August
Is at 3 p. m. he will discontinue all
gas service. Refer your decision 7744,
application 5653, all thereof and par
ticularly, order on pages eight and
nine, wherein you say in part, the
commission ''finds as fact that the
discontinuance of gas service would
result in an unjustifiable hardship
upon the consumers of Imperial VAL
ley Gas Company and that rates here
matter set forth will yield applicant
sufficient revenue during the year
! 1920, to enable it to rehabiliate it's
properties and service, and to provide
reasonable return upon It's invest
ment thereafter" Authority to dis
continue service be held in obeyance
for period of six months from the
date of this order," order dated June
10, 1920. In view of the fact of your
investigation and findings and order
herein referred to it is hard to con-
ceive of attitude and decision of re-
ceiver. He claims rason for action
not sufficient revenue to run plant.
Your findings show and determine
that increased rate ordered and in eff
feet not only sufficient to pay run
ming expenses, but also sufficient to
provide a reasonable return upon
company investment Your order de-
MED receivers petition to close plant
forthwith and held same in Obeyance
for six months for further decision
Now within one month and 16 daya
from your order and findings receiver
issues his ultimatum. His conclusions
and your findings of facts do not har-
monize. The Associated Chambers of
Commerce of Imperial county protest
vigorously to the discontinuance of
the service of gas by the Imperial
Valley Gas Company, through its re-
ceiver or anyone else, and demands re-
spectfully that Charles +. Paris, re-
ceiver for said company, be prohib-
tied and restrained from discontin-
uing the service on August 15, 1920.
or any other time until there has
been held hearing by your commits
shn for this purpose and good cause
appears therefor, and that the receiv-
er b prohibiting from shutting off
said gas until ordered to do so, in
the regular manner and form by law
prescribed. The associated chambers
appreciates your interest in the well
fare of our people and we assure you
that we wish to cooperate with you
whenever the opportunity affords. We
urge your immediate attention and
action in the matter herein discussed
and await your wire with interest.
Associated Chambers of Commerce of
Imperial County,
By j. F. Seymour,