The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-10-15
Keller ENDS
GAS CAUCUS
BY REFUSAL
City Attorney Bluntly Charges
Meeting is for Purpose of
Putting Over a General
Increase.
GAS COMPANIES SILENT


Bluntly charging that the meeting
held in Richmond by city officials and
representatives of gas companies or
various Indiana and Ohio towns fo-
the purpose of discussing the natural
gas situation was a scheme to put
over a general increase in gas rates.
City Attorney Will Keller of Rich
mond informed those attending the
conference that Richmond would have
no part in the movement. The meet
ing was arranged by John McPhee.
city attorney of Muncie. At the con-
clusion of Mr. Rollers talk, num-
Der of visiting city officials applauded
him, but representatives of gas CON-
panies sat in their chairs like craven
images. The meeting finally adjourn
ed without having adopted any pro-
gram for natural gas conservation
by increase in rates"
McPhee Gives "keynote."
Mr.. McPhee, who presided over the
meeting and delivered the keynote
address, took the position that low
rates which prevail generally were re-
sponsible for the great waste of mai
ural gas and that the only way the
almost depleted supply could be con-
served was to establish rates which
would cause consumers to use 1t as
sparingly as they would artificial gas.
He advocated the use of natural gas
for domestic purposes only during the
winter moths.
Replying TO Mr.. McPhee, Mr.. Rel
Ter stated that the city officials OF
Richmond realized the need for the
conservation of natural gas but that
they didn't think the way to conserve
gas was to permit the gas companies
to boost rates. He said that Rich
mond officials believed the proper
way to conserve gas was to regulate
it's use by law. He said every house
hold could be restricted in the amount
of gas it could use; meters could be
fixed so they would automatically
cease to operate when the maximum
amount of gas had been used.
Richmond Is Gu,
Richmond wants it understood that
it stands for the conservation of nat
ural gas and will join any legitimate
movement to obtain that result, but
we don't intend to become a party to
a scheme for getting higher gas rates
for Dayton or any other city" Mr..
Keller concluded.
In his talk Mr.. Keller intimated that
the Muncie city attorney had been
for the postponement OF
the hearing which was to have been
held here last Tuesday by the In
diana public service commission TO
consider the gas rate increase petition
of the Richmnd Light, Heat & Power
company.
Hits McPhee
I'VE found on inquiry that the con-
tinuation of this hearing resulted from
a suggestion made to the state COM
by Mr.. McPhee. He suggested
to the commission that this hearing
could be delayed until after the gas
conference had been held in Rich
mond," Keller said
81 want in no way to reflect upon
the state commission, but We do re-
sent John McPhee's intrusion, and we
feel that his activity has some sig
nificance." Keller added.
K. c. Krick. of Columbus. O., vice.
president of the Logan Gas company,
from which concern the Richmond
Light, Heat and Power company pur-
chases its natural gas. addressed the
meeting. Mr. Krick declared that IS
per cent of the West Virginia natural
gas supply had been exhausted. He
conserve the remaining supply was
by a general rate advance. Mr.. Krick
stated that Richmond had always
been a sparing user of natural gas,
and admitted that the prevailing gas
rate was on conservation basis
Against Boost Here
Mr.. Keller stated that it was felt
here that local gas rates were high
but he called attention 70 the
fact that the Light, Heat and Power
company was now asking for an in
creased valuation of its plant with the
end in view of obtaining another rate
advance "We intend to resist this
effort" Mr.. Keller said. I'VE think
the company's plant valuation as now
established is substantially correct.
We also think that the local gas COM
pany has been obtaining a greater in
come through preva ling rates than 1t
is legally entitled to receive"