The Mankato free press., 1920-11-26
OBJECTS TO RATE RAISE
Patron Of Gas and Electricity Writes
to The Free Press.

to The Free Press.
Mankato, Mimi, Novmber 20,
1920-To The Free Press: Through
the columns of your paper l crave
the privilege of replying personally,
and for several OF my neighbors who
to the Northern States Power COM
pany. The city Of Mankato as well
as North Mankato and presume other
points where the electrical wires of
the Northern States Power company's
reach, were blanketed yesterday
with circular letters bemoaning the
necessity of again raising the rates for
the consumers of gas and for electric
ity 33h percent. Citing as the cause
of insufficient revenue under the pre-
sent rates to conduct their business
from a financial business standpoint.
Claiming the gradual increase in the
cost OF coal makes this necessary.
and citing to us that II now costs
$14.37 for ton of coal from which
the gas Is made This to us does not
seem possible for ~the reason that a
single ton OF Superba coal, H pur-
chased by the single ton costs us
1890 and, whiie possibly gas can
not be made from that grade Of coal,
we are of the opinion that In many
car load lots, like we presume the
Northern States Power company buy,
they surely, buy much cheaper than
single ton. Referring to our records
we find that in 1912 gashouse coke
sold for $3.50 Ter ton, in 1913 is sold
for $3.50, in 1914 for $3.50. In 1918
for $3.50, 1916 for 800, In 1917 for
$500 per ton and at the present time
we understand gas house coke is sell
Ing for $500 per ton. We recognize
that the cost of coal has advanced
since 1912. we as freely recognize
that the cost of gashouse coke has
increased nearly threefold since 1912,
THAT Ras Waters didn't have taken
of) and the additional increase in
rates both In gas and electricity. We
learn that the twin cities have an 80
cent rate Fer thousand. under the new
proposed rates at Mankato we must
enjoy a rate of $2.10 per thousand.
Why the difference? The fact of this
advance notice of increases in rates
coming to us when it is well nigh
impossible to cook meal of vituals
at certain hours Of the day Especially
around the accustomed meal hour
time when many others are per.
chance using the gas for cooking) and
at times when for hours at a time
there are no electric lights, is we'll
calculated to make the "pilP'. unless
very heavily coated with sugar. dis
tasteful to swallow. Another thing
that does not aprear easy to under
stand is that, throughout the war
times not much of an increase in
rates has been levied, but now in the
face Of reduction in the high cost
OF. living 1--WE are told) and a pIenti-
full supply of coal, the rates must
necessarily be boosted up 33h per
cent and making a rate Of $2.i0 per
thousand while the twin cities enjoy
a rate Of 80 cents per thousand. Il
sorry day it was when the city Of
Mankato lost control of their muni
oiral gas and electrical plant. Elec-
ton Is near at hand and perhaps II
might be a vote winner If some good
man would come forward (who is
seeking offfce) with a promise to not
only, remove the surcharge but keen
down the higher gas and electric
rates. In conclusion let me say that
the people are very indignant In this
Legislation without representationD
movement and 1t means the return
ing to the old cook stove and oil
lamps for many.-A Patron.