Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-09-11
INDIGNATION
STOPS RAISE
OF GAS RATE
Company's Directors Oppose
Gift From GoOdrich's
Public Utility Board.
ADMIT LACK OF EQUITY

Confronted by storm of indignation
which they knew would take the form
of litigation if necessary, directors Of the
Citizens Gas Company backed away from
the effort of the public service commits
sion to increase the rates for gas in In
dianapolis yesterday.
For the first time in the history of the
public utility commission, that body was
requested not to increase a utilities rates
in accordance with plan which it had
originated and appeared determined to
force on both the public and the COM
pany.
The commission has taken the matter
under advisement, presumably for the
purpose of awaiting a most auspicious
time to present the gas company with
additional revenues which the manager
Of the company declares are not neces-
sary to enable it to pay 10 per cent div
idends as it has paid for many years.
The public service commissions plan to
raise the rates for gas in indianapolis. as
outlined in the Daily Times several days
ago, was referred to in the public hear
ing as a proposed plan for conserving
gas by penalizing a majority of Gus
toners" in a statement read by H. II.
Hornbrook, attorney for the gas COM
pany, at the hearing.
The plan was objected to not only
by the company but also by the city
and various individuals who attended the
hearing.
Several other plans were suggested for
the conservation of gas.
Following the hearing, which was at
tended by representatives Of various
civic bodies, some of the officials OF the
gas company and a number of individual
consumers of Gas, the commission took
the matter, and plans suggested, under
consideration.
STATEMENT READ
BY MR.. HoRNBROoK.
The statement read by Mr.. Hornbrook
was as follows:
In response to the request of the COM
mission, the directors Of the Citizens Gas
Company appeared at 4 public hearing
Monday Of last week and participated in
discussion as to the present situation
and prospects for the gas supply 10 con-
sumers during the ensuing winter.
1t was there made apparent that unless
some energetic and continuous policy
were adopted it was inevitable that there
will be a serious shortage IN the supply
of gas when the heating season begins.
With 6O-cent gas and exorbitant prices
for coal, 1t WAS beyond question that
there would be a widespread disposition
TO dispiace coal with gas whenever pos
slole. And IL was suggested that the
SA4J 1OAubOu luAa economic SITUATION
was one which stressed the economic
aspect Moreover, that unless this en-
phas1s were sufficient to be really felt II
could not possibly be effective
AH the outcome Of the discussion rep
resentattves of the gas company compiled
ana submitted to the commission tabular
cata as to the consumption of various
consumers coupled with several sugges-
tions as to a sliding scale Of rates along
the line suggested by the chairman at
II II fr1
order TO throw light on and invite con
sideratton of various angles to the plan
which had been proposed in a tentative
way by the commission and which had
been placed before the other public meet
ing, not for adoption. but for discussion
and criticism
There has been a widespread discus
sion in and out of the public press as
to the general plan proposed. Various
criticisms have been offered. Practically
Continued on Page F1ve.)