Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-09-14

Statement in Behalf Of the Board Of Direct
Ors Of the Citizens Gas Company, by H.. H.
Hornbrook, Counsel, at Hearing on Gas Con-
servation held by the Public Service Com
mission, September 10, 1920.
rectors of the Citizens Gas Company appeared pub
lice hearing Monday of last week and participated in
discussion as to the present situation and prospects for
the gas supply to consumers during the ensuing winter
II was there made apparent that unless
getic and continuous policy adopted it inevita
Die that there would be serious shortage in the supply
OF gas when the heating season begins. With 60-cent
gas and exorbtant prices for COAL beyond ques
ton that there would be widespread disposition to dis
place coal with gas whenever possible And It
ton was one which stressed the economic aspect
Moreover that unless this emphasis sufficient
be really felt it could, not possibly be effective
AS the outcome of the discussion representatives of the
gas company compiled and submitted commission
tabular data to the consumption of various
coupled with several suggestions sliding scale of
rates along the line suggested by the chairman at the
public meeting. This done order to throw light
consideration of various angles To the oan
which had been proposed in tentative way by the COM
mission and which had been placed before the other public
meeting for adoption discussion and criti-
csm.
There has been widespread discussion in and out of
the public press to the general plan proposed Various
criticisms have been offered Practically all of these
recognized and brought forth at the other public
meeting Further reflection and discussion has served
emphasize these objections the board
directors Of the company
There are in the plan offered for consideration in.
herent difficulties, inequaesand nequties 1t is funda-
mentally wrong penaze the consumer who has always
been gas The plan suggested operated
to do this very thing
Moreover the apparent necessity for protecting large
great increases in the cost OF in and of itself called
for discrimination against domestic which
obnoxious to those who the protection Of the domestic
user of gas the first requirement In any plan adopted
Those in control of the affairs of the company
desire other than to render effective public service
at the lowest cost While is true that the plan proposed
purposes yet frankly
the other meeting that large additions the companys
plant must be made In the next two years TO develop
effective service and that it highly important
that this be overlooked and provided therefor
that IL the plan proposed produced additional revenues
these should be set aside provide additional equipment
and needed extensions without capitalizng the
against the public.
these additional facilities must be provided in the
future The temporary ability Of the company furnish
gas service at SO cents due to the present good market
for coke and byproduets will furnish an adequate
basis for financing the beterments which be pro-
vided in the next two years-and the time will In
the early future when the people Of this community must
pay price for gas somewhat commensurate with what
they paying for their other daily necessities.
This matter consideration today but it would
be folly not to recognize the fact that the gas situation
In this community Is to be permanently met In salts
factory obtain required additions must
be provided. And the public should not be mised
the real situation.
However the question before us today is the proposed
plan for conserving by penazng majority Of
irrespective of their conduct their cooperative
efforts to relieve the situation.
On behalf Of the directors of the company it is sub
mtted that the plan carries with such lack of equity
that 1t command the public support and therefore
cannot but object to and ask that it be not adopted
Conservation is greatly needed. Unless practiced by
o
of acute distress However, unless somS.Dlan be
devised which will in fact be appeal r5 the general
public fair and equitable will be better to through
the winter did year ago giving the best
possible advising the public from time to time the
facts cutting of wful offenders, and Saioning the
ply when it becomes necessary.
In the future the company should make its plans
for general enlargement OF its equipment and seek such
rate for tits only product not controlled by the law
of competition will enable to finance the cost
of such engagements The entire equity in the companys
property belongs to this community and nothing be
If honest and wise management prevail which will
not be in the public interest Advertisement.