Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-10-31


lively into the fight for better gas
service and ageinst increased rates
when President Carr S. Glover, of
the Chamber, Friday night dispatch
ed the following telegram to the
Georgia railroad commission, under
which body's supervision all public
utilities in Georgia come:
Georgia Railroad Commission,
Atlanta, Ga.-Gas service Ameri-
Gus Lighting Co. again almost COM
plete failure past twenty four
hours. Hundrers of families suf-
fering serious inconvenience and
many industries crippled. Similar
occurrences frequent during paso
several months In behalf people
Americus we urge you adopt ex-
treme measures force Lighting
company render adequate service.
If expert sent here imediately ex-
penses guaranteed.
&C. S. GLOVER,
President, Chamber Commerce" ;"
Up to last evening no reply hat
been received by Mr. Glover from
the commission, but Manager W. F.
Rogers. Of the Americas Lighting
company, had heard from the com
mission, having received a copy OF
Mr.. Glover's telegram and demand
for an explanation. After receiving
the commissions message Manager
Rogers called Mr. Glover by tele
phone to tell him that he did rot ap-
prove the message which had beer
sent to the commission. Some warn
words ensued between the two, Mr.
Rogers declaring mat a persona
fight was being made on him. that
the gas service had improved enc
blaming the failure Of consumers tc
properly lake care Of the gas appli-
ancee such as keeping the burners
clean, in a large measure Tor 'ooal
gas troubles.
Mr. Glover info med Manager
Rogers that if the Lighting company
would actually give good service for
a length of time, and would post.
pone the application for increased
rates. he would be willing to have
an expert come to Americus and
make complete inspection of the
company's plant and affairs and then,
if the expert reported a fair return
was not being made by the compa-
nv, he would agree to hearing ON
increased rates, and was sure the
people would not oppose it. With
out service first, he said, the appll-
cation would be opposed to the limit
He informed Mr.. Rogers that siA
months ago the Chamber of Com
merce was severely critized for not
making a fight on the company for
por service and against the increase
then asked. but that the Chamber did
not want to cripple the company and
permitted it go on and make its show
ing and get an increase from the
commission. He declared the pubic
had a right to expect better serv-
ice following that increase, but the
Improvement had not been in evl-
dence, except at limited periods. 1t
was at this junction that Manager
Rogers shifted the blame largely to
the people themselves.
President Glover conferred yester-
dav with members of the city coun-
ell committee which was instructed
TO oppose the application of the COM
many for increased rates relative to
the employment of an expert to in
vestigate the plant He informed
members of this committee that if
the city could not find the money to
employ such an expert he was sure
the gas consumers themselves would
put up the necessary money.
The hearing on the Americus ap-
plication is set for next Thursday,
November 4, before the Railroad COM
in Atlanta, having been NOV
ed up from November 10. as original
ly scheduled, and an effort will be
made by the city in advance to reach
an agreemnt for a postponement OF
the date to permit of time for the
city to prepare its case.
The gas service, which was all but
susnended Friday CAUSING house
holders who were without wood. coal
or oil stoves to dine downtown or eat
cold dinners and suppers. was some
what improved Saturday, but still far
fran adequate. The gas supplv was
low. but permitted of slow cooking in
most parts of the city. The Times
Recorder again operated under a
handicap all day SATURDAY. bacause of
the low gas supply. although at a
less disadvantage than Friday.