Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-09-07
WOULD SADDLE
HIGHER COST ON
GAS CONSUMER
Gas Company Makes 'Sug
gestiOn' of Surcharge
After 1000 Feet.

a "suggestion7 that the gas consum-
ers Of Indianapolis pay surcharge on
all gas consumed in excess OF 1900 feet
a month has been made to the public
service commission In response 10 the
sollticious request Of that body made
to the gas company several days ago.
The suggestions were today "a the
personal possession Of E. J. Lewis, char
man Of the commission aud one Of the
fmen who was Instrumental IN organizing
the Citizens Gas Company, and Mr..
Lewis was not ready TO make them
public
Investigation discloses that the "sug-
resfioa" that only 1000 feet Of gas a
month be furnished 10 consumers at
the G0,cent rate means that practically
every gas consumer iu indianapolis viii
be charged a higher rate than % cents
when the commission approves Il.
The purpose OF the present movement
to tamper with the gas rate hxed by
statute in Indiana is ostenslbly 20 cur
tall the use OF gas in heating fixtures,
sold by the gas company on the in
stallment plan, and IN homes equipped
with gas CRATES. In order TO save II for
cooking.
The suggestion Of sssurcharge on
more than 1000 feet Of gas month
means a practical increase IN the cost
OF gas a thousand 10 those who use It
for cooking only. as the 1000 cubic feet
limit Is so low few consumers will use
less than that amount. even in cooking
for two or three persons.
HEARING
FRIDAY.
The suggestions Of the Citizens Gas
Company, showing estimates OF con
sumption and earnings. based on n rate
for the domestic consumer Of 60 cents a
thousand cubic feet per month for the
first 1000 feet consumed and a higher
rete for gas consumed in excess OF that
amount, during the winter months, for
the purpose Of conserving the supply OF
gas. will be taken mp a earring before
members Of the public service commits
sion Friday afternoon at 90.
TO DISCUSS
EMERGENCY.
There also viii he taken M al that
time the question Of an emergency as to
the gas supply for the winter months.
aud suggestion that has been made
that the industries supplied with gas by
the company have their supply curtailed
II necessary to furnish gas to domestic
consumers-in other words, that the do
nestle consumer be given preference.
RATIoNING
rs SUGGESTED.
A suggestion also has been made that
rationing system be put into effect by
furnishing full pressure only between
a. m. and a. m. IL 80 a. IN. and / p. m,
and p. IN. and p. m, beginning with
the first steady cold weather.
The hearing Friday afternoon viii bic
10 afford any one interested an opportu
nifty to present his views, and win be
before Chairman Il. I. Lewis and Com
missloners Fred Bates Johnon and Glenn
YanAuken
This, it is announced, will be the final
hearing in the case
IL IS said by gas company officials
that of the domestic consumers OF gas,
about GA 900 in number, about 10000 use
1000 cubic feet or less per month, as an
average.
However It is well krown that this
consumption increases In the winter ard
under the proposed surchar,Ee plan, the
consumption of more than 1000 feet OF
gas In any one month would involve
penalty regardless OF how much less gas
had been used by the consumer other
months.