Evening journal., 1920-05-27
TROUBLE FACES
MAKERS OF GAS
Scarcity of Coal and Oil
Causes Serious Condi-
tion to Manufacturers
SEE INCREASE IN
RATES AS LIKELY

-
NEW YORK. May 2T-A an en-
ereency conference Of the American
Gas Association held yesterday at the
Hotel Pennsylvania, it was declared
that the gas Industries are In such a
condition thai they must have i'm
mediate relief II they are 10 continue
operation The 375 gas company Of
ncia1s from every part Of the country
voted to carry out, a program which
provides for both immediate and per-
manent relief.
Philip H. Gadsden, vice president OF
the association and chairman Of the
emergency committee, submitted the
following statement and program,
which was unnimously dopted
Harold S. Schutt OF Wilmington,
Del, general manager OF the Geist
Companies was one Of those present.
The gas industry OF the country To-
day faces a situation so critical that
II demands immediate relief II gas
compares are 10 continue TO operate
until a permanent solution OF their
problems can be put into effect.
''rhe emergency committee Of the
American Gas Association has two
distinct obierts--quick and effective
emergency relief, Including the as
suranoe OF delivery OF necessary ma
terial and ultimately the readjust-
ment OF the relation OF the gas in
dustry to tho pubic on basis which
wfl insure continued and efficient
service hereafter.
For emersency relief It recon-
mends.
ia) Priority IN shipment OF OIL
coal and coke with preference In al
location.
lb) Such immediate and sub
Siantial emergency increases In rates
as viii make possible the continued
standing the great increases In the
cost OF oil. coke, cOdl. labor and other
items, and which viii In addition ne
store and protect the credit Of gas
companies pending a permanent 90
luton Of the situation.
(c) Emphatic protests through
every possible agency and by personal
contact against the present tremen.
dous exports OF oil and coal.
'F0r permanent relief 70 urges;
(a) Abolish the candlepowei
standard
(b) Reduce the consumption oi
on by gas companies 10 the smallest
quantity practicable and readjust the
heating standards accordingly.
(cl Rates hereafter established
should be elastic and quickly respon
sive to ohansing condlhons Of opera
td) The rate Of return allowed OF
the investment by gas companie
should be materially increased n
order 10 compensate for the decreas
ing purchasing power OF money an
further, 70 strengthen the credit o
gas companies 20 a point where ney
capital VIII again flow into the ga
Industry
III Is proposed 20 accomplish "a
above objects by utilizing all prOpe
agencies for that purpose"
George b. CortelyOu. president @
the American Gas Association. urge
that every means he employed q
show the public the facts about tn
gas industry. He expressed confidence
10 me Judgment Of the public. one
it knows the truth. "rhe economic
conditions affecting the supply o
coal. oil and other essential materials
OF labor and Of The funds required Z
maintain and develop our properties
are not bogies devised by the IN
dustry 70 secure preferential treat
ment, excessive rates or unWarrantel
returns upon. investment he said.
Mr.. Gadsden. said every industry
with the exception OF public utilities
had grown prosperous out OF condi
tions which have brought ruin TO tn
gas companies. This was due. he said
10 the paralyzing hand OF regulatlo
which has been laid upon companie
endeayoring 10 serve the public wit
essentials.
"The gas business and public util
tbs 40 E3aneTal are the only lines
which the selling price does not heS
soune relation 10 the cost OF rrodul
ton be said "Our cost for co.
has increased 900 per cent. laho
$50 per cent. and Oil. 800 per ON
We must siagser on until we ha'
reached t'1e verge OF banruptc
and then they viii dole out 20 I
e so.1 fraction Of vAa' we are 'ns'l'
n. A C. smith. haad OF tho Z
division OF hhe Federal Bureau
Mines, In a discussion OF the oil 81
iIaiion declared the outlook 10
very bad for the manufacturers
j. B. cunpp. chairman OF the
committee OF the association, ss
thct wastefm and undue pBasu
riding In automobiles must be stopp
or the public will be deprived OF
Illuminating and cooking gas.
Mr. Schutt, who returned toe
from the convention, said some Of {
gas companies throughout the Ia
have only a three-days' supply OF "a
on hand and one plant in Michig
had TO close down four days. }
Schutt said the Wilmington plant ,
sufficient coal on hand 10 tide 1t o.
until the railroads deliver more &C
Tho lack OF gas oil and the gr
increase in the price Of that essen1
in the manufacture Of gas Is caus
the companies much concern" S
Mr.. Schuft "rhe present oil she
axe and unprecedented exports, "
the consequent eVer-increasing n
nrices, has created a home situat
that amounts TO a crisis. This
pecially is true insofar as oil is
essential in the manufacture or :
upon which some 100000 pee
daily depend for cooking and lighi
"The production OF oil has beco
a highly organized industry, G
Quoted on an efficient and seieni
basis. While oil. like food. has
ccme a daily necessity. there are mi
millions OF families which make
the population OF every city in
nation. whose food will go uncOo
unless the manufacturers OF gas
principal by-product OF petroleum,
continue 10 operate their plants"
BAGGAGE SMASHED
Baggage smashing