The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-10-19
THE GAS SITUATION.


THE GAS SITUATION.
Attention is<inyited to the com.
}snrnicafion of Mayor Jennings. It
& & Sspeaks for itself, the Mayor en-
shasizing the fact that he is de-
rrained to be the final arbiter as
Is who shall and who shall not sign
S$fhe petition IN the. gas controversy.
$x4e does not explain how he arriv-
sed at decision to strike from the
nriginal petition the names OF sew
eral persons. who have authority to
sign for institutions and estates, or
Che hair- splitting decision in GER
tain cases where the only difference
sen the names on the petition
nd on the gas company books,
mas the inconsequential matter of
the spelhas Of a proper or given
ne or the use Of an initial in
1Sof the full given name. There
Sly have been some merit, tech
/ lfskify, in nshis 1ne distinction as, to
Ts11os are and who are not Sub
scribers, although his construction
zsSssy y ! ~, <,raeyoanf 80 oncorSino IN
letter Of the law and
oa III harmony with the spirit of
resolution adopted at the mass
asaeking But his practical applica-
fSen soI nls own construction of the
Resolution, Xith the apparent de-
termination to so emasculate the
petstfbn that it would be impos-
sIble to leayezon it the signatures of
sexenty-fye per cent Of the gas con-
Sinners, has reduced the whole pro-
seeapgs to farce.
aaayor Jennings may be able, by
s;sirttue of the position that he holds.
fos fmpose his will upon the ma
.jezIty Of the gas consumers in this
naastsF, and by SO doing -vindicate,
his own mind. the inyiolability
8f Judgment wfth-which he believes
"a sf,s7splf 10 be- endowed: but one
wonders if the idea ever occurs to
him that he might, perchance.
Sometimes make a mistake.
sSuas not necessary for Mr.. Jen-
Rings TO catalogue the neritorious
acafevements as Mayor Of Sumter
Rabhe has to his credit. All Sum-
ts people are familiar with his
gseopd and they have always given
ma full and appreciatiye credit
feHthe services he has rendered.
Has he fact that he has heretofore
ssa1Hays had the support Of the great
majority of the. people Of Sumter
does not carry with it the perpetual
guarantee that he WI always be
ght or that the majority will al
Ways, think as he does. The weak
estgpleas that Mayor Jennings
zscouM possibly have selected to JUS
tify his stand in the present con
tSaHersy, is his self-congratulatory
recital Of the record Of his past
sDsrformances, and the claim that
she is being prosecuted by personal
enemies. If facts and sound argu-
inert cannot make good his posi-
Hon the cry Of past benefits. con-
ferred and the plea Of persecution
ilsnot avail him. When a public
dfaelal sets up the plea Of persecu-
ffon when his constituency do not
agree with him, the time for argu-
;.laeait and discussion is at an end.
Bit in order that the record may
be. Kept straight we will briefly
reysew the gas situation and define
sthesposition Of this newspaper rel
satWe thereto.
During the period of inflated
prices and profiteering the Gas
sCSn4pany lost money, owing to the
Increase in cost Of material and
labor. Being unable to advance
tAesr rates, as the price to be
charged customers was fixed in
the, franchise, the gas company
could not and did not share in the
3aDnormal profits reaped by most
individuals and corporations en-
gagged in business. When this con-
aditien was brought to the attention
s5of City Council that body, after
mature deliberation, granted per-
mission for the gas company to in
crease the rate. City Council did
MOI: consult the public, but as the
increase in rate permitted was SO
clearly justified by the clrcum-
ssances it was acquiesced in with
ofit objection save by a very few.
Later on a second increase in rates