Palatka daily news. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1919-1994, 1921-09-15
City Attorney Instructed
To Take Proper
Procedure.
MAY CUT OFF SERVICE
Some Have Refused To
Pay Two Dollar Rate
AS Charged


last night City Attorney Merryday
was instructed to take whatever
steps he deems necessary in the
event the Southern Utilities Co.,
cuts off gas service to those who
have refused to pay the two dollar
rate which the company claims is the
lowest rate it is willing to operate
under.
In stating the reason for calling
the special session of council Presi-
dent Dineen stated that he had been
informed that the Utilities Co., plans
to cut off all services where bills at
the two dollar rate have not been
paid up to noon today. Forecasting
great inconvenience of housewives in
preparing their meals and with a
view to bringing to an issue the re-
fusal of the utility company to abide
by the franchise which stipulates
that it shall furnish gas to consum-
ers at $l.bU peI thousand cubic feet,
MIR. DlneeH ouiu ii~ UIrvuSrs--L.---s-..
essary that council take cognizance
of the situation and plan whatever
action may be deemed necessary.
Can Be EnjOined
City Attorney Merryday said that
if the company attempts to cut off
any services for gas where the con-
sumer has rendered the amount of his
bill computed at the franchise rate,
and which has been refused, that the
company can be enjoined from cut
ting off such service. He cited sew
eral cases in point. 1t is probable
that injunction will be sought re-
straining the company from cutting
off such services.
In making a statement to council
George R. Hilty, of the Southern
Utilities Co., stated that council has
been put in full possession of the fl
nancial inability of. the company to
operate its gas plant on the basis of
SLIGO for gas, that such rate under
present conditions is confscatory
and that the company is guaranteed
protection from such under the four
teenth amendment of the federal
constitution.
Alderman johnson took the posi-
ton that it was an insult to council
for the Southern Utilities Co., to re-
fuse to obey instructions from that
body on a contract which could not
be mistaken. Mr.. johnson was very
positive in his denunciation of the
stand taken by the company.
Alderman Pearce said that there is
another side of the question which
should be considered before any dras-
tic action be taken. He wanted to
know what could be done in the
event the gas plant is shut down en-
tirely, as officials of the company
had said they would be forced to do
if they had to accept the $1.60 rate.
Mr.. Merryday said that they could
be forced to furnish gas at the fran
chise rate or give up the franchise.
General Counsel W. B. Crawford,
who was here last night, said that
this might prove a solution of the
entire matter"
Following last nights action de-
velopments will be watched with in
terest today.
Delay Publishing Delinquents
City Clerk Burt made the state
ment that he had found it impossible
to get the delinquent tax list in time
for publication this morning as there
were about thousand executions,
some of which have not yet been
made out. He stated that with some
assistance he thought he could get
this list ready by Saturday, so that