The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-04-28
CAMPBELL. RUSSELL II CON
QUOTING THE GAS RATE
HEARING IN ARDM0RE TO-DAY
CONTINUED from Page One)


which exist there. If a comparison
would be made as regards rates IN the
different cities. said Mr., Russell, the
probers would have TO prove condi-
tions similar, and a much greater bur-
den would be placed on the shoulders
of the people investigating, than IL
they would confine their examination
locally and prove just what conditions
existed in this city in which the rates
are being litigated.
Charges Second Hand Pipe
Judge Davis informed the commits
sion that he desired to charge, and
would introduce evidence which would
prove that when the present pipe line
system was installed in 1905, second
hand pipe was used, and is largely
being used to this date. The COM
pany has been negligent in the eXer-
else of diligence, he said in that it
failed to keep the pipes and distribut-
ing lines in proper condition and Tor
these reasons had a 30 TO 40 per cent
loss which would not have occurred
if the lines would have been taken
care of.
Fred Tucker Reports on Leaks
Ex-senator Fred Tucker, the first
witness called, proved to be the star
witness for the complaintants. Mr..
Tucker testified that last winter was
so mild that most of the boys were
wearing B. V. DIS all winter He
stated that he did not use as much
gas this winter as he had the winter
before, but that his bills would indi-
cate that he had used twice as much.
He stated that his 'bills had jumped
from 81 TO $17 per month.
Mr. Tucker then spoke o. leaks
which ne knew existed in NAV parts
of the city. Win Potter, one of the at
lurnrys ior the gas cQmpa.y askc
Mr. - o: to go opt on the streets oi
lie c.l. for i'm .'9ar and r. !.
as to how many leak he had found, g
any, This Mr.. Tucker agrIti % do an-
left the court rv' Ii. lie retur' ed about
AS minutes later, and after several oth'
er witnesses had been heard, was call
cd back to the stand Mr.. Tucker ~.
stated Lat he had dis 'e'el .wo ia,
laks curt the short period he hh.
been away from the room and tina
Chief Bailey of the local fire depart
ment had accompanied him. They ar,
two healthy leaks said Mr. puckes
zone burnt six feet high after / ha.
applied a match to it, and another hal
as high as a telephone pole" The chic
OF the fire department has been calle
to these places two or three times, sai,
the witness, TO put out similar fire
caused by the escaping gas. The loca
tion of the leaks which Mr. Tucke
had observed are on North Washing
ton street, near Seventh avenue, an
at Sixth avenue and f street northwest
Mr.. Tucker also told of low plac
which had been pointed out to him b
the chief, near X street, at the int,
section of Second and Third whore tn
gas company has been pumping oil ou
of the gas line.
The chief would testify, if called, sal
Mr.. Tucker. that the original line la!
by the company was second hand pip
and also that he has often been cale
out to eXtinguish fires caused by leah
in the gas line.
Serious Indictment Against Compan,
Immediately after the introduction
Mr.. fuckers testimony Chairman Ru
sell stated that leaks in the line whiC
have been permitted to continue for ar
length of time, were a serious indie
ment 10 the company. He said that
the last hearing during which the loc
company was permitted to raise
rates, the commission had instructed Z
tl,nt L.
first class condition and defects elmi
ated. The increase authorized at III
time, said Mr.. Russell, was for {
purpose of enabling the gas compa
TO take care of such matters as leak
Mr.. Russell stated that he expect
the company 10 produce records whi
will show their purchases at the We
each month, the readings Of the met,
at the city gates OF the various tow
to which II sells gas, and the readir
OF the customers meters, and a c.
cluson will be drawn after comparis
Is made with receipts, cost of operati
etc.
at IS quite proper for citizens
notify the company Of leaks in
lines" said Mr.. Russell. but il IS
business Of the company to find
leaks whether the fire chief or cltiz
notify 1t or not"
Mr.. Lydiek. attorney for the gas &C
pany, stated that the company had
objections from the legal standpoint
the complaint against il, but that
information contained general c
plants and the company dii not kr
what to meet. He stated that the CO
pany is more desirous Of fixing the le
and finding out their location q
are the complainants
Chairman Russell stated that
complaint was general and indefr