Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-07-19

city's cash rental and the continu-
ance of the $50 r. T. y. standard.
IT want to call your attention fur
ther to the fact that OF the ten cents
pcr thousand suggested increase Of gas,
IA cents will be the cost of the in
creased heating standard; 10 that the
measure of relief afforded to the COM
pany for one year. should this ordi
nance become law. will not he twen-
ty- five cents per thousand cubic feet
multiplied by sixteen billion cubic feet,
equaling S4,00O,000. but will be re-.
duced by 81 200, ,OO0--increased cost OF
manufacture.
"If granted this temporary relief 1t
will enable us to extend the plant to
meet the estimated growth of the busi-
ness during the coming winter, which
growth has been phenomenal for q
number of years past because of the
economy of gaseous fuel as compared
with solid fuel, practically 81 per cent
of tho gas sold in Philadelphia being
used for fuel purposes; and will enable
us to pursue the wise policy Of laying
larger pipes under the streets which are
now being paved, in order to prevent
the necessity Of opening those streets
for many years for the introduction OF
enlarged gas mains.
1t does to me, that the ordinance now
before you Is a constructive and abso-
lutely essential step toward the work
ing out Of larger and broader plan
| which, X We all get together In hearty
co operation, 10 ought to be possible to
agree upon bee>~e the expiration of the
term Of the Cnr ;gency relief measure. "
Bodino Quiz1ed by Mayor
interrupted until he reached the point
referring to the draft OF the ordinance
he had submitted. Here the Mayor
gested by the company.
Mr.. Bodine said he only handed
copies Of the ordinance to the Mayor
and the president Of Council. as those
officials would know what was passing
through the minds of company officials
well, your idea as outlined in tha
ordinance Is a little different from tn,
one before me now" said the Mayor
In that ordinance you suggested con
fcrences with view to fixing up {
permanent lease. There is no such sug
gestion in the ordinance before me"
II think you are a fair man," begar
Mr.. Bodine in reply, and you will re
member that always in our talks I hav,
emphasized temporary relief
You suggested plan which was no
acted upon said the Mayor. "Woult
YOU stand upon that plan now"
Eyes. If it was coupled with som,
sort Of emergency relief" Mr.. Bodin
replied.
How long would you need?'
well. the ordinance before you call
for an increase for one year." Mr.. Bo
| dina cotl .'opI thinI,
upon n permanent plan before this ordi
nance expires
Bodne Explains Surplus
"Woald it embarrass you If / asl,e,
you a few questions?" said the Mayor
mo. it would not" Mr.. Bodinc ex
planned.
"A few moments ago called atten
ton to n So .O00.000 surplus you
company has, stated the Mayor
How about that?'
"You don't take into consideration
we have S2,G70.C00 in outstandin
and $3,1OO. .00G If unpaid preferre,
stock of the Equitable Illuminating Ga
Company. and S6,3sO, 900 spent fo
bettermcnts," was the reply.
"Iou wouldn't have any objection
to comforting with members OF "a
commission or this particular commits
sion?" asked the Mayor. The L. G.
khead said he would not.
while they were at work on tn
report we had many meetings, and
was very much impressed by their in
teligcncc and the fairness with whic
they performed their work. Mr.. Bodin
added.
"Is it true, Mr.. Bodinc, that tn
q.