New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-09-01
Commissions Ords I'm.
cludes Nassau C. wv;
Extra Reductions Are
Made for Big Consun1 t,rs
British Standard
Also Substituted
Companies TO Accept and
Mergers Will Be Made
to Effect Economics

A reduction in gas rates throughout
the city and in Nassau County was
ordered last night in the final decision
announced by the Public Service Com
mission in the gas rate cases, which
have been pending before that body
practically since il took office on April
%, 1921. The reductions will amount
to about 10 cents per thousand cubic
feet for family consumption, with a
material decreases in rates for the
large industrial consumer
Tie saving to the people of the city
in gas bills, according to statement
issued by Chairman William A. Prem
dergast, will be approximately $780,
900 annually. The new rates are effec-
tive as of October /.
The commission also announced the
substitution of the British thermal
unit system for the present 22-candle
power standard. 1t was said at the
office of the commission that the vari-
Gus gas companies were prepared to
vice-president of the Consolidated Gas
Company, Issued statement last night,
however, in which he declared that the
rates fixed by the commission were not
adequate under present conditions for
that company and it's subsidiaries.
Declares Rate Inadequate
to the cost of coal, oil and labor do
oy Yt fhn rnHItpfiona in rQtRc
prescribed by the commission said
Mr.. Carter. "The commission has
seen fit to base a present drastic re-
duction in rates upon hoped-for but
uncertain Improvement in conditions
and decrease in fuel costs at some time
In the future. An acceptance Of the
orders, if filed. would be coupled with
full reservation Of all our rights
should conditions become more serious,
and the rates would he given fair
trial in good faith in the hope that
they would soon become adequate. In
other words, the rgatoration of q
higher rate would not Sc sought unless
conditions urgently required it as a
matter of justice to our investors"
The Consolidated Gas Company con-
trolls seven subsidiary companies serv-
ing the largest sections of Manhattan
and the Pronx and sections of Queens.
The Consclidated's present rate of $1.25
is reduced to $1t5, or decrease Of 8
per cent. The Brooklyn Union Gas
Company, with five subsidiaries, serv-
ing the next largest territory to that
of the Consolidated in Brooklyn and
Queens, has it's present rate of $1.25
reduced to s1.15. The rates of some
of the subsidiary companies Of these
two large companies are reduced only
five cents thousand cubic feet, in
stead of ten cents.
Benefit for Big Consumers
The rate of the Kings County Light
ing Company, of Brooklyn, is reduced
from s140 to S130. Most of the COM
panies in the, greater city, under the
new order, will now charge maximum
of S1.15 per 1000 cubic feet, graduated
down to 95 cents for large industrial
users. The maximum rate is charged
for the first 100000 cubic feet, for
large consumers, and graduated down
to The minimum rate for users of 1000
900 or more feet. 1t is the first time
in the history Of the city that the
large consumers Of gas, such as manu-
facturing establis hments, hotels and
others have been given consideration
based upon the quantities of gas used.
Chairman Prendergast, IN his an
nouncement, says that the Consoll-
dated and the Brooklyn Union COM
panies are prepared to merge their re-
spective subsidiary companies with the
parent company. Mr.. Prendergast
points out that this will insure uniform
rates and lead to economics and ef-
fciencies in admins tration, and re-
move disturbing influence in the gas
situatioa. The chairman's statement
follows:
THE action taken by the commission
will mean a per annuln saving. to rae
people of New York City Of approximate-
~ $5,5oo,O00. This willhe brought ahoat
at the same time that they will re.
ceive a quality of Gas better suited
to Sneir purposes than the present .oD-
solete uneconomical candlepower gas,
which has been abandoned practically
everywhere in the United states,
When some people will undertake TO say
that we have lowered the srandafd sieI
fine nublic understand that this is not
true The B. t. II standard is diff
farent standard and one which is more
apnl;cable to the present household
and Industrial uses OF gas than the
old standard ever was. The conciu-
! siye answer rs all questions on this
s,,biect is that when the people of
Roston. Philadelphia, Chicago, st.
J,ouis. baltimore, San Francisco and
averv other. city of consequence have
found the B. T. u. standard the best
. adaDted TO their purposes, the people
~ New York need have no m isgivings
concerning the change. no ter how
radical it may be made TO appear. The
commission has found no opposftios
:. 80 :, sat 81 q IA "a trsa fxraylf TYiSYd