Hammond Times, Volume 12, Number 36, Hammond, Lake County, 30 July 1917 — Page 8

PAGE EIGHT

THE TIMES July 30, 1917. For Tlhe nmffrmat!im off Out Psitiroinis

In order that you may fully understand the reasons causing the Northern Indiana Gas & Electric Company, furnishing gas in your city, to find it necessary to join with practically every gas company in the State of Indiana, in an appeal to the Public Service Commission, through the Indiana Gas Association, asking for temporary relief during the time of the continuance of the unusually high prices all gas companies are forced to pay for various materials and labor required in the manufacture of gas. We believe in the fairness of our patrons and in advising them frankly and honestly of present conditions, and we publish below for your information, the statement of the Indiana Gas Association to the Commission, setting forth the existing conditions as they are affecting the gas companies at the present time. The relief asked in the petition, is temporary and subject to termination at the will of the Public Service Commission of Indiana. It will amount only to a sum that will assist the gas companies in partially reimbursing themselves for the unusual and excessive prices they are now paying and will likely be compelled to pay, for some time to come for all materials' and labor entering into the manufacture and distribution of gas. Northern Indiana Gas & Electric Co.

Before the Public Service Com- n investigation made by the various com- GAS COKE. Companies operating expanies, it has been found that they are unable clusively water gas plants are confronted mission of the State of Indiana to contract, except at a great adance over with increased cost of coke of 200 to 300 per , , ,. , normal prices, for these various materials, cent, and it is impossible at the present time

in xne matter oi Tne Application oi tne in- and from statements frankly made by a num- to contract for furnace coke at less than $10 diana Gas Association for and on Behalf of ber of companies selling such supplies there per ton as against a normal price prevailing Its Members Named Herein for Authority is absolutely no hope held out for lower prices two or three years ago of $3.25 per ton at the to Said Utilities to Add and Collect a Tern- during the continuance of the war. Even ovens, porary Charge on Each Bill Rendered by where contracts exist it has been impossible T , , . . , , . .. Each Utility for All Services Furnished iu a great many instances to secure the de- InJhe Pf ation of a coal gas plant it rebylt. ' livery of the commodities contracted for ' luire3 the carbonization of approximately two To the Honorable Public Service Commission ffti rg the open market,' lfi idlTtLfwUh of the State of Indiana: plants aTprlces fn Zl cases is hfgh asth" coal adnced 3"50 ton it would reThe Indiana Gas Association, represent- following: ?uire secuS a advance of nearly $7.00 per ing and acting in the interest of the various Gas Coal $6 00- Steam Coal $4 75- Coke tonfonas .coke to offset such increased nnmrvmiP namprl Woaftpr PTifrarrpH ir, Ti Q n n Yvi 01 Feam oai v.o, e cost of coal, but inasmuch as this coke is not companies named nereaiter, engaged m tne 8.50; Gas Oil, 9.4 cents per gallon. fnT, fniirid- n-r indu'efa! w,rnnCOO if manufacture and distribution of gas in the Th B 'ntatrp of increase o mroiiliiir i ? foun,dr ?r duf nal PurP?ses ztin Tnqi'cr.o incir-po n K-rinrr in ?hc ofOT, . e PercenTaSe 01 increase Oi. prevailing mUst be disposed of locally for domestic use. btate of Indiana, desires to bring to the atten- prices over taose of normai times of the prin- , , , . tion of your honorable board the abnormal cipal suppiies materials, etc., required to Thls coke comes, therefore, m direct conditions that are at present existing m con- operate, show an approximate average in- competition with soft coal, making it imposnection with the operation of the gas industry, crense as follows: ' sible to secure even under abnormal condiand respectfully petition your honorable " tions more than approximately $2.50 per ton body to grant some temporary relief for such VlrwT,,,1,lg increase. period as these unusual conditions continue Gag Coal 233 STEAM COAL. Steam Coal is one of. to preaill Coke . . .. 1507c the lesser requirements in the process of gas Owing to the scarcity of material and Oil 1007c manufacture, especially in the manufacture of labor and the extraordinary cost of every- . .Steam Coal ....189 coal gas, which requires a comparatively thing that enters into the manufacture and Labor 307o small quantity. The percentage of increase distribution of gas, it is felt that something ..Taxes 40 of prevailing prices over normal prices of should be done to temporarily relieve a .... Fire Brick 80 steam coal shown above (189 per cent.) is situation that has become severely acute and Cast Iron Pipe 84 based on normal price of 95 cents per ton and burdensome to a hazardous extent ; such con- GAS COAL. In a coal gas works secured Present p"ce of $2'15,' tllis. latter fifigure beinf dition unless relief is granted during the principally from West Virginia and Ken- the re:ent aPPyed maximum figure agreed period of its continuance, threatens noj only uckis the largest item .of cost, and while UT y the Indiana and Illinois operators the curtailment of present service and the average per cent, of increase shown ith the government officials m Washington, efficiency, but as well the ability to finance above is 233 per cent., with probabilities of - TAR AND AMMONIA. Unlike most necessary works betterments, improvements, further increases in the future during the other commodities there has been but slight enlargements and extensions of mams, and if past winter some companies paid at times as change in the price of tar and ammonia continued for any considerable length of time much as 300 per cent, increase over normal residuals; in fact, such small increases as to actual insolvency of utilities. ... prices be almost negligible. In addition to this a In this connection it is desired to remind GAS OIL. No one can tell what the price larSe mber of companies .are selling their; your honorable body that the existing burden- of gas oil is going to be, and delivery is more tar an.d ammonia under long-term contracts some condition is not of recent origin, but or less uncertain. Many companies are al- ma&e n ne Pasthat to the contrary the gas companies dur- ready considering the necessity of having to Your honorable body is therefore respecting practically the past, year and more pro- double their storage capacity to guarantee fully petitioned for such temporary relief as nounced during the past seven months, have the necessary supply of oil for continued will enable the gas companies to pay the above been compelled to pay unusual and extra- operation. This entails not only an additional abnormal prices while they prevail, by perordinary prices for gas coal, steam coal, oil, and unusual investment unnecessary under mitting such additional charge as will cover coke, labor and all other materials required normal conditions, but at a cost of at least 100 the difference between normal prices, upon for the manufacture and distribution of gas. per cent in excess of former prices. - which existing rate schedules are based, and COMPANIES REPRESENTED. CITIES REPRESENTED. Consumers Gas Co. Aurora Jeffersonville Citizens Gas & Fuel Co. Bluffton Lebanon Columbus Gas Co. . Bedford Logansport Central Indiana Lighting Co. Bloomington Laporte Evansville Public Corporation Co. Clarksville Michigan City Elkhart Gas & Fuel Co. Crawfordsville Mishawaka Franklin "Water, Light & Power Co. Columbus New Albany ' Goshen Gas Co. Connersville Ossian Greencastle Gas Co. Decatur Peru Huntington Light & Fuel Co. " East Chicago Princeton Hydro Electric Light & Power Co. Elkhart x Plymouth Indiana Public Service Co. Evansville Port Fulton Interstate Public Service Co. Franklin Rich Valley Laporte Gas Co. Fort Wayne Rochester " Northern Indiana Gas & Electric Co. Frankfort " South Bend United Gas & Electric Co. Goshen Terre Haute Rochester Gas & Fuel Co. Greencastle Valparaiso Valparaiso Lighting Co. Hammond t N Warsaw Warsaw Gas Co. Huntington Whiting Washington Gas Co. Indiana Harbor Washington , Lawrenceburg Gas Co. , Indianapolis Lawrenceburg Very respectfully submitted, THE INDIANA GAfe ASSOCIATION. James W. Dunbar, By E.J.Burke, Secretary President,

the prevailing extraordinary prices, of today. No increase of net profits is asked for, but merely a sum sufficient to partially reimburse the various utilities for the excess cost of materials and labor required in manufacture. Public Service Commissions and municipalities in California, Connecticut, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Canada, have been appealed to by the Utilities under their control, and in many instances have already granted relief, to continue until the present high prices return to a normal basis. A recent case has been the granting by the Public Service Commission of New Hampshire to the Portsmouth Gas Company of a service charge of 50 cents per meter per month irrespective of the consumption, thereby not making any alterations in the rate schedule. In Pennsylvania a number of applications have been made to the Public Service Commission for authority to establish such a service charge during the continuance of present conditions. Wherefore your petitioners most respectfully ask for an order from your honorable body authorizing and directing the gas utilities of the state to add temporarily, a servie'e charge of 50 cents per meter per month, or a surcharge which we believe should at this time be not in excess of approximately 25 per cent., providing same.be an amount that fairly reimburses the various companies for the excess costs now being paid for materials, same to continue only during such period as the existing abnormal price conditions prevail; however, should prices exceed those of today to any considerable extent, further and additional relief will have to be asked. The Indiana Gas, Association tenders to your Honorable Commission its services and co-operation in providing such information from time to time as will keep you advised as to the length of time the necessity continues for this temporary relief asked for the following named companies operating in the cities named :

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Crown Point News

Happenings of a Day In Lake County's Lively Capital

Dance at Soring Hill Grove, Wednesday evening August 1st. Good music

7-28-3

wls Zurbrjggen, driving a Ford deli vety truck, and Walter Shafer driving a motorcycle, were arrested on Saturday for speeding. Zurbruggen was fined $13.50 and Shafer $11.50. The local authorities are going to be very strick with speeders in the future, as several serious accidents have been narrowly averted lately and some one had to be made an example of. The city speed limit Is eight miles per hour. W. Fisher, claim agent of the Pennsylvania R. R, of Logansport, was doIn business In Crown Point on Satur-

i day. , , I County Cleik H. L. Wheiton Is driV'

ing a handsovie Premier car.

Ralph Young of Kalamazoo, Mich., is spending this week with his parents Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Toung at the Hotel Cadwell. Miss Bess Hogan and Harold Nichol

of Hebron, attended the theatre in Chi

cago on Sunday evening. Dr. Robert Krost and family of Chicago, spent Sunday at the home of W. B. Brown on Main street. Mr. and Mrs. Milton Dally of Chicago, attended the funeral of W. H. Hayward on Sunday.. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Hart and Mrs.

Tillotson of Chicago, were Sunday

guests at the home of M. R. Hart on Court street, H. Barton -o Merrillville. spent Saturday in Crown Point, visiting friends. The funeral services of W. H. Hayward were, held at the home on Sunday afternoon and a large crowd of sorrowing friends and relatives gathered to pay their last .respects to one who will be sadly missed in our community, and whose going was a great slfock to every one. The services were in charge of

the Christian Scientists, The body was laid to rest In the Maplewood cemetery. Many were present from Chicago, Valparaiso, Gary, Lowell and Hebron.

ROBERTSDALE

Charles Johnson of Xappanee, Ind., visited friends here Friday. Raymo !fd Buell of Indiana boulevard, has enlisted at the Great Lakes naval station In the reserves, as a machinist. Mrs. Charles Eggers of Lake avenue.

nie Buehler of Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Radfoft of Rob-! erts avenue, are the proud parents of a little son, bom Friday. Mother and babe are doing nicely. Mrs. Spencer and daughter Bernice of Chicago, visited for several days at the home of Charles Frit of Roberts avenue. Miss Beth White of Chicago, was a Robertsdale visitor Saturday. ' " Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Ehrat oi Lake avenue, are entertaining their niece, Miss Leona Shondelof Defiance, Ohio, for a few weeks, Mr. and Mrs. Gluth and Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Jewett and daughter of hAiimond, were guests at the Spoars ha me in 116th street, Friday. Mrs. Sam Tucker of Pear street. Is spending two weeks In Wisconsin visiting her sister. The -little Georg baby was taken very ill again Friday afternoon and is In a very serious condition. The members of the Past Chiefs' club oif the Pythian Sisters, held a very

has as her guest her cousin. Miss Muv-pleasant meeting Friday evening at the

home of Mrs. C. G. Buell. The guests spent a delightful evening in guessing contests and prizes were won by Mrs. Charles Welsch. Mrs. Woodward and

Mrs. Jack Finley. Dainty refreshments were served during the evening. Miss Antoinette Smith of Chicago, visited her sister, Mrs. William Eggers of Indiana boulevard, yesterday. Miss Olga Wilkenlng of Crete. 111.. Is spending a few days here visiting at the. Eggers home In Roberts avenue. Edward Neitzel of South Chicago, visited his aunt. Mrs. McGowan of Myrtle avenue, over Sunday. Mrs. Herman Regnier of Hammond, visited her mother, Mrs. Fritz Kasch of Indiana boulevard, yesterday.

MUNSTER

William Kraay has been spending several days at Montlcello, Ind. Miss Louise Kaske returned to her home here on Friday after spending a week In Valparaiso, Mrs. Peter Tanis entertained Mr. and

Mrs. Gebon of Grand Haplds, Mich., on Friday. Miss Helen Kaske who has been visiting Mrs. May Lloyd of Rochester, Minn., underwent an operation for appendicitis at the Mayo hospital at Rochester, on

Thursday morning, Mrs, Kaske left on Tuesday evening fop Rochester to be with her daughter dupring the opera, tlon. Mrs. Walter Krooswyk left last Monday morning for Grand Rapids to attend the funeral of her brother-in-law.

THE HAMMOND DISTILLING CO.

DAILY CAPACITY 25,000 GALLONS J

Advertise in THE LAKE COUNTY TIMES. I