To the Editor of the "Norru-Cunwa Darcy News"
Sim—The desire of the Gas Company for higher rates is the desire of all_capltalist institutions, The principal object in the running of private companies is the Seewing of the greatest amount of Ananclal benefit to shareholders.
The SMC, having no Socialist members. (as for as T am aware)
apparently unanimously inclined Im the direction of the—capitallst system and therefore has decided that 4 per cent, is not an adequate return "to the shareholders of 2 utility company and has consequently allowed the Gas Company's rates to be raised.
However, there is stitt hope for the community; at least according to your leaderettein to-day's "N.CD.N." Where itis stated that letters to public newspapers occasionally cause effective reforms, T would therefore ask whether the SM.C, would consider the sugge: tion, when granting the raising of Fates, of the insertion of a clause Stating that the higher rates have been allowed on the understanding that when the financial position of tie Company in question Is stronger, visearvis Its shareholders, the Council reserves to itself the right of calling upon the Company to lower its rates for the benefit of the community.
Is now a more or less well known cynical joke that when rates have been raised in Shenghai they have never been lowered whatever Anancial profits have meanwhile erned.
Shanghai, Feb, 18,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.