To the Editor of the "Nonnt-Ciina Datty News"
Sim~Your critical comment under this "heading is very welcome, especially in view of the quiet ma ner in which this five per cent, increase on the consumer's bill has been slipped through, It is rather surprising that the frst public news of the Gas Company's application should be given out by the Couneit when announcing their decision to grant it, and whether the Increase be large or small, T object to such action. Our Councillors must be sadly out of touch with public opinion and feeling In such matters, Mf they think that a.statement of an accomplished fact is all that is required by the public who have to foot the bill. We have a right to be kept informed in such matters—and this is one where the old bogey of "politico) issues™ cannot be drag-ned in us an excuse for municipal secrecy.
For some months past the Gi Company has indulged in an exten ive advertising campaign, the" low cost of having attracted a cons ber of new consumers on the basis of the old rates, they "now quidly proceed to boost the price, In areas where the Power Com-. pany's electricity is not available. the Gas Company has it all iis own, way—there Is no alternative in many places, especially in apartment houses, May T emphasize that the posses sion of a franchise does not mean tha the shareholders are in. any teed a certain rate of following a steady eight per cent. over a" number of years, the dividend should fall to four per cent, following a very. serious depression, that. does not necessarily Justify an immediate 4 crease In the company's charges, should be proved first that the extra Income required cannot be provided by other measures or economies, Do we have to accept the Counsit's decision without question, or does It require any kind of confirmation at the Ratepayers' Meeting?
GAS, Shanghai, Feb. 21,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.