The evening world. Newspaper, February 25, 1903, Page 3

> @ , ‘(Remarkable Assertion Is Also Made Overcharging Being Received at the Office of the Consolidated Company. But Letters Telling of Outrages Con- tinue to Pour Into The Evening World Office, Furnishing Scores of Specific Instances in Which the Patrons of the Trust Are Robbed. BRAZEN CONTRADICTIONS BY GAS TRUST SECRETARY. I will personally investigate every specific complaint of over- charging that The Evening World will fornish me. I have received no complaints from customers who belleve they have been overcharged for #: There is no such thing sa Gas Trust. im this city are not In any way affiliated. As far an I know, they do not tap ench other's mainn, information on that subject. Complaints of discourteons conduct on the part of any of the em- ployees of this company will be investigated tmmediately. —(Secretary Robert A. Carter, of the Consolidated Gas Company.) The varioun gas compa Th no Despite the thousands of complaints of extortionate charges for gas that are pouring into The Evening World office every day; despite the well- known fact that the gas companies of New York are banded together in a trust as iron bound as any of the illegal combinations that are now fatten- ing upon the public, there is an official of the Consolidated Gas Company who calmly declares that there are no complaints of overcharge, that there is no conspiracy of interests and that gas is so cheap and so good that the public ought really to sing paeans of praice to those whe serve the illumi- nant. , These denials were made to-day when The Evening World sent 2 re- porter to the offices of the Consolidated Gas Company, No, 4 Irving place, to get from the officials some explanation of the exorbitant gas bills, SAYS THERE IS NO GAS TRUST. Secretary Robert A. Carter spoke for the company. HE DENIED THE EXISTENOB OF ANY GAS TRUST. ‘The reporter described to Secretary Carter the conditions the. oxist, as shown by the hundreds of letters written by indignant consumers to The. Bvening World. He told the secretary of the discourteous treatment ac- corded consumers when they visited the branch offices and of the impos- sibility of getting a meter changed. | “I will not consider any such general conditions as you describe,” said the secretary. “If you have any business discernment you must see that a consideration of generalities is not only unreasonable but unprofitable. | ‘What I want is something tangible to work on. Give me some specific in- etances of overcharging, and then we can talk business. If The Evening Werle will furnish me such complaints I will assist in an investigation of “I will not refer them to any branch office, but I will conduct an investi- gation personally, I know that errors are possible and that there may be, asa result, instances of overcharging, but such errors are easily traced and rectified. NO COMPLAINTS, HE ASSERTS. “No, there have been no complaints of exorbitant bills brought to my motice. If customers do not get the proper treatment at the branch office they go vo, why do they not come here and see me? This is the place to visit ‘when the branch office does not give satisfaction, “If complaints of discourtesy are reported here I will see that they are attended to, Discourtesy on the part of any employee of this company will not be tolerated.” “Are the gas companies of this city—the Consolidated, the Standard, the New Amsterdam and the others—in any way affiliated?” asked the reporter. “They are not,” answered Secretary Carter. “They are no more con- nected than as though they were a thousand miles apart.” “Do they ever tap one another's mains?” ‘That is a matter on which I have no information,” was the reply. “Please understand me. That is a question that I am not in a position to answer. That is all | have to say. Fetch me the compleints.” Mr. Carter would not explain what method he would take in making his Investigation, but he said it would be both thorough and fair to both the consumer and the company. When told that men in the employ of the gas company were the author- Aty for the statement made in The Evening World that the presure of gas} 1: was between two and three times greater than {t should be, if normal, Mr. Carter said: “I doen't care who told you, The man was valking of something he knew nothing about. His statements are ridiculous,’ Perhaps Mr. Carter could be convinced of the looting propensities of ‘the gas trust by the story furnished by Dr. E, O, Kellogg, who has an office at No. 104 West Fifty-eighth street. His bill for the nfonth of December was $12.90; for the month of January, $20.20, “T can't understand this extraordinary jump in my gas bill,” said Dr. (Kellogg to-day. ‘The December bill was large enough in all reason, but the Jenuary bill is preposterous, There is no way that I can figure out why guch ap increase should have been made. I have complained to the com- pany, but so far I have got no satisfaction.” R. G, Saunderson tells an Evening World reporter of an attempt made ‘by the gas company to more than double his bill, His wife determined that , ithey were paying for more gas than they burned and bought a number of ‘kerosene lamps, When the inspector came at the end of the month she told him she had burned of]. and wondered if it would make any difference in the i. Wy, yes,” he said after looking at the meter, “your bill is only 90 yeonts this month.” A few days later the bill came for $2.50, and In spite of {Mr. Saunderson’s protest the officials at the company's offices insisted it was wight and could not be changed, —_—___——. iSPECIFIC INSTANCES OF THE GAS TRUST In Wis interview with an Evening "Vorld reporter the secretary of the Wonesolidated Gas Company he would pergonally investigate specific complaints of overcharging. Here are @ few of the hundreds of “apecific complaints’ made by the indignant sented his January bill, 1 was, aston. ished to find that the amount was fully 00 per cent. more than what J had been accustomed to paying for a month's gas. My monthly bill was never higher than $1.60, and when 1 was confronted with a bill for $7.90 I positively refused to OVERCHARGING, | ¢ G96 3459H5090.909905)9598 55999902699 39S9F9S2G9GOIIOOOODOODOEODPPD IPTG DDHGIEDESEIOITH SEND YOUR COMPLAINTS OF GAS EXTORTION TO THE EVENING WORLD. The Gas Trust says there are no complaints of over- charge from its victims. To refute this statement The Evening World will print all complaints sent to this office. Each communication must have name and address of the writer, not for publication unless desired. so T use of] lamps to light our rooms. I applied te another company for gas, but was informed by the clerk (after he had consulted his black list) that it would be impossible for his concern to set & meter in our house, as all the meters there were controlled by the Consolidated people. D. 8. GOLLESMAN. Exeuses the Companies. To the Editor of The Bvening World: My bill this month ts $22.90; my bill last month was $15.2. I used far less this month. Last month we lighted, cooked and heated by gas. This month We ran a furnace for heating and a range for cooking, using oné and @ half tons of coal. We consumed very little Kas, but notwithstanding this the bill is $7.70 more. 1 am not one of those who think gas companies intentionally rob people, but 1 do believe it is done, unintentionally, by them. This bill of mine is evidence. It must be that the machinery for com- puting Je not perfection, or eixe inferlor nh as we have had of late forces re on the meters that affects H. W. FINLAYSON, Meter 0. K. but To the RAitor of The Event 4 1 hope you can suggest something to ‘be done in the gas meter. My bill more the: dowble those of same 5 The maler bee penn in- to be all right. S REYNOLDS. MD., No. 4 West Ninety-fourth street Slight Advance of 85 Per Cent. To the Kaitor of The Rrening World My monthly ges bill for the last tow years has been less than $3. ‘This mont it exceeds $4—an increase of 35 per cent T have not paid it yet, but will do «0 if matisfactorv explanation Is made Mra, C. JACOBS. His ‘Tro! In the Same, To the EAitor of The Evening World Whereas my gas bills never amounted to $2 a month, J had to pay ‘for Decem- er $8.8 and for January #4. I use Consolidated gas. H. 8IMON. No, 189 West One Hundred and Thirty- sixth street, Bill Mounts, but Why! To the Editor of The Rvening World: 1 am one of the sufferers by ges trust methods, In January, 1902, I paid $2.30 for my gas. In January, 198, 1 paid 4.0, 1 byrn the same amount of 5 Cs B. GRE. No, 165 East Thirty-second street. Why Not Municipal Gast To the MAitor of The Bvening World Is there any use complaining of ex- tortion by tie gas companies? My bili for this month is $10.20, and for the famo month last year was only $3.40. IL in imply a case of robbery, ‘here wae once some talk of municipal y was \( not made a fact’? i » WOLCOTT, No. 86 West Thirty-ffih street Two Queer Jumps, 1 To the Eéitor of The Evening World: readers of The Kyening World: Cane of Stand and Deliver, the B4itor of The Rreoing World: ms few days ago, when the collector of e © Ges Company pre- pay. Two days later the collector and # kasman came with ordera to abut off the gus Immediately if we still refused 40 pay the Dill, 1 declined wo be robbed, 1 vead with much interest of the mothode of the gas companies, and if the following {formation will be of 'y beneft to you in your efforts to Y, sompanien Ve sorain J jake i) pleasure {n giving 1t to you. ranged as follows: My Dille been paying for air charged to me as gas. I appreciate your efforts to give publicity to the methods of the &i companies. and hope some good wi come of It. PMIL W, KAHN, No. 50 West One Hundred and Four- teenth street. Big Jamp in His Bil. To the Edilor of The Evening World Tam also a gas victim. On moving into the house J now occupy I burned the gas for seventeen days, when @ bill was presented for 30 cents. For the next month a bill came in for $12.60. On going to the company's oMoce the Dill was made $2.50, which was about $2 too much for the amount of gas I use. On the 10th of the following month I took the index of the meter. It regis- tered $1.60. When the bill was presented it was for $2. Kindly put me down as A VICTIM THRICE. Lower Price, Higher Bills, To the FAltor of The Evening World In reference to large gas bills for the month of January, please insert my ex- rience, shen gas was $2 my highest bill for the month of January was $15, and now with gas at $!, using the me number Of lights,” but’ geting ¥ rse gas, mM. Sills are way in excess, Here are my Ms for three years eienuary, ion 8 90; January, 190% 16.90; January, . P. SCHM $15. 1% Sixth avenue, re Economy Means More Ch ‘To the Bator of The Bvening World: My gas vill that averaged % per month has been increasing until it has reached $10, although J am more econ- omival than hefore A READER w id Help Some, ‘To the Editor of The Evening World I would suggest that the gas company be compelled to give every consumer a the state of the meter whon It d copy fs taki To the Editor of The Eve 1 wish to register a far moi u. vigorous Weldeman, of East Houston street. My ges bil for the month ending Dec. 12 was $8.10, 1 used & as BLOVe, A Tadlator and three, some- ines four Jets. My ga bill don. Dec, 12 to Jan. 18, :ncluding four days during which Our gas went out completely, 6.80, an {nn ’ kick than Mr. ne Of till haye both Oils an am walting for th to see how much further 1 bled. At this moment. m and’ hus been e Wednead PM WILLIAM MURPHY Hie BIL Nearly Quadrupled. To the Bdilor of The Byeaing World Your article in The Evening World Your Bille Are for Wind Not +"atruck me foretbly for the fole reason: | hile 1 have oon sumed if anything ring Jaii~ uary than in Deo iis a moat four times as large. ber ‘Re, my ™ Dill being $4.40, while Janudry's bit i 38 10, { complained, god had to pay my BLL, but under pra, + | disorders: but got no satinfaction THE WORLD? WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 25, 1903. | ~GAS EXTORTIONERS DENY THAT THE COMPANIES ARE IN A TRUST. THE GAS TRUST BLOWS UP CONSUMERS’ METERS, AND NOW CONSUMERS ARE BLOWING UP TRUST. LEODODHOADDDHD I-HODHOTHD LON DHMSE HHA GHDS DHLOE-L DOHVS-OGO.OHHG that There Are No Complaints of|¢********** R. H. Macy & Co.'s Attractions Broadway, OOOO9OO9.5 pa by Konstantin in) Our Art Makofisky, Gallery, on the é é > The Furniture Sale-« =. ) Unsurpassed economy is a progressive interest of this Fur- (niture Sale. The savings multiply as your purchases in- jerease. Those who do not come early have no cause to deplore opportunities lost. The chances to-day are just as rich as ever—and the same may be said of the days to follow. | We do not resort to the petty practice that attempts to urge {hurried selection by questionable warnings. That policy creates regrets. Sound business reasons, fortified by unmis- takable values, justify this great trade movement in Febru- 3 ary. Its scope is too broad and varied to be revealed in a +| single week—or a month. Each day brings forward its own = |Special offerings to be shared in by all who appreciate good $ quay and low prices. 2| The attractions toy aremany. They'll be many to-morrow —and the same will be true of each succeeding day. Come. Visit Our New Dressmaking Dept.—i» ri Evening and Street Gowns Shirt-Waist Suits. We are now showing probably the largest assortment of advance Spring Models to be seer in the city. Among the leading fabrics used are :— Crepe de Chine, Mousseline de Soie, Louisine Silks, Enfbroidered Shantungs, Plain and Embroidered Etamines and Voiles. Our staff of designers is composed of artists who have proved their claim to the title by years of success, Cleverly executed original ideas are the distinguishing characteristics of our productions, DOFHPRIGD DARHT Three Silk Specials.«n. ss The soft, clingy Silks are the favorites. They lend them- selves exquisitely to the graceful draperies that make Spring and Summer gowns pretty and charming. The finé tucks and plaits that are so much the vogue may be beautifully formed ot these sheer, billowy weaves. And marvellous effects are secured by the application of lace. Black Crepe de Chine, 24 inches wide, dainty and shin: 6 mery, sold by others at $1.00 a yard; special.......... We Black-and-white Checked Louisines, 20 inches wide—seven sizes -—ftom the delicate shepherd check to the large broken 6 laid, sold by others at 85c. a yard; special a Oc Printed Shanghai Silks, 27 inches wide— Lyons—a complete assortment of dots, from the tiniest spot to the largest conventional polka—navy-and-white and black-and-white 89 —sold by others at $1.50 a yard; special. . ic Spring Dress Goods-« r. x». Shaggy and flecked—snow-flaky melanges. Homespuns—a fleece with the silky wool of the sturdy cheviot sheep. , Tweeds—strong, heathery mixtures. * . : ‘ Voiles and their wide connections, including Etamines, Mistrals, Canvas, Twine Cloth, Wire Cloth and half a score other filmy, transparent and semi-transparent weaves. Some are plain—and they are popular. Others are sprinkled with bits of contrasting color—dashed with dots—heightened or lightened with petite stripes. They rival the plain. ; Close meshes—loose, airy meshes, simple styles—quaint, curious styles. Not one misses the roll-call. Imported and Domestic Tweed Suitings, 48 and 56 inches wide, 98c. Imported Tweeds—green-and-white, blue-and-white, brown-and- white, 44 inches wide, $1.24. Nub Canvas—Mesh Tweeds, we show them in allthe-desirable mixtures, 56 inches wide, $1.48. PELELDLHEDODDDOADEDODOADD OHLOEDIHOOADSLHLHLOOHDODEAANGIGDELGEBOOL E444 OOHOED i sense could there be such a difference? | Lite in an elght-room apartment at | No. %5 Cauldwell avenue, near One Hun- | dred and Sixtleth streef. We are very Quiet people, of regular habits, and are! careful not to waste gus, turning it out In one room when we go into. another We use no gas heaters or radiators, ax our apartment Js comfortably steam- eated iy t certainly feel that I have been robbed, as Judging Gy 'imy. former. bile I could not possibly have consumed the §as,,h have clearly “been paying tor Is there no way in this ‘free country" to check this extortion? Can't the ras- cals be got at? If a poor man eteals a loat of bread to feed his starving family. and is caught he is sent to prison, while the pirate trusts can rob at will ROBDRT DAWSON. P. 8. I can show you my bills and xou can inapect my apartments If you A Game of Progression, To the Editor of The Evening World: My gus bill for October was $3.0. Kor November, when my landlord's in- ability to seoure coal compelled me to use n gaa heater, $5.50. December, when my andl used the ‘ent ind supplied plenty. of at, enabling me y fag Heater, $10.10, SAREE OP For January, $3.90, Can you beat it? A. SKINNED. Highest in Two Years, To the Ké\tor of The Evening World Having read an article in your paper about big jump in January gas" bile T wish to state that I am one of those Who have the same complaint. My gus bills were never more than $3.50. From November to December it was $3.40, and from December to Jamary ft Jumped to $7.10 I am positive that I never con. sumed thet amount, ax we use coal to heat our rooms ana don't burn more n 8 on y met @n average every went ¢o the gus oo 'y and mad a complaint to the ol and he told me the reason my gas bille are langer this year than last is because [ heat by refined, unobtrusive—pin-checks and gas. How do they know | heat by us? Donegal Homespun Suitings, style-setters in Paris and London are June alinply imaged so. weet ares | using them liberally, $1.49. this house over 0 years and never had London Tweeds, eight of the newest color combinations, 48 inches wide, $1.79. Tailor Suitings, nearly a score of the late mannish effects in best colorings, 56 inches wide, $1.94. London Bourette Tweeds, seven handsome color schemes, 48 inches wide, $2.24 Irish Tweeds, from the. famous Shannon Mills, Athlone, dainty heather mixtures, 56 inches wide, $2.24, 8. LEWIS, uch Dilla before. i 2 it Bighty-second THE POSTMASTER Sheok Off Cottee and Got Well. | It's 80 easy to shake off coffee and coffee diseases when well-made Pos- tum Cereal Food Coffee is served in| its place that it doesn’t take long to! tell the tale, The Postmaster of a flourishing town in Dinwiddie County, writes: “Up to a sbort time ago fee had me a great sufferer from co! stipation, nervousness and indiges- tion, About the middle of last July I quit coffee and began using Postum, | and ever since J have been improv- ing. My troubles have no\ quite dis- | Women’s Skirts-» > Women’s Pedestrian Skirts, made of blue and black cheviot serge, seven gore flare style, open seams finished with several rows of stitching, $5.53. Women’s Pedestrian Skirts, made of blue and black cheviot, panel’ ap are | front, plaited sides, stitched yoke, $6.49. “LT attribute my recovery to Post a A | and have fnaeed muaral of ar Women’s Pedestrian Skirts, made of blue and black broadcloth, friends to try it,’ You are at liberty to use this.” Name is given by Pos tum Cereal Co., Ltd, Battle Creek, Mich There 16 a reason, Coffee is a def, nite poison to my persons and dis- ease sets in if the use of even one cup a day ts continued. When the poison ts withdrawn and a pure food beverage like Postum Food Coffee used the return to health | is natural and prompt if the disease {s not too advanced, and many, very | many, old, chronic diseases disappear when the coffee is abandoned and Postum used in its stead. Many of these old diseases are hidden nervous | that is, coffee keeps the| |nerves poisoned, and that condition | jereates and holds disease in some er-) gan of the body. Take away the! use and give a true, natural nerve panel flare style, finished with several rows of stitching and cloth straps forming yoke, $9.11, Women's Pedestrian Skirts, made of black cheviot and greenish gray mixtures, fifteen gore flare plaited style, finished with deep | yoke, $14.67, Women’s Dress Skirts, made of black cheviot, circular flare flounce style, trimmed with taffeta silk, over percaline drop, $5.21, Women's Unlined Dress Skirts, made of blue and black cheviot, side plaited effect, tinished with buttons, $6.96. Women's Dress Skirts, made of blue and black ladies’ cloth, seven-gore flare, open seam style, trimmed with taffeta straps and crocheted ornaments, lined with percaline, $7.48, Women's Dress Skirts, made of blue and black voile, nine-gore flare style, trimmed with taffeta silk, over taffeta drop, $14.74. Gymnasium Suits for women, misses and children made of chev- iots, serges and brilliantine at prices very much lower than else- where. 3 ki AE MLN ¥ Are Theit Low Prices. CYS The Famous Painting, “A Russian Wedding Feast,” Is Being Exhibited 4th to 35th St. Third Floor. Wash Goods, —nasement. The Printed Cottons, mobilized | the basement, have burst into” bloomy beauty. They evoke fresh interest at every turn. There are new effects from the Celtic weavers, and wonderful American Hiheal, tions of all the odd and dainty de- signs and colorings that enrich the costly novelties from Alsace-Lor- raine, St, Gall, Manchester and Glasgow. An irresistible galaxy of Batistes, Madrases, Gi The prices are luck figures. Three illustrations: ; Batistes, light and dark grounds, every yard made for this season, 124gc. grade at 7c. Ginghams and Madrases, solid corded stripes, checks and plaids, and 32 inches wide, 9c. Printed Irish Dimities—best qu imported from Belfast—tatest terns—sold by others at 220, 25c.; our price 4c. Women’s Kid Gloves Glace Gloves are superior to Dollar Gloves on the market, were chosen and imported for express purpose of justifying us making that claim. They have clasps, Brosser embroidery, come in black, white, tan, brow slate, beaver and red, 98c. “Quo Vadis” Real French Kid G Gloves, Nervura embroider oh lack, beaver, brown and t 1 We are sole agents in New Yor for the celebrated Foster Gloves: © Bonin Four Hook William G ie. Women’s Four Hook Fowler Gi $1.44, Women's Four Hook Fosterina Glae $1.69. : Women's Five Hook Fosterina Gi black only, $1.89. 7 Women's Four Hook William $1.24. Women's 8 In. Three Hook Wilflam Suede, $1.34. Women's Four Hook Fowler ‘ black only, $1.44. £ Women’s Shoes.-#a 7.., Lace Shoes, Patent Colt-skin and tips—warranted not to b until the sole is worn out—: soles are (hand welt and stron give long servic soft kidskin tops and military h sold by others fat $3.50; our price $2.49. Vici Kidskin Button and Lace patent leather and kid ti soles,medium toes, mil heels, by others at $3.50; our price $2.49, Satin Evening Slippers — Spanish last, short vamp, 2: Louis XV. heels—white, blue, and black. Any other color n to order without delay. Sold others at $3.50; our price $2.89. — Upholstery Goods—za rioor Point Arabe Lace Curtains, mount ed on good, heavy quailty elaborate borders: — the $4.75 quality at $5.98 the $5.00 quality at $4.24 the $6.75 quality at $5.98 the $8.00 quality at $6.99 the $10,00 quality at $8.48 Bonne Femme Lace Curtains, R and ecru, mounted on cablenetz— the $4.25 quality at $5.48 the $5.25 quality at $4.48 the $6.00 quality at $4.98 the $7.00 quality at $5.98 the 75c, quality at 49c, the $1.12 quality at 69c. the $1.30 quality at 98c, the $1.75 quality at $1.39 Reversible Tapestry Table Covers, ©) with heavy knotted fringe:— b the $1.85 quality at $1,241 4x05 yds the $2.75 quality at $1,98—2x2 yds, the $3.75 quality at $2.98—2x234 yds a Oriental Striped Portieres, with va- lance fringe, sold by others at $9.75 a pair; our price $2.98, Reversible Tepe. Portieres, t toned effects, fringéd at top and tom, sold by others at $5,85 @ p our price $4.98. Many of the stocks that served ‘so well before have doubled and iebled in and magnitude. matur ne thal will