The Daily Century: 07 July 1915 Wed
Mrs. Luhm is good at potatoes. Visitor repays generosity with theft. Gas prices lowered in city.
A dose of the news Chippewa Valley folks were reading on Wednesday, July 7, 1915. Source: The Eau Claire Leader.
Best in New Potatoes.
Mrs. August Luhm of 917 Barland street, on July 4 had new potatoes, samples of which may be seen at the Leader office, and they are well worthy of record. The variety is the Early Ohio, resembling the Early Rose, and they are true to type. Mrs. Luhm for many seasons has been among the first, if not the first to have home grown potatoes on the market. A year ago her product commanded as high as $2 per bushel. Of course the price is much lower this year, and who can tell the reason? She secures good seed, getting potatoes that have been grown on heavier soil and planting on the lighter soil of her place. From another patch the family have been having new potatoes for more than a week.
Stole Cash of Benefactor, it is Alleged
James Jordan, naming his residence as being in the vicinity of St. Cloud, Minn., pleaded guilty yesterday in municipal court to the theft of $26.65 from William Ploof.
Jordan had met Mr. Ploof, who runs the pop corn wagon near the Continental store, and had been given a dollar "until he found work." Later, Saturday night, Jordan was present when Mr. Ploof and an assistant were cleaning a wagon preparatory to taking it to Lake Hallie for the Fourth. When Mr. Ploof's back was turned Jordan is said to have extracted $26.65 from the pocket of his coat. He soon left the barn and went to Altoona. The Eau Claire police were notified and a patrolman was sent to investigate. He returned to the city, however, without Jordan.
Sheriff Cleghorn and Undersheriff Garman, accompanied by Mr. Ploof later went to Altoona and finally located Jordan under one of the beds in a rooming house.
Yesterday Jordan was taken before Judge McBain, and he entered a plea of guilty. He was bound over to circuit court and is now awaiting trial in the county jail.
DOWN GOES PRICE OF GAS IN CITY
RUMORS PROVE TRUE THAT PUBLIC UTILITY IS TO DELIVER THE GOODS
MEANS A REDUCTION IN PRICE OF FROM 10 TO 35 CENTS PER 1,000 CUBIC FEET
One of the most important public service announcements put out in some years in Eau Claire is made today by the Wisconsin-Minnesota Light and Power company. It refers to a substantial and voluntary reduction in the price of gas furnished consumers in the city, the new schedule of rates having been filed with the State Railroad Commission at Madison. The reduction is a variable one, beginning with 10 cents per 1,000 cubic feet per month to a reduction amounting to 35 cents per thousand feet for large users for industrial purposes. Gross rates which have been in existence in the past, and still are for the month's business are as follows:
First 5,000 feet used per month per thousand feet .......... 1.40
Next 5,000 feet or any part, per thousand feet .......... 1.35
Next 10,000 feet or any part, per thousand feet .......... 1.30
Next 30,000 feet or any part, per thousand feet .......... 1.20
Next 50,000 feet or any part, per thousand feet .......... 1.10
Next 90,000 feet or any part, per thousand feet .......... 1.05
From 150,000 feet upward used per month, per thousand feet .......... 1.00
The new rates recognize the distinction between domestic consumers using gas for cooking and other household purposes and industrial consumers. For the latter class, the rates have been made especially favorable by the purpose of building up industries in the city. The new rates are as follows:
First 2,000 feet per month, per thousand feet .......... 1.30
Next 3,000 feet or any part, per thousand feet .......... 1.20
Next 5,000 feet or any part, per thousand feet .......... 1.10
Next 20,000 feet or any part, per thousand feet .......... 95
Over 30,000 feet per month, per thousand feet .......... 85
The minimum bill to be 50 cents.
The figures quoted are in each case the gross price of gas, a discount of ten cents (10c) per thousand feet is deducted for prompt payment of bills. The minimum amount of gas which any customer may buy under the new schedule is 50 cents worth per month. The new rates take effect on gas consumed after the July meter readings.
The above in brief is the result of an interview with District Manager A. R. Manley of the local public utility corporation.
The gas company in this city has developed a business of approximately 45,000,000 cubic feet, and it is anticipated with the use of gas made more popular by the reduction in price now announced, that a very substantial increase in the volume of sales will ensue.
This reduction indicates how progressively gas has become cheaper since the introduction of the gas making industry in this city. The original Eau Claire gas franchise permitted a price of $3.50 per 1,000 feet to be charged until 300 families were connected. This was later modified to a $3.00 rate, to be reduced to $2.50 when 400 customers were obtained, and later on to $2.00. The latter was reduced long ago, before the present management had anything to do with the company. In 1905, the rate was reduced from $1.50 to $1.30, which rate now gives us a rate of $1.20 net. As a matter of fact, by reason of the improvements which has been brought about in gas making, a really better quality of gas is being supplied today at the lower prices than was formerly possible at the higher rates.
The amount of gas annually consumed in Eau Claire is approximately 45,000,000 cubic feet, or about 2,000 feet per head of population. Where the gas business is highly developed, operators sell as much as 6,000 feet per head of population. The lowering of rates and the growing diversification of uses to which gas may be put account largely for the great increase in its use.
Plus:
Use “cocoanut” oil for silky, bright, fluffy hair.
The editor on the acceptance of the automobile.
The hazards of mixing horses and motorcycles.
Full page advertisement of new gas rates.