102 CONSTRUCTION AND MANAGEMENT OF SMALL GASWORKS. 



where the bulk of this business is small and intermittent 

 and in any case could probably be had at the ordinary rate ; 

 or a discount, according to quantity, allowed to the owners 

 of a factory that use no gas to speak of for six months of 

 the year, and add to the permanent charges by the 

 necessity for having a plant equal to their requirements 

 over December and January, a considerable part of which 

 is idle and earning nothing during the remainder of the 

 year ; or a rule of discount for cash in a month, which has 

 gradually been slackened until nobody thinks of paying 

 before the end of the quarter. The discount is a con- 

 cession made with a view of securing a larger advantage, 

 a sprat to catch a mackerel, and it should be carefully 

 watched to see that it does not take the form of a large 

 sprat and a microscopic mackerel. The discount system, in 

 all forms, is at times apt to lead to dissatisfaction and 

 complaint. If there is a special allowance for cooking or 

 motive power, the manager is sure to hear from some 

 person who runs a night trade, and uses a larger quantity of 

 gas than the average cooking customer, which he contends 

 is specially for industrial purposes, and therefore entitled 

 to the lowest terms. When the discount is on the quantity 

 used, say 2^ per cent, on 50,000 cubic feet and over and 

 5 per cent, on 100,000 or over, there is the customer who 

 happens to have used 49,800 cubic feet or 99,900 cubic 

 feet, as the case may be, to be considered. Or if discount is 

 allowed on cash in a month, there is sure to be a cheque 

 tendered for the net amount, some two or three weeks late, 

 accompanied by some more or less plausible excuse. And 

 if it is returned the party is aggrieved, and takes the longest 

 possible credit in future. Reasonable latitude, and the 

 exercise of tact and judgment, are occasionally called for in 

 all matters relating to allowances or rebates. While one 





