The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-07-25
NATURAL GAS ORDINANCE.
Passed by Both Branches Of
Council Last Evening,
SOME DISCUSSION OVER 1T
In the Second Branch, But 1t Goes
Through Just the samc-Its Pro-
visions = other business
Done by Council.

The principal feature in connection
with the business transacted at the meet
ing OF Council last evening was the pas
sage by both branches OF an ordinance
entitled "An ordinance to establish and
enforce within the city OF Wheeling IN
assize OF bread, coal and natural gas,
limiting the price OF the same" and the
discussion that took place over this in
the Second Branch.
This is the ordinance proposed by the
committee appointed ut meeting OF
citizens held some time since, to protest
against an increase in price made by the
Natural Gas Company OF West Virginia.
After being reported to the citizens and
approved by them, it was intrusted to a
committee OF three from each ward,
charged with securing its passage. II
was accompanied by a memorial, refer
ence 10 which was made in yesterdays
issue, and the full text of which will be
found on one OF the inside pages OF this
issue.
The matter was first introduced into
the First Branch and passed there in O
one, two three order without dissent.
ing vote. 1t was taken up in the Second
soon after being reported by the First
The memorial was first read and then the
ordinance.
THE PROVISIONS.
The provisions OF the ordinance briefly
stated are as follows:
The price OF bread to domestic con-
sumers shall not exceed b cents Tor one
pound loaf, nor 10 cents for n two pound
loaf. The price OF coal to domestic con-
SINNERS shall not exceed for each busheI
(of eighty pounds, OF clean coal, 10 cents,
mixed coal, 8 cents, nut coal, s cents,
slack, cents.
The price of natural gas for the months
OF October, November, December Jan.
uary, February, March and April shall
not exceed for each cooking stove, 81 u
per month; each laundry stove, 60 cents
Der month; one heating stove or CRATE,
after the first, 81 40 per month; each
Baltimore heater with registers connect
ed, 81 80 per month; each heating fur
mace with registers connected, 81 10 pei
month and for May, June, July, August
and September, shall not exceed fol
each cooking stove 90 cents per month
each laundry stove, Sc cents per month
each heating stove or CRATE, 80 cents pei
month; each heating stove orgrate, at
ter the first, 2S cents per month; eacl
Baltimore heater with registers connect
ed, 30 cents per month; each heating
furnace with registers connected, 81 II
per month.
A fine OF not more than $50 nor les
than s. is provided for each violation o
these provisions.
WANTED TO REFER.
At the conclusion OF the first reading
Mr.. Allison made n motion to refer thu
ordinance to the Committee on Ordi
nances for report. lie said that he was
heartily in favor OF such provisions regu
lRting the gas company as we're aimed Il
in this ordinance, but he also believed
in fair play, and thought that it should
be shown to the West Virginia Company
even though it was guilty OF all thu
things charged against it. He wanted
the ordinance referred, and formal no
tice served on the company to appeal
before the committee and give its side o
the case. Should it refuse to appear il
answer to this, he would then be ready
to vote for the ordinance without Qucs
ton.
Itmight be true that the gas compan!
had failed to answer questions pro
pounded by citizens; it might have had
good reasons for so doing. That was nc
reason it would not answer questions
asked by Council or one OF its committee
il given chance to do so. Mr.. Allison
called the attention Of Council TO the
fact that the West Virginia Company
had threatened to bring suit for the re-
covery Of compensation for the gas that
had been furnished the city free
amounting to about $1,000 per annum
i'm case lis privileges and rights were
abridged. The passage OF this ordinance
might involve the city very considerably
and then the citizens would be heard
bowling against the Council for its
action.
Mr.. Maxwell and Mr.. Kraft spoke in
the same vein. Colonel Caldwell said
but little, his position rs stakeholder
in and attorney for the company making
his position delicate one. Mr.. Cruise,
Mr.. Miller and Mr.. Garrison protested
that the company had had all the show
it was entitled to.
PASSED.
The motion to refer was lostb a vote Of
II too At the conclusion Of the second
reading Mr.. Allison moved to defer
further action till the next meeting
and again went over his arguments.
This motion was lost by vote Of 10 TO I.
On the final passage Mr.. Allison, who
votes first, said that if the seven votes
on the lust roll call would
vote against the measure this time
they could postpone its passage for one
week. In the hope that these seven
would stick he would vote mo" Mr..
McKown broke away, however, and the
vote was IA to 6. All the noes then
changed over except Mr.. Mitchell. He
asked number OF pertinent questions
nu.., Ms6Lk NnnoknbnJ