The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-02
VIEWS OF A COUNCILMAN
One of the Natural-Gas Committee Says
the Ordinance Will Be Changed.
Reasonable and Will Harm No 0ne--The
Position of the Broad Ripple Company.


The sentiment expressed at the meeting of
the natural gas committee OF Council in refer
ence to amending the ordinance found favor
able response in comment of citizens yesterday.
1t showed what has been manifest for some time
that public opinion is not ali in one direction
concerning the perfection Of the ordinances, and
that criticism to its Questionable features
has been withheld in Difference to the wishes OF
those who are interested in companies that pro-
pose to rival the organizations asking for. the
amendments. Councilman Thalman has all
along been conservative N his views, but since
the meeting of the natural-gas committee, of
which he is chairman, he has come squarely over
as q supporter of the amendments. II am decid-
edly in favor of the amendments asked for by
the indianapolis company" he said yesterday.
81 do not think could support those the Cap
ital City wants, as they 60 little
too far in requesting removal
of all requirements as to the miles of pipe that
shall be LAID in one year. Otherwise that COM
panys wishes are nearly in accord with those of
the Indianapolis company. But the opposition
to the amendments q whole 10 based on
prejudice alone, for there nothing before
our committee the other night to which any
fair minded business cannot accade. Yet to-
day have been approached by people who say
the ordinance must not be amended in any par
ticular. If these fellows said they, don't want
to come into the city, let them stay out That
is the spirit have observed in certain circles.
There were points, however. presented to our
committee that ought to convince any reason
able man az to the necessity for the amendments,
If they will bring gas into the city at once. The
changes proposed will not hurt the city, harm
the consumer or injure the Trust
do you think the amendments Will pass the
Council" he asked
81 think they will do not know what the
other members of the committee think, as we
had consultation after the proposed changes
were submitted and the discussion occurred.
We will meet Friday evening to reach con-
clusion to what we will report to Council next
Monday night. l hope for a unanimous report
favoring some kind of amendments to the ordl-
nance that will meet the desires of all the COM
panies interested, for / believe the Trust itself
report is not signed by three members of
the committee, there will be two reports pre-
scented, one favoring the passage OF an ordinance
to be introduced embodying the amendments
desired by the Indianapolis company and
another recommending ordinance embracing
the amend mepts of the Capitol City company"
"And one of the two ordinances will be
passedP
1T is highly probable, for Council is be-
ginning to see that the delay in getting gas into
the city is hurting us. Some people say it does
come to Council whether this delay can be con-
tinued when the acts it can perform will i'm
rnediately solve the whole difficulty without
damaging the interests of the city anybody.
Monday night 1 will favor giving the representa-
tive of each company fifteen minutes in which to
address Council for or against the amendments.
That will be fair, and relieve us of any accusa-
ton. if the amendments passed, that those
opposing any change were not given chance to
be heard"
The position of the Broad Ripple company, az
al tarIa hU m 0ardm mi IL hat
of neutrality. 1t neither objects to nor sup
ports tbs amendments, since the company's &C
ceptance of the ordinance carried with it a re-
eervatlon of all benefits the company would re-
celve under any amendments that might be
passed. AS the company was organized under
the law governing voluntary associations, it's
apltal stock is limited to 500, 900. 1t cannot
under it's present charter exceed that amount.
with only this amount of money to carry on
our operations" said Mr. Boardman. ''the sec
ton Of the ordinance requiring certain num-
Der Of miles of pipe to be laid in any year
does not materially affect Council cannot
compel to do work beyond the means at our
and when the 300. 600 we have is
expended then we must stop. But we
do not con tenn plate doing that If our operations
can be extended under favorable circumstances.
If the city treats fairly ND the business we
receive will justify il, a reorganization of the
will no doubt be effected under the
general mining law of the State, which will en- |
able us to enlarge our capital stock In this re- |
spect we occupy position different from that 70 |
other com panies, which were organized under |
the general mining law and are not restricted as
TO capital They expend any |
amount they desire in plant |
even in one of such magnitude that contem-
plated by the Trust which cannot cost less than
81, 500. 900 il the plans they have been repre-
sented are fully carried ont We can expsnd |
only 100000, and how to do that to |
the best advantage to bring in the best |
return the investment is what /
are considering without taking much note of
the proposed amendments to the ordinance. We
are adding to our contracts for pine in order to
cover the territory we have selected
possible. When that is done will wait the
.urn Of events to guide in limiting our bust
ness to present plans in extending it. )"
Some of the stockholders of the Trust are pay
ny in on the third assessment. although New
ton Clavpool says IL is not due until Monday
1ext. The company expects to close its
tracts for pipe within ten days, and as Mr.. Clay
pool puts il, to have one half the line laid early
n March The company now has twelve wells.
With We more being drilled.
To counterfeit the growing sentiment favor
ng changes in the ordinance a meeting has
'een called for Friday evening. 1t will be held
n the Criminal Courtroom, and the spirit of
he speeches and formal protest will be against
ny changes until experience has demonstrated
hat they are necessary. IL will also be urged
hat in no event should amendments be made
Until the consumers, and not the companies,
SIX for them.