The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-12-10
THE CITY COUNCIL MEETS.
A Kansas City Concern Offers to Build
New Gas Works
WHICH PROMISES GAS At ONE DOLLAR

AHe ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ElBDB IN inc
COunciI-Other Matters Before the
Council.
The city council was somewhat startled
last night when a dashing looking young
man, wearing big diamond in his shirt
front appeared and announced that he
had come to give the city dollar gas"
He gave the name of James r. Nc
Ilvried of Kansas City and said that he
represents the Missouri Valley Gas COM
pany of Kansas City, which is now
erecting an enormous plant there.
An ordinance granting the new COM
pany franchise was introduced and on
motion of Councilman Bradford referred
10 the committee on lights. Mr.. Mc1lvried
was called for and he said:
81 did not come prepared to make a
speech. I can only tell you that 1 am
here to make the arrangements for the
building of a new gas plant of large
capacity to supply the city with dollar
gas"
Councilman Bradford: "When will you
commence work."
Mr.. McIlvried: 81 can not tell. There
is much preliminary work to be done by
our engineers which will require some
time"
Councilman Stephenson: "Will the
plant be erected in the city?"
Mr. McIlvried: II can not tell. That
is question to be settled by our engi-
neers."
Councilman Bradford: What is your
process?"
Mr.. McIlvried: "The modern process
in which hard coal, coke and oil are
used 1t gives a greater candle power
than the old method. We guarantee %
candle power. while the old PROCESS gives
from II to 19.'
Councilman Elliott: 81 was in the
council when the first franchise to the
gas company was given and l will ask
the same question now that / did then.
Do you expect to give the city anything
in return for the franchise-to pay any
thing for it?"
Mr.. McIIvried: "No, we do not; if we
give the city dollar gas we do not think
we should pay anything for the right to
do sou
Councilman Elliott "Then I want to
serve notice that 1 will vote against any
franchise in which the city is given no
revenue or royalty"
Mr.. McIlvried: That is a matter for
future consideration
Councilman Stephenson: "How many
men will you employ"
Mr.. McIlvried: I'VE have employed
LOU men at one time, but there are
about 1000 now employed"
Mr.. McIlvried said that a plant of at
least 100000, 900 cubic feet capacity will
be erected if the company can get what
it wants.
The Dead Animal Ordinance.
The dead animal ordinance, which has
been hanging fire for several months, was
passed last night without opposition. 1t
provides for license fee of $50 and a
bond of $500 1t provides for detailed
statement to be filed with the city clerk
on the first Monday of each month.
Minor Mention.
J. ". Mcclure and others presented a
petition requesting that the grade on
Harrison street, between Seventeenth
and Eighteenth streets be reduced at the
middle of the block. An ordinance to do
the grading as requested was introduced,
but laid over without action.
George G. Beach and others asked that
Tyler street, between Fifth and Sixth
streets. be graded and the petition was
referred to the committee on streets and
walks.
The council decided to go to Wichita
to attend the municipal association, leav :
ing Topeka at midnight next Monday.
The assessment ordinance for the paw
ing of the alley back of the new court
house was passed. The lots are assessed
from $33 to $38 each.